Home | About The Rondo Awards | 2002 Winners | 2003 Winners | 2004 Winners | 2005 Winners

2006 Winners | 2007 Winners | Winners React: 2002 2003 2004

 

 

 

Here were the winners of the Seventh Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards

'Long live the Rondos!' - Ain't It Cool News

'I love Rondo!' - Guillermo del Toro

 

 

  A record 2,933 fans voted last year, the largest turnout yet in Rondo's seventh year. Here are the winners and more -- who YOU picked for the Best of 2008.  Thanks to everyone who voted and congratulations to winners and nominees alike!

Barbie (yes, Barbie!) beats Creature in Rondo Awards' top model showdown

Rue Morgue takes four Rondos; Twilight Zone is Best Book; Svengoolie is top horror host

Tim Lucas is Best Writer; Basil Gogos is Best Artist; Joe Moe named Monster Kid of Year


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

   ARLINGTON, VA -- Alfred Hitchcock's  Psycho, TV's The Munsters and Ray Harryhausen's
7th Voyage of Sinbad were all winners Monday in the Seventh Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror
Awards, which also honored the man who cared for sci-fi legend Forrest J Ackerman in the final
years of his life.

  But the biggest surprise came when a special "Hitchcock" edition of Barbie, dressed like
Tippi Hedren and swarmed by miniature crows from The Birds, topped the Creature from the Black
Lagoon in a showdown for Best Model, Toy or Collectible.

  Not only did the 50-year-old doll from Mattel beat out the green-scaled Creature, but she outclassed
models from The Exorcist, Invasion of the Saucermen and even an action figure of Rondo Hatton himself, the obscure 1940s horror actor who inspired the fan awards.

  The Rondos are an annual celebration of the vintage monsters who sparked almost a century of horror films and sequels. The worldwide online survey by the Classic Horror Film Board, a 14-year old online community, is the largest in the genre and drew a record 2,932 emailed votes.

  Beyond Barbie's latest triumph, winners ranged from the modern -- The Dark Knight was
voted best film of 2008, and Doctor Who favorite television show -- to classic horrors from the past:

  -- A new edition of the 1960 film, Psycho, was voted Best Classic Horror DVD.
 
-- A collection of Harryhausen's 1950s science fiction films, including a colorized Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, was named Best DVD Collection, and the collected episodes of The Munsters was the favorite TV collection.
 
-- Criterion's painstaking reconstruction of Carl Dreyer's atmospheric 1932 chiller, Vampyr, was voted Best Restoration.

  The most emotional moments came when it was announced in an online ceremony that a Los Angeles
producer, Joe Moe, had been named "Monster Kid of the Year,'' for his long years serving as a friend. adviser and caregiver for horror and science fiction collector Ackerman. The founder of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, Ackerman died this year at the age of 92.

  "For his quiet, constant and unwavering stewardship of Forrest J Ackerman's final decade of life,'' the
Rondo citation reads, "Joe Moe revealed not only the man behind Mr. Monster, but the grace and
strength of the ultimate fan. For being there when we all couldn't, Joe Moe is Monster Kid of the Year.''

  Moe, contacted by phone during the event, said, "If ever there was a time when I needed my monster
family, it's now. Thank you so much for validating the work I tried to do in a fashion that would make
all of you proud. I tried not to cry for Forry but now that he's gone, this honor from you, my pals, has me
in tears. Thank you so much."

Other winners included:

-- Best DVD Extra: "One for the Fire,'' a documentary about the making of Night of the Living Dead.
-- Best DVD Commentary: Makeup master Rick Baker, Bob Burns, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman and Brent Armstrong for The Mummy (1932).
-- Best Documentary: Spine-Tingler: The William Castle Story.
-- Book of the Year: The Twilight Zone by Martin Grams.
-- Best Magazine: Rue Morgue.
-- Best Article: "Coffin Joe Resurrected,'' a look at the legendary Brazilian filmmaker Jose Mojica Marins, by Scott Gabbey and Jovanka Vuckovic in Rue Morgue.
-- Best Magazine Cover: Rue Morgue #83, a portrait of Ackerman by longtime Famous Monsters artist
Basil Gogos.
-- Best Website: Trailers from Hell.
-- Best Blog: Video Watchblog.

-- Convention of the Year: Wonderfest in Louisville.
-- Fan Event of the Year: World Zombie Day.
-- Favorite Horror Host: Svengoolie, played by Rich Koz, in Chicago.
-- Best Horror Audio Site: Rue Morgue Radio.
-- CD of the Year: Soundtrack of The Blob by Monstrous Movie Music.
-- Best Horror Comic Book: Hellboy: In the Chapel of Moloch, by Mike Mignola.
-- Biggest controversy: An L.A. fan's disputed claim he had once examined the long-lost Lon Chaney
film, London After Midnight.

-- Writer of the Year: Tim Lucas, author and editor of Video Watchdog
-- Artist of the Year: Basil Gogos.
-- Favorite DVD Reviewer: Glenn Erickson of DVD Savant.
-- Vasaria Public Citizen Award: Cameron McCasland and Chiller Cinema for public service announcements by Nashville's Dr. Gangrene and Nurse Moan-Eek.

-- Monster Kid Hall of Fame inductees: European horror actor Paul Naschy, Jim and Marian Clatterbaugh of Monsters from the Vault magazine, painter Ken Kelly, the late Calvin Beck, founder of Castle of Frankenstein magazine, the late Lux Interior, lead singer for punk band The Cramps and an influence on the psychobilly horror rock movement, and the late Bob Wilkins, original host of San Francisco's Creature Features.

Many of the Rondo winners will receive Rondo busts, sculpted by Kerry Gammill and cast by Tim Lindsey, at the Wonderfest convention in Louisville on May 16.

