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!

Jay Johnson and Mike Huckabee find out "what's up"

Jay Johnson meets Gov. Mike Huckabee. Could this be the GOP ticket for 2012? Photo courtesy Jay Johnson.

I received a phone call from Jay Johnson a few minutes ago. He's in New York, fresh from recording his appearance on former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's Fox News talk show. (Jay's band Skinny Molly performed live music on the program.) Before turning in for the night, he wanted to give me a call and let me know how the taping went. After the call, he e-mailed me the pictures that accompany this post.

Jay told me an interesting bit of information. It turns out that the governor is a huge fan of What's Up, Tiger Lily?, the Toho spy caper that Woody Allen made into a successful comedy in the 1960s. After learning of Gov. Huckabee's admiration of the film, Jay told the governor that he's met several people from the movie. How's that for coincidence?

The episode with Jay's appearance should be rebroadcast this weekend, so check your local listings. All I can say is, congratulations, Jay!

ADDENDUM: Skinny Molly's performance has made it to YouTube:

Let loose the Damon of our galaxy!

Damon Foster and J.D. Lees at G-FEST 2007.

Following a three-year hiatus, Oriental Cinema editor and independent filmmaker Damon Foster returns to G-FEST this July at the Rosemont Hotel. Damon is already preparing sessions for the convention that will rival his previous presentations in terms of information and entertainment. What will he unleash? There's only one way to find out.

If you needed any more incentive to attend this year's G-FEST (as if the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Akira Takarada weren't enough), you just got it!

For more information, please visit G-FEST's official Web site.

Akira Ifukube discography

Akira Ifukube's official English-language Web site (just click here) has posted the first page of Ifukube concert works that have been released on CD.

To view the discography, follow this link.

To say the least, this is a massive undertaking, and it's a work in progress. Much more information will be added in the coming weeks.

Enjoy!