Visiting the Vasquez Rocks!

Vasquez Rocks! Photo by Brett Homenick.

 

On Wednesday, November 5, I visited another well-known filming location for Hollywood productions: the Vasquez Rocks. While there isn't much of a Japanese connection -- unless you count something like Solar Crisis (1990) -- it has much more to do with Universal horror movies. It was used as Borgo Pass in Dracula (1931), as well as the Tibetan mountains in Werewolf of London (1935). It was a blast seeing another popular filming location up close and personal!

Borgo Pass, as seen in Dracula (1931). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Visiting Bronson Caves!

Bronson Caves -- Hollywood's not-so-hidden secret! Photo by Brett Homenick.

One destination I've been meaning to visit in Los Angeles for years but simply never got around to seeing was Bronson Caves in Griffith Park, a notable filming location for all kinds of movies and TV programs since the silent era. Robot Monster (1953) and a slew of 1950s Roger Corman flicks have used the caves as a location, and it's even featured in the American version of Varan the Unbelievable (1958), giving it a slight Toho connection, too.

On Tuesday, November 4, I made the trek to Bronson Caves and spent a few moments in a prominent filming location for countless films. Here's what I saw. Enjoy!

A Trip to Hollywood, Florida!

Wastin' away again in Margaritaville. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On October 14, I visited Hollywood, Florida, and the beaches there. Additionally, I took in the sights at Margaritaville, which was naturally inspired by the Jimmy Buffett song of the same name. Here's what I saw. Enjoy!

Sci-Fi Director Bert I. Gordon Passes Away at 100

With Bert I. Gordon in April 2010.

Bert I. Gordon, the legendary director of numerous sci-fi films from the 1950s through the '70s, passed away on March 8 at the age of 100. I don't have much to add here, except that I met him once in April 2010 at a convention in Los Angeles. I was excited to meet him, as his I grew up with several of his films.

Our meeting, however, was rather disappointing. He seemed disconnected and uninterested, even though I bought his book, which I thought should've earned me at least some fake enthusiasm. He smiled for our pictures, though, but that was all. Still, I guess I'm glad that I met him, but that's about all there is to say. 

RIP.

FLASHBACK: The 'Godzilla: Final Wars' World Premiere in Photos!

If you look closely, you can see Godzilla in there somewhere. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I don't think I've ever shared my photos from the Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) world premiere that took place in November 2004 in Hollywood at what was then known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It's not a surprise why I haven't shared them, though. I started this blog in 2009, a full five years after the premiere -- old news. Besides, I used a disposable camera for my photos, which wouldn't have turned out all that great even if I had unlimited access to the event. So, suffice it to say, the pictures I took didn't turn out that well, and I've never been in a hurry to share them.

In fact, the only one I know I've posted before was the photo I took of Don Frye when he happened to be stopped in front of me by a fan who wanted a picture with him. After he was done, I was going to ask The Predator for a pic, too. But whoever was using the guy's camera had zero idea how to work it, so Don had to wait what seemed like forever, frozen in a pose with his fist up. When the guy still couldn't get the camera to work, Don's handler whisked him away, and I lost my opportunity for a photo with Captain Gordon himself. Ah, well. Little did I know then that I'd end up interviewing him twice and arranging his appearance at some Chicago con in 2008. 

Anyway, I recently had another look at the pictures I took at the event, and I guess some of them aren't quite that bad. Besides, they are a part of history, so they are worth posting for that reason alone. The ones worth sharing are below, with a caption to explain what you can see in the pics if you look carefully enough. Enjoy!

Producer Shogo Tomiyama addresses the audience with Godzilla standing behind him. Photo by Brett Homenick.

You can kind of see Shogo Tomiyama in there between the head and the hat in the foreground. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A happy fan poses with the Godzilla float. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The recently unveiled Godzilla star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- and almost completely in frame! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yours truly with Godzilla's star. I really didn't want to touch the ground but had no choice to keep my balance.

Don Frye being asked to pose for a photo that would never get taken. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Japanese media on hand covering the event. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Remembering Francine York

With Francine York in July 2010.