 

Here is a category-by-category breakdown of who won.
(Includes winners, runners-up; also honorable mentions who scored well.)


BEST FILM OF 2008

THE DARK KNIGHT

Runners-up: IRON MAN; LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

Honorable mention: WALL-E; CLOVERFIELD

 

BEST TV PRESENTATION

DOCTOR WHO: 'Silence in the Library'

Runners-up: SUPERNATURAL; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

Honorable mentions: LOST; TRUE BLOOD

BEST CLASSIC DVD

PSYCHO SPECIAL EDITION

Runners-up: THE MUMMY (1932);
RODAN/WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS

Honorable mentions: WORLD WITHOUT END/SATELLITE IN THE SKY;
THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD

BEST CLASSIC HORROR COLLECTION

RAY HARRYHAUSEN COLLECTIBLE DVD SET

Runner-up: HAMMER ICONS OF HORROR
Honorable mentions: ABBOTT & COSTELLO: COMPLETE UNIVERSAL COLLECTION;
PLANET OF THE APES BLU-RAY SET

 

BEST CLASSIC TV COLLECTION

THE MUNSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Runners-up: OUTER LIMITS ORIGINAL SERIES COMPLETE;
NIGHT GALLERY: SEASON TWO


Honorable mention: DOCTOR WHO: COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON

BEST RESTORATION

VAMPYR (1932 film by Carl Dreyer; Criterion Edition)

Runners-up: 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD;
CONQUEST OF PLANET OF THE APES
Honorable mentions: PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY; RODAN (Japanese version)

 

BEST DVD EXTRA

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: 'One for the Fire' documentary

Runner-up: THE MUMMY: Jack Pierce documentary
Honorable mentions: 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD: Harryhausen interview; PSYCHO SPECIAL EDITION: Episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents

BEST DVD COMMENTARY

THE MUMMY (1932): Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Bob Burns, Steve Haberman, Brent Armstrong

Runner-up: 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD: Ray Harryhausen, Phil Tippett, Steven Smith,
Arnold Kunert, Randall Cook

Honorable mentions: HOLD THAT GHOST, Jeff Miller; DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, John Morgan, Stephen Smith, William Stromberg, Nick Redman

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM

SPINE-TINGLER: THE WILLIAM CASTLE STORY (Directed by Jeffrey Schwarz)

Runner-up: THE RAVEN, read by Christopher Walken
Honorable mentions: ZOMBIE HUNTERS: CITY OF THE DEAD; BLIND DATE OF COFFIN JOE (Ray Castile)

BEST BOOK

THE TWILIGHT ZONE, by Martin Grams

Runners-up: THE BOOK OF LISTS: HORROR, edited by Amy Wallace, Del Howison, and Scott Bradley; RAY HARRYHAUSEN: MASTER OF THE MAJICKS Vol. 2, by Mike Hankin )

Honorable mentions: THE GREAT MONSTER MAGAZINES, by 'Bobb' Cotter;
VIDEODROME by Tim Lucas;

I TALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, by Tom Weaver;
CLAUDE RAINS: AN ACTOR'S VOICE by David J. Skal with Jessica Rainse

BEST MAGAZINE

RUE MORGUE

Runner-up:  VIDEO WATCHDOG


Honorable mentions: HORROR HOUND;
MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT;
SCARY MONSTERS

BEST ARTICLE

'Coffin Joe Resurrected,' by Scott Gabbey and Jovanka Vuckovic, RUE MORGUE #85

Runners-up: 'Stan Winston Remembered,' by Scott Essman, FANGORIA #276;


'Scream and Scream Again: The Uncensored History of Amicus Productions,'
by Philip Nutman, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #20

 

Honorable mentions: 'Lost Nightmare: The Mystery of the Missing Spider Pit Sequence,'
by Gary Vehar, FILMFAX#118-119;


'Video Invasion,' by Matt Moore, HORROR HOUND #12-14;


'Jamie Lee Curtis and the Virginity Myth,' by Mark Allan Gunnells, MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #76 (online)

 

BEST COVER

RUE MORGUE #83 by Basil Gogos

Runners-up: LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #20 by Bruce Timm;
MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #25 by Daniel Horne

Honorable mentions: HORROR HOUND #12 by Ed Repka; SCARY MONSTERS #65 by Terry Beatty

BEST WEBSITE

TRAILERS FROM HELL

Runners-up: Universal Monster Army; Creepclassics)

Honorable mentions: E-Gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts; Monster Kid Online Magazine

BEST BLOG

VIDEO WATCHBLOG

Runner-up: The Drunken Severed Head

Honorable mentions: Cinema-suicide;

Horrorhostgraveyard.com; Final Girl;

Vault of Horror

 

BEST CONVENTION

WONDERFEST (Home of the Rondos!)

Runner-up: Monster Bash

Honorable mentions: Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear; Chiller; G-Fests

 

BEST FAN EVENT

WORLD ZOMBIE DAY

Runners-up: Dr. Gangrene's Chiller Theatre Live at WonderFest; Blob panic re-enactment at Blobfest


Honorable mentions: Addams Family Meets the Munsters at Monster Bash;  Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima receives 'Mangled Syscraper' award at G-Fest.

