Classic Monsters Exhibits #2

Since Halloween is only four days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.

Above, Godzilla from Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Rick Baker and An American Werewolf In London from Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Lon Chaney as The Phantom at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Nosferatu at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Save "Phantom of the Opera" Stage Petition

It is rumored that Universal Studios in Hollywood is planning to demolish the historic Phantom Of The Opera stage (Stage 28) to make room for things related to the studio tour.

There's a petition to sign urging Universal to preserve it. I just did.

Here's the petition's overview:

Incredibly sad news! It seems Universal Studios Hollywood will be tearing down their historic "Stage 28," originally built in 1924 for "Phantom Of The Opera" starring Lon Chaney Sr. which still houses the oldest standing set in Hollywood, most likely in the world - the Paris Opera House set. The set was built for the 1925 "Phantom," also used in the Claude Rains Technicolor remake, in "Man of a Thousand Faces," Hitchcock's "Torn Curtain," "The Sting" and countless other films at Universal. It is a part of cinema history; by rights it should have been declared an historic landmark by the government.

I hope something can be done to stop the demolition of this amazing set, and "Stage 28" itself. The Opera house set is constructed of wood and re-inforced plaster -- even if it could be moved, damage is very likely, due to it's age. Evidently Universal needs more room for their tourist theme park. If so, they should turn the opera house set into an elaborate movie dinner theater, and show Universal features there. It is in great condition, there is no reason why they can't use it as part of the tour. It would be a real tragedy if this is lost! See footage which features the set when it was restored for filming the recent "Muppet Movie" as Kermit's theater: http://vimeo.com/73591242

To sign the petition, go here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/330/290/272/save-historic-phantom-of-the-opera-stage/?taf_id=12572469&cid=fb_na

Carla Laemmle Dies At 104

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

One of the last few remaining links to the silent movie era and the last surviving actress in the 1931 Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, has died at 104.

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Carla Laemmle, a dancer and actress whose uncle, Carl Laemmle, co-founded Universal Studios, died Thursday night at her home in Los Angeles. She was 104. 

Her caretaker, Josephine Delavega, confirmed the news of her death to The Hollywood Reporter.

Laemmle was active in recent years at monster conventions. She has attended the past several Monsterpalooza conventions in Burbank.

Above, Carla Laemmle in her actress/dancer days.

She uttered the first lines of dialogue in Dracula as a passenger in a coach: "Among the rugged peaks that frown down upon the Borgo Pass are found crumbling castles of a bygone age…" She also served as hostess of the documentary, "The Road To Dracula" (1999), that was included in several DVD editions of Dracula. She also appeared in the Lon Chaney Phantom of the Opera (1925) as the prima ballerina.

To read more, go here.

More Monsterpalooza Pictures

Tonight is a special screening of the Boris Karloff & Bela Lugosi classic, The Black Cat.  It will be shown at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood (I refuse to use the new name for the theater that the new owners named it).  I am looking forward to it.

Here's three more photos (or outtakes) from yesterday at Monsterpalooza:

Above, yours truly with Martin Landau.

Above, Lon Chaney as Erik in "The Phantom of the Opera."

Above, the mighty Kong.

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.

Monsterpalooza 2013 - Part 1

Above, the Lon Chaney "Phantom of the Opera."

Text and photos by Armand Vaquer

Monsterpalooza 2013 was another great show!  As usual, the Burbank Marriott's convention center was packed (it will be worse on Saturday and Sunday) with many happy attendees.

I got there at about 6:00 PM this evening.  I had about a 30 minute wait in line.  Fortunately, a nice costumed gent handed out copies of the show's program, so we had something to look at.

My ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan was placed in an excellent position on page 5 of the show program.  Jessie Lilley did a great job on the program and I complimented her on it and congratulated her on her induction to the Monster Kid Hall of Fame.  She said that big plans are afoot for next year in getting Haruo Nakajima inducted.

Shinichi Wakasa was there, but I didn't see him.  Bob Johnson and Jay Grymyr were there, but I didn't run into them either.  I did manage to see (or, he saw me first) kaiju toy collector Jean Carbajal as I was waiting in line to get in.  We chatted a bit.

King Kong was prominent as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the original RKO King Kong (also, it would have been my mother's 80th birthday this year).

I roamed around the show and was impressed with all the displays.  There seemed to be more realistic wax figures of horror greats at this year's show.

Here's some photos:

Above, anxious fans waiting to get into the show.

Above, a young lady getting the make-up treatment.

Above, I met with Jessie Lilley of Mondo Cult magazine.

Above, the Max Shreck "Nosferatu."

Above, Jack Nicholson in "The Shining."