FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PAN'S LABYRINTH, GODZILLA TAKE TOP HONORS IN FIFTH RONDO AWARDS
Basil Gogos retrospective is named Best Book; Dracula picked as Best Restoration;
Sci-Fi Boys takes Indie crown; Ray Castile is Monster Kid of the Year
March 24, 2007
ARLINGTON, VA -- The wartime fantasy of PAN'S LABYRINTH took top honors Sunday in the Fifth Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, voted best film in a year dominated by nostalgia for monsters past.
The online survey of nearly 1,500 classic horror enthusiasts named GOJIRA, the original 1954 Japanese version of Godzilla, as the Best DVD of 2006, and Universal's brightening of the 1931 DRACULA with Bela Lugosi as the Best Restoration of the year.
In a showdown of TV monster comedies, the first season of THE ADDAMS FAMILY beat out THE MUNSTERS as Best Classic TV DVD of 2006. An episode of the British revival of DR. WHO was named Best TV Presentation, besting favorites such as HEROES and LOST.
Book of the Year went to FAMOUS MONSTER ART OF BASIL GOGOS by Kerry Gammill and J. David Spurlock, a color-splashed celebration of the artist who illustrated the covers of Famous Monsters of Filmland during the "horror boom" of the 1960s.
And toy collector Ray Castile was named "Monster Kid of the Year" for helping to create a museum-quality monster toy exhibit which toured horror conventions in the summer of 2006.
The Rondo award program, named after 1940s character actor Rondo Hatton, is an email survey of the classic horror fan community sponsored by the Classic Horror Film Board. Now in its fifth year, it is the biggest survey of its kind. By the final weekend, 1,480 classic horror fans and pros had emailed choices in 25 categories.
"The strength of this year's vote shows the classic horror community remains alive and well, and quite discerning when it comes to deciding which projects best capture the spirit of the black-and-white and Technicolor thrills we all grew up with,'' said David Colton, organizer of the event.
Among other winners:
-- A 16-page examination in SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE by Bob Statzer on the making and lingering mysteries behind DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN was voted Best Article.
-- A startling portrait of a vampire from BLOOD OF DRACULA by Joe "Sorko" Schovitz, which fronted MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #21, was voted Best Cover of 2006.
-- Awards also went to Christopher Lee and others on THE WICKER MAN (Best Commentary); to Universal Horror, a documentary (Best DVD Extra); and to Famous Monsters' magazine co-founder Forrest J Ackerman's 90th birthday party in Los Angeles (Best Fan Event).
In a year of grue-curdling horror films such as SAW III and a remake of THE HILLS HAVE EYES, Rondo voters instead turned to Guillermo Del Toros' Academy Award-winning LABYRINTH as Best Genre Film of 2006. The film drew 259 votes, more than double its nearest competitor, THE DESCENT.
And a documentary about the founding icons of horror fandom called THE SCI-FI BOYS was the clear choice in the very competitive Best Independent Production category.
The vote was marked by some controversy in that the film received a boost when Universal tied it to Jackson's KING KONG release (Jackson is one of the "boys"), and marketed the DVD exclusively at Best Buy. The other films lacked that kind of push, but Colton said that SCI-FI BOYS, produced by Paul Davids and containing rare home footage, had all the earmarks of an independent production. "It was an indie that made good,'' Colton said.
SCI-FI BOYS won despite a very strong field, including Mark Redfield's hallucinogenic reverie, THE DEATH OF POE; a screen test for a hoped-for biopic called KREATING KARLOFF; longtime fan Don Glut's 8mm compilation, I WAS A TEENAGE MOVIE-MAKER; Ted Newsom's send-up of 50s sci-fi films, THE NAKED MONSTER; a documentary, THE WITCH'S DUNGEON, celebrating 40 years of thrills at a Connecticut museum dedicated to recreating classic monsters; and a public-domain comedy combining new footage with vintage Karloff, Chaney and Lugosi called TERROR IN THE TROPICS.
In other categories, Tim and Donna Lucas saw their magazine, VIDEO WATCHDOG, win top magazine honors for a fifth straight year; Lucas' spin-off blog, VIDEO WATCHBLOG, was voted Best Website.
Lucas was also picked as Best Writer of 2006, with many voters naming both his magazine and website as factors in their selection. Lucas is the first three-time winner in a single year.
Legendary horror host Zacherley won Best CD for INTERMENT FOR TWO, a collection of songs and TV and radio spots in New York in the 60s and 70s.
A series of detailed bobblehead dolls of Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolf Man called the Headknockers from NECA, was voted Best Toy, Model or Collectible.
The Monster Bash, a family-friendly horror convention in suburban Pittsburgh, was named Best Convention for the fourth time, and Dark Horse Comics took the Best Horror Comic award for its collection of adaptations called UNIVERSAL MONSTERS CAVALCADE OF HORROR.
Frank Dietz, a fan-favorite who exhibited his charcoal and oil paintings of classic monsters in Los Angeles this summer, was voted Best Artist.
Asked to name the most controversial aspect of the last year in classic horror, voters picked the closing of Tower Records and the end of two long-running genre magazines, Cult Movies and Psychotronic, as evidence that there is increasingly "nowhere to browse.''
