big japan women: February 2011

Monsterpalooza Presentation Promo

by Armand Vaquer

The Events page over at the official Monsterpalooza website now includes this promo for my presentation at the show in April (click the image to see it full size):

The images are of the Wako Department Store in the Ginza section of Tokyo. The image on the left is from Godzilla (1954) and the one on the right was taken during my trip to Japan last December. The building was formerly known as the K. Hattori Building.

This and other locations are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Kudos to Eliot Brodsky for an excellent job!

To see the full Events page, go here.

Kaiju Location Presentation At Monsterpalooza

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Armand Vaquer at the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.

My presentation at Monsterpalooza will be Friday, April 8 at 8:00 PM, following Peter H. Brothers. If there are any changes, they will be posted at this blog.

My presentation will consist of:

Ever wanted to travel to Japan to see the landmarks Godzilla and friends demolished? Armand Vaquer, author of "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan," will give a one-hour presentation on giant monster (kaiju) locations fans can visit in Japan. He will discuss what movie(s) the locations appeared in and what attractions are nearby. A slide show of the locations will be shown during his presentation. Attendees of the presentation will be given the opportunity to ask questions.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan will be available for sale before and after the presentation.

For more information on Monsterpalooza, go to www.rubberroom101.com.

Rondo Awards Voting To March 27

by Armand Vaquer

Regarding the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, voting continues up to March 27. So if you haven't cast your vote on the Rondos, please take the time to do so.

From the Rondo Awards website:

The Rondos, now in their ninth year, are fandom's only classic horror award, decided by fans, for fans, and dedicated to preserving the undying spirit of monsters past.

Every Rondo nominee below is being recognized for a significant achievement in the genre during the year of 2010. So please take a look at the ballot and let the nominees know how much we appreciate their work by voting.

Be sure to read the directions on how to vote (it's really simple, just copy and paste the ballot onto an email, mark your votes with an 'x' and address it to taraco@aol.com). Be sure you include your name so your ballot is counted!

Above, the masthead for Monster Island News.

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When voting, please vote for Monster Island News* for Best Blog and The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for Best Book of the Year.

And please consider these friends of Monster Island News...

BEST COMMENTARY

August Ragone, Jason Varney, GAMERA VS. BARUGON

FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2010

KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, Washington, DC)
COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feaures)
PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)

and ...

MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)

BEST HORROR COMIC

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE (Monsterverse). Colorful and clever anthology features Bela as a very sinister host..

VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS (Bluewater). Anthology includes Witchfinder General tales.

*I am a contributor to Monster Island News.

Godzilla To Stomp On 70 Comic Book Stores This March

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Comic Book Resources

Chris Mowry of IDW Publishing came up with one hell of a great idea to promote the upcoming release of "Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters" (formally Godzilla: Monster World), why not create a special variant cover for every comic book retailer who orders more than 500 copies showing their store being stepped on by the monster?

Needless to say the suits at IDW thought Mowry's idea was fantastic and sent the word out to comic book shops around the globe expecting a dozen or so to take them up on their offer. What the publisher didn't expect, however, was that some 70 such retailers would want their comic shop immortalised under the weight of Godzilla's feet.

This gave the art department just a mere two weeks to design the 70 unique covers, which they managed to do just in time to get the books shipped out.

"Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters" will be IDW's biggest single issue launch ever and in all the issue will feature a grand total of 80 different variant covers, including the exclusive Comic Con version pictured above, which shows IDW and it's employees getting stomped on.

As you probably already know, "Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters" will not only feature Japan's most popular movie star, but also Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah as well, characters who until now had never appeared in comic books on this side of the Pacific.

Look for this new title on comic book store shelves at the end of March!

