Monsterpalooza 2012

Above, The Monster confronts Elizabeth in "Frankenstein" in Monsterpalooza's  Museum.

It was another fun Monsterpalooza in Burbank this year.  I attended yesterday afternoon.  The crowds waiting to get in were huge, despite an occasional downpour.

The first person I recognized was Godzilla suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa.  We chatted a bit over at The Daily Grill, the Burbank Marriott's restaurant.  I introduced longtime G-FEST volunteer Barbara Weiler to him.

While waiting to get in, a gent in a homemade Gill-man suit entertained people in line (below).

Once inside, I made my way to Mondo Cult magazine's table and met with Jessie Lilley.  Earlier, I had Don Glut snap this shot of actor/writer/film historian Ted Newsom and me (below).

Wandering around, I found that the usual great exhibits one expects at Monsterpalooza were in abundance.   Mike Hill's life-size sculptures (below) of Jack Pierce (with The Mummy) and Rick Baker (with An American Werewolf In London) were terrific.

Naturally, Monsterpalooza had celebritites and big names in the horror genre in abundance.  Sara Karloff (daughter of Boris) had a table (below) as did Bela Lugosi Jr.

After meandering around the vendor areas, I made my way into Monsterpalooza's Museum.  Here's some of the highlights in the museum:

Above, several portraits of Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Al Lewis.

Above, "Avatar."

Above, Godzilla was represented by this huge sculpture.

Above, The Monster and Henry Frankenstein struggle on the mill.


Following the Museum, I made my way to the autograph section where I obtained this autographed photo of actress Caroline Munro (from 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me) with Roger Moore (below).

And, had a photo taken with her:

After this, I had to dash off to pick up my roomie in Pasadena. Monsterpalooza continues today and tomorrow. 


 If you can, head out to Burbank and have yourself a great time!

Monsterpalooza and Walk MS

Above, the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, the site for Monsterpalooza.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is going to be one busy weekend.

Between work, I will be attending this year's Monsterpalooza at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center (across the street from Bob Hope Airport) and the Walk MS in Pasadena where my roomie will be walking with Team Chef on Sunday.

I haven't yet decided on what day I'll be going to Monsterpalooza, Friday or Saturday.  I am leaning towards Friday.

If you haven't been to Monsterpalooza, you're in for a real treat if you decide to go.  But beware, parking is a hassle and the crowds inside the Marriott can be daunting.  To see what Monsterpalooza is about, go to the official website for the details.

If you spot me at Monsterpalooza, feel free to say hello.

Convention Favorite Julie Adams

Above,  Julie Adams with Armand at the 2009 Monsterpalooza.

The Los Angeles Times has a profile article on actress Julie Adams.  Here's a snippet:

Julie Adams nearly turned down the role that has made her a legend among sci-fi and horror films fans: Kay Lawrence in 1954's "Creature From the Black Lagoon." 

But who could blame her? As a contract player at Universal six decades ago, she had played opposite Arthur Kennedy in 1951's "Bright Victory," Jimmy Stewart in the 1952 western "Bend of the River" and heartthrob Tyrone Power in 1953's "Mississippi Gambler." And now the studio wanted her for a black-and-white 3-D horror film that was sort of a fishy version of "Beauty and the Beast." 

"I thought 'Creature From the Black Lagoon'! What?"' recalled the 85-year-old actress during a recent interview at her comfortable Los Feliz home. "I thought about turning it down and then I thought if I do that I'll go on suspension and I won't get paid. Then I thought it might be fun, and of course it was." 

It was more than just fun. Adams is much in demand at conventions and autograph shows because of her iconic role as the girlfriend of ichthyologist Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) who, while on a scientific expedition down the Amazon, becomes the object of affection of a tall, amphibious creature called the Gill-Man. 

I met Julie Adams at the 2009 Monsterpalooza and Adams will be at this year's Monsterpalooza (the full article mentions this) starting this coming Friday (the 13th).

To read the full article, go here.

Another Good Month For "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

Above, Armand at the 2011 Monsterpalooza.

April is turning out to be another good month as far as sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan are concerned.  The sales are keeping up a good pace with January, February, and March.

That, plus the upcoming write-ups in the Comics Buyer's Guide and Japan Times, bode well for the travel guide.




Monsterpalooza at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center begins this coming weekend.  I bought ad space in the program booklet.  The ad is above.  If you've never been to a Monsterpalooza, you should make an effort to go!

Dark Shadows, Now At A Bus Shelter Near You

As we get nearer to the release of the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Dark Shadows, the advertising campaign is in full throttle.Bus shelters in Los Angeles County are now being adorned with posters advertising the movie. Here's a couple of them shot with my cell phone in Burbank tonight:

Not A Boring Night In Burbank

Above, the scene of the crime. Photo by Glendale News Press.