The voters, despite voting satisfaction with the new DRACULA transfer from Universal, nonetheless expressed anger that more classic films are not receiving better treatment and upgrades as they are released and re-released.
The most votes of all -- 358 -- went to a call to release on DVD the long-unavailable classic, ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, with Charles Laughton and Bela Lugosi as the "Sayer of the Law.''
Casa Negra, which has released several legendary Mexican horror films, including THE VAMPIRE and THE VAMPIRE'S COFFIN, was named Best DVD Company, an indication that voters are eager for more of the Mexican film industry's vintage films.
Finally, six new members were chosen for the Monster Kid Hall of Fame. The new inductees are:
-- Paul and Jackie Blaisdell, who created a series of unforgettable science fiction icons in the 1950s, including the Saucermen, the She Creature and "Beulah,'' the giant vegetable that tried to conquer the earth.
-- Don Glut, a lifelong horror and science fiction fan and filmmaker whose research into Frankenstein and other monsters helped build the foundation for today's horror scholarship.
-- Jack Davis, the pioneering comic book artist, illustrator and master caricaturist whose work in EC Comics, CREEPY and other publications revealed that fear could come with a smile.
-- Director Joe Dante, whose films such as MATINEE, GREMLINS and THE HOWLING and newer work continue to celebrate the best of classic horror sensibilities and fun.
-- German Robles, the Mexican horror star who helped define the look and menace of modern vampires.
-- Frank Frazetta, the legendary artist who found beauty and classicism in the pulp fantasies of the last century.
The awards announced Sunday will be followed by a Rondo presentation at WonderFest in Louisville over Memorial Day weekend.
Many of the winners will receive Rondo Hatton statuettes, sculpted by Kerry Gammill (monsterkid.com), and cast by Tim M. Lindsey (tmlindsey.com).
Voting for next year's winners will take place in January 2008. More information can be found at www.rondoaward.com, the official home of the Rondo awards.
Here is a category-by-category breakdown of who won. |
BEST FILM OF 2006PAN'S LABYRINTH (259 votes) Runner-up: THE DESCENT (101 votes) Honorable mention: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST |
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BEST TV PRESENTATIONDOCTOR WHO: 'The Girl in the Fireplace' (180 votes) Runner-up: HEROES: 'Genesis' (166) Honorable mention: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: 'Resurrection Ship' |
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BEST CLASSIC DVDGOJIRA/GODZILLA (189 votes) Runners-up: FORBIDDEN PLANET (149); MGM'S LEGENDS OF HORROR (141) |
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BEST CLASSIC TV DVDTHE ADDAMS FAMILY (191 votes) Runner-up: ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (155) Honorable mentions: THE MUNSTERS: First family of Fright; WILD WILD WEST |
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BEST RESTORATION75th ANNIVERSARY DRACULA (221 votes) Runner-up: SUPERMAN II: The Richard Donner Version (211)
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BEST DVD EXTRAUNIVERSAL HORROR documentary with Dracula and Frankenstein DVDs (241 votes) Runner-up: Deleted scenes from Peter Jackson's KING KONG (179) |
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BEST DVD COMMENTARYTHE WICKER MAN: Christopher Lee, Ed Woodward, Runner-up: Steve Ryfle, Ed Godziszewski, |
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BEST INDEPENDENT FILMTHE SCI-FI BOYS (240 votes) Runner-up: THE DEATH OF POE (190) |
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BEST BOOKFAMOUS MONSTER MOVIE ART OF BASIL GOGOS, by Kerry Gammill and J. David Spurlock (287 votes) Runner-up: THE ART OF RAY HARRYHAUSEN by Honorable mentions: THE FILMS OF TOD BROWNING, by Bernd Herzogenrath; |
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BEST MAGAZINEVIDEO WATCHDOG (158 votes) Runner-up: MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT (140) |
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BEST ARTICLEDRACULA & FRANKENSTEIN: 75 Years of Fear, Runner-up: 'Edgar Wallace and the Paternity of King Kong,' by Tim Lucas, VIDEO WATCHDOG #126 (128 votes) Honorable mentions: 'Hammer and Universal: A Marriage of Monsters,' by Bill Cooke in VIDEO WATCHDOG #127;
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BEST COVERMONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #21 by Joe Schovitz (149 votes) Runner-up: MONSTER BASH #5 by Kerry Gammill (143) Honorable mentions: FILMFAX #109 by William Stout; |
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BEST WEBSITEVIDEO WATCHBLOG (108 votes) Runner-up: Count Gore DeVol's Creature Features (100) Honorable mentions: Dr. Gangrene's Chiller Theater; Universal Monster Army Yahoo Group |
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BEST CONVENTIONMONSTER BASH (152 votes) Runner-up: WonderFest (116) Honorable mention: Chiller
At right, actress Susan Gordon and Bash impresario Ron Adams |
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BEST FAN EVENTFORREST J ACKERMAN CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY(203 votes) Runners-up: Universal Monster Army Traveling Toy Exhibit (114); Dr. Gangrene's 'Tingler' Show at WonderFest (113) Very honorable mention: Godzilla fans present plaque |
