Autographs!!

[Anton Phibes]

OK-- A few years ago, my son and I met Chris Sarandon, Mr. Jerry Dandrige himself at a Horror convention in Kentucky. Got an awesome signature and inscription, and a photo with him. Unfortunately my nerve damage was at its worst, and when he touched my back I just about went into pain induced faint, and I am clearly flinching in the picture. So the pic aint too hot. This was about 6 years ago.





During this time I have been on again and off again hunting a Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent. (Not as easy as you would think). Finally-- I just got this one from Fright Night part 2 from an autograph dealer in Britain. Its him in character from the scene when he is in his apartment telling Charley's girlfriend, Alexis, some "behind the scenes" stories, and a bit in his cups. I love it. What is Jerry without Peter after all,lol?

[Ludi]

Excellent! 

[Farley Flavors]

Long time lurker, first time posting. I've really enjoyed viewing everyone's impressive collections. I only got into the horror convention scene four years ago, but it's been fun meeting actors from some of my favorite movies growing up -- Fright Night, especially. It's an expensive hobby (the autograph prices seem to go up every year), but I've gotten some nice memories out of it. Most of this stuff is packed away in storage until I get a bigger place with room to display it properly... but I thought I'd share a few pics of some posters I've had signed in-person.

Mondo Hellraiser screen-printed poster (signed by Doug Bradley, Ashley Laurence, Simon Bamford and Nicholas Vince):




Halloween II one-sheet poster (signed by Tyler Mane, Scout Taylor-Compton, Danielle Harris, Caroline Williams and Margot Kidder):



I realize Rob Zombie's films aren't for everyone. I'm not the biggest fan myself, but I sort of enjoyed this movie and thought the poster would look good with some autographs on it. Since he tends to cast a lot of genre actors in supporting roles, I've been adding the signatures of people who I'm a fan of from other projects (Kidder from the Superman series, for instance) that only played a small part in Halloween II. Sort of an odd approach, but I figured it would help me save wall space in the long run.


Fright Night reprint poster (signed by Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse and Stephen Geoffreys):




A Nightmare on Elm Street reprint poster (signed by Heather Langenkamp and Amanda Wyss):




Phantasm reprint poster (signed by Don Coscarelli and Reggie Bannister):



I passed on the opportunity to add Michael Baldwin and Bill Thornbury's signatures. I believe they were charging $30 + an extra $10 to pose for a picture with you. The extra $10 bit was a deal breaker for me.

[Mike Scott]

Welcome to the UMA, Farley!  Nice collection!

[Farley Flavors]

Thanks, Mike! Here are a few horror related 8x10s I've gotten signed in-person, along with some convention stories for anyone who might care to read them.

LISA WILCOX (Alice Johnson in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 & 5):



Lisa is still a stunningly beautiful lady. She included the metal "ALICE LIVES" pin for free with the autograph.

I noticed she had a set of wooden nunchucks at her table. If you haven't seen Nightmare 4, her character gains martial arts skills that were passed to her from her brother Rick. There's a humorous scene of Alice showcasing some sweet nunchuck moves in front of a mirror -- which is clearly a stunt double (probably a man) being filmed from the back wearing a wig. I always got a kick out of that. Lisa was actually selling the nunchucks for $40 autographed, which I might have bought if I hadn't just purchased this signed 8x10 from her.

I asked if she was ever approached about appearing in Freddy vs. Jason, as her character has the sole distinction of surviving two run-ins with the Springwood Slasher. At least one early draft of the FVJ script featured Alice and her son Jacob (the titular "Dream Child" of Nightmare 5). I believe she said someone reached out to her about it at one point, but didn't elaborate further. Considering it took New Line years to finally green-light that movie, it makes sense that they decided to ignore the survivors of both franchises and just start over with a fresh cast of teenagers.


IMOGEN BOORMAN (Tiffany in Hellbound: Hellraiser II):



Note: Quote censored per UMA rules.

Hellbound is my favorite horror sequel and I was happy to get a chance to meet the actress who played Tiffany. I think she's somewhat new to the horror convention scene. I found her to be a very pleasant person to chat with and she doesn't look much different than she did back then.

She asked me if I wanted her to write a particular quote on the photo. If you've seen the movie, you'll remember that her character was a girl of few words. I think she spoke three lines in the last act... the first being a big ol' expletive when the Channard cenobite comes flying through the window.

