Who's going to Wonderfest

[typhooforme]

Gary, It was a tremendous pleasure for me to bring the Robotrix head and the Dorian Gray head as well as my other lesser Forry artifacts from my collection, and it pleases me more than I can say that you and other Wonderfest attendees enjoyed seeing them.  Thanks very much for your kind comments!  Sharing his collectibles was something Forry did regularly, but I don't often have an opportunity to do the same, and particularly not for such a large appreciative audience! Having Joe Moe lend us Forry's original 1926 AMAZING STORIES and his SCI FI license plate was the icing on the cake.

Here's something most UMA members don't see--the set-up stage.  In the early moments of creating the displays--our wonderful Elizabeth Haney, who is an accomplished creator of museum displays, had just set things up on a trial basis in these photos, as we figured out what would go where.  Notice Forry's saucerman figure (which was a gift to him years ago from Michael Ruffalo of Billiken) standing with his rear end facing outward--we decided to turn him around before the display was finished!:

[Elizabeth]

Gary, very nice to see you pop by!

Thank you for your kind hospitality at WonderFest-- your room decorations were stunning!  And I sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to chat with you one-on-one a bit that weekend.


And Robert-- thank you again for letting me play with your toys!  I am so glad it was the Saucerman who was photographed from behind this year, not me.

[Scatter]

Crazy 1van writ: "As always Baron, your thought processes would boggle the mind... had I one to boggle."
Scatter writ: "Trying to decide whether I'm in the presence of madness or genius. Or if there's even a difference."
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
... A very fine line, at best... but, who's counting?  ME! I LUFF TO COUNT! VUN! TWO! THREE!

Genius it is!!

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

BROTHER SCATTER,

... "It takes one to know one!"

... This ARMY calls, forth, the MAD GENIUS, in, ALL, of us!

... Our Collective Presence, at WONDERFEST and other Conventions, serves, to, repeatedly, validate and intensify this Proof.

... I am, as are, so many, here, an OLD DARK CLUBHOUSE "Member", too!

... By my choice, to celebrate their Artistic Genius; to intertwine and engraft, my Mad Celebrations, into ITS Magical Atmosphere, and interact, most convivially, with some, of the most humble, beautiful, amazingly talented MONSTER KIDS, that I could ever hope, to meet, I, always, come, away, feeling much richer, as a Person, who is thrilled and enthralled, by CLASSIC MONSTERDOM!

... Acting my original FRANKENSTEIN and DRACULA Scenes, within the very Heart, of The ODCH, whilst it resided, at THE MONSTER BASH, I found deep fellowship; union, with so many great hearts:
DAVID and EILEEN COULTON, GARY PRANGE, JOE BUSAM, JIM and MARIAN CLATTERBAUGH, DON REESE... WOW! The list goes, on, and, on!

... I hope, that, in addition, to the Performance, which I am honoured, to share, in front, of the UMA Display, that, I might be doubly-honoured, to Gift the ODCH, with additional reprise, of my talents.
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON & BARONESS & UMA, ODCH & CHFB FRIENDS, GOO-O-OODD-D!, B.G.G.

[The Drunken Severed Head]

Some pictures and wonderful comments have been posted about the Universal Monster Army's displays at Wonderfest this year. As Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have passed on, I wanted to focus on the two exhibits created for the UMA that celebrated two people very important to our members, Forrest J. Ackerman and artist Linda Miller.

Robert Taylor, Raymond Castile and Joe Moe created a touching and awesome tribute to Forry Ackerman and to Famous Monsters for the display. Robert has posted some pictures.





One of the many highlights of Wonderfest (for me) was talking to Bob Burns about the late Linda Miller. "Meek" had many friends here at the UMA and all over, and is still missed by many.

I helped just a bit with unloading and setting up the UMA display, but the contribution I'm proudest of was helping to produce an exhibit of Linda's monster art for the display. I had the idea and the photos. Raymond produced and shaped the exhibit, and then we arranged the art together, with MUCH (and much appreciated) assistance from Robert Taylor and my wife Jane. Raymond and I worked on the text.