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BEST CDZACHERLEY: INTERMENT FOR TWO (137 votes) Runners-up: THIS ISLAND EARTH (125), and MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (114), both from Monstrous Movie Music. Honorable mentions: MOON-RAYS: Sinister Surf;
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BEST HORROR COMICUNIVERSAL MONSTERS CAVALCADE OF HORROR (231 votes) Runner-up: HAUNT OF HORROR by Richard Corben (85)
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BEST MODEL OR COLLECTIBLEUNIVERSAL MONSTERS HEADKNOCKERS (NECA) (119 votes) Runner up: Marvel Legends Monsters (114) Honorable mention: Barnabas Collins Dark Shadows set; Karloff as Ardeth Bey 1:1 bust) |
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COUNT ALUCARD'S CONTROVERSY OF YEAR'NOWHERE TO BROWSE' Closing of Tower, loss of genre magazines, threatens hobby (207 votes) Runner-up: Needless remakes of recent horror films (193)
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BEST DVD COMPANYCasa Negra (123 votes) Runner-up: Anchor Bay (120) Honorable mention: Universal, Criterion |
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CLASSIC MOST NEEDED ON DVDISLAND OF LOST SOULS (358 votes) Runner up: CHANDU THE MAGICIAN (79) Honorable mention: MAN-MADE MONSTER |
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WRITER OF THE YEAR (write-in category)
Tim Lucas |
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ARTIST OF THE YEAR (write-in category)Frank Dietz |
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Special Awards
MONSTER KID OF THE YEAR
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MONSTER KID HALL OF FAME
(Inductees based on emailed suggestions)
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 |
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| Paul Blaisdell | Jackie Blaisdell |
Joe Dante |
Don Glut |
Jack Davis |
Frank Frazetta |
German Robles |
Makers of unforgettable monsters that conquered the world, the late
Paul and Jackie Blaisdell brought a unique vision to 1950s science fiction. Their work
and creatures will never be forgotten.
Joe Dante is the director who knows where his audience has been, and how
to turn the comfortable thrills of childhood into something surprising and wise.
Before there were fans there was Don Glut, horror archivist, filmmaker, writer and
scholar of monstrous worth. A walking Internet, he paved the way.
Whether at EC Comics or CREEPY, illustrator supreme Jack Davis knew the
monsters had a whimsical side as well. His six-foot Frankenstein looms over us still.
Frank Frazetta brought elegance and soul to dragons and barbarians,
heroes and monsters. He made our pulp fictions so real a generation of artists
were inspired to try to find that same world. But only Frazetta lives there.
Mexican horror actor German Robles helped invent the modern vampire in his black-
and-white films of the 1950s, inspiring Christopher Lee and his own nation to take
horror seriously.
They join these members, already in the Monster Kid Hall of Fame:
Forrest J Ackerman, James Warren, Bob and Kathy Burns, Vampira, Zacherley, Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, Richard Gordon, the late Alex Gordon, Rick Baker, the late William K. Everson, James Bama, Roger Corman, Basil Gogos, Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, Dick Klemensen and Gary and Sue Svehla.
Want more information about the Rondos?
Email David Colton at taraco@aol.com
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HERE WAS THE OFFICIAL BALLOT
FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL RONDO HATTON
CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS
(Voting is closed)
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1. Best Movie of 2006 (Pick one)
-- CHILDREN OF MEN
-- THE DESCENT
-- FEAST
-- THE FOUNTAIN
-- GRUDGE 2
-- THE HILLS HAVE EYES (remake)
-- HOLLYWOODLAND
-- THE ILLUSIONIST
-- LADY IN THE WATER
-- MONSTER HOUSE
-- THE OMEN (remake)
-- PAN'S LABYRINTH
-- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
-- THE PRESTIGE
-- SAW III
-- A SCANNER DARKLY
-- SLITHER
-- SUPERMAN RETURNS
-- TRAPPED ASHES
-- V FOR VENDETTA
-- Or write in another choice:
2. Best Television Presentation
-- BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, 'Resurrection Ship, Part 1 and 2,' 1/6, 1/13/06, SciFi Channel. Human fleet, splintered and at war, must confront ship laden with Cylon clones.
-- DOCTOR WHO, 'The Girl in the Fireplace,' 5/6/06, SciFi Channel. Clockwork droids attack Versailles in an episode spanning 3,000 years.
-- THE 4400, 'The Gospel According to Collier,' 8/13/06, USA. Search for an assassin thought dead causes a temporary alliance.
-- HELLBOY ANIMATED: SWORD OF STORMS, 10/28/06, Cartoon Network. Our favorite demon battles Thunder and Lightning from ancient Japan.
-- HEROES, 'Genesis,' 9/25/06, NBC. Opening episode, marked by invulnerable cheerleader and Hiro's first jump from Tokyo to Times Square.
-- LOST, 'The Cost of Living,' 11/1/06, ABC. The smoke monster returns with a vengeance, consuming Mr. Eko.
-- MASTERS OF HORROR, 'Pick Me Up,' 1/20/06, Showtime. A fresh take on the dangers of hitchhiking.
