Sci-Fi Fans Not Human? NBC Thinks So ...

by Ian Johnston
Writer - Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman

March 18, 2009

NBC-Universal Declares Sci-Fi Fans Not Human
Ackerman To Rise From Grave In Protest

Where’s Dr. Ackula when you need him?

How would the creator of the term "sci-fi" feel about this?

Oh right. He’s gone to the great Ackermansion in the sky, leaving behind a legion of fans and a grave plate that reads “Sci-fi Is My High”.

Too bad. We could have used him this week to defend the word he created (or at least popularized) more than 55 years ago.

The Sci-Fi Channel – owned by NBC-Universal, who used to know a thing or two about creatures that go bump and buzz in the night – has decided to ditch the word sci-fi and replace it with the more “cool” brand of “SyFy”.

According to the president of Syfy…..oh god, I can’t even type it…Dave Howe, the name change is aimed at “building a broader, more open, accessible, reliable and human-friendly brand…”

Wait a second. Did he just call all his current viewers “non-human”? God damn. I think he did. Wow…

Well, we know what he’s saying, don’t we? He just decided he’s too popular to hang out with the nerds and basement geeks. He wants to hang with the cool kids. Cool kids who don’t usually go for aliens and monsters.

Women. Guys with jobs. Normal folks.

And all this after The Sci-Fi Channel recorded its largest audience ever last year – built on all those very geeks he’s dumping.

Don’t you think it’s a bit wrong-headed to abandon your core audience in favor of a viewership who can be fooled into watching by the sight of a shiny new logo?

Needless to say, the world of always-indignant sci-fi fans has risen up in derision of this cynical money grab. Oh beware the power of the geeky internet blog. My fave comment so far? “I want to punch NBC-Universal in the face”.

Not that sci-fi has had a particularly free ride. Back in 1953, Forrest J (no dot) Ackerman claimed to have coined the word while riding in a car, playing on the current popularity of the word “hi-fi”.

Some in the science fiction world at the time felt the shortened word trivialized the genre. Harlan Ellison said it sounded like “crickets fucking”. But the word lived on.

Don’t see “SyFy” catching on however.

I mean, depending on how you pronounce, it sounds a bit like air escaping. Or like an abbreviation for syphilis.

Is there a cure for this affliction?

Maybe that’s the crowd that NBC-Universal is targeting – the flatulent syphilis girl who is drawn to sight of shiny things. Hey – you got her number? There’s a Stargate Atlantis marathon tonight.

Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman - Home Cinema Choice Review

The life and times of Forrest J Ackerman, the original Famous Monster of Filmland

Steve May - 9 March 2009 - 10:35am

While this short biopic is ostensibly about Forrest J Ackerman, the editor of influential Sixties fear mag Famous Monsters of Filmland, it’s also a celebration of fanboy obsession. Forry (as he was affectionately known) was the template of modern fandom, a rabid collector of all aspects of cinematic fantasy and fiction.

This breezy 48 minute documentary features tributes from famous fans, including Ray Bradbury, John Landis and Roger Corman; one notes: ‘Fans are not only collectors, they're historians of their hobby.’ And there was no greater academic than Ackerman.

A trendsetting fanatic, Forry attended the first-ever sci-fi convention in 1939 (dressed as a character from one of his favourite movies Things to come, pictured right) and was the original hoarder of film memorabilia, snapping up items such as the original ape model from Mighty Joe Young and Lon Chaney's teeth from London after Midnight. As John Landis notes, 'back them no one wanted this shit.' No one that is, apart from Forry.

Ackerman first made a name for himself as a literary agent for sci-fi writers, many of whom were to become legends in their field. His clients included L Ron Hubbard and Ed Wood (‘he was just an incompressible drunken voice at the other end of a phone,’ recalls Ackerman of Wood).

He also famously coined the term sci-fi back in 1954. But it was during the Sixties that he was to become a key influence of at least two generations of filmmakers and fans, as the Editor of Jim Warren’s pun-tastic horror magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland (1958 -1982). The magazine made extensive use of Forry’s own collection of photography, and was aimed at kids united by their love of horror.