 

Zombies in Monroeville (Pa.), Mall

by Point Park News Service

FAVORITE HORROR HOST (Active)

Svengoolie (Rich Koz)

Runners-up: Penny Dreadful; Dr. Gangrene


Honorable mentions: Graveley MacCabre and Grizelda; Count Gore De Vol

BEST HORROR AUDIO SITE

RUE MORGUE RADIO

Runner-up: CULT RADIO A GO-GO


Honorable mention: DEADPIT;
MONSTER CLUB'S OLD-TIME HORROR RADIO
VOICES IN THE DARK

BEST CD

THE BLOB (Monstrous Movie Music)

Runners-up: THE OUTER LIMITS (La-La Land); MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE: The Dead Matter


Honorable mention: GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD; THE MOONRAYS: 'Swingin' at the Seance
'

BEST HORROR COMIC BOOK

HELLBOY: IN THE CHAPEL OF MOLOCH by Mike Mignola

Runner-up: THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER


Honorable mentions: THE GOON; CITY OF OTHERS; LOCKE AND KEY; ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN

BEST TOY, MODEL OR COLLECTIBLE

'Hitchcock The Birds' Barbie

Runner-up: Sideshow's Creature Premium Format


Honorable mention: NECA's Exorcist Regan 'spider-walk'

 

 

 

Copyright Mattel

COUNT ALUCARD'S

CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR

LOST OR FOUND? FAN SAYS HE FOUND LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT

 

Runner-up: Can monster magazines survive?


Honorable mention: What would Jason do? Too many remakes
!

 

 

Still missing ...

FILM MOST IN NEED OF DVD RELEASE OR RESTORATION

ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (yet again!)

 

Runner-up: DRACULA


Honorable mentions: BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN; NIGHT OF THE CREEPS;

THE OLD DARK HOUSE

WRITER OF THE YEAR

 

TIM LUCAS

 

 

Runners-up: Tom Weaver, Gregory Mank, David J. Skal

Photo by Donna Lucas

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

BASIL GOGOS

 

Runner-up: Frank Dietz


Honorable mentions: Robert Scott, Jerrod Brown, Daniel Horne

Photo by Kerry Gammill

DVD REVIEWER OF THE YEAR

Glenn Erickson (The DVD Savant)

 

Runners-up: Kim Newman, George Reis


Honorable mention: 'Angry Movie Critic
'

Special citation

VASARIA PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

CAMERON MCCASLAND AND CHILLER CINEMA FOR NASHVILLE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND GO-GREEN CAMPAIGN

 

 

Michael Creason, Nurse Moan-Eek, unidentified
zombie, Dr. Gangrene and McCasland

MONSTER KID OF THE YEAR

Joe Moe

 

For his quiet, constant and unwavering stewardship of Forrest J Ackerman's final decade of life, through good times and bad, lawsuits and redemption, even through the dismantling of one Ackermansion and relocation to another, Joe Moe revealed not only the man behind Mr. Monster, but the grace and strength of the ultimate fan.

For being there when we all could not, Joe Moe is Monster Kid of the Year.

MONSTER KID HALL OF FAME

The six newest inductees are:

CALVIN T. BECK

Monster magazine pioneer

 

The late Calvin Beck, whose audacious Castle of Frankenstein in the 1960s showed the first generation of monster kids that all this could go far deeper than we thought.

Jim and Marian CLATTERBAUGH

Opening a new Vault

Jim and Marian took the best of what had come before and gave an elegant new home to horror
scholarship with Monsters from the Vault
.

PAUL NASCHY

Man of 1,001 faces

The still thriving European horror star has played more classic monsters than all the
beasties in heaven, including Lon Chaney.

LUX INTERIOR

How horror learned to rock

Lead singer of proto-punkers The Cramps before his death this year, he was a smart
and insistent influence on the death rock and psychobilly horror band movement.

KEN KELLY

Finding hope amid the shadows

Fantasy artist brings splashes of color and sly winks of joy to Conan, demons and his covers of
Creepy and Famous Monsters.

BOB WILKINS

Sophisticated shivers

A San Francisco legend, his intelligent and subversive approach to the monsters on the Bay brought a new dignity to horror hosting, even on a show called Creature Features. He indeed helped keep America strong, and though he is gone he will never be forgotten.

And there you have it! Check out classichorrorfilmboard.com website for more about Rondo, and thank you for all the support. Everyone should know that virtually all fan and creativity nominees received substantial support, even if not listed above. Thanx for everyone's great work this year. Long live Rondo!

david

 

 

HERE WAS THE OFFICIAL BALLOT

FOR THE SEVENTH ANNU HATTON

CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS

This year's awards are dedicated to the memory and legacy of Forrest J Ackerman,

the World's No. 1 Monster Fan

        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

1. Best Movie of 2008 (Pick one)

-- CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN
-- CLOVERFIELD
-- THE DARK KNIGHT
-- THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
-- DIARY OF THE DEAD
-- THE EYE
-- THE HAPPENING
-- HELLBOY: THE GOLDEN ARMY
-- INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
-- IRON MAN
-- JUMPER
-- LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
-- THE RUINS
-- THE SIGNAL
-- TWILIGHT
-- WALL-E
-- X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE


-- Or write in another choice:

 

2. Best Television Presentation

 -- BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?' Sci-Fi Channel, 5.16.08.   Adama and fleet consider an alliance with Cylon rebels. 'The one human flaw, mortality, is the one thing that makes you whole.'

-- DOCTOR WHO, 'Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead,' BBC, 5.31.08-6.6.08.  A 51st Century library has every book ever written. 'Look at me, I'm old and thick, head's too full of stuff. I need a bigger head.'

-- FRINGE, 'The Arrival,' Fox, 9.30.08.  A large cylinder, and an Observer, emerge from beneath the streets of New York City. 'You still think just because someone's dead, they're gone?'

-- HEROES, 'The Eclipse, Parts 1 and 2,' NBC, 11.24.08-12.1.08.   Solar mayhem causes heroes and villains to lose their powers. 'I never thought I'd be able to hurt again. It sucks but it's wonderful.'