I was hesitant to ask her to write that, but it's one of my favorite moments in the movie. She told me that line wasn't in the script and the director (Tony Randel) whispered it to her on-set. Being a young English schoolgirl, she was a bit cautious about swearing on film... but she did it anyway.

I sat in on a Hellbound reunion panel later in the day featuring Imogen, Doug Bradley and the other three cenobite actors. She spoke a bit about the casting process and said the director was looking for an actress whose face could convey a bittersweet quality. I think that's a perfect description of what she brought to the role.


PAT PRIEST & BUTCH PATRICK (The Munsters):



Pat is a very sweet woman. I asked her what Elvis was like ("He loved his family. He loved the Lord.") and we talked a bit about my recent trip to Graceland -- a place she had never visited. Being a collector, I also brought up the subject of Munsters memorabilia. I showed her a photo of the Marilyn maquette that's coming soon from Sideshow/Tweeterhead. She didn't know anything about it.

The cast apparently signed their likeness rights away when they did the show (common at the time), so it's kind of a shame she doesn't have any input or profit from items featuring her likeness. I read that Tweeterhead are now having her sign a few of the maquettes for their customers (the B&W variant), so hopefully she's seeing a little extra money from that.

Butch left his table before I could walk over. His assistant didn't know where he went or when he'd be back, so I just hung around the area for a bit. There were replicas of the Dragula and Munsters Koach on display, so I was checking out all the details there. I heard a woman next to me say "How awesome is this?". I turned around because I thought she was talking to me... and discovered it was Victoria Price (another guest at this show).

Like a huge dork, I said "OH! You're Vincent Price's daughter!". She held her smartphone up and said "I AM Vincent Price's daughter... and you're on Periscope!". Apparently she was in the process of live streaming to the internet. I realized what was happening and sheepishly said "Oh... how ya doin'?"

Then my brother (far more outgoing than myself) walked over and stuck his face right into the middle of Victoria's live stream -- even checking her phone to see how many people were watching him at that moment. I was a little mortified, but we chuckled about it later. Butch eventually returned to sign the photo and posed for a quick picture with myself and Pat.


CATHERINE MARY STEWART (Regina in Night of the Comet):



I LOVE Night of the Comet, but I suspect I made Catherine uncomfortable with how much I nerded out in front of her. I was probably talking a mile a minute because I was nervous. Sometimes I need to remember to take a deep breath and chill out. 


ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK (Movie Macabre):



This was the longest autograph line I've ever stood in... no doubt because Cassandra Peterson was signing in the full Elvira get-up. She's still a major draw. I think it was originally a three hour wait. I went to lunch and visited a flea market down the road, hoping to give the crowd time to thin out.

I returned a couple hours later and her line was still at least 50 people deep. A staff member came out to tell the remaining fans that she was wrapping up the signing in 30 minutes, but they would do their best to get everyone through. Thankfully, I made it to her table with about ten minutes to spare. No time for chit chat, since there were still plenty of folks waiting behind me.


EILEEN DIETZ (Pazuzu's face in The Exorcist, as well as doubling for possessed Regan):



Note: The autograph is sort of faint and smeary. It would have been nice if she at least tested the markers first.

Captain Howdy is an iconic horror image (largely due to Dick Smith's make-up), but Eileen's face was only on screen for a few frames. Still, imagine the countless nightmares it must have inspired since the film was first released.

Eileen had no assistant with her at the time and I didn't notice a price list at the table. That should have been a red flag, but I figured she might share some anecdotes about the film since no one else was giving her any business at the time. Unfortunately, she was more eager to pitch her book than make small talk after I paid her the $25 she wanted for the autograph. I know pushing merchandise is the main reason actors turn up for these events, but it wasn't subtle in this case.

Eileen was a guest at another local con two or three years ago. I didn't meet her back then, but heard from someone who did that she was charging $20 for an autograph -- photo op with your camera included. When I asked if I could take a picture with her on this day, she grinned and said it would cost another $10. The vibe already felt a bit unpleasant, so her requesting more cash didn't come as a surprise. I replied "Never mind then." and walked away.

Guests charging fans extra to take tableside photos with their own camera is nothing new (I still consider it tacky), but at least put up a sign as fair warning. To date, I've never paid over $30 for an autograph w/photo op from any actor -- including some bigger names at this same show. I thought $25 for her autograph was already plenty. Now instead of eliciting fear, that demonic white face serves as a reminder of the worst convention encounter I've had so far. Her "Beware" inscription was appropriate... I should have saved that money for Linda Blair. 