-- MASTERS OF HORROR, 'The Screwfly Solution,' 12/8/06, Showtime. Virus turns every man into a psychotic killer.
-- SMALLVILLE, 'Reckoning,' 1/26/06, CW. Jonathan Kent dies and Lana learns Clark's secret in this 100th episode.
-- Or write in another choice:
3. Best Classic DVD
-- BORIS KARLOFF FRANCHISE COLLECTION (Night Key, Tower of London, The Climax, The Strange Door, The Black Castle)
-- BORIS KARLOFF ICONS OF HORROR COLLECTION (The Black Room, The Man They Could Not Hang, Before I Hang, The Boogie Man Will Get You)
-- BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE/HELLFIRE CLUB
-- BLACK PIT OF DR. M (Mexican, CasaNegra)
-- CHARLIE CHAN Collection, Vol. 1 (In London, In Paris, In Egypt, In Shanghai)
-- CLASSIC SCI-FI ULTIMATE COLLECTION (Incredible Shrinking Man, Mole People, Monolith Monsters, Monster on the Campus, Tarantula)
-- CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS (Dark Sky)
-- EQUINOX (Criterion)
-- FORBIDDEN PLANET 50th Anniversary Edition
-- GOJIRA/GODZILLA (Japanese original and U.S. version)
-- HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER/BLOOD OF DRACULA
-- INNER SANCTUM MYSTERIES (Lon Chaney Jr. in Calling Dr. Death, Weird Woman, Dead Man's Eyes, Frozen Ghost, Strange Confession and Pillow of Death)
-- LEGENDS OF HORROR (Mask of Fu Manchu, Mad Love, Mark of the Vampire, Doctor X, Return of Doctor X, Devil Doll)
-- MR. MOTO COLLECTION, Vol. 1
-- SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE (1973)
-- TRILOGY OF TERROR (Karen Black)
-- THE VAMPIRE/THE VAMPIRE'S COFFIN (Mexican; CasaNegra)
-- Or write in another choice:
4. BEST CLASSIC TV DVD
-- ABBOTT & COSTELLO SHOW, Season 1 and 2 (Passport)
-- ADDAMS FAMILY Vol. 1
-- THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, Season 5 and 6
-- ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS, Season 2
-- THE MUNSTERS: First Family of Fright (documentaries)
-- ULTRAMAN Vol. 1 (1966)
-- VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA (Season Two, Vol. 1)
-- WILD WILD WEST Season One
-- Or write in another choice:
5. BEST RESTORATION
-- ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (Color episodes shine, TV trims restored)
-- DRACULA: 75th Anniversary Edition (A bit brighter, more details)
-- DR. MABUSE: THE GAMBLER (1922; restored to four-hour length)
-- EQUINOX (Original 1967 version released)
-- HORROR OF PARTY BEACH/CURSE OF THE LIVING CORPSE (Both films more complete; Dark Sky)
-- INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN (From 35mm print; Retromedia)
-- LAST WOMAN ON EARTH (Reframed for letterboxing; from Roger Corman's Puerto Rico Trilogy, Retromedia)
-- MASK OF FU MANCHU (All dialogue back, as in laserdisc, but crisper print)
-- SUPERMAN II: The Richard Donner Version (Complete remake of film)
-- Or write in another choice:
6. BEST DVD EXTRA
-- 'The Dean of Hollywood: A Conversation with Harvey Parry,' (Peter Lorre's stuntman interviewed in Mr. Moto Collection Vol. 1
-- Deleted King Kong scenes (38 mins), on Peter Jackson's King Kong Extended edition
-- 'Eran Trece,' Hollywood-produced Spanish-language version of the lost 1931 Charlie Chan Carries On (a 79 min. extra on Chan set Vol. 1)
-- Equinox extras, including the Kong Volkswagen commercial, and Zorgon, The H-Bomb Beast from Hell.
-- 'Footprints of a Spirit' (Look at Spanish town used in Spirit of the Beehive)
-- Killer Queen figure, with Emiglio Miraglia Killer Queen Box Set
-- 'Remembering Lon Chaney Jr.' (reminiscence by the late cinematographer Gary Graver on Lon Chaney Jr. Collection)
-- 'Richard Matheson: Terror Scribe' (Featurette on Trilogy of Terror)
-- Robby the Robot figure with FORBIDDEN PLANET 50th Anniversary edition
-- 'Universal Horrors' documentary included on Dracula and Frankenstein 75th Anniversary editions
-- Or write in another choice:
7. BEST COMMENTARY
-- Karen Black, William F. Nolan on TRILOGY OF TERROR
-- Sir Christopher Frayling on FRANKENSTEIN 75th Anniversary
-- Steve Haberman on MAD LOVE
-- Christopher Lee, Ed Woodward, Director Robin Hardy and Mark Kermode on THE WICKER MAN (Anchor Bay)
-- Scott MacQueen on DOCTOR X
-- Greg Mank on THE MASK OF FU MANCHU
-- Gretchen Mol, Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner on THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE
-- Dennis Muren, Mark McGee, Jim Danforth on EQUINOX (1967 version)
-- Kim Newman and Steve Jones on MARK OF THE VAMPIRE
-- Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski on GOJIRA/GODZILLA
-- Jimmy Sangster, Robert Baker and Marcus Hearn on BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE.