One mag to rule them all
I count myself as an Acker-fan. As a Brit-kid starved of late night TV channels in an age before video, Famous Monsters was my only real source of info about the genre films I loved. Back then, even the most awful of drive-in shockers seemed exciting and exotic, and I cherished them vicariously through the pages of Forry's mag.

As Ray Harryhausen observes, FM was also the first magazine to make the background boys of exploitation cinema famous. But it wasn’t just the editorial that I loved, it was also all the ads for merchandise at the back of the book, which included cool-looking horror masks and giant posters of the Frankenstein monster. Ackerman himself amassed an astonishing collection of movie memorabilia over the years, which cruelly he had to sell when he needed money later in his life. It’s clear that he felt bitter that none of Hollywood's more famous sons stepped forward to fund a museum dedicated to the history of fantasy cinema, utilizing the 50,000 odd items he had amassed.

There are only a few contributions from Ackerman himself in this film, as he was hardly in the best of health during its production, but his enthusiasm for the cinema he loved remains undiminished.

Extras on the DVD include a silent tour of the 'mini Ackermansion' (basically, what was left after Forrest sold off his main collection and downsized); a blooper reel; and actor Dan (Lost) Roebuck's Hall Of Horrors (a tour of his own Ackerman-inspired SF and fantasy collection).
Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman may not be for everyone, but fans of the ultimate fanboy are well advised to add this to their (doubtless sprawling) collections.

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, Region 2 DVD, £13, On sale from March 23

Forrest J Ackerman's Obituary from Dec. 5, 2009

Obituary: Famous Monsters Founder Forest J. Ackerman

By Steve Biodrowski • December 5, 2008

Cinefantastique

92-year-old science-fiction fan Forest J. Ackerman - founder of Famous Monsters of Filmland- died last night, just before midnight. Ackerman became famous as the world’s number one fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films; at a time when the genre was considered beneath contempt by the mainstream media, he started the very first magazine devoted to the genre, Famous Monsters, which became famous for offering a cornucopia of rare and amazing still photographs, usually captioned with Ackerman’s infamous bad puns (e.g., a shot of a robot being repaired in FUTURE WORLD was accompanied by this bon mot: “First a Clockwork Orange. Now a Clockwork Lemon,” a joke so weak that Ackerman felt the need to explain that the robot kept malfunctioning). Fortunately, the silliness became part of the magazine’s charm, and eager monsters kids were thrilled to have a publication that filled with interviews and articles about everything from Dracula to Godzilla.

I was not an avid reader of the magazine, but it was good to know it was out there, doing its job, and the issues I did own made for engrossing reading during the long car trips my family took for summer vacations. In those pages, thanks to some photographs of Carlos Villarrias as the Count, I first learned of the existence of the Spanish-language version of DRACULA that was shot simultaneously with the famous Bela Lugosi classic in 1931. I was amazed by behind-the-scenes shots from the filming of KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (1962). I learned behind-the-scenes details about many of the movies I loved while growing up: Poe films starring Vincent Price, Hammer horrors with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

Ackerman also kept an eye on new movies, but his love for the classics could not be diminished. At one point he even opined that THE EXORCIST had earned a place among the greats, but it was no replacement for old black-and-white films like THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and FRANKENSTEIN.

Not content to sit behind the editor’s desk, Ackerman used his magazine to achieve his own small slice of fame. Low-budget filmmakers eager for any kind of recognizable name or face would put him in low-budget exploitation films like DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN. Later, young filmmakers who had grown up reading Famous Monsters would give him cameos in their films (as when Joe Dante had Ackerman walk through THE HOWLING, carrying some old issues behind his back).

Ackerman eventually convinced foreign filmmaker Michael Bergman to make a film more or less about him. Bergman had contacted Ackerman, a former literary agent, about finding the rights to an old science fiction story, but Ackerman pitched himself as the subject for a movie. Bergmann agreed and concocted a tale about an obscure old silent movie monster who escapes from the screen into real life; desperate to find his way back into the movie where he belongs, he seeks out the world’s foremost authority on old horror films, Ackerman. The result was MY LOVELY MONSTER (1990). Ackerman helped add some “name” value to the low-budget production by having some friends from the industry show up to play bit parts in a party scene: actor Ferdinand Mayne (DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, actress Bobbie Breesee, sci-fi writer Ib Melchoir, journalist Bill Warren, filmmaker and special effects artist Mike Jittlov, and horror icon Boris Karloff’s daughter, Sarah. Somehow, I myself managed to become one of the party guests, but you would need sharp eyes to spot me devouring kiwi fruits in the background. (Hey, they lured me down with the promise of a free lunch, but the only food was the stuff visible on screen.)

