Remembering Ib J. Melchior (1917-2015)

The great Ib Melchior sits in his office in Los Angeles, CA, July 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This morning I woke up to some terrible news. Ib J. Melchior, the 97-year-old, Danish-born writer and filmmaker, passed away in Los Angeles. Ib's work has been prevalent in my life ever since I was a child. I remember seeing Reptilicus (1961), a film for which he wrote the screenplay and worked on the American version, in my early years. Later on, I'd see more of his sci-fi efforts, including The Angry Red Planet (1959), which is perhaps his best-known film. He was also the son of famed opera singer Lauritz Melchior.

Ib Melchior addresses guests at a party held at the home of one of his many friends, July 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I first contacted Ib via his short-lived official Web site in 2007. Given his involvement in some of my favorite Western monster movies, as well as his participation in the screenplay of The Volcano Monsters, I was eager to speak with him. It wasn't until a few months later (in 2008) that I received an apologetic response. Ib told me that he had only just received my inquiry and joked that it must have gotten lost in the Twilight Zone.

In short order, the interview was arranged, and I was quickly learning some very interesting information about everything from the abandoned Volcano Monsters project to Reptilicus. Perhaps much of this information was already known to other movie researchers at the time, but hearing directly from the man who made it all happen was a true joy. After the interview came out, Ib and I stayed in touch, and I always looked forward to our telephone conversations.

Yours truly with Ib Melchior at his home, right behind the legendary Chateau Marmont in Los Anegeles, July 2012.

Around this time, Ib came out with a new book, Melchior A La Carte, which I was very happy to review. After the review was published and sent to Ib, he wrote me a message, thanking me for my review, and offered to put me up for the night should I choose to visit L.A. I was surprised to receive such an offer, and naturally there was no way I could turn it down. So, when I came to L.A. in September 2009, I made plans with Ib, and I was able to spend the night at his house.

I would get to know Ib very well and would see him often until March 2011, which is when I moved to Japan. In fact, when I told Ib about my plans to move, he sent me an extremely encouraging message in response. Given that it would be my first time living in another country, his words proved to be a big help.

While I could no longer see Ib in person, we did exchange Christmas cards and phone conversations. When I came to visit L.A. for about a week in July 2012, I stayed with the Melchiors the whole time. They were always such gracious hosts.

A familiar poster hangs in Ib Melchior's home. Photo by Brett Homenick.

When his wife Cleo died last October, I knew it would be a devastating blow to Ib. He loved her with all his heart, and losing a spouse, especially at such an advanced age, would be unfathomably painful for anyone to handle. I mailed Ib a condolence card and later a Christmas card. But I did not call him until January. When I spoke with him, he seemed to be doing fairly well under the circumstances, but the wind was clearly taken out his sails. He told me it would be a long time before he would have any motivation to resume any of the writing projects he had been working on. Despite that, we did joke a bit on the phone and had a pleasant chat. I'm glad our last conversation ended on a high note.

When I last visited Ib in 2012, he wanted to show me his favorite movie, Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Unfortunately, a glitch in the VHS tape prevented us from watching it, and ever since then I was hoping for a chance to see the movie along with Ib, who was probably its greatest champion. Now I will have to watch the film in his memory.

Rest in peace, Ib. Your kindness knew no bounds, and I will be forever grateful. Thank you.

A Tribute to Cleo Baldon Melchior

Spending time with Cleo Melchior at the Melchior residence in July 2012. This photo was taken the night before I left Los Angeles.

This morning I woke up to some of the worst I've read in years, via classic horror writer Tom Weaver. Cleo Baldon Melchior, the wife of writer-director Ib Melchior (Reptilicus, The Angry Red Planet), passed away on October 12 of a stroke. No other details seem to be available at the moment, but I know that I'll always cherish the time I was honored to spend in this wonderful lady's company.

Born on June 1, 1927, Cleo worked as a landscape architect who specialized in designing swimming pools. She had several celebrity clients, some of whom she told me about over many dinners we would have together.

I first met Mrs. Melchior in September 2009 when I traveled to Los Angeles to visit some friends. This was shortly after I relocated to Rancho Mirage, CA, after a four-year stay in North Dakota. In 2008, I interviewed Ib Melchior for G-FAN magazine about his monster movies, and shortly thereafter I also reviewed his book Melchior A La Carte for the magazine. When I moved back to California, Ib kindly invited me to stay at his home if I wanted to come to L.A. Of course, I readily accepted the invitation.

