LATEST NEWS ON FORRY

[typhooforme]

George, I can hear Jolson singing the Forry song as I read the lyrics--great stuff!

[typhooforme]

Dear friends--
I'm sorry to bring you sobering news after our happy news earlier today.  The excellent Earl Roesel of SCARLET STREET has just posted this at the CHFB, at Joe Moe's behest, and I'm passing it along to you as a very important announcement:

To all of our friends and family in fandom, I thought you deserved a firsthand report from the breaking heart of the Acker-mini-mansion. No, Forry's not gone (but was characteristically thrilled about the early obituaries) but he is weakening. He's enjoyed receiving all the correspondence and e-mails that continue to come for him and I am mentioning all of your names. Sometimes he'll muster a wave, sometimes a big smile, often at least an eye-twinkle.

I'm so sorry Forry is not going to get better this time. But even in this desperate anxiety we all share at the thought of a world without Forry, there is comfort. First, even as he fades, Forry is pain-free, still cracking puns (maybe I should just stick to the good news), totally lucid and most importantly - his own boss. Nobody could hope for a better farewell. If you know Forry, or if you've read Forry, you're well aware of his innocent, always practical attitude about everything. This circumstance is no exception.

I have asked him openly and he has answered that he is prepared to leave, not afraid in the least and that he knows we will all carry on for him. It has been my great privilege to be present in this critical time in Forry's life. When I first met Forry and came aboard as his faithful friend and ultimately his caretaker, I was well aware of the awesome responsibility I was charged with. Know that I will continue to take care of Forry with the same love and care that I would expect from any of you if you were in my place.

I've heard many talk of "childhood's end." Thankfully we're all part of a great support system in genre fandom and I know we will hold each other up through this landmark sadness. Good knows, I'll be calling on some of you when it's my turn to fold under the weight of this event. I'll try to update again as soon as I can.

With aloha and sincere respect,
Joe Moe

[Jim Bertges]

Thanks, Robert and thanks, Joe. It's sad, but at the same time comforting to know the truth.

[Anton Phibes]

This may sound ridiculous to some or perhaps even disrespectful, but I think Forry would get it. It is with the utmost respect and sentimentality that I say: "Forrest J. Ackerman shall never die."   

[CreepysFan]

 At least he's painless and going out cheerful, that is some small comfort at least.  If we have to let go now, then he desserves to go smilling and cheerful, for all the smiles he's given to us.  I don't want to let him go yet, but that's not in my power to stop.  I am so proud to have met him, and proud of how bravely he's faceing this.  At least he's not faceing this alone, and in our hearts and memories Forrest J. Ackerman will live forever.  Uncle Forry we love you.

[Tom Smith Monsternut]

God bless Forry !  He is an amazing man and he has touched the hearts of all his fans and passed on the legacy of Chaney Sr , Metropolis ,Karloff., Bela Lugosi ,Jack Perice ,and many ,many other amazing things to all of us..
Before FM and Forry I did not know anything about the wonders of these films ,actors ,directors ,make up men and so on . He and FM got me started in this lifetime passion I share with all of you my UMA brothers and sisters.

As I said ..God Bless Forry Ackerman and thanks for everything you have brought into my life,,our lives !

I never visited the Ackermasion It was a lifetime dream of mine but living on the other coast I never got the chance. BUT... He did give me the chance to see parts of it at the 1993 FM con in the traveling Ackermasion display. It was glorious !  My wife and I spent many hours in there over the weekend and marveled at the treasures inside that hall.

It was also the first time I met Forry  , a true gentmen with 2 of the coolest rings know to man on his hands

Thanks for that memory too Forry !

I have also met him a few other times over the years at comic cons  and he was always upbeat  and a true joy to talk with.

I'm proud to say that I  also contributed a piece of my art to him and the Ackermasion .. Years ago I painted a Metropolis portrait of the Robotrix and Rotwang for him  but in place of Rotwang I inserted Forry !  I sent it off to him as a gift and a thank you note for being who he was and the awe and wonder he added to my life .