See Also: The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1 / Godzilla Stomp Card Game / Gareth Edwards Talks About GODZILLA To The Press / Is There Going To Be A New "Japanese" Godzilla Movie In 2012? / Reflections On The Hiring Of Gareth Edwards As The Director of Godzilla / Gareth Edwards To Direct Legendary's Godzilla / More Info On GODZILLA MONSTER WORLD From IDW / Godzilla vs The Gryphon - Exclusive Art From Todd Tennant / Godzilla - 13-Inch Plush - Doll / Chinese Entertainment Co. Buys Share In Legendary Pictures / Godzilla Goes Prime-Time! - Godzilla vs Megalon On NBC In 1977 / Putting Legendary Pictures Godzilla 3D (2012) Into Perspective (Part 2) / Godzilla 2012: Brian Rogers On Legendary Pictures Film Plans / GODZILLA 2012 Producer Brian Rogers To Speak At 3D ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT / It's GODZILLA Vs TUFFZILLA In Court / New Legendary Pictures GODZILLA Design To Be Revealed At Comic Con! / Arkansas Family Builds Ultimate GODZILLA Suit / Tim Burton On For MONSTERPOCALYPSE - Still In Line For GODZILLA? - More Film Details! / A Reason To Be Optimistic About Godzilla 3D (2012)? / Hot Off The Press! Page 77 Of Todd Tennant's "Godzilla 1994" Online Comic / Godzilla, Anguirus, And The Case Of The Missing Monster Suits / Godzilla 3-D, Godzilla 2012, Rumors And Misinformation Abound / What The Fans Want To See In An American Godzilla / Godzilla 2012 - Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros (Fan Group) / It's Official! A New Godzilla Movie Is Coming In 2012! / Get Ready With Your Finger Missiles And Robot Punch! The Shogun Warriors Are Coming To The Big Screen! / Japanese Uber Geekdome - Godzilla Related Cosplay & The Return Of The Life-Sized Gundam / "Godzilla 1985": 25th Anniversary / All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla's Revenge)(1969)(Toho) / A Godzilla Plush Doll For All You Little Monsters / Run For Your Life! It's Godzilla!!...No...Wait It's A Crustacean

The Debut Of Celeste Cartier & Menage A Trois

Written By: Celeste Cartier

Hello My Friends!

I know you won't read all this, but truly, there's some good stuff in here to know!!

Be sure to repost this event to your friends on your Facebook pages. I know lots of people are looking to hook up for carpools so that can be discussed on the main event page!! I look forward to seeing you all and thank you very much for your support. I know it will be a lot of fun for all to be had!!

The Line Up is as follows:

6:00pm Doors open -come visit our vendors, have dinner, take photos with the cuties, etc.

7:00pm In an ideal world we will be ready to have THE HOT ROD TRIO go on at this time, but it may be as late as 7:30pm since a lot of people may be in traffic.

9:00pm I will be hosting the PinUp Contest with my special panel of guest judges. This is a CLASSIC 40s-50s pageant open to all shapes, sizes, colors, types of women. Winners will be judged on personality, clothing, hair, makeup and overall look.

9:30pm Celeste Cartier (moi) and my new jazz trio, Menage A Trois will be making our first debut appearance feating Sabine Pothier on keys, Kaytlin Hansen on bass and our guest performer, Tino Marrufo on drumkit.

Party goes until 11:30 then you can scoot on to your next LA, Long Beach or OC party or head back home to SD or your hotel, wherever the wind blows!!

If you haven't already, please visit my FAN Page too and select "like" on it. I'm trying to build my list of followers.

By the way, it's CASH ONLY at the door so bring your cash ($8 cover). Cash only for the t-shirts ($12 each) and other items we are selling. It's only $5 to take a photo with The Cuties & the proceeds go to the San Diego Animal Support Foundation, a private, volunteer dependent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in overburdened, underfunded local shelters and rescues. I do believe a couple vendors take plastic and I know the restaurant does, but be sure to have both on hand!

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celeste-Cartier-Vocalist/168976276453448

See Also: Cuties For A Cause Blows The Elephant's Roof Off! / Cuties For A Cause SMOOCH-O-RAMA

Ultraman Attractions In Monster Japan Travel Guide

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Miki Hayashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Fans of Japanese giant monster movies (daikaiju eiga) aren't the only beneficiaries of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. There's also places of interest for fans of Ultraman contained in the travel guide.

Ultraman, produced by special effects pioneer Eiji Tsuburaya's Tsuburaya Productions, is a popular character (in various incarnations) in Japan. Featured in several television shows and movies, Ultraman battled giant monsters to the delight of audiences over the past five decades.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has information on:

Fukushima Airport, where a statue of Ultraman stands in the terminal building.

Ultraman Shopping District in the Setagaya section of Tokyo where characters of the Ultraman Universe adorn storefronts and streetlamp posts.

Kumamoto's Ultramanland, a small amusement park on the island of Kyushu.

So if you are also an Ultraman fan, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has a little something for you too!