The images above are from Harry Woodbury, who is like Raymond Castile: a really nice guy who's also an excellent photographer! I think of him as the "film blanc" version of Coffin Ray.

One of the many highlights of Wonderfest (for me) was talking to Bob Burns about the late Linda Miller. "Meek" had many friends here at the UMA and all over, and is still missed by many.

An article on Linda will appear in the next issue of SCARLET magazine, which will debut at next month's Monster Bash.

[poseablemonster]

I was talking to Bobby about the exhbit the other day, and we both simultaneously commented that the exhibit of Meek's work looked like a wall of B&W photos from a distance, and in most pictures.  Such an amazing talent.  I'm really glad that the tribute turned out so well.

[typhooforme]

I talked to a number of people as they passed by the Linda Miller display, and many were shocked that some of the drawings were NOT photos.  Our little friend had a formidable talent.  I'm glad the display came to be and that it was so extensive.  Linda's talent amazed people, and rightly so.

[monsterphile]

I know what you mean.  I know that they're NOT photos, but I couldn't get over how much they look like they are.  I don't know how she did it. 

Rob

[michblk]

I actually asked her before because they looked so much like B&W Photos, she told me you can find her initials or name in there somewhere. 

BK

[Bogey]

I was talking to Bobby about the exhbit the other day, and we both simultaneously commented that the exhibit of Meek's work looked like a wall of B&W photos from a distance, and in most pictures.  Such an amazing talent.  I'm really glad that the tribute turned out so well.

Well, count me as one that thought they were photos.  I was wondering when there would be a shot of her display and there it was all the time.  Incredible!

[Brother D]

Ok, you know, I was going to just let this go and move on, but the fact is I was a member of the UMA for YEARS before it changed its emphasis from just laid back monster Universal Monster fandom to a "cult of celebrities". THAT is the first reason the move from the the more public Yahoo group (whatever they say) to the private site (Old Dark Clubhouse "elders" site) was so distressful to me. I praised the UMA display for the first two years (because it deserved praise), and the FIRST year I have issues with it, I am branded as a heretic. I had VERY valid complaints against this year's ehxhibit, most notably the aburd entire setion devoted to Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster (which everyone knows, whether they wish to acknowledge it or not, comes from a single individual's interest, and has  NOTHING to do with Universal Monsters), but also the very meagre sections devoted to Uncle Forry. I am NOT a member of this forum anymore, and no longer wish to be, but BE HONEST, and admit that this site has become a site to grovel at the feet of famous "monster kids", and NEVER adimit the Emperor has no clothes. The display this year was FAR inferior to the first two years, and I felt I needed to critique it. What I got was nasty, vicious comments that I DARE to question the hierarchey of the UMA. So be it. I was honest, and that is a HELL of a lot more than the rest of you are being.

Brother Damien

[raycastile]

Brother D.  Your displeasure with this year's display has been duly noted.

There is no question that the Bigfoot/Nessie window was included at my request.  It was my idea, my toys, my window.  No doubt about it.

There are three points I want to make:

1.  I received more positive face-to-face comments about the Bigfoot/Nessie window than any other part of the display, including the two Forry windows.  It was not even close.  And it wasn't just "buddies," either.  Strangers were telling me how happy they were to see that window.  They remembered the toys and films from their childhood.  It was a real rush of nostalgia to see those things again for the first time in 30 years.  So based on my personal interactions with Wonderfest attendees, the Bigfoot/Nessie window was a crowd pleasing success.

2.  UMA is about more than the Universal Frank, Drac, etc.  That is the core, as it is in the display, but our interests are broader and more eclectic.  The Unimonsters are the touchstone, but they are also the springboard that launches us into a wider world of fantasy and horror.  That is reflected in our membership, our online discussions, and our toy display.  And you can only show people the same Auroras, AHIs and Marx toys so many times.  We always keep those classic Unimonster toys at the core of the display, but we add sci-fi and other non-Universal items to keep things varied and interesting.  Just like Uncle Forry did in Famous Monsters.