A week later after going to see a early showing of T2 in the local theater I returned home to a find phone call waiting ,when I answered it ..I was greeted by his boyish voice thanking me and offering a tour if I ever went out to the west coast. It was a magical moment for me and I'm thrilled to have a piece of my art in the Ackermasion.

I wish I had taken a picture of it.  


Thanks Unc Forry for the years of happiness you have brought into my life and I "for one" will pass on the legacy of all things you taught us to the younger generation of monster kids.

Peace to you in your final days  my favorite Uncle and God Bless and watch over you.

Best..
Tom Smith

[Cinemacabre]

Honestly, I don't worry at all about Forry anymore. He has no pain, he's comfortable, he's surrounded by friends and loved ones, he's being bombarded by well wishes from fans all over the world, and he's going out on his own terms. As for us... whew! But remember, Forry took us out of the dark ages of fandom. Horror fans don't have to be alone anymore. We have each other and believe me, we're going to need each other.

Welcome to our collective shoulder.

[Ramboona]

An open letter
***************

Dear Uncle Forry:

Just imagine!  One day nearly 40 years ago a boy discovers a Magic Man (and the magazine that he edits) that changes his life forever!  And from that Magic Man the boy learns much more than just simply the Ack-to-Z of all things Sci-Fi, but life lessons about the importance of generosity, imagination, enthusiasm, wit, and the ability to inspire those around you.

And imagine that this boy grows up to joyously call the Magic Man his friend!  A dream come true for me, for I was that boy.  And through your friendship and inspiration over the years, I've been able to keep that boy alive inside me, still wide-eyed and in awe of the wonderful and wonder-full Forrest J Ackerman.

How can I possibly sum up in a few words... or a few million words... what you've meant to me for so many years?  It's been one the great privileges of my life to know you, to have spent time with you, to have shared so many memorable moments.  As a boy  I found a very happy, welcoming home in the pages of the magazines you created, and a fair part of me... maybe the best part... lives there still.

I thank you, humbly and from the bottom of my heart, for everything you've given me (and countless others like me) for the past 18 lustrums.  I thank you for your friendship, for opening your home to me, for sharing your all your amazing stories. 

And I promise you that in the years ahead I will do all I can to carry forth your message of imagination, your zest for the future, and your unconquerable belief that though April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May...

In short: Forrest J Ackerman Shall Not Die!  And so long as there are still dreams left undreamed and monsters to be made famous,  I will continue to sing Sonny Boy's song...

With all the love, respect and admiration I have to give, I say: THANK YOU UNCLE FORRY!


Jeffrey Roberts
Giraffe Robots
Jefpal

[CreepysFan]

[The Drunken Severed Head]

George, I laughed my head off in delight reading that! I hope you sang it to Forry over the phone, or at least sent it to Joe.

Thanks Terry and Raymond for posting photos!

And Robert, thanks for keeping the UMA updated!

FJA forever in our hearts!

[mike c]

Bless you Forrest.

This old world is better because you were here, and it's never going to be the same when you're gone.

I'm glad you got to see one more Halloween.

It may mean little coming from the one trillion seventeenth person to say so... but THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything, for always.

We all really, truly love you.

Mike C.

