Remembering Carla Laemmle

.Above, Carla Laemmle at the 2011 Monsterpalooza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is sometimes incredible how fast time flies. This is particularly true whenever someone passes away and the passage of time isn't realized until someone makes note of it years later.

Craig Brann posted the following on Facebook this morning:

In memory of Rebekah Isabelle Laemmle, AKA Carla Laemmle. (October 20, 1909 – June 12, 2014) R.I.P.   She was the niece of Universal Pictures founder, Carl Laemmle. Some of you may remember the small part she had in the beginning of Dracula (1931).

It doesn't seem that long ago that Carla Laemmle passed away at 104. But it has been nine years ago today. For a long time, she was the sole surviving cast member of Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.

It is nice that she is still remembered today.

Happy Birthday, Caroline Munro!

Above, the autographed photo I got at the 2012 Monsterpalooza. From The Spy Who Loved Me.

A major fan favorite and a pretty nice lady, model/actress Caroline Munro turned 74 today. 

She was born on January 16, 1949 in Windsor, United Kingdom.

According to Wikipedia:

Caroline Munro is an English actress, model and singer known for her many appearances in horror, science fiction and action films of the 1970s and 1980s. In 2019, she was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards' Monster Kid Hall of Fame.

She played Karl Stromberg's assistant Naomi in the James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). 

Above, Caroline Munro and yours truly at Monsterpalooza in 2012.

I got to meet her at a Monsterpalooza show in Burbank and got her autograph. She was very personable. 

Happy Birthday, Caroline!

Protest Held At Disney H.Q. In Burbank

Protesters gathered at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank last evening to protest the company's woke stance on the Parental Rights in Education law in Florida.

Fox News 11 Los Angeles reported:

BURBANK, Calif. - Conservative groups are boycotting all things Disney over what they claim is the entertainment titan leaning too far left.

Hundreds protested outside of front gates of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank Wednesday evening.

The demonstration was organized by a group, Hold The Line.

The protest was tied to Disney’s response to Florida’s Parental Right’s Education Bill which is also known as the "Don’t Say Gay" bill by its critics.

The bill which became a law in March prohibits teachers from addressing gender identity and sexual orientation in certain classrooms.

To read more, go here. 

Something Strange

Above, the Akira Takarada-signed poster after the glass was replaced. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The news of the passing of actor Akira Takarada came today, apparently it was prematurely leaked as the family was not ready to have it announced.

According to the public statement issued by the Takarada family, he passed away in Japan on Monday, March 14 at 12:31 a.m. due to pneumonia. 

This was unknown to me on Monday when something happened: A framed Godzilla poster that was signed by Akira Takarada fell from my den's wall. The nail holding it gave way and it fell, cracking the protective glass. Takarada signed it for me at the 2013 Son of Monsterpalooza in Burbank. 

Above, Akira Takarada and yours truly at the 2013 Son of Monsterpalooza with the signed poster.

It took it in to the frame shop in Gallup on Tuesday to have the glass replaced. I picked it up yesterday (Wednesday) when I was in town to take a friend to his physical therapy session. 

It is odd that I never had any problems with it until it fell on the day he passed away. Strange things do sometimes happen.

Keeping The Evening Superman

Sometimes weird things happen in life.

For example, back in 2015, a group of us Adventures of Superman fans attended the memorial service for the "Greatest Jimmy Olsen of all", Jack Larson at the James Bridges Theater on the UCLA campus. Celebrity attendees included actresses Kathleen Nolan (The Real McCoys) and Debra Winger (Urban Cowboy).

Above, a group photo with Chuck McCann. Photo courtesy of Brad Shey.

Following the services, several of us migrated over to the Smoke House Restaurant in the Burbank/Tolucca Lake area (across the street from Warner Bros. Studios) for dinner and drinks. While there, we ran into comedian Chuck McCann. Several of us had a photo taken with McCann at the restaurant bar. 

The good Lord must've been sending us a message of some sort, maybe a "thank-you" for attending Jack Larson's memorial service by keeping the evening within the theme of Superman.

How so?

Chuck McCann played Superman in a comedy skit back in the 1970s. So, if that isn't in keeping with keeping things Superman that evening, I don't know what is. 

Above, Chuck McCann as Superman in a 1970s skit.

Sadly, McCann passed away in 2018 at age 83.

Many believe "things happen for a reason". Perhaps this was one of them.