3.  We welcome, want and need member involvement in the UMA display.  And we get it.  Every year, several members donate their time, talent and treasures to make the display possible.  If you are passionate about it, the best thing to do is get involved.  Be with us at 2 a.m. when we are exhausted but still plugging away, trying to get this thing up in time for the crowds that are coming just a few hours later.  Donate some toys, or help us wrangle toys from other members.  We spent close to $2,000 to make this display happen this year.  We spend about that much every year.  Luckily, we were able to raise enough money this year to cover most of it.  But I will still be out at least $200-$300, even after reimbursement.  The first year, I think I poured about $1,500 of my own money into this project with no reimbursement.  Other members have done the same.  And brother, I am not wealthy.  Fact is, if I wanted a government handout, I would qualify for food stamps.  No joke.  So I can't just throw money around like it was nothing.  But I enjoy this project, the fellowship it brings, and the enjoyment it delivers to many hundreds of people.  But you can't please everyone.  If you try, you will end up pleasing no one.

I'm sure there are other people who did not enjoy the Bigfoot window and other parts of the display.  But please understand that many people DID enjoy it.  Do not dismiss them as groveling just because they liked something that you did not.  Based on the overall feedback and my own impressions, I really do believe that Wonderfest 09 was the best UMA display appearance ever.

[typhooforme]

Damien, I don't have a lot of money--and I realize that I don't have the very top memorabilia from Forry's collection--but I do treasure the things I have, and I had hoped that visitors to the Forry windows would find the things I brought interesting and a worthy tribute to a man I loved and admired very much.  You can't imagine how saddened I am by your comments.  

[raycastile]

Damien, I don't have a lot of money--and I realize that I don't have the very top memorabilia from Forry's collection--but I do treasure the things I have, and I had hoped that visitors to the Forry windows would find the things I brought interesting and a worthy tribute to a man I loved and admired very much.  You can't imagine how saddened I am by your comments.  

I think most people were very interested, impressed and touched by the Forry windows.  Forry's influence was present throughout the display, has been since day one, and will continue to be as long as the project continues.

[michblk]

... but BE HONEST, and admit that this site has become a site to grovel at the feet of famous "monster kids", and NEVER adimit the Emperor has no clothes. ...
Brother Damien

grov⋅el  /ˈgrʌvəl, ˈgrɒv-/  Show Spelled Pronunciation [gruhv-uhl, grov-]  Show IPA
–verb (used without object), -eled, -el⋅ing or (especially British) -elled, -el⋅ling. 1. to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.
2. to lie or crawl with the face downward and the body prostrate, esp. in abject humility, fear, etc.
3. to take pleasure in mean or base things.

I refuse to grovel.   I'm still not sure what the issue is.  Even though I only see the display through photos, I think you guys do a great job.  Oh wait, am I groveling?  I think those that spend the most time, money and effort should have more of a say as to what is displayed.  I would also like to believe that if I make a suggestion, that it would be heard and considered, but doesn't necessarily have to be taken. 

With this new format, I've posted things and no one has commented.  I don't have a problem with it, I just hope someone has enjoyed or agreed with what I have posted.  I do think with a group this large, some things get overlooked.  It won't stop me from posting.

As for Famous Monster Kids, I'm not sure who is in that group, but I do feel humbled by the talent that is included in our membership, but that is only because I don't really have any artistic talent.  I still refuse to grovel.  We are all monster kids and that gives us a bond.  I appreciate all members and think everyone in this Army is important.  I've had people do kind things for me that I've never met. That is what makes us the best group out there.

What you felt as vicious comments were mainly just people protecting what they enjoy.  Some are better at expression than others.

The Emperor with no clothes, I never want to see the General like that... 

BK