Monsterpalooza Kudos and Photos

Herein, are a few more photos from this year's Monsterpalooza.  But, before I get to them, a word about the souvenir program (as posted earlier today at the Classic Horror Film Board):

It must be mentioned that this year's official souvenir program has to be the best program book for a monster convention/show I've ever seen!  It is more of a magazine, rather than a program book, and is 34 pages thick (not counting the covers).  The staff really did an outstanding job and kudos to the following are in order:

• Editor: Jessie Lilley

• Design: Joe Sena

• Cover Werewolf: Tim Martin

• Cover Photo: Steve Jennings

• Printed By: Choice Lithographics

• Published By: CFQ Publishing

Now, the pictures:

Above, The Monster and his mate.

Above, Sasquatch managed to make the show.

Above, a collection of creepies.

Above, Jerry Weiler and yours truly.

Above, the mill from "Frankenstein."

Above, Rick Baker.

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!

Reunion At Monsterpalooza

Monsterpalooza opened today at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.  I met up with old G-FEST friends Barbara and Jerry Weiler.  I hadn't seen them since 2009.

Here's a couple of photos of the reunion:

Above, Barbara and Jerry Weiler.

Above, Armand and Barbara.

More on Monsterpalooza tomorrow.

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.

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!

Monsterpalooza Program Ad

Monsterpalooza is just around the corner. It will be held again this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, across the street from Bob Hope Airport from April 13 to 15.

Single day admission is $20 (Sat. day of show entry is $25) and $50 for the weekend for adults. Children are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The program book is being edited by Jessie Lilley. She got a hold of me yesterday about placing an ad in the program book.



I will have this (above) business card-sized ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan in the book. Jessie re-worked it from the one below that was made by Archie Waugh (originally for Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine), so that it would fit on the page horizontally:



For more information on Monsterpalooza, go here.

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).