HAPPY THANKSGIVING YOU TURKEYS!

I just want to wish all of you folks a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know I personally have tons to be thankful for this year...I have been blessed with a beautiful son, Zachary Price (he'll be 3 months old on December 2nd), a wonderful wife and a new home since July, so it's been a great year for me. Here's hoping your Thanksgiving treats you well and stuffs your bellies!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FORREST J. ACKERMAN!

When I was a little boy, I remember going to the newsstand with my dad. There, among the typical magazines was tucked away a magazine, whose cover I could barely see, but I plucked it off the newsstand, and lo and behold my life would change forever, it was Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, the creation of the ultimate fanboy, Forrest J. Ackerman! Forrest J. Ackerman, also known as Mr. Science Fiction, 4SJ, Uncle Forry, Dr. Ackula, the Ackermonster, among many others, was born November 24th, 1916, and went on to create possibly the most influential and often copied monster magazine the world has even known. I was the ultimate Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine fan (still owning a nice collection of back issues), and in turn becoming a fan of Uncle Forry himself. I eventually grew to admire Forrest for his passion for monster and sci-fi movies. In fact, Forrest is actually credited as coining the phrase "sci-fi". Forrest J. Ackerman and Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine went on to be one of the single most influential sources to many a filmmaker, including, but not limited to, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Landis, Rick Baker, among many others. Forrest sadly passed away last December 8th, but he will forever live in the hearts of monster movie fans. Read all about Forrest's life on his Wikipedia page. Happy Birthday Forrest, you will forever be loved and missed!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BORIS KARLOFF!

Born William Henry Pratt, on November 23rd, 1887, Boris Karloff went on to become the most famous and recognized actors in the horror genre, earning the title "King of Monsters". Although he has performed in over 80 films before starring in the movie that made him a star, Frankenstein (1931), Boris Karloff went on to become a massive success, not only in films, but radio, stage and eventually on television. Boris went on to play such fantastic characters as the Frankenstein monster, The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and many many more. I credit Boris Karloff on a personal level as being the reason I got into horror to begin with. As a small child I watched Frankenstein and it forever changed me into the horror fanatic I am today. Boris had a magnificent career, which has had a lasting influence on many actors and filmmakers.I was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of interviewing the daughter of Boris Karloff, Sara Karloff (pictured above with Boris) at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend last October. She shared some wonderful personal stories about her dad, and it was definitely a great experience for me, being such a huge fan of her father. Below are some pictures from our meeting. To read more about Boris' incredible life and career, check out his Wikipedia page. Happy Birthday Boris!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAUDE RAINS!

Born William Claude Rains on November 10th, 1889, we first saw (or should I say didn't see) Claude in his first starring role as The Invisible Man, directed by James Whale. Claude started his acting career on the London stage, but soon made the transition to film. After The Invisible Man, Claude started building up quite a hefty resumé of film, starring in such classics as The Adventures of Robin Hood, with Errol Flynn, Casablanca, co-starring Humphrey Bogart, and in Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious. Claude also established himself in the horror genre, starting of course with The Invisible Man, then starring as another classic monster, The Phantom Of The Opera. We also know Claude as Larry Talbot's concerned father in Universal Studio's classic The Wolf Man. Read more about Claude's amazing career on his Wikipedia page.
Happy Birthday Claude!

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO No. 18

Hell-o Ghosties and Ghoulies,
and welcome to the 18th installment of

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

November is upon us, and the end of another year is slowly creeping up.
This month's Monster Spookshow Radio serves you up a nice menu that is sure
to be a tasty treat!

This month's devilish delicacies are:

PLASTIC MONSTERS - Mad Sin
MY UNDEAD BRIDE - The Matadors
HAUNTED FINK - The Finks
IT'S A MUMMY - The Chimps
WALKING DEAD - The Independents
THE VOODOOD MAN - The Del-Vikings
SPOOKY MOVIES - Roy Clark
GRAVEROBBERS FROM OUTER SPACE - PsychoCharger
PET SEMETERY - The Ramones
SAVE IT FOR THE VAMPIRES - King Dapper Combo
RIBOFLAVIN FLAVORED - 45 Grave
MAN-MADE MONSTER - Plan 9
MR. GHOST GOES TO TOWN - 5 Jones Boys
MONSTER MASH - Vincent Price
THEME FROM SPIDER-BABY - Lon Chaney Jr.
SURFIN' HEARSE - Jan and Dean
I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF - Creeping Cruds

Just click the image above to get the latest installment of
MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

Enjoy......and Happy Haunting!

George Van Orsdel

Dia De Los Muertos (Day Of The Dead)

Happy Dia De Los Muertos! For those of you not familiar with the celebration, Dia De Los Muertos (also known as Day of the Dead and All Souls Day),is a holiday celebrated in Mexico which focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st, and November 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.
I've always wanted to visit Mexico and participate in the festivities. To read more about Dia De Los Muertos, check out the Wikipedia page.