Ackerman’s fame was of a cult sort, but he did become the poster boy for Sci-Fi Fandom. Twenty years ago, in the wake of the post-STAR WARS blockbuster success of the genre, when a local television news station wanted to do a feature about the fact that science fiction was now mainstream, no longer the sole province of nerds and geeks, whom did they show as an example? Ackerman himself, draped in an old Dracula cape, creeping around dark corridors, doing a corny Lugosi imitation as he looked into the camera and urged, “Don’t be afraid…”

Since Famous Monsters ceased publication, Ackerman’s influence on the genre waned somewhat, but he was still the ultimate fan, beloved by other fans who remembered him from the childhood days. And Ackerman remained well known as a collector who frequently allowed guests to tour his “Acker-Mansion,” where they could see his extensive collection of books, posters, props, and costumes from classic movie monsters. In later years, Ackerman wanted to donate the collection to the City of Los Angeles for a museum, but that never came to pass.

I perhaps was born just a bit too late to be as fully enamored of the Ackerman Mythos as many fans are. I preferred a more serious approach to science-fiction, which is why I gravitated toward Cinefantastique. Yet even so, I have to acknowledge Ackerman’s work as a trail-blazer. There is something to be said for being first. And throughout his life, he retained his devotion to the genre that he loved, making personal appearances at local revival houses screening films like THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS and SHE. Anyone who who makes an effort to get people to see old movies on the big screen - not at home on television - deserves my eternal gratitude.

I only ever met Ackerman once or twice, and he seemed just as affable in person as he did in any of his public appearances or television interviews. The wide-eyed, almost naive enthusiasm was, I think, not a pose but a genuine expression of his character. In the pages of Famous Monsters, this may sometimes have expressed itself in gag-worthy puns, but there is no doubt that Ackerman possessed, as few people truly do, a genuine Sense of Wonder.

You can read more details about Ackerman’s life in the AP obituary. Also, check out this tribute by David Del Valle (written shortly before Ackerman’s not unexpected death).

Famous Monster - Filmmaker's Introduction - Forrest J Ackerman Tribute at the Egyptian Theatre Update 2

The Following are two YouTube clips of Ian and me as we introduce Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman to a crowd of over 400 souls at the Forry Ackerman Tribute, at the Egyptian Theatre, March 8, 2009. Rather than conduct a Q&A, we opted to chat about Forry, the film, and Forry's ghost, for 10 minutes (broken up into 2 clips). Thanks to Casey (at the bat - the Vampire bat) Wong for holding the camera so steady for that long!

Ian Johnston and Michael MacDonald

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycOvyPy-prM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQOlmF1zjZk

Forrest J Ackerman Tribute at the Egyptian Theatre Update 1

Los Angeles - American Cinematheque in Hollywood.

The tribute dedicated to Forrest J Ackerman was a stunning success. Over 400 souls, including many notable and affectionate fans of Forry's, attended this moving homage to sci-fi and Horror's greatest promoter. I will be posting videos and pictures along with a detailed report of the event once I have fully recovered. In the meantime here are a few images from the day.

Joe Pilato - Rhodes from Romero's Day of the Dead.



Two generations of fans! No relation though.

Ann Robinson from George Pal's 1954 War of the Worlds.

Ian Johnston (my filmmaking cohort) with Johnny Legend, filmmaker and distributor.

http://la.metblogs.com/2009/03/04/we-love-you-forry/

Sci-Find.co.uk REVIEW of FAMOUS MONSTER DVD

Famous Monster - the Forrest J. Ackerman Documentary

Famous Monster Cover - click to order UK REGION 2

Famous Monster observes the life of the world’s most illustrious science fiction and horror devotee, Forrest J. Ackerman.

Ackerman, the writer, editor and literary agent who’s been attributable to coining the term “Sci-Fi” in the 1950s, has inspired generations of young horror film buffs and some of Hollywoods most prosperous film-makers with what will forever be titled the first movie monster magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland.