Actor Akira Takarada Turns 87

Above, J. D. Lees and Akira Takarada at G-FEST XXVI in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's Akira Takarada turns 87 today.

He is the last remaining lead actor from Godzilla (1954) and, thankfully, he's still active.

I last saw him two years ago at G-FEST XXVI in Rosemont, Illinois (a Chicago suburb) and he looked good for his age.

Above, Akira Takarada and yours truly at Son of Monsterpalooza in 2013.

From Wikipedia:

Takarada was born in Japan-occupied Korea, and lived for a time in Harbin, China. His father worked as an engineer on the South Manchuria Railway. After the war, he remained in Harbin, and he is able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English.

Takarada moved to Japan with his family in 1948. He joined Toho as part of their "New Face" program in April 1953. In his film debut, he had a small role in And Then the Liberty Bell Rang, a biography of the educator Fukuzawa Yukichi. His big break came when he was cast as navy diver Hideto Ogata in the original Godzilla (1954). He became a popular actor at Toho for his good looks and charismatic, sophisticated character. He continued his association with the Godzilla series in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965), and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966). He returned to the series in 1992 with Godzilla vs. Mothra and appeared again in Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). Other Toho science-fiction/special-effects films in which he appeared include Half Human (1955), The Last War (1961), King Kong Escapes (1967), and Latitude Zero (1969).

A big Happy Birthday to Mr. Takarada! 

New Year's With Julie Adams

The above photo was posted at my high school's alumni Facebook page. It is of actress Julie Adams (The Creature From The Black Lagoon) ringing in the then new year of 1954. I hadn't seen the photo before.

I find it interesting since I was born a little over a month from the beginning of 1954. Plus, I met Julie Adams at one of the 2013 Monsterpalooza shows in Burbank (below).

Of course, I did get an autographed photo from her. 

Sadly, Julie Adams passed away last year at age 92.

Deaths In The Family

Above, my cousins Ralph, Rosemarie, Maria and I with Santa last Christmas
Eve. The record album was a present to me from Ralph. Photo by Ashley Kerr.

Our family suffered two losses this week. Both were totally unexpected.

My cousin Lucia's husband Jeff passed away on Sunday from organ failure. This was a shock as I just saw him on July 1 at my cousin Maria's party and he seemed to look better than he had for quite a while. He had a great sense of humor and we talked for a long while about everything ranging from cigars to recreational vehicles. He wanted to eventually get a RV to travel around. Services will be held this coming week. He will be missed.

Then this happened.

Today, I received a call from my cousin Ralph's phone. As I was driving, I couldn't answer it. Later I called back after arriving at In 'N Out Burger in Northridge. The connection was bad and I thought they said they were from a gas station who had his phone and were trying to get it back to him. Then the connection was cut off.

Several minutes later, I received another call from my cousin's phone. This time the connection was better and it was the sheriff's station. They said that my cousin Ralph had been found deceased in his room in Bellflower. They asked what my relationship was to him. I told them we are cousins. They asked if Ralph had any known medical problems. I told them that he had heart problems. I was asked if he had any children or other family. I told them no and that I will have his sister Rosemarie contact them. She's pretty much the head of their family since my Aunt Rose passed away last year.

Thankfully, my former roommate Jes was with me so she had a pen and paper for me to write down the detectives' information.

I then tried to contact my other cousins to get Rosemarie's phone number. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, I reached my cousin Annette and got Rosemarie's phone number from her.

Then I had the sad duty to inform Rosemarie about Ralph's death and give her the sheriff's information. That was tough.

She later told me that the sheriff told her that there was no foul play involved and that Ralph passed away from natural causes. And, also, he had pre-arranged funeral plans already in place.

Up to now, that is all I know about the situation.

It took about a couple of hours for this to sink in. Now I am just stunned beyond belief. Ralph and I have been hanging out together for lunches and hitting used record stores such as CD Trader, Amoeba Music and others in Burbank for the past several months. Those were good times. We last communicated two nights ago and it was about Jeff's funeral services. He was like a younger brother to me and he will be sorely missed.

Having two unexpected passings in the family within a week is a double whammy, to put it mildly.

Two nights ago, Ralph said this about Jeff:

It is hard right now. Stay positive. Remember he's out of pain, in the Lord's hands. That's a good thing.

That now applies to Ralph.

Goodies At Creature Features

Above, Creature Features monster store in Burbank. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight, I was at Creature Features in Burbank for an exhibit reception of "The Art of King Kong, featuring William Stout".