[Farley Flavors]

There's been zero activity in this thread since my last post, but I thought I'd go ahead and share a look at the last bit of my horror autograph collection. Lord knows none of my friends and family appreciate this stuff.

DALE MIDKIFF, DENISE CROSBY & MIKO HUGHES (The Creed family in Pet Sematary):




CHARLES CYPHERS & NANCY LOOMIS (Sheriff Brackett and Annie Brackett in Halloween):



I just slapped some labels on the frame to customize it a bit... I'm aware this photo is actually from Halloween II.


FELISSA ROSE & JONATHAN TIERSTEN (Angela and Ricky in Sleepaway Camp):



Note: Another quote censored per UMA rules.

These two could not have been any cooler. If you dig the movie and they happen to be at a con you're attending, I recommend visiting their tables.


JOHN KASSIR (voice of the Cryptkeepr):




JULIE ADAMS (Kay Lawrence in Creature from the Black Lagoon):



At last, I've posted an autograph that actually fits the theme of this forum! It's the one signature I didn't obtain in person, but it might be my favorite.

[michblk]

Thanks for the stories with your Pics Curtis.  I have been on both sides of the table, so I'm sure you're not the first to have ever nerded out on Catherine Mary Stewart.  She is still beautiful today.  What cons do you attend?

BK

[Farley Flavors]

I have been on both sides of the table, so I'm sure you're not the first to have ever nerded out on Catherine Mary Stewart.  She is still beautiful today.

Indeed. For some reason, I couldn't stop talking about her role in "The Apple" (a notorious flop, but a major guilty pleasure of mine). I think I even complimented her lip-syncing skills in the movie. She was very sweet, but I probably should've toned it down a notch or two. I do remember she suggested I check out a movie called "Dudes", which co-stars Daniel Roebuck (who I noticed is a member here).

What cons do you attend?

Just the ones that are local. I'm in Kentucky and there are two big conventions in Lexington (Comic and Toy Con in March and The Scarefest in September) that I try to check out every year. Days of the Dead just added Louisville to their roster of shows, so I made the road trip there to meet Elvira last month. It's a bit farther than I'd normally travel for something like that, but I had a great time. Solid line-up of guests and very well organized.

[michblk]

I do remember she suggested I check out a movie called "Dudes", which co-stars Daniel Roebuck (who I noticed is a member here).


Just the ones that are local. I'm in Kentucky

Yes Danny is a member and one of us!

Horror hound in Cindy is usually a good one.  I've been to the 3 you've mentioned and wonderment which is also in Louisville

BK

[Farley Flavors]

Despite reading reports that it was a disorganized mess in years past, I might give Fandom Fest Louisville a shot. I almost went last year when they were supposed to have Billie Piper from Doctor Who, but she ended up canceling. Still, I suspect most guests at that show (and Wizard World) are out of my price range.

When I was kid, my dad took us to Star Wars Celebration II in Indy where autograph tickets were only $12 each if you bought ten or more. I considered THAT really expensive back then. How times have changed.

[Anton Phibes]

......somebody got a good deal, wow! Cheap and it was REAL!




http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTHONY-PERKINS-039-PSYCHO-039-HAND-SIGNED-AUTOGRAPHED-8x10-PHOTO-/371744344537?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&autorefresh=true&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=d3UN%252FMrEGFxIrZfbZPm2k8riAXE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[Wolfman]

I'm on the verge of buying a Fred Gwynne autograph from Conway's Vintage Treasures. Anyone purchase from them before?

JP

[Anton Phibes]

I'm on the verge of buying a Fred Gwynne autograph from Conway's Vintage Treasures. Anyone purchase from them before?

JP

They have a good reputation. I think I may have bought something from them before, but my memory fails.

[Wolfman]

They have a good reputation. I think I may have bought something from them before, but my memory fails.

Thanks Anton. Got a photo all picked out for it to frame with.

JP

[Wolfman]

Just bought the auto. Also got the photo I want to frame it with. My favorite auto to date. Here's a rundown of my autos:

P.J. Soles
Linda Blair
Kyra Schon
Bill Mumy
Terry O'Quinn
Jill Schoelen
John Jarrett
Basil Gogos
Kevin McCarthy
Fred Gwynne

I will be adding Nick Castle next month. I still want to get John Carpenter & Lon Chaney Jr. The Chaney auto is a (distant) future project.

JP