-- Vincent Sherman (director), and Steve Haberman on RETURN OF DOCTOR X
-- Or write in another choice:
(NOTE: Commentaries that appeared on earlier editions are not eligible)
8. BEST INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
-- THE DEATH OF POE: Mark Redfield co-writes, directs and stars in this artful look at the author's final years.
-- I WAS A TEENAGE MOVIE MAKER; Long-time horror scholar Donald Glut offers a fun sampling of his amateur films, which featured Glenn Strange among others.
-- KREATING KARLOFF: Young filmmaker Connor Timmis recreates the Mummy and Frankenstein makeup and classic sets in bid to spark Karloff biopic.
-- THE NAKED MONSTER: Filmmaker Ted Newsom finishes a sci-fi parody, including footage of Ken Tobey and a roster of beloved genre actors, 20 years after filming began.
-- THE SCI FI BOYS: Affectionate look at the fans who helped create a genre, from Forrest J Ackerman and Ray Harryhausen to Dennis Muren, Roger Corman and John Landis.
-- TERROR IN THE TROPICS: The Midnight Marquee gang combines a retro mystery thriller with public domain footage of Boris, Bela and Lon, ala Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.
-- THE WITCH'S DUNGEON: 40 YEARS OF CHILLS: Everything you want to know about the amazing exhibits and creations of Cortlandt Hull.
-- Or write in another choice:
9. BEST BOOK
-- THE ART OF RAY HARRYHAUSEN, by Ray Harryhausen and Tony Dalton. A look at his creative process through sketches and paintings. (Billboard Books)
-- THE CHANGING VAMPIRE OF FILM AND TELEVISION, by Tim Kane. Analytical studies through the decades. (McFarland)
-- COUNT DRACULA GOES TO THE MOVIES, Stoker's Novel Adapted, 1922-2003, by Lyndon W. Joslin. Updated guide to adaptations, film by film. (McFarland)
-- DONALD CAMMELL: A LIFE ON THE WILD SIDE by Rebecca & Sam Umland. Insights with director of Demon Seed and Performance. (FAB Press)
-- FAMOUS MONSTER MOVIE ART OF BASIL GOGOS, by Kerry Gammill and J. David Spurlock. Richly illustrated career retrospective of genre pioneer. (Vanguard)
-- THE FILMS OF TOD BROWNING, edited by Bernd Herzogenrath. Examination of the silent director's career. (Black Dog)
-- FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, written and illustrated by Adam Rex. A children's book of monsters. (Harcourt)
-- GOOD NIGHT, WHATEVER YOU ARE! My Journey with Zacherley, the Cool Ghoul, by Richard Scrivani. Revelations from Zacherley's later years. (Dinoship)
-- JAMES BERNARD, COMPOSER TO COUNT DRACULA, by David Huckvale. A look at the man behind Hammer's soundtracks. (McFarland)
-- MONSTERS: A Celebration of the Classics from Universal Studios. Photo stills and essays. (DelRay Books)
-- THE MONSTERS: MARY SHELLEY AND THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. Scholarly account of the writing of Frankenstein. (Little Brown)
-- ROGER CORMAN: METAPHYSICS ON A SHOESTRING, by Alaine Silver and James Ursini. A look at all 50 films he directed . (Silman-James Press)
-- THE ROUGH GUIDE TO HORROR MOVIES, by Alan Jones. All you need to know if you're on horror island. (Rough Guides)
-- SCIENCE FICTION AMERICA, edited by David J. Hogan. 22 essays on films silent and recent. (McFarland)
-- Or write in another choice:
10. BEST MAGAZINE
-- Amazing Figure Modeler
-- Cinema Retro
-- Famous Monsters
-- Fangoria
-- Filmfax
-- G-FAN
-- HorrorBiz
-- Little Shoppe of Horrors
-- Midnight Marquee
-- Mondo Cult
-- Monster Bash
-- Monsters from the Vault
-- Phantom of the Movies VideoScope
-- Rue Morgue
-- Shock Cinema
-- Scarlet Street
-- Scary Monsters
-- Screem
-- Starlog
-- Van Helsing's Journal
-- Video Watchdog
-- Or write in another choice:
11. BEST ARTICLE (Vote for TWO please)
-- 'The Amazing, Colossal Worlds of Bert I. Gordon,' by Tom Triman, SCARY MONSTERS #59. A complete career retrospective of the B-movie legend.
-- 'Ape Fiends of the Silent Era,' Part One, by Gary L. Prange, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #22. Research into how apes, the screen's earliest monsters, were used at the dawn of cinema.
-- 'Apocalypse '76,' by Rodrigo Gudino, John W. Bowen, Jovanka Vuckovic and Tom Murray, RUE MORGUE # 57. In-depth look at making of The Omen, the original hellboy.
-- 'B.I.G. Business: Bert I. Gordon,' by Richard Valley, SCARLET STREET #55. An interview with the 50s B-movie showman.
