"Ed Wood" (1994)

Now that we're in summer, with students on summer vacation and some seasonal workers idly relaxing, here is a suggestion for a movie to watch.

It is Tim Burton's Ed Wood (1994), a comedy-drama based on the schlock film producer-director and his friendship with the late horror star Bela Lugosi. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Ed Wood.

Ed Wood, at the time of its release, was given two thumb's up by critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (see video below). 

 

Although it didn't make that much theatrically, it is now considered a cult classic by movie fans. It is hard to believe that it was released 32 years ago.

Above, yours truly with Martin Landau at Monsterpalooza in 2013.

Back in 2013, I met actor Martin Landau, who garnered a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role as Bela Lugosi at Monsterpalooza. Rick Baker, who created Landau's Lugosi make-up, also received an Oscar for his Ed Wood work.

 

I highly recommend getting the DVD (or Blu-ray) of Ed Wood. It is available at Amazon or at other dealers.

Transgender Women Turned Away At Ukraine’s Borders, Have To Fight

The Russia-Ukraine war is causing interesting situations outside of the fight itself.

Many Ukrainians are fleeing the country as refugees to other countries, but some are being stopped at the border and told to go back and fight. Herein lies the problem. 

From The Gateway Pundit:

Meanwhile in the Ukraine…

Ukraine is blocking transgender women (biological males) from fleeing to neighboring countries as refugees.

Last month Ukraine ordered all men ages 18 to 60 to stay behind and fight Russian troops as women and children seek refuge in Poland, Moldova and Romania.

Trans ‘women’ in Ukraine are being turned away by border guards because their passports still identify them as “males.”

According to Ukraine’s martial law, all males must stay and fight.

And, some are being physically checked.

From The Guardian:

“Ukrainian border guards undress you and touch you everywhere,” Judis says. “You can see on their faces they’re wondering ‘what are you?’ like you’re some kind of animal or something.”

By the way, Russia is transphobic.

To read more, go here. 

NOTE: I take no position on transgender issues. To each their own.

"Stan & Ollie" Blu-ray

A few months ago, I was hoping that Stan & Ollie would be playing in local theaters in Gallup, New Mexico. Unfortunately, it never did, so I resigned myself to wait for the movie to come out on DVD/Blu-ray.

My Blu-ray of Stan & Ollie (along with a 10-disc collection of "essential" Laurel and Hardy films) arrived in today's mail.

I just finished watching it and the extras. My verdict: the wait was worth it!

Not since Martin Landau portrayed an aging Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood has two actors became past stars of the screen with such perfection. Steve Coogan (as Stan Laurel) and John C. Reilly (as Oliver Hardy) performed their roles flawlessly. I could not find anything to fault them with (not that I was looking for any). Their performances along with excellent make-up work transformed them as Stan and Ollie. They even got their voices down excellently.

Above, the videos that arrived today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The movie takes place in 1952 when the aging comedy team went to the United Kingdom on a theatrical personal appearance tour and to do a promised movie. The movie deal fell through and Oliver Hardy came down ill with a mild heart attack. This was the "last hurrah" for the team.

It was a crime that neither Coogan and Reilly won Academy Awards for their performances. They deserved it as much as, and maybe even more so, than Martin Landau did for Ed Wood. And Landau deservedly won his Oscar.

One nice touch came during the final credits. Clips of the real Laurel & Hardy were shown as the credits rolled.

My grade: A+.

Passages: George A. Romero and Martin Landau

Sad news has arrived today on two famous names in entertainment, shocking fans of both.

The first, writer-director George A. Romero, of Night of the Living Dead fame, has passed away today at age 77 of lung cancer. I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Romero, but I know a few fans who did and who cherish the memory.

*****

Above, yours truly with Martin Landau in 2013.

The second subject of sad news, but one with whom I did meet is actor Martin Landau, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton's Ed Wood. He passed away yesterday of "unexpected complications" at the UCLA Medical Center at age 89. I had the pleasure of meeting Landau at the 2013 Monsterpalooza show in Burbank. I found him to be a very friendly and gracious.

Both will be sorely missed, but their work will live on.

A More Sedate Memorial Day

Above, the gathering at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year, I made no plans on how I would be spending this year's Memorial Day.

Last year, Platrix Chapter No. 2 of E Clampus Vitus took care of that as the chapter took part in Memorial Day celebrations at the Pioneer Cemetery in Sylmar by dedicating a monument there. The event was well attended and following the ceremonies, the chapter members migrated to the clubhouse at El Cariso Golf Course for adult beverages and munchies.

Pioneer Memorial Cemetery was made "famous" as the location where Bela Lugosi's scenes were filmed in 1956 for what became Plan Nine From Outer Space by Ed Wood.

Above, Dave Nicholson and Armand at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery.