[smmayhem]

I do not post very much on the Universal Monster Army (and the other boards) as I am very much a lurker... who just likes to take in all of the information from the so many knowledgeable members. I have a tough time conveying my thoughts and feelings about the many different topics, however I can say that I do love monsters, sci-fi and the whole genre... and of course it was Forrest J Ackerman that introduced me to it all. At the first Monster Bash Convention in 1997, Ron Adams surprised me and had me stand up in front of a large group of convention goers to say somthing about FJA. I had no idea what to say as so many things were going through my head at that instant. I managed to stammer my way through my incoherant little speech... the only thing I remember saying was that Forrest J Ackerman was always there for us when we were kids with the magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. I wish I were an eloquent speaker but I am not. I wish I would have a said numerous things that evening but I did not. In not so many words, what I did manage to do that evening was to have everyone applaud and thank Forry for giving us that special childhood and giving us the ability to dream and the ability to use our imagination. Because without him, the Monster Bash Convention (and all of the other fine genre related conventions) would probably not exist. Sure the Monster Craze was a culmination of many different factors (i.e. Shock Theater, Aurora Monster Kits, etc.) but I believe FJA is on top of that list! Again, thank you Forry for being there!!!!

I finally met Forry in person at the 1993 FM World Convention in Arlington VA. Shortly afterwards, I started the Stoner's Monster Mayhem mail-order business and then the SMM Fanzine. And with a large readership of 40, Forry agreed to answer questions for an "Ask Uncle Forry" segment of my little rag of a fanzine (at no cost). How exciting it was for fans to have their questions answered by our Monster Guru.... and then later to be contacted by Ron Borst, who had spied a copy of my fanzine on Forry's desk. Okay... so maybe it was 41 subscribers!!! It was through the fanzine and mail-order business that I began to meet so many new friends who had the exact same interests, background and childhood! And again it all came back to "Uncle Forry". He sparked our interest in this genre as kids and brought us together again as adults to continue on with this fandom Again, thank you Forry for being there!!!!

As many of us, I have a room devoted to my love of monsters (Stoner's Basement... a work in continuous progress). It's where I house my collection of Monster Stuff and it's my very own Ackermansion/Ackermuseum, which really comes down to... my own little homage to FJA. I believe there's a little bit of Forry in all us which definitely shows the importance of this man in our lives.

As conveyed in the numerous pages of this topic so far, Forry, thank you so much for being there!

Rick
Stoner's Monster Mayhem

[Elizabeth]

Posted by Joe Moe directly, on Scarlet Street this morning--
Time stamp on the post: 11/10/08 09:59:20

Thanks for all of your love and support. I pass each message on to Forry. Right now, I need everyone's help to dispel any misinformation traveling around fandom. As I've said before, Forry gleefully relishes the early obits and other stuff. But it's important that friends and fans don't suffer distress from false reports and mere opinions. Recently, for example, someone wrote to me that they'd heard that Forry is "starving himself to death." That is completely UNTRUE. Forry has increasing difficulty swallowing. He chokes when he tries to eat or drink anything. Still, he's requesting Ensure and lots of water and doing his best to get it down. Let me make this absolutely clear. Forry is not willing to hurt himself to make a quick exit. He's just unwilling or desiring to get better. He's made the choice to bide his time until he goes to sleep and doesn't wake up. He's not ill with infection anymore but he has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure which is in early stages. His body is weakening and he doesn't walk anymore. For everyone's peace of mind, please don't give weight to reports from others who may pop in and visit Forry only periodically. I am at his side (along with caregiver Dolly, close pal Pam Keesey and Earl) every day from the moment he wakes up until the moment he goes to bed. All of us who are caring for him are trying to get him to hang around as long as possible without disobeying his wishes for no medical intervention. I look upon every day we have with Forry as an opportunity for more fans and friends to express their appreciation and love for him. Love, Joe

Link to original post: http://scarletstreet.yuku.com/topic/5130?page=-1

[typhooforme]

Thank you, Elizabeth.  I'm very glad Joe made that post--I was hoping he'd deny the rumor.  And I'm very glad you posted it here. 

[MonsterArt]

Last night we premiered the LOST SKELETON sequel at the Egyptian in Los Angeles. Before the premiere, the theater ran the original LOST SKELTON OF CADAVRA, and director Larry Blamire introduced the film by dedicating the screening to Forrest J. Ackerman.

It was a very nice moment, and the audience applauded in appreciation.