-- 'Chesley Bonestell: The Man Who Walked on Other Worlds,' by Vincent DiFate. Detailed look at the career of 20th century's most influential space artist. FILMFAX #110-111.
-- 'Dracula and Frankenstein: 75 Years of Fear,' by Bob Statzer, SCARY MONSTERS #60. Neatly recapping the history of both classic films.
-- 'Edgar Wallace and the Paternity of King Kong,' by Tim Lucas, VIDEO WATCHDOG #126. New information about the mystery writer's role in the creation of Kong.
-- 'Equinox Gets the Criterion Treatment,' by Lorne Marshall, SCREEM #12. Frame-by-frame comparisons of the restored cult film.
-- 'Forbidden Experience,' by Tom Weaver, STARLOG #351. Stars of Forbidden Planet take a time machine, interviewed as if they are back on the set in the 50s.
-- 'Groundbreakers: The 13 Most Influential Horror Films,' by Gary D. Svehla, MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #75. No Dracula? Svehla explains why.
-- 'Hammer and Universal: A Marriage of Monsters,' by Bill Cooke, VIDEO WATCHDOG #127. In-depth examination of the Hammer Horror DVD Collection.
-- 'Hollywood's Godzilla: Take One!' by Brett Homenick, G-FAN #75. Exclusive look at how the Tri-Star Godzilla started out looking far more like ... Godzilla.
-- 'House on Haunted Hill,' by Christopher Schaefer, MONDO CULT #1. How William Castle's gimmickry helped propel a 50s hit.
-- 'House Peters Jr. -- From Flash Gordon and King of the Rocketman to Day the Earth Stood Still and Mr. Clean,' by Eloise Ross Rubincam, FILMFAX #112. Interview with the two-fisted character actor.
-- 'In Search of Del Tenney, Auteur of Party Beach,' by Tim Lucas, VIDEO WATCHDOG #127. The cult director who vanished professionally for 40 years.
-- 'The Making of Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter,' by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #18. A massive look at the Hammer era of Brian Clemens.
-- 'Moon with a View: The Making of Battle in Outer Space,' by Peter H. Brothers, G-FAN #74. A retrospective and production report, almost a half-century later.
-- 'Nightmares in Plastic: How Aurora Conquered the World,' by Jeff Martin (uncredited), FAMOUS MONSTERS #242. Piece-by-piece history of the company's decision to make classic monster models.
-- 'Scare-Noose,' by John Skerchock. SCARY MONSTERS feature. From conventions to latest buzz, the return of fandom's 'monster society' reporter.
-- 'The Squid That Got Away,' Parts One and Two, by Lawrence Brooks, FILMFAX #111-112. Everything you didn't know about Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
-- 'There's Something About Alruane,' by Henry Nicolella, VAN HELSING'S JOURNAL #7. A look at the elusive German silent.
-- 'Third Dimension of Evil: The Making of Amityville 3-D,' by Paul Talbot, VIDEO WATCHDOG #124. An insightful second look at a film most have forgotten; includes last interview with late Richard Fleischer.
-- 'Tyrannosaurus reXXX: The Amazing Story of Lost on Adventure Island,' by Mark F. Berry, HORRORBIZ #10. How animators, and their creations, survived on an adult film set.
-- 'Universal's Crown Prince: Evelyn Moriarty Remembers Carl Laemmle Jr.,' by Gregory Mank, MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #75. An interview with a woman who knew him for 40 years.
-- 'Universal Weekly: House Organ of Horror,' parts one and two, by Gary D. Rhodes and Galen Wilkes. MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #21-22. The studio's weekly newspaper and vintage photos show how Universal ballyhooed its classic horrors of the 30s.
-- 'Verne Langdon Interviewed: Monster Star Memories,' by Terry and Tiffany DuFoe, VIDEOSCOPE #60. A talk with the mask master behind Don Post Studios.
-- 'Whatever Happened to Fay Wray?' by Terry Pace, MONDO CULT #1. A year before her death, at age 96, the final interview.
-- 'Whither Saucer-Men?' by Mark Clark, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #21. A film by film look at the numerous Paul Blaisdell and AIP films still missing on DVD.
-- 'X The Unknown: A Retrospective,' by Martin Arlt, MAD SCIENTIST #13. The Hammer classic revisited.