I will probably be moving a few things out of the overhead cabinets in The Beast and putting them into the newly-discovered storage space under one of the dinette seats. Other than that, I will be barbecuing a steak for dinner. This will be a more sedate Memorial Day compared to last year's.

Above, XSNGH Glenn Thornhill and Armand at the El Cariso Golf Course clubhouse. 

What else today has in store for me is anyone's guess.

Above, the newly-discovered storage space in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day!

Happy (Belated) Birthday Martin Landau

Above, Armand with Martin Landau at the 2013 Monsterpalooza.

Sorry I missed this, but two days ago Oscar-winning character actor Martin Landau turned 88.

Landau was born on June 20, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York.

I had the honor of meeting him at Monsterpalooza in 2013. He is still acting.

He won the Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood (1994).

Happy (belated) Birthday!

"Plan Nine" Cemetery To Be Plaqued Monday

Above, Bela Lugosi in Plan Nine From Outer Space.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, which means that people will either be heading out to points unknown or staying around town and barbecuing.

For me, I have no plans for the weekend. So I am essentially just going to hang around home.

But, on Monday (which is Memorial Day), Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus will be erecting a plaque at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, California. A number of notable pioneers in Los Angeles history are buried there. I'll be attending.

It is said that some 600 people are buried at the cemetery, but there's only a few headstones there. The cemetery was abandoned for a number of years and the tombstones fell victim to neglect and vandalism. In recent years, the cemetery has been under care by historical groups.

The cemetery is noted for a particular movie production: Ed Wood's Plan Nine From Outer Space (1959). The movie was shot around 1956-57, but not released until 1959.

According to IMBD trivia on the movie:

The cemetery used for filming is the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, CA. It still stands, although many of the grave stones were stolen or vandalized. 

Bela Lugosi appears in footage shot just before his death, but with no script in mind. Edward D. Wood Jr. wrote the script to accommodate all the footage shot in a cemetery and outside Tor Johnson's house in the new production. Lugosi was doubled by Tom Mason, Wood's wife's chiropractor, who was significantly taller than Lugosi, and played the part with a cape covering his face.

The cemetery was near Tor Johnson's home.

The plaque dedication will take place at 11:00 at the cemetery at 14451 Bledsoe, Sylmar.

If you miss this, you're stupid, stupid, stupid!

Gene LeBell In "Ed Wood"

Above, Gene LeBell as the ring announcer (left) in Ed Wood.

It is funny that after a few dozens of times watching a movie, little things can slip by without notice on occasion. Today was one of those times.

I was watching Tim Burton's Ed Wood today and noticed in the credits that Gene LeBell was the ring announcer for the wresting match scene of Tor Johnson.

Above, Gene LeBell and Armand at the Superman Celebration Luncheon in 2014.

I scanned the movie back and, sure enough, there was Gene LeBell. I met LeBell in 2014 at the Superman Celebration Luncheon at the Beverly Garland Hotel. In fact, we sat together during the luncheon.

He becomes the second actor of Ed Wood that I've met. The other was Martin Landau, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi. It took place at the 2013 Monsterpalooza (photo below).

Ed Wood: Scene vs. Scene

Above, Armand with actor Martin Landau at the 2013 Monsterpalooza.

My favorite movie collaboration of director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp has to be the 1994 feature Ed Wood, that starred Depp in the title role and Martin Landau in his Oscar-winning role as Bela Lugosi.

I discovered an interesting video with comparison scenes from Ed Wood and several of Wood's movies. Movies include Glen or Glenda, Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 From Outer Space. Naturally, it is called Scene vs. Scene.

The video shows how much attention to detail Burton put into Ed Wood. Amazing!

Here's the video:

Monsterpalooza 2013 - Part 2

Above, Kong dominates the Monsterpalooza Museum.

Text and photos by Armand Vaquer

Along with King Kong, there seemed to be a lot of Erik from The Phantom of the Opera.  The Chaney Family had a booth there as did Sara Karloff and Bela Lugosi Jr.

I was pleased to meet and be photographed with Academy Award winning actor Martin Landau.  I also saw 2001: A Space Odyssey stars Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood.  I had met Gary Lockwood before when I used to patrol in Malibu.  He lives at one of our gated community accounts in Point Dume.

Back in the day, I used to pick up copies of G-Fan at the Creature Features store in Burbank to do the  highlights summaries for kaiju message boards (as issues tended to be slow in coming).  They closed down about 7-8 years ago.  They had a booth at the show and they are now open in Arcadia, California.  We talked a little and perhaps they will be carrying The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at their store.

Here's some more from opening day:

Above, a rather well-done replica Robby the robot from "Forbidden Planet."

Above, the crew of the "Orca" from 1975's "Jaws."  Great likenesses of
Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.

Above, yours truly with Academy Award winner (for his role as Bela Lugosi in "Ed Wood")  Martin Landau.

Above, Erik and Christine from "The Phantom of the Opera."

Above, I took this photo because this reminds me of a co-worker in Malibu.