It was an interesting Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

I was working in my "parachute" job as a private patrol officer in the Tarzana hills. Midway in my shift, I was asked if I wanted some overtime hours after my shift ended in Burbank. I agreed to do so. Why not? Easy money. Should be a quiet night

Or so I thought.

This little incident occurred in the private community where I was working:

Burbank police arrested a 76-year-old man early Thursday morning for allegedly firing off two shots in an attempt to scare off two men who were on his property in search a vehicle for repossession.

At about 12:33 AM, two Burbank police cars came through the community's gate on a Code 3 (lights and sirens). I followed them (as I was in charge of the community's security that night and I have to provide a report to the company and homeowners' association).

At the scene, there were two other police cars (they came through the other gate). They were shortly joined by ten more police vehicles. The officers all got out and were in tactical mode with weapons drawn.

This went on for over two hours. So much for a quiet night. At least the night wasn't boring.

For more, go here.

From Burbank To Bakersfield

It has been interesting to see the venom from left wing bloggers and other sites directed at Andrew Breitbart, who passed away suddenly yesterday morning shortly after midnight. Interesting, but not surprising. It only shows what a bunch of classless bums they are. Breitbart was a happy warrior who championed truth that the mainstream media refused to cover, and for freedom.

It was a treat to listen to a local radio talk show tonight featuring actors Ed Ames, Clint Howard and Morgan Brittany, with Ann Coulter on the phone. Each praised the work of Breitbart.

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Today is a busy one for me. It began with working in my "parachute" job patrolling the Burbank Hills on the graveyard shift. Following that, I will be immediately heading north to Bakersfield for a late-morning mandatory settlement conference on an insurance claim as the representative for the insurer.

I haven't been to Bakersfield for quite a long time (I can't even remember the last time I was there). It'll be interesting to see any changes to it and along Highway 99.

Thankfully, I will be well-compensated for my drive time as well as the mileage put on my car. Good thing I recently had the engine rebuilt. It should be fun. The car loves the open highway.

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This should be a good month with insurance work coming in along with the sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. To cap off today's activities, I will come home to another great meal prepared by my roomie.

Dinner With Karlos Borloff: Outtakes

Above, Jerry Moore as "Karlos Borloff" (with Vixxa Violet) on Monster Madhouse.

Here's some "outtakes" photos of the night I went out to dinner with Jerry "Karlos Borloff" Moore (of Monster Madhouse) and Don Glut in Burbank.

Above, dinner at a Burbank Italian eatery. The flash didn't go off.

Above, it looks like they're saying, "Ooooh, really?!"

Above, Jerry and Don having a "serious" discussion in Don's kitchen.

Above, since Jerry couldn't take Don's home back to Virginia with him, he captured it on video instead.

Above, the serious discussion that really wasn't between Don, Jerry's fiancee Marta and Jerry.

Bob-zilla

A friend sent me this photo of a modified Bob's Big Boy figure from the Burbank Bob's Big Boy restaurant:



The message with the photo:

...Meet Bob-Zilla. I created him a few years ago after watching a bad Japanese movie left me with unexplained cravings for a Bob's Bigboy "Double Decker" combo. Mmmmnn!

Haruo Nakajima Turns 83 On January 1

Above, Haruo Nakajima poses with model Miki Hayashi at this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank.

January 1, 2012 will mark a new year and, most importantly, the 83rd birthday of Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima.

He was the man in the Godzilla suits starting with the first movie in 1954 to Godzilla vs. Gigan.

Above, Haruo Nakajima takes a break during the filming of "Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster."

It has been an annual tradition for the past several years to have fans of Mr. Nakajima post their birthday greetings on this blog and I, in turn, will pass them on to him through his daughter Sonoe.

So, starting now, you may post on this blog post's comments section below your birthday greetings to Mr. Nakajima.

Monsterpalooza 2012

As you can see from above, Monsterpalooza 2012's dates have been announced (April 13-15, 2012). It will be returning to the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

There's lots to see (definitely an understatement) and do at the show. It does get crowded at the show, so I would recommend getting there early in the morning so you can find yourself a parking spot.

The Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center is located on Hollywood Way directly across the street from the Bob Hope Airport. If you are from out-of-state, you may want to seriously consider taking advantage of the special Monsterpalooza room rates. The Marriott Hotel is first-class and there are plenty of fast-food restaurants across the street, so you won't be at the mercy of hotel food prices (unless, of course, that's what you prefer).

Here's some pictures from the 2011 show:

Above, yours truly following the "Scene To Seen" presentation.

Above, Haruo Nakajima ("Mr. Godzilla") with Miki Hayashi.

Above, a werewolf stalks prey in the Monsterpalooza museum.

Above, Miki Hayashi with Godzilla suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa.

Above, Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein again in the Monsterpalooza museum.

Above, Carla Laemmle, the last surviving star of "Dracula" (1931).