-- Or write in another choice:
(Remember to vote for TWO of above articles; one will win)
12. BEST COVER
FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #243 By Arliss |
FILMFAX #109 By William Stout |
G-FAN #77 ByMatt Harris |
HORRORBIZ #10 By Daniel Horne |
LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #18 By Bruce Timm |
MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #75 By Susan Svehla |
MONSTER BASH #5 By Kerry Gammill |
MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #21 By Joe Schovitz |
RUE MORGUE #62 |
SCARLET STREET #55 By Tom Amorosi |
SCARY MONSTERS #57 By Terry Beatty |
SCREEM #13 By Bill Chancellor |
VIDEOSCOPE #59 By Kevin Hein and Wes Benscoter |
VIDEO WATCHDOG #125 By Charles Largent |
13. BEST WEBSITE
Classic Horror Film Board, sponsor of Rondos, is not eligible
-- Atomicmonsters.com
-- A Tribute to Lon Chaney Jr. Yahoo Group
-- Britishhorrorfilms.co.uk
-- Count Gregula's Crypt
-- Creature Features (Countgore.com)
-- Creature from the Black Lagoon Yahoo Group
-- Creepy Classics
-- Dr. Gangrene's Chiller Cinema
-- DVD Drive-In
-- DVD Maniacs
-- DVD Savant
-- Eccentric-cinema
-- E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts
-- Film Noir Foundation
-- G-Fan.com
-- Groovy Age of Horror
-- Horrorclassicfilms.com
-- Horrorhosts.com
-- Horror-Wood Webzine
-- Latarnia: Fantastique International
-- Lugosiphilia Yahoo Group
-- Mastersofhorror.tk
-- Mobius Home Video Forum
-- Monsterama.blogspot.com
-- Monsterislandnews.com
-- Monster-Maniacs Forum
-- Monsters411.com
-- MonsterZine.com
-- Niftyfiftyscifi.com
-- Professor Griffin's Midnight Shadow Show
-- Scarlet Street
-- Scarstuff.blogspot.com
-- SciFilm.org
-- Secret Fun Spot
-- Serialsquadron.com
-- Solar Guard Academy
-- Themonsterclub.com
-- Thethunderchild.com
-- Universal Monster Army Yahoo Group
-- Universal Steve
-- Video Watchblog
-- Or write in another website or blog:
14. BEST CONVENTION OF 2006
-- CHILLER (Meadowlands)
-- CINEMA WASTELAND (Cleveland)
-- FANEX (Baltimore)
-- FANGORIA WEEKEND OF HORRORS (Meadowlands)
-- G-FEST (Chicago)
-- HORROR-FIND (Baltimore)
-- MONSTER BASH (Pittsburgh)
-- MONSTER-MANIA (Cherry Hill, N.J.)
-- RUE MORGUE'S FESTIVAL OF FEAR (Toronto)
-- SCREAMFEST (Ft. Lauderdale)
-- WONDERFEST (Louisville)
-- Or write in another choice::
15. BEST FAN EVENT OF 2006
-- Forrest J Ackerman celebrates 90th birthday with friends and fans in Los Angeles.
-- Bob and Kathy Burns feted at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre for 50th wedding anniversary.
-- Annual Blob panic reenactment of moviegoers fleeing, held at actual theater where movie was filmed in Phoenixville, Pa. (Blobfest)
-- Bronson Canyon film salute at Hollywood Heritage Museum features slide show, film clips and showing of THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA.
-- David Del Valle's photo exhibit of Roger Corman Poe movie photos in Los Angeles attracts Roger Corman, Barbara Steele, Curtis Harrington, and many others.
-- Artist Frank Dietz exhibits charcoals, pastels and oil paintings at monster-studded month-long show in Burbank.
-- Dr. Gangrene's Chiller Theater Live! Pandemonium at WonderFest in Louisiville as a giant Tingler chases Bob Burns and everyone else through the auditorium.
-- Godzilla Society of North America dedicates a permanent Godzilla Plaque at an elemntary school in Los Angeles -- formerly the site where Raymond Burr filmed U.S. version in 1956. Assisted by Platrix Chapter No. 2. The son of Terry Morse, director of U.S. version, spoke at ceremony.
-- Jessica Harper sings Old Souls from Phantom of the Paradise at Phantompalooza 2 in Winnepeg.
-- Rocky Horror Picture Show showing at Screamfest, hosted by Patricia Quinn and featuring an all-star shadow cast with members from all Florida casts.
-- First-ever Universal Monster Army traveling monster toy exhibit, including rare toys from 50s and 60s in a museum-like setting, is exhibited at Wonderfest and again at Monster Bash.
-- Or write in another choice:
16. BEST CD
-- Music from AMAZING STORIES Vols 1 & 2 (Williams, Goldsmith, others/Intrada)
-- Music from CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (Benjamin Frankel/Naxos)
-- EXOTIC ONES: Go Ape Wild
-- GIL RAY: I Am Atomic Man
-- Music from LIFEFORCE (Henry Mancini/Expanded Limited Edition/BSX)
-- Music from MIGHTY JOE YOUNG AND OTHER HARRYHAUSEN CLASSICS (Webb, others. Monstrous Movie Music)
-- THE MOON-RAYS: Sinister Surf
-- Music from THIS ISLAND EARTH AND OTHER ALIEN INVASION FILMS (Herman Stein, others/Monstrous Movie Music)
-- NOX ARCANA: Carnival of Lost Souls
-- SEASON OF NIGHTMARES: Monster Mash Into the Fifth Dimension
-- ZACHERLEY: Interment for Two
-- Or write in another choice:
17. BEST HORROR COMIC BOOK
-- THE COBBLER'S MONSTER: A TALE OF GEPETTO'S FRANKENSTEIN, by Jeff Amano, Craig Rousseau, Wayne Faucher, Giulia Brusco. Tale of monstrous puppetry. (Image)
-- THE CRYPTICS, by Steve Niles and Benjamin Roman. South Park meets Universal monsters. (Image)
-- THE GOON: NOIR, by various. Tribute to Eric Powell's good-hearted thug. (Dark Horse)
-- GRAPHIC CLASSICS: EDGAR ALLAN POE, by Geary, Howarth and others. Included is new Raven. (Graphic Classics)
-- HAUNT OF HORROR, by Richard Corben. Eerie takes on Poe. (Marvel Max)
-- NIGHTWOLF: THE PRICE, by Stephen Antczak and Nick Marinkovich. Werewolf prowls city as a very dark knight. (Devil's Due)
-- SIGHT UNSEEN, by Robert Tinnell and Bruce Hampton. Restless ghosts haunt in this graphic novel. (Image)
-- SPIKE VS. DRACULA, by Peter David and Joe Coronay. Like it says. (IDW)
-- THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER: A PREQUEL TO THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, by Peter Bregman. Before the music, Erik's early years. (Treehouse Comics)
-- UNIVERSAL MONSTERS CAVALCADE OF HORROR, by various. Collects adaptations of Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy and Creature. (Dark Horse)
-- Or write in your own choice:
18. BEST MODEL OR COLLECTIBLE
Nominees developed with help from Universal Monster Army group at yahoo!
