Forrest J. Ackerman's influence and the Horror Hall of Fame: An Appreciation

[Anton Phibes]

I have been thinking a lot today about Forrest Ackerman.
About his contributions to the genre.
Forry's magazine is why I started getting into monsters. The movies werent as readily accessible as they are now at the time the magazine was being published. So I relied on the "film books" section to help me learn about films I hoped one day to see.
My dad and I collected the magazine together.
Ordered models out of the back from Captain Company, and laughed at those awful puns.

Its a given that Forry had a tremendous influence on the world of collecting science fiction and movie monster memorabilia.
His collection was monumental. As is the magnificent collection of the awesome BOB BURNS. His demeanor was kind.
When Vincent Price lost his wife, I called Forry's machine. He picked up the phone the minute I mentioned Price's name.
He said he was sending flowers on behalf of whomever wished him to as an expression of their sympathies. Forry didnt know me from Adam---but all it took was the mention of his grieving friend's name to cause him to pick up the phone.

Forry was friends with almost all the genre favorites of Creature Features

Karloff;


Lugosi visiting Forry and his wife in Forry's healthier years


When Lon Chaney Jr. became ill, Forry used Famous Monsters to prompt fans to send get well greetings to him. The results were astounding.



Forry was responsible for bringing an ailing Peter Cushing to America to help him get his mind of the loss of his wife, Helen.



Had Christopher Lee over to the "Acker-museum"


Friends to the end with Vincent Price:



Goofing around with Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen, friends for life as well.





Here's Forry being admitted into the Horror Hall of Fame. Its presented to him from some genre greats.

Forrest J. Ackerman Horror Hall Of Fame Inductee October 1990

This was a man who did what a lot of us can only dream of. He made friends with nearly everyone involved with the genre, and he didnt horde the experiences all to himself. He created a persona and  a magazine that he shared with thousands of others. He probably is one of the main reasons many of the collectors here are, indeed, real collectors.

WHAT A LIFE!!!!  WHAT A LEGACY!!!!!