-- LOST, 'There's No Place Like Home, Parts 1 and 2,' ABC, 5.15.08-5.29.08.   Time twists as six escape and Ben 'moves' the island. 'We have to go back.'

-- SUPERNATURAL, 'In the Beginning,' WB, 10.2.08.   Dean goes back in time to warn his mother of death in her future. 'No matter what you hear or see, promise me you won't get out of bed.'

-- TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, Fox, 3.3.08. Birthdays and family complicate the battle to stop the future. 'You fool yourself. Then you remember what this place'll look like when it's on fire.'

-- TORCHWOOD, 'Exit Wounds,' BBC, 4.4.08.   Death and time travel as the team saves the city. 'Give me one good reason why I shouldn't keep bloody screaming.'

-- TRUE BLOOD, 'Cold Ground,' HBO, 10.12.08. Escape from the blood proves elusive. “Our killer seems to be targeting women who have associated with vampires.'

-- Or write in another choice:

 

3. Best Classic DVD

-- THE HAUNTED CASTLE (Murnau; Alpha version)
-- THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH (Hammer)
-- THE MUMMY (75th Anniversary)
-- PHASE IV (Saul Bass insect fear)
-- THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
-- PSYCHO SPECIAL EDITION

-- RODAN/WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (U.S. and Japanese)
-- 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD (DVD and Blu-Ray)
-- STANLEY (Special edition)
-- VAMPYR (Criterion)
-- WORLD WITHOUT END/SATELLITE IN THE SKY


-- Or write in another choice:

4. Best Classic DVD Collection

-- ABBOTT & COSTELLO: COMPLETE UNIVERSAL PICTURES COLLECTION
-- CHARLIE CHAN COLLECTION Vol. 4 and 5 (Sidney Toler era)
-- FOX HORROR CLASSICS Vol. 2 (Chandu the Magician, Dragonwyck, Dr. Renault's Secret)

-- GEORGE MELIES: FIRST MAGICIAN OF THE CINEMA (Flicker Alley)
-- HOUDINI THE MOVIE STAR (Kino collection of films and serials)
-- ICONS OF ADVENTURE: Stranglers of Bombay, Terror of Tongs, Pirates of Blood River, Devil-   Ship Pirates
-- ICONS OF HORROR: THE HAMMER COLLECTION: Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll, Scream of Fear, The Gorgon, Curse of Mummy's Tomb
-- PLANET OF THE APES (First five films, Blu-Ray set)
-- RAY HARRYHAUSEN COLLECTIBLE DVD GIFT SET (Colorized and B/W of It Came from Beneath the Sea, Earth vs. Flying Saucers, 20 Million Miles to Earth)


-- Or write in another selection:

5. Best DVD TV Collection

-- DOCTOR WHO: The Complete Fourth Series
-- HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN: Gory Gory Transylvania. Vol. 2  (nine more episodes)
-- THE INVADERS (Season One)
-- MUNSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES

-- NIGHT GALLERY: Season Two (Rod Serling's classic)
-- OUTER LIMITS: ORIGINAL SERIES COMPLETE (all 49 episodes)
-- THE STARLOST (Rare 1973 series with Keir Dullea)
-- SUSPENSE: THE LOST EPISODES (Vol. 1 of early TV anthology)
-- TORCHWOOD: Complete Second Season.

-- Or write in another selection:

6. Best Restoration (or video upgrade)

-- CHANDU THE MAGICIAN (Bright and detailed, Fox Horror Classics Vol. 2)
-- CONQUEST OF PLANET OF THE APES (Director's cut)
-- DEAD MEN TELL (Much improved version in Charlie Chan set, Vol. 5)
-- THE GREEN ARCHER (Restored Serials version)
-- HOUDINI: THE MAN FROM BEYOND (Restored Serials version, also on Blu-Ray)


-- THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Technicolor sequences sparkle, splices gone)
-- RODAN (Japanese version)
-- THE SKULL (finally widescreen)
-- 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (DVD and Blu-Ray)
-- TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL (uncensored)
-- VAMPYR (Criterion)
-- WORLD WITHOUT END (Cinemascope)

-- Or write in another choice:

7. Best DVD Extra

-- ADVENTURES IN SPACE: Space Patrol's Ralston Rocket Giveaway promotional film from 1954.
-- CHARLIE CHAN COLLECTION Vol. 4: Chan's Killer Actress: Feature on Kay Linaker.
-- THE MUMMY (1932): 'He Who made Monsters,' documentary on Jack Pierce.
-- NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 40th Anniversary Edition: 'One for the Fire' documentary brings cast members back to cemetery.
-- PSYCHO SPECIAL EDITION: Episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents: 'Lamb to the Slaughter.'
-- 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD: 'Remembering the 7th Voyage of Sinbad,' Harryhausen talks about the special effects.

-- STANLEY: 'The Dark Side of Eden: The Making of Stanley.' Includes new interviews, behind-scenes footage.