On January 6, actress Francine York, a staple of television during the 1960s, passed away after a battle with cancer. She played the Bookworm's henchwoman Lydia Limpet on the Adam West Batman TV series and also appeared on such shows as Perry Mason and Lost in Space. Her film roles range from Mutiny in Outer Space (1965) to The Nutty Professor (1963).

While attending The Hollywood Show in July 2010, I briefly met Ms. York at her autograph table and spoke to her about her work on Batman. I'll always remember her kindness. Rest in peace.

Tales of Adventure in Hollywood

Meeting the legendary Barbara Steele, the star of many Italian horror classics.

Although the summer months are brutal, living in Rancho Mirage (a.k.a. Brett's Rancho) does have its advantages. One such advantage is the fairly easy access I have to Los Angeles. Little more than a two-hour drive away, I can essentially travel there whenever I'd like.

After seeing its impressive guest list, I knew I wanted to attend the Hollywood Show in Burbank in late July. I made plans, and off I went.

It was a pleasure to meet Mamie Van Doren.

While it's a lot of fun to meet the celebrities who attend these autograph conventions, you must budget yourself carefully. It's easier than you might think to spend more money than you can afford! So it's important to go in with a plan and to do as little impulse-buying as possible. Stick to your plan, and you won't go home bankrupt.

Caroline Munro was a highlight of the convention. I spoke with her about such topics as Christopher Lee and traveling in general. She's as friendly as they come.

The Hollywood Show was held at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank. This was also the site of Monsterpalooza (in 2009 and 2010) and G-FEST '99. It's a nice area; I just wish the drivers were as nice!

With the incomparable Carla Laemmle, who appeared in The Phantom of the Opera (1925) and Dracula (1931)! Ms. Laemmle, who turns 101 (!) in October, signed autographs steadily throughout the day.

It was great to meet all the celebrities I met at the Hollywood Show. However, I must make special mention of two wonderful ladies in particular.

In between Nika Solomon and Luciana Paluzzi.

For the second time at a convention, I got to spend a great deal of time with Luciana Paluzzi and Nika Solomon. These are two of the nicest ladies you'd ever want to meet. I always enjoy spending an afternoon with them, and I hope to do it again sometime in the near future!

Reptilicus reads Phil Kim's Famous Monsters of Filmland tribute to Forrest J Ackerman at the Melchior residence, but was disappointed to find several typos (Joseph Cotten's name misrendered as "Cotton," among others) therein.

After the Hollywood Show wound down, I was a guest at Ib Melchior's home. Mr. Melchior graciously invited me to spend the night, which was an invitation too good to turn down! Once again (and I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but it's the truth), I enjoyed being in the presence of this multi-talented writer-director.

After dinner, Mr. Melchior and I watched Silent Hill on the SyFy Channel. Neither of us could follow what was going on, but it was especially entertaining when Mr. Melchior interjected some MST3K-style riffs on the proceedings! Suffice it to say, it was quite a memorable evening.

Yup, that's a plate of lasagna, but it wasn't mine, I swear! And I didn't order any stuffed bell peppers, either!

The following morning, I met Peter H. Brothers for lunch at The Grove. I gave him an autographed program of Godzilla: Final Wars that Akira Takarada signed for Peter (after I gave Mr. Takarada a copy of Peter's Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men).

A shot across the bow? Nah, it's just Peter enjoying his meal!

This was my first time meeting Peter in five years! Hopefully we'll get together a little more often from now on.

Brett and Ib Melchior, shortly before I had to leave.

Peter dropped me off near Ib's house, and I said my goodbyes to Ib and his charming wife Cleo. Afterward, I had G-FAN business to attend to.

Brett and George Chakiris, following a fascinating interview for G-FAN.

I met Academy Award-winning actor George Chakiris (West Side Story) for an interview on the Daiei co-production Flight from Ashiya. The interview was enlightening, but what struck me the most was how down-to-earth and approachable Mr. Chakiris turned out to be. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and he gave me many great stories for G-FAN.

All in all, it was a very successful trip, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I'm not sure when I'll return to Hollywood, but after all the fun I had this past weekend, I hope it's very soon!