Creature Features store carries many monster-related items such as magazines, model kits, toys, artwork, music, videos, books and other great goodies.

Here's a sampling on what they have available for monster fans:

Above, Karloff and Lugosi, together again. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Wizard of Oz items. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, flying monkeys! Oh, no! Photo by Brant Elliot.

Above, Hedorah and a gremlin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, King Kong merchandise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a nice Moguera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Godzilla merchandise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Brant Elliot checks out magazine racks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, that's not my ex-fiancee. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Art of King Kong, featuring William Stout

Above, permanent display of King Kong atop the Empire State Building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening was spent in Burbank at the Creature Features monster store. There, an exhibit of King Kong related art work opened.

The new Kong: Skull Island by Legendary Pictures is set to open in theaters next week.

The store was crowded when the exhibit reception opened at 6:00. I met Brant Elliot at a nearby Italian restaurant before heading over to Creature Features, which was nearby. Brant had one piece of Kong artwork on display along with 50 other artists.

The exhibit is titled, "The Art of King Kong, featuring William Stout".

Creature Features screened a new King Kong documentary (not yet released) during the reception.

Here are some highlights of the event:

Above, the window display advertising the reception. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Kong atop the Empire State Building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Fay Wray on the Empire State Building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Kong Tiki", made of foam and coated with resin. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Above, King Kong art on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, transporting King Kong from Skull Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, more Kong art on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Kong: Skull Island movie posters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Fay Wray as Ann Darrow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Kong wins by a knock-out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Kong sculpture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a rare early print of King Kong art. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Brant Elliot and William Stout. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a Kong portrait by William Stout. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Son of Kong Dragon" by William Stout. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Armand with Donald F. Glut. 

Above, Donald Glut and William Stout having a discussion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, construction paper art by Brant Elliot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More photos to follow in part 2.

Terrorizing Burbank Bookstores

Above, yours truly with a new Dark Shadows novel by Lara Parker. Photo by Brant Elliot.

Today was spent hanging out in "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" with fellow G-fan Brant Elliot roaming around different genre bookstores.

We met up at The New Deal restaurant for lunch. We were supposed to be joined by Peter H. Brothers, but he had something come up.

Above, a couple of Godzilla goods at Dark Delicacies. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After lunch, we migrated to the Dark Delicacies bookstore, where one can find all kinds of books with horror themes. I saw a number of Dark Shadows books by Lara Parker that are based on the 1960s soap opera. She does book signings there when she publishes a new novel.

Above, Brant Elliot rummaging in a bin at Blast From The Past. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we were done perusing Dark Delicacies, we then headed over to Blast From The Past, which has toys, books, CDs and old comic books.

Above, goodies for sale at Blast From The Past. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following Dark Delicacies, we then went over to Creature Features, were more toys, books, magazines and just about anything else of horror and science-fiction can be found. I gave them my card so that "the Boss" can contact me to order copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Above, now here's a gal at Creature Features who could use
a boob job, among other things. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After Creature Features, we then drove over to the House of Secrets comic book store. There, I held the first issue of Superman that was drawn by Curt Swan. I also saw the first issue of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen in the display case ($699.00). I mentioned to the clerk that the comic came about due to the popularity of Jack Larson in the Adventures of Superman television show. She asked, "Who's Jack Larson?" She never watched the show. So, I had to explain everything to her. I showed her photos of Jack that were taken with George Reeves during the production of the show and the photo of him and I taken by the Los Angeles Daily News during the plaque dedication two years ago. Now, she's up to speed! House of Secrets has a great collection of Silver Age comic books, many of which are from the 1950s, which are harder to find.

We then wrapped up the day at a coffee/latte shop in Burbank. This was a fun day. I haven't done thing kind of thing for quite a while.

William Schallert, R.I.P.

Above, William Schallert in The Man From Planet X.

The man had a long life and appeared at a number of science-fiction and horror conventions over the years.

William Schallert, was probably best known as Patty Duke's father in The Patty Duke Show of the 1960s, but he also appeared in a number of genre movies over the years, including The Man From Planet X and Gog, passed away on Sunday at age 93. No cause of death was disclosed.

Shallert was never a leading man, but he appeared in many movies and television shows over the years.

Above, Schallert at the 2010 Monsterpalooza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I met Shallert at a Monsterpalooza convention in Burbank several years ago. He was seated with a replica of the alien from Planet X.

To read more, go here.