-- Or write in another choice:

8. Best DVD Commentary

-- Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Bob Burns, Steve Haberman, Brent Armstrong, THE MUMMY (1932)
-- Bill Condon, Michael Murphy, Dan Shor, STRANGE BEHAVIOR Special Edition.
-- Ray Harryhausen, Phil Tippett, Steven Smith, Arnold Kunert, Randall Cook, 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD
-- Angela Lansbury with Steve Haberman, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
-- Gregory Mank, CHANDU THE MAGICIAN
-- John Morgan, Steven Smith, William Stromberg, and Nick Redman on Bernard Herrmann, DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL


-- Jeff Miller, HOLD THAT GHOST (Universal box set)
-- Tony Rayns, VAMPYR (Criterion)
-- Stephen Rebello, PSYCHO SPECIAL EDITION
-- James K. Shea, Fred Olen Ray, three animators, PLANET OF DINOSAURS 30th Anniversary Edition
-- Tom Weaver, Richard Scrivani, ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (Universal box set)

-- Or write in another choice:

9. Best Independent Production (film, documentary or short)

- BLIND DATE OF COFFIN JOE (Ray Castile uncannily channels the unholy one in search of the superior woman)
-- CARTOON ADVENTURES OF MAJOR MARS (Bob Burns' cartoon series as it might have been)
-- THE DUNGEON OF DR. DRECK (Horror hosts abound in this fun look at a TV station takeover).
-- EDGAR ALLAN POE'S THE RAVEN (Christopher Walken reads, Gustave Dore decorates in this Len Hart animated short)
-- FANEX FILES: SAMUEL Z. ARKOFF (Documentary and interview with AIP's no-nonsense vice president)

-- SPINE-TINGLER: THE WILLIAM CASTLE STORY (Feature-length documentary about the maestro of ballyhoo)
-- TERROR IN THE PHAROAH'S TOMB (Latest sendup of public domain footage by Sue Svehla)
-- THIRTY SECOND DOOM (Short parody of sci-fi serials, Rocketman and all)
-- TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD (Sci-fi lunacy from Larry Blamire, Dan Roebuck and gang)
-- WATCH HORROR FILMS: Keep America Strong (Documentary about San Francisco's Creature Features)
-- ZOMBIE HUNTERS: CITY OF THE DEAD (Crispy online episodes)

-- Or write in another choice:

10. Best Book of 2008

-- THE BOOK OF LISTS: HORROR, edited by Amy Wallace, Del Howison and Scott Bradley. Notables including Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Tim Lucas and others pick bests and worsts.

-- THE CINEMA OF TOD BROWNING, edited by Bernd Herzogenrath. Scholars dissect the director's work.

-- CLAUDE RAINS: An Actor's Voice, by David J. Skal with Jessica Rains. Based on unrevealed interviews and a daughter's recollections, a look at one of horror's finest.

-- THE GREAT MONSTER MAGAZINES, by 'Bobb' Cotter. A look at the black-and-white monster and comic magazines of the 50s, 60s, 70s.

-- HOMEMADE HOLLYWOOD: Fans Behind the Camera, by Clive Young. From fake Little Rascals in the 20s to backyard Batman, a look at the tribute film craze.

-- HORROR 101, edited by Aaron Christensen. The essentials and more outlined by 78 writers.

-- I TALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, by Tom Weaver. Interviews with 23 horror and science fiction personalities, including Ann Carter, Eric Braeden and Lee Meriwether.

-- THE MONSTER HUNTER IN MODERN POPULAR CULTURE, Heather L. Duda. From Van Helsing to Buffy, a look at those who fight back.

-- 100 EUROPEAN HORROR FILMS, by Stephen Jay Schneider. A screen guide for films from Caligari to today.

-- RAY HARRYHAUSEN: MASTER OF THE MAJICKS, Volume 2: The American Films, by Mike Hankin. From Mighty Joe to the Cyclops.

-- SHADOWS OVER NEW ENGLAND by David and Scott T. Goudsward. A guide to the locales of the region's scariest legends, Dark Shadows included.

-- TWILIGHT ZONE: Unlocking The Door to a Television Classic, by Martin Grams. Through interviews and production notes, every episode submitted for your approval.

-- VIDEODROME, by Tim Lucas. Finding the secrets hidden behind the knobs of David Cronenberg's classic.

-- YOU'RE NEXT: Loss of Identity in the Horror Film, edited by Anthony Ambrogio. From alien takeovers to brain-swaps, who's next?

-- Or write in another choice:

11. Best Magazine of 2008

-- Famous Monsters of Filmland
-- Filmfax
-- G-FAN
-- Horror Hound
-- Little Shoppe of Horrors
-- Mad Scientist
-- Monster Bash
-- Monsters from the Vault
-- Phantom of the Movies' VideoScope
-- Rue Morgue
-- Scarlet
-- Scary Monsters
-- Screem
-- Shock Cinema
-- Starlog
-- Video Watchdog


-- Or write in another choice:

 

12. Best Article of 2008 (PLEASE PICK TWO)

-- 'Amy and Her Friends: The Ann Carter Interview,' by Tom Weaver, VIDEO WATCHDOG #137. A career retrospective with the young star of Val Lewton's 'Curse of the Cat People.'

-- 'Beverly Washburn: from Superman to Spider Baby,' by Donald Vaughan, VIDEOSCOPE #68. Interview with actress who appeared with George Reeves, Old Yeller, Lon Chaney and Captain Kirk.

-- 'Bewitching Hazel,' by David Del Valle, VIDEO WATCHDOG #140. Remembrance of late Hammer star Hazel Court.

-- 'California Gothic: The Corman/Haller Collaboration,' roundtable with Roger Corman, Daniel Haller, Joe Dante, moderated by Lawrence French, VIDEO WATCHDOG #138. Tales from the sets of the Poe films and more.

-- 'Cinematographer Gary Graver: The Man Who Shot Everything,' by Harvey Chartrand, PENNY BLOOD #11. One of last interviews with man behind the lens of Dracula vs. Frankenstein and Naschy films.

-- 'Coffin Joe Resurrected.' by Scott Gabbey and Jovanka Vuckovic, RUE MORGUE #85. Career retrospective on notorious Brazilian filmmaker Jose Mojica Marins.

-- 'Color Them Monsters,' by Mark Thompsen, STARLOG #370. Four pages of colorized Universal stills, from the Phantom to the Creature.

-- 'The Curse of the Cat People: A Production Diary,' by Greg Mank, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #25. Everything about the haunting Robert Wise classic.