Through the use of archive footage, clips and interviews with Ackerman and some of the biggest names in fantasy films he inspired, (Roger Corman, Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury, John Landis, Joe Dante, and George Clayton Johnson, among others) Famous Monster shows the journey Ackerman took as he grew up from being a kid reading Amazing Stories magazine and watching movies like Metropolis and Phantom of The Opera, to a literary agent to the biggest names in fantasy writing, to the editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland.

This fast-paced, profile of Ackerman is packed full of all of extras including, deleted interviews, and a tour of the infamous Ackermansion, which houses Forrys 300,000 piece collection of horror memorabilia, regarded as one of the world’s largest personal collection of science fiction and fantasy memorabilia

Famous Monster is a true collectable and a wonderful tribute to the man who created the world of science fiction.

How do I buy a copy of Famous Monster?

Famous Monster is currently available in the United Kingdom from a number of sources in region free DVD formats. For those of you in North America, all DVD players and computers will play this DVD. Check to see if yours does.

We are working on the North American release of Famous Monster and will announce that information just as soon as it happens.

Here are the United Kingdom sources.

Amazon.com UK

Play.com UK

B7 Media (our main distributor)

Lovefilm.com

Official Blog of Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman - the film

Hi folks,

I have created this blog in order to separate the postings for Famous monster: Forrest J Ackerman from my writings on the paranormal. I am a filmmaker specializing in the genres of sci-fi, paranormal, and horror documentaries.


Famous Monster, was produced in 2007. It is a 48 minute biography about the life of Forrest J Ackerman which originally aired on Canada's SPACE:theimaginationstation. Uncle Forry, as he was affectionately known, was the acknowledged world's greatest fan of the macabre, and creator of the term, "sci-fi". In fact his favorite motto was, "Sci-fi is my high!" (Engraved on his memorial plaque). Forry passed away at the age of 92 on December 4, 2008. For more details on this most loved and influential man, see the wikipedia link here.


As for the film, I produced and directed the piece while Ian Johnston performed all the interviews and was the writer. Ian and I enjoy working together, and Famous Monster was our first joint effort on a documentary. He is a brilliant writer as you will see if you get a chance to watch the film.

Ian Johnston (L) Michael MacDonald (R)

Here is the official press release for our gala screening at the Egyptian theatre during Forry's memorial tribute, which took place on March 8, 2009.


FAMOUS MONSTER: FORREST J ACKERMAN, a one-hour Canadian TV documentary on fantasy film’s greatest fan, will screen as part of a star-studded Ackerman tribute March 8th in Hollywood.

“It’s a real thrill and more than a little appropriate,” says Famous Monster producer/director Michael MacDonald of the Halifax-based Roadhouse Films.

“Forry was a legend who spent his whole life living and working in Hollywood. To be asked to screen our doc for his friends and fans is a great honour.”

The TV documentary – a collaboration between MacDonald and former Halifax Daily News writer Ian Johnston (TV’s Liography, The Business) - was shot in Hollywood and Toronto. It aired originally in Canada on Space and City-TV.

Famous Monster focuses on 90 years in the life of editor/agent/collector Ackerman, who once possessed the world’s large collection of fantasy film memorabilia. Known as Uncle Forry to his fans, Ackerman is credited with coining the word “sci-fi” and inspiring writers like Stephen King and young film-makers like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas with his magazine “Famous Monsters of Filmland”.

“Forry inspired me,” confesses legendary B-movie film-maker Roger Corman in the documentary. “And I inspired a few people. And hopefully, they’re inspiring others.”

Ackerman died December 4th at the age of 92.

The memorial tribute – sponsored by American Cinematheque, a non-profit film organization in Los Angeles - will be held at the historic Egyptian Theater, the site of the first red carpet Hollywood movie premiere in 1922.

“I don’t think you can say who will follow in Forry’s footsteps,” concludes director John Landis (Animal House, The Blues Brothers) in Famous Monster.

“The answer is nobody.”

Following the tribute, FAMOUS MONSTER will be released on DVD in North America and the U.K. through B7/Kaleidoscope Media March 23rd.