I spent the night at Ib and Cleo's house and was privileged to get to know them. But that was only the beginning. Over the next year and a half, I would visit the Melchiors several times, staying at their home when I would come to the L.A. area.

With Cleo and Ib Melchior at a book signing for Ib's book Six Cult Films from the Sixties in June 2010.

The last time I Cleo was when I stayed at their home in July 2012 when I was visiting the U.S. from Japan. I stayed at their home for about a week and gave the Melchiors several gifts from Japan, including a Japanese-style teapot that Cleo seemed to enjoy very much. During this time, their regular caregiver was on vacation, and in many ways I was able to step in and offer my assistance. For example, a friend of the Melchiors was hosting a party, so I drove the Melchiors to the area and assisted them at the event.

Thoughts of my last moments at the Melchiors' home has been running through my mind ever since I read the heart-breaking news. Cleo Melchior was like a grandmother to me, and I'll always remember her warmth, kindness, and humor. She and Ib were a great couple, and I'm so glad they were able to find each other. If you didn't believe in the concept of soulmates before meeting the Melchiors, you would have afterward. They were a perfect pair.

As much as I could go on about Cleo, words seem so futile to me now. Those of us who knew and loved Cleo mourn her loss, and we send our condolences to Ib.

Ib Melchior discusses Reptilicus and Six Cult Films

Brett with the Man of Imagination, Ib Melchior, at his home.

While at the home of writer-director Ib Melchior on March 13, 2011, I had the pleasure of discussing his screenwriting work on the cult classic Reptilicus (1961), as well as his recent behind-the-scenes account of his sci-fi movie-making career, Six Cult Films from the Sixties.

(Six Cult Films from the Sixties can be purchased here.)

The videos are posted below. After watching them, please purchase a copy of Mr. Melchior's fascinating book!

Visiting Ib Melchior

Ib Melchior at work in his office.

On February 2, I was once again a guest at Ib Melchior's. Ib has always been a gracious host, and his hospitality is always appreciated. Below are some photos from my stay.

Could Ib be working on his next book?! Wait and see!

Ib and his appreciative guest.

Here I am, posing with some of the unusual items found in Ib's home. What's in the can? Scroll down...

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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!

An evening with Ib Melchior

Ib Melchior at work on his computer. Please note that you are not being shown Cinemagic in this photograph.

In July, I received an e-mail from Ib Melchior. He received his copy of G-FAN #88, in which my review of his book Melchior A La Carte appears. It turns out that Ib was very impressed with my review and invited me to stay over at his house whenever I was in Los Angeles. I was excited by the invitation and kept it in mind for my next trip to L.A.

A dragon-like creature hangs from Ib Melchior's office ceiling. Could this creature be Reptilicus?

My trip came in late September. I asked Ib if I could stay over on the night of the 29th, and he agreed. As I expected, Ib was an incredibly gracious host and told many stories about his film and television career. At the age of 92, he continues to write books at a pace that this 28-year-old couldn't even begin to fathom.

One of Ib Melchior's many novels alongside his copy of Reptilicus. Can you spot my socks?

I slept in his guest room, which contained a TV set with an 82" screen. He showed me how to work the remote while the "new" ECW played in the background on SyFy (which prompted Ib to quip that while wrestling may be fiction, there's not a lot of science to it). That evening, on this amazing home theater system, I watched Taxi Driver on TCM and Patton the next morning on AMC. All while a poster for Planet of the Vampires loomed over me.

Ib Melchior shows Brett his manuscript for Six Cult Films from the Sixties.

While there were many great aspects of my overnight stay at Ib Melchior's, I'd have to say that the most interesting of all was the sneak peek I had of his new book, Six Cult Films from the Sixties. The upcoming tome is a comprehensive look at Ib's sci-fi film career, illustrated by rare photographs, concept art, and assorted goodies. The wealth of information in this book was astounding, and I can't wait for it to be released. If you're a fan of The Angry Red Planet, Reptilicus, Journey to the Seventh Planet, The Time Travelers, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, and Planet of the Vampires, or even if you're a movie fan who loves to learn about the blood, sweat, and tears that go into filmmaking, you'll want to pick this book up. As soon as I learn more about the book's release, I'll be sure to post about it here.

I have to extend my sincerest thanks to Ib and Cleo Melchior for being excellent hosts. I was truly touched by the interest they showed in me, and I can't thank them enough for their hospitality.