-- 'El Vampiro Speaks,' by Bryan Senn, Richard Sheffield and Jim Clatterbaugh, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #24. Rare interview with Mexican horror star German Robles.

-- 'Harry Redmond Jr.: Last Survivor of Skull Island,' by Mark F. Berry, VIDEO WATCHDOG #146. Interview and revelations from last production veteran of King Kong and other RKO Cooper-Schoedsack-O'Brien classics.

-- 'Head Scratchers Explained,' by Prof. Anton Griffin, SCARY MONSTERS #66. Filling in some of the monstrous plot holes in Universal's classic films.

-- 'Here Lies a Man Who Was Not of This Earth: A Eulogy for Charles B. Griffith,' by Justin Humphreys, VIDEO WATCHDOG #141. A friend remembers the touching final days of the eccentric writer behind AIP classics.

-- 'Intruding on William Shatner,' by Dan Lybarger, FILMFAX #117. Insights into the controversial 1962 Roger Corman film.

-- 'Jamie Lee Curtis and the Virginity Myth,' by Mark Allan Gunnells, MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #76 (online). Retracing Curtis' gritty heroines in Halloween, The Fog and other films.

-- 'Lost Nightmare: The Mystery of the Missing Spider Pit Sequence,' by Gary Vehar. FILMFAX #118-119. Rounding up everything known about King Kong's lost scene.

-- 'Manly P. Hall: Dracula and the Complexities of the Classic Horror Film Sequel,' by Gary Don Rhodes, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #25. How the sequel to Dracula might have been very different.

-- 'Of Dogs and Monsters,' by Deborah Painter, SCARY MONSTERS #65. Sniffing out the hounds of hell and heroism in the monster movies.

-- 'The Prisoner: A New Order,' by Tim Lucas, VIDEO WATCHDOG #142. Making new sense of the village by reshuffling the episodes.

-- 'Remembering John Brahm,' by Marty Baumann, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #24. Director's daughter recalls his work on The Lodger, Outer Limits and more.

-- 'Scare News,' by John Skerchock, SCARY MONSTERS. Fandom's insider column, appearing regularly.

-- 'Scream and Scream Again: The Uncensored History of Amicus Productions,' by Philip Nutman, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #20. Deep examination of the studio that emerged from Hammer's shadows.

-- 'Special Effects Wizard John P. Fulton,' by daughter Joanne Fulton Schaeffer as told to Tom Weaver, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #24. Growing up with the genius behind Universal's horrors.

-- 'Spine Tingler,' by Greg Goodsell, SCREEM #16. A ghost-viewer look at William Castle's career through the new documentary.

-- 'Stan Winston Remembered,' by Scott Essman, FANGORIA #276. Tribute to the late makeup master.

-- 'Sullivan's Travels in Hollywood,' by Paul and Donna Parla, additional material by Anthony DiSalvo and Lawrence Fultz Jr., SCARY MONSTERS #67. Career retrospective on the man who tamed the Gila Monster.

-- 'Suspense: The Lost Episodes,' reviewed by Kim Newman, VIDEO WATCHDOG #140. Episodes from dawn of TV described in kinoscopic detail.

-- 'The Ubiquitous Dabbs Greer,' by M.J. Simpson, VIDEO WATCHDOG #144. The character actor interviewed about House of Wax, body snatchers and more.

-- 'Video Invasion,' by Matt Moore, HORROR HOUND #12-14. Reconstructing the gory-movie VHS boom of the 80s, clamshell boxes and all.

-- -- 'Who Saved Hitler's Brain: The Making and Re-Making of Madman of Mandoras,' by Brian Albright, FILMFAX #118. Proof that every picture has a backstory.

-- Or write in another choice:

Remember, please pick TWO articles from the list above. One will win.

 

13. Best Magazine Cover

FILMFAX #119

By Harley Brown

G-FAN #85

By Matt Harris

HORROR HOUND #12

By Ed Repka

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #20

Alternate cover by Bruce Timm

MAD SCIENTIST #18

By Don Marquez

MONSTER BASH #8

By Lorraine Bush

MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #25

By Daniel Horne

RUE MORGUE #83

By Basil Gogos

SCARLET #1
By Michael Wilk

SCARY MONSTERS #65

By Terry Beatty

SCREEM #16

By Bill Chancellor

VIDEOSCOPE #68

By Kevin Hein

VIDEO WATCHDOG #137

By Charles Largent

Or write in another cover choice:

 

14. Best Website (Online magazine, message board or tribute site)

Classic Horror Film Board, sponsor of Rondos, is not eligible

-- Atomicmonsters.com (Fun look at 50s scifi)
-- Creepy Classics (Monster Bash and latest product news)
-- Deadbooks.com (A rich multimedia serial based on the sci-fi series)
-- Eccentric-cinema (One of earliest cult sites)

-- E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts (amazing)
-- Film Noir Foundation (For fans of long inky shadows)
-- Gallery of Monster Toys (The source)
-- Horrorhosts.com (Home of horror host rebirth)

-- Latarnia: Fantastique International (all things Euro and more)
-- Lugosiphilia Yahoo Group (Just Bela)
-- The Many Faces of the Frankenstein Monster (like it says)
-- Midnight Marquee (online magazine)
-- Monster Kid Online Magazine
-- Monster-Mania Forum (monster conventions)

-- Serialsquadron.com (Cliffhangers, restored serials and talk)
-- Shriekfreak Quarterly (online magazine)
-- Themonsterclub.com (Still excited about monsters and thrills)
-- Thethunderchild.com (Online magazine)
-- Trailers from Hell (Joe Dante, pros comment on trailers)
-- Universal Monster Army (Toys, masks and more)
-- Witch's Dungeon (Home of the monstrous Hollywood tributes)