-- Angry Red Spider (Ultratumba)
-- Barnabas Collins, Dark Shadows set (Majestic Studios)
-- Frankenstein Trading Cards, with figures and subsets (Artbox)
-- Karloff as Ardeth Bey full-size bust (Sideshow)
-- Marvel Legends Monsters Box Set (Dracula, Frankenstein, Werewolf by Night, Zombie) ToyBiz
-- The Mummy sarcophagus 1/4 figure (Sideshow)
-- The Monster Box Vol. 2 (8mm Castle Film cover reproductions)
-- Universal Monsters boxers and PJs (Target)
-- Universal Monster Headknockers (Frankenstein, Mummy, Wolf Man, Dracula bobbleheads), NECA
-- Universal Monsters Rubber Jigglers (Imperial)
-- Or write in another choice::
19. COUNT ALUCARD'S CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR
-- Move along! Move along! Successful conventions like Chiller and Monster Bash struggle to find permanent homes.
-- Dracula's nightlight! Commentators duel on Dracula DVD over whether the cardboard on Miss Mina's lamp was intended or an on-set blooper.
-- Feeling boxed in! DVD box sets are convenient, but don't classics like MASK OF FU MANCHU deserve individual releases?
-- Got to be a classic cause it's so hard to see! Classic films are released and re-released without adequate restoration or improvements.
-- Nowhere to browse! Tower Records closes; magazines struggle: Cult Movies, Psychotronic end publication.
-- Wicker Man Has Eyes 2? Remakes of recent films a too-easy ticket to profits.
-- Or write in another squabble:
20. DVD COMPANY OF THE YEAR
-- Alpha Video: Great cover art for poverties and independents
-- Anchor Bay: 60s and 70s and beyond
-- Blue Underground: Euro horror
-- CasaNegra: Restores Mexican horrors for America.
-- Criterion: Still a class act
-- Dark Sky Films: From Amicus to Humanoids
-- Fox: Chan, Moto full of extras.
-- Kino: Keeping silents alive.
-- MGM: What will follow Midnight Movies?
-- RetroMedia: Unexpected delights.
-- Universal: Repackaging the classics.
-- VCI: Targets classics and obscure serials.
-- Warner Bros: Searches archives.
-- Or write in another choice:
21. CLASSIC MOST IN NEED OF DVD RELEASE
-- Chandu the Magician (Lowe/Lugosi)
-- Hangover Square
-- Island of Lost Souls
-- Judex
-- Jungle Woman trilogy
-- The Lodger
-- The Mad Ghoul
-- Man-Made Monster
-- Murders in the Zoo
-- Secret of the Blue Room
-- Or write in another choice:
22. WRITER OF THE YEAR
Who did the best work in 2006 to advance the state of classic horror research. Write-ins only.
23. ARTIST OF THE YEAR
New category: Not your favorite all-time artist (although they might be the same), but which painter, illustrator or designer did the best work in 2006? Write-ins only.
24. MONSTER KID OF THE YEAR
Who deserves to be named 'Monster Kid of the Year' for efforts beyond the call of duty to build a better world of gods and monsters?
(Past winners: Arnold Kunert, who got Ray Harryhausen his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame;Larry Blamire, the mad scientist behind THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA; Joe Busam, creator of MONSTER KID HOME MOVIES). Tell us your suggested recipients.
25. MONSTER KID HALL OF FAME
Who should be this year's inductees into the Monster Kid Hall of fame?
Already inducted are 18 members: Bob and Kathy Burns, Forrest J Ackerman and James Warren, Zacherley and Vampira, Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury, Alex and Richard Gordon, William K. Everson, Rick Baker, Roger Corman, Basil Gogos, Dick Klemensen, Gary and Sue Svehla, James Bama and Bobby 'Boris' Pickett.
Tell us your Hall of Fame favorite or favorites. We'll pick six more.
Whew! That's it!!!
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And remember, even the Creeper himself can't stop Rondo! Thanx everyone -- david colton
Want more information about the Rondos?
Email david colton at taraco@aol.com
