Carl Craig: proud papa!

Carl Craig poses with Brett at G-FEST 2005.

On April 22, at 8:52 in the morning, Evelyn Takeko Craig was brought into the world. Her father is Carl Craig, best known to us monster fans as Jim Morgan from Destroy All Planets (a.k.a. Gamera vs. Viras). Suffice it to say, Carl has much bigger things on his mind these days than Gamera!

The Craigs named Evelyn after her maternal and paternal great-grandmothers. At this point, all I can say is that Evelyn is one lucky girl. Not everyone has a father who helped save the world from alien squids!

Congratulations, Carl! Let's see those photos!

Happy birthday, Rhodes Reason!

The happy couple: Rhodes and his wife Jeri in a recent photo. Photo courtesy of Jeri Reason.

Rhodes Reason, the actor known to Toho fans as Carl Nelson in King Kong Escapes, celebrates his 80th birthday today. Mr. Reason, whose other credits include Voodoo Island (opposite Boris Karloff), the Star Trek episode "Bread and Circuses," The Time Tunnel, Perry Mason, The Rifleman, 77 Sunset Strip, and too many others to name, will no doubt celebrate the occasion in style.

Rhodes Reason co-stars with Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett on an episode of The Lucy Show. Really, is this any way to run an airline?!

As the guest of honor at G-FEST XIV in 2007, Mr. Reason was a big hit with the attendees and enjoyed the convention himself. I know we'd love to have him back.

Happy birthday, Rhodes! I hope it's a great one!

Anime legend Carl Macek passes on

The Anime News Networking is reporting that Carl Macek, a producer and script writer whose extensive credits include the American adaptations of such works as My Neighbor Totoro, Vampire Hunter D, Robotech, and the live-action sci-fi adventure Zeiram, passed away on April 17 of a heart attack.

Courtesy of voice dubber (and former Screech Boy) Tony Oliver, here's an article on Carl Macek filled with biographical information.

Anime in America will never sound the same again. Rest in peace, Mr. Macek.

Six Cult Films from the Sixties now available!

Following Monsterpalooza, I visited Ib Melchior's house to pick up a copy of his new book, Six Cult Films from the Sixties. This memoir chronicles Mr. Melchior's experiences making his celebrated science fiction films: The Angry Red Planet, Reptilicus, Journey to the Seventh Planet, The Time Travelers, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, and Planet of the Vampires.

A review will be appearing in the next issue of G-FAN. But why wait? Order a copy yourself and learn what really went on behind the scenes!

Holding a mask from Ib Melchior's The Time Travelers. You'll never guess what happened next...

Oh, no, he didn't!!! Yes, I got to put the mask on, but it was so tight that it was nearly impossible to breathe.

To order your copy of Six Cult Films from the Sixties, click here.

Monsterpalooza

Meeting Susan Gordon, from Attack of the Puppet People and Tormented.

Last night I returned home from two days at Monsterpalooza, which was held at the Burbank Marriott in (where else?) Burbank, CA. I had a great time meeting the guests and seeing some old friends, like Don Glut. I even ran into a costuming thread volunteer who regularly attends G-FEST. Small world!

Since Dennis Druktenis asked me to review Monsterpalooza for his excellent magazine Scary Monsters, I'll save the majority of my comments for my review. Plus, as the only regular G-FAN contributor in attendance, I'll also need to do a write-up for G-FAN. So I have to keep my powder dry for now. In the meantime, here are some photos from the event.

With Ann Robinson of War of the Worlds (1953). I watched her movie all the time in fourth grade.

Meeting William Schallert, who was a true gentleman.

One of the highlights for me was getting to spend more time with Julie Adams. I spoke to her at length about her acting career.

That's me with Donnie Dunagan, from Son of Frankenstein. He also supplied the voice of Bambi!

Another highlight was meeting Bert I. Gordon, whose '50s sci-fi films have been favorites of mine.

G-FAN #91

Rudy Gardea's impressive artwork adorns the latest issue of G-FAN.

G-FAN #91 has been printed and mailed to you (yes, YOU! That is, if you're a subscriber).

-- Daisuke Ishizuka presents a bevy of reports on several fan events that have taken place in Japan, featuring the likes of Hiroshi Koizumi, Teruyoshi Nakano, Masaaki Tezuka, Kazuki Omori, Koichi Kawakita, Hiroko Sakurai, and many others. What have all these legends been up to recently? Read Daisuke's fine reports to find out!

-- totorom interviews Yukiko Takayama, the screenwriter of Terror of Mechagodzilla. If you thought last issue's TOMG tribute covered everything possible about the film, think again! G-FAN's ace reporter totorom strikes again with his feature-length interview with Ms. Takayama.

-- Allen A. Debus interviews Sam Enthoven, author of The Book of Tim.

-- Lyle Huckins reviews Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus.

-- Evan Brehany contributes a detailed retrospective of Gamera 3. This celebrated film arguably has no greater champion in the United States than Evan.

-- J.D. Lees, Tyler Sowles, Frank Parr, Matt Frank, and Jared Foust present Godzilla's Friends & Foes.

-- Mike Bogue reviews Kronus.

-- Brett Homenick's full-length interview with Japanese Fantasy Film Journal editor Greg Shoemaker comes next. An excerpt was published on this blog back in January, but the whole shebang can be found in the new G-FAN.

-- Brett Homenick interviews Allyson Adams, Nick Adams' daughter. Ms. Adams shares her memories of her very famous father.

-- Allen A. Debus contributes an article on the novel Gojiro.

-- Kevin Horn reviews DeAgostini Toho SFX DVDs.

-- Mark Matzke covers a "mini G-FEST" held in Ohio, as well as Wounderland Records' Godzilla: King of the Monsters LP.

-- Mike Bogue reports on Reptilicus.

-- Steve Agin's toy report concludes the issue.

And more! Don't forget to order your copy at G-FAN.com today!

G-FEST movie lineup revealed

G-FAN #91 is hitting mailboxes across the United States, and the issue contains the movie lineup for this summer's G-FEST.

Thursday, July 8, sees a "double double feature" at the Pickwick Theater, and the titles to be screened are:

-- Son of Godzilla

-- Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

-- Godzilla 2000 (now Evan has to come!)

-- Godzilla x Megaguirus

On Friday, July 8, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster invades the Pickwick.

Then, on Saturday, July 9, the Pickwick Theater will screen Godzilla (1954), which will be introduced by its star, Akira Takarada.

Don't forget to check in at G-FAN.com to get all the current information.

Three more months until it all happens. Let the countdown begin!