-- Or write in another website:

15. Best Horror Blog

-- Blogue Macabre (Strange musings with Gary D.)
-- Cinema Dave (Quick-footed movie blog)
-- Cinema-suicide (Smart look at modern films; soundtracks, too)
-- The Drunken Severed Head (Max Cheney's unique blog about it all)
-- Final Girl (A voice that must be heard)


-- Frankensteinia (If it didn't exist it would have to be invented)
-- Gary J. Svehla: Midnight Marquee/Mad About Movies Blog (Magazine lives)
-- The Good, the Bad, and Godzilla (August Ragone's G-blog)

-- Gorillamen.com (Blog goes ape)
-- Groovy Age of Horror (Not for faint-hearted)
-- HorrorHostGraveyard.com (All host news, all the time)
-- The Horrors of it All (Horror in the comics and more)
-- Monsterama.blogspot.com (Friendly creeps from Jay Stevens)


-- Monstermoviemusic.blogspot.com (Music is just the start)
-- Obscure Hollow (The look of horror)
-- Secret Fun Blog (childhood reveries from creator of Flip!)
-- Vault of Horror (Blog for every era of horror)
-- Video Watchblog (Tim Lucas goes deeper than even his magazine dares)
-- Zombos' Closet of Horror Blog (John Cozzoli's generation next)

-- Or write in another blog of your choice:

16. Best Convention of 2008

-- B-MOVIE CELEBRATION (Franklin, Ind.)
-- CHICAGO FILM FESTIVAL
-- CHILLER (Meadowlands)
-- CINEMA WASTELAND (Cleveland)
-- CLASSIC MOVIE MONSTER CON (Kingsport, Tenn.)
-- DRAGONCON (Atlanta)
-- FANGORIA WEEKEND OF HORRORS (Meadowlands)
-- G-FEST (Chicago)
-- HORROR-FIND (Baltimore)


-- HORROR HOUND WEEKEND (Indianapolis)
-- IT'S ALIVE ZOMBIE FEST (Pittsburgh)
-- MONSTER BASH (Pittsburgh)
-- MONSTER FEST (Chesapeake, Va.)
-- MONSTER-MANIA (Cherry Hill, N.J.)
-- RUE MORGUE'S FESTIVAL OF FEAR (Canada)
-- SERIAL FEST (Pennsylvania)

-- SCHLOCKTOBER (NYC film fest)
-- SPOOKYEMPIRE (formerly 'Screamfest,' Orlando)

-- SPOOKY MOVIE: International Horror Film Festival (Washington, D.C.)
-- WONDERFEST (Louisville)

-- Or write in another choice:

17. Best Fan Event

-- Addams Family Meets the Munsters: Q&A with Lisa Loring, Pat Priest, Felix Silla and surprise visit from Grandpa Munster (Ron Chamberlain), at Monster Bash.

-- Blob panic reenactment of moviegoers fleeing, held at actual theater where movie was filmed in Phoenixville, Pa. (Blobfest)

-- Dr. Gangrene's Chiller Theater Live! at WonderFest features midnight madness with Bob Burns, John Goodwin, Frank Dietz and Nurse Moan-Eek!

-- Godzilla-suit actor Haruo Nakajima receives 'Mangled Skyscraper Award' at G-FEST XV.

-- Klaatu Barada Ohio: Patricia Neal speaks at 25th Annual Ohio Sci-Fi Film Festival, a 24-hour marathon held outside Columbus.

-- Paul's Brain Trust charity event features Blade Runner screening at Warner Brothers with Ridley Scott, and later a fund-raiser at Dark Delicacies to benefit producer and video store legend Paul Prischman.

-- Spellbound: Reunion of Ray Bradbury's 'The Jar' on Alfred Hitchcock Presents with director Norman Lloyd, cast members and Bradbury by phone at the University of Northern Alabama. Hosted by Terry Pace.

-- Universal Monster Army monster toy exhibit, including rare toys from 50s and 60s, at WonderFest.

-- Witches' Dungeon Classic Movie Museum. Startling recreations of full-sized classic monsters, open at Halloween in Bristol, Conn.

-- World Zombie Day included zombie walks and charity events in Monroeville, Pa., Grand Rapids, Mich., and 40 cities.

-- Or write in another choice:

 

18. Favorite Horror Host of 2008

   Who is following in the tradition of Vampira and Zacherley? It is of course impossible to list them all, but here are ghostly hosts to choose from. If your favorite is missing, please write them in.

-- A. GHASTLEE GHOUL (Ghastlee Movie Show, Ohio)
-- THE BONE JANGLER and NOCTURNA Coven and Daytime Dungeon, Illinois)
-- KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, suburban D.C.)
-- COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feature, Maryland)
-- DR. GANGRENE (Chiller Cinema, Nashville)
-- DR. PUREBLOOD (Tales from the Graveyard Shift, Smyrna, TN)
-- GHOUL A GO GO (NYC area)
-- GRAVELY MacCABRE and GRIZELDA. (Midnight Monster Hop)

-- MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)
-- ORMON GRIMSBY  (Monster Creature Feature, North Carolina)
-- PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)
-- PROFESSOR EMCEE SQUARE (It's Alive, Pittsburgh)
-- REMO D (Manor of Mayhem, California)

-- SINISTER MINISTER (Midnight Massacre Theatre, Las Vegas)
-- SON OF GHOUL (Son of Ghoul Show, Ohio)
-- SVENGOOLIE (Rich Koz, Chicago)

-- There are plenty of others, so if your favorite isn't listed, write in another choice:

19. Best Audio Horror Site or Podcast (Web only)

-- Cult Radio a Go-Go. Talk, reviews, interviews.
-- Deadpit.com: Bloody talk.
-- The Monster Club's Old Time Horror Radio: Horror stories and more.
-- Monster Movie Music 1950-1969 (A blog, too)
-- Old Time Radio Network at Podshow
-- RadioHorrorHosts.com: Guide to the spooky voices of the past.

-- Rotting Flesh Radio: The Haunt Industry's Top Podcast
-- Rue Morgue Radio. Latest from the splatter world.
-- Science Monster Radio Library. Being rebuilt, but a prime resource.
-- Uncanny Radio, talk for the paranormal.

-- Universal Horror Sounds. Essentials are here.
-- Voices-in-the-Dark: Devoted to audio from Price, Lorre, Karloff, Lugosi and others.
-- Without Your Head Horror Radio: genre talk shows and more.

-- Or dial in another choice:

20. Best CD (Soundtrack, novelty or band)

-- THE BLOB (and other scifi), score by Ralph Carmichael, production by David Schecter. (Monstrous Movie Music)
-- CREEPING CRUDS: Tennessee Bloodbath (horror rock)
-- DEATHMOBILE: Deathmobile (horror rock)
-- DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN, William Lava score (Elysee)
-- THE HORRORPOPS: Kiss Kiss Kill Kill (Horror rock)
-- GHOULTOWN: Life After Sundown (western/horror rock)
-- THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD by Miklos Rozsa (Prometheus)

-- LITTLE STEVEN'S UNDERGROUND GARAGE PRESENT HALLOWEEN A GO GO (Compilation)
-- MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND, original 1969 tapes by Tito Arevalo. (Elysee Productions)

-- MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE: THE DEAD MATTER: Cemetery Gates (Sounds of horror, based on film)
-- THE MOON-RAYS, 'Swingin' at the Seance' (horror rock)
-- NIGHTMARE REVISITED, tribute to 'Nightmare Before Christmas'
-- THE OUTER LIMITS, by Dominic Frontiere, 3-CD set from La-La Land
-- SHE, Max Steiner soundtrack by John Morgan, William Stromberg, Anna Bonn (Tribute)

-- Or write in another choice:

21. Best Horror Comic Book

-- ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS (Collecting stories by Steve Conley)
-- ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN. Robert Kirkman.
-- CITY OF OTHERS. Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson.
-- THE GOON. Eric Powell.
-- GRAPHIC CLASSICS: AMBROSE BIERCE. Revised with 70 new pages.
-- HELLBOY: In the Chapel of Moloch, by Mike Mignola.

-- LOCKE AND KEY: WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT (Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez)
-- THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER (Collecting Peter Bregman Phantom prequel; new cover by Gogos).
-- WULF AND BATSY (Bryan Baugh)

-- Or write in another choice:

22. Best Toy, Model or Collectible
Nominees developed with help from the Universal Monster Army!

Hitchcock's 'The Birds' Barbie (Mattel)

Creature Premium Format (Sideshow

The Exorcist, Regan spider-walk (NECA)

'Big Frankie' (Moebius)

Saucerman with eyeball-hand

(Ultratumba) Photo: Collectiondx.com

Rondo Hatton 12-inch collectible figure

(Amok Time)

 

-- Or write in another choice:

23. Count Alucard's Controversy of the Year

-- Is classic horror Blu? Classic monsters and science fiction are missing in the excitement over the new Blu-Ray format.

-- London After Midnight, or on the LAM? An L.A. fan claims to have held the missing Chaney classic in his hands, igniting a firestorm that would have made MGM proud.

-- Too many Famous Monsters? Legal battles multiply as two publishers insist they own the Famous Monsters trademark.

-- Can monster mags survive? Chain stores closing, mags go online, Diamond Distributors cuts back.

-- What would Jason do? Endless remakes draw big receipts but ...

-- Or add your own dispute:

WRITE-IN CATEGORIES:

24. Classic Most in Need of Restoration

Which classic horror film, either released or unreleased, do you think most deserves a restoration?

25. Writer of the Year (for 2008)

Who do you think did the best published (or online) work in 2008 to advance the state of classic horror research?

26. Artist of the Year (for 2008)

Not your favorite all-time artist (although they might be the same), but which painter, illustrator, sculptor, model-maker or designer did the best published (or online), work in 2008?

27. Favorite DVD reviewer

A new category. Which DVD reviewers are most engaging, most reliable? This is a way to honor some of the genre's critical heroes. Who is your favorite?


28. 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?

29. Monster Kid Hall of Fame

Who should be this year's inductees into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame?

Past inductees: 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, Basil Gogos, Roger Corman, Dick Klemensen, Gary and Sue Svehla, James Bama, Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, Paul and Jackie Blaisdell, Joe Dante, Don Glut, Jack Davis, German Robles and Frank Frazetta. And last year: Bernie Wrightson, Ben Chapman, Cortlandt Hull and Dennis Vincent, Ed 'Big Daddy Roth, Archie Goodwin and Ghoulardi.

Tell us your suggestions. We'll pick six more.

Whew! That's it!!!

(Please remember to include your name so your ballot can be counted).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED

TO VOTE: Simply cut-and-paste, check or highlight your picks, or type out your

selections, with your name, to taraco@aol.com

You do not have to vote on everything. And one vote per monster. Thanks everyone!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And remember, even the Creeper himself can't stop Rondo VII! 

 

   

Want more information about the Rondos?

Email david colton at taraco@aol.com  

 

  



To see last year's winners, press release and complete list of nominees, click here:

Winners Rondo VI

Remember to tell your monster friends about

Rondo VII -- your chance to vote on the genre's best and brightest.

 


The Rondos are sponsored by


click banner to enter

The Rondo Awards © David Colton

TC<!--