Happy Birthday Robert Scott Field!

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Rina and Megumi Odaka with Robert Scott Field at Los Angeles International Airport, July 2000. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's Robert Scott Field's birthday (although it is now February 21 in Japan, where Scott lives).

Above, Scott translating for Haruo Nakajima at G-Fest in 2008 during the awarding of Nakajima's "Mangled Skyscraper Award." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

He is best known amongst G-fans as android M-11 in 1991's Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah. He also has served ably as a celebrity guest as well as translator for G-Fest's Japanese guests over the years.

Happy Birthday Scott!

Adrianne Palicki Is The New Wonder Woman

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

The young and rather obscure actress Adrianne Palicki has managed to do something that many actresses with bigger names and touted careers could not, land the coveted role of "Wonder Woman".

Palicki (Friday Night Lights / Legion) will now be stepping into Lynda Carter's shoes and taking on a role that the actress made into a pop-culture icon in the late 1970s. The part, however, will not be for a major motion picture, which had been rumored for some time, but for a TV movie that will serve as a pilot for a television series.

Warner Bros had been trying to get a big-budget "Wonder Woman" movie off the ground for several years but could never seem to be able to assemble the right creative team to make it work. Not, that the studio didn't have actresses lined up around the block jonesing for the part. Just about every femme fatal in Hollywood that remotely looked the part had their agents blazing up the Warner's switchboard. The list of Diana Prince wanna-bees included Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anna Friel, Jessica Biel, Katie Holmes, Megan Fox, Eliza Dushku and singer Beyonce Knowles.

Who did Lynda Carter endorse to replace her? Eliza Dushku, but the choice wasn't Carter's to make. Now the young Adrianne Palicki will have her shot and resurrecting an iconic role a task that should prove rather difficult. Carter is so recognized as "Wonder Woman" that even DC comics has endeavored to make their artwork resemble her.

See Also: Wonder Woman - Wonder Woman #600 Statue / Wonder Woman - Lynda Carter - Bust / Wonder Woman's New Look and Direction / Jennifer Love Hewitt Wants WONDER WOMAN / Anna Friel Has Her Eyes On Wonder Woman / Wonder Woman Cover Girls Of The DC Universe Statue / Wonder Woman (1976 - 1979)(ABC / CBS) / Darna - Whatever You Do Don't Call Her Wonder Woman / Wonder Woman 1:4 Scale Museum Statue / DC Universe Amazon Warrior Wonder Woman Action Figure / Pusan International Film Festival Focuses On Asian Super Heroes / Actress Profile - Linda Harrison / Wonder Woman Photo Gallery

Simpsons Director's Edition Treehouse Of Horror Velvet Giclee

Order Yours Here For $1,199.99

Source: Enteratainment Earth

Only 100 pieces of this amazing Simpsons Director's Edition Treehouse Horror Velvet Giclee will be produced. It features 10 pencil sketches of Simpsons characters on the border, and centered around the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes, the gorgeous creation brings you some of the finest that The Simpsons has to offer. Don't miss out on this one, because Acme Archives isn't kidding when they call it a "limited edition"!

Simpsons Director's Edition Treehouse Horror Velvet Giclee:

The third piece in the Simpsons Director's Edition series!
Unique artwork based on the popular "Treehouse of Horror" specials.
Giclee features pencil sketches from 10 different The Simpsons directors!
The print includes images of Homer, Marge, Bart, Maggie, and Lisa.
Limited to a mere 100 pieces worldwide!

The third piece in the Simpsons Director's Edition series, this fine giclee based on the popular "Treehouse of Horror" specials features a central image and original pencil sketches and signatures from 10 different The Simpsons directors! Each giclee print is unique because the sketches vary from piece to piece, and no two are alike. Printed on velvet fine-art paper, the work of art measures 22-inches wide x 17-inches tall, is limited to a mere 100 hand-numbered pieces worldwide, and includes certificate of authenticity. Order yours today!

The central image is from "Treehouse of Horror X" and features Homer as the jack-in-the-box from "Treehouse of Horror II," Marge as the witch from "Treehouse of Horror VIII," Bart as the half-fly mutant from "Treehouse of Horror VIII," Maggie as the alien/human mutant from "Treehouse of Horror IX," and Lisa as the victim of an axe murderer. The one-of-a-kind pencil sketches are hand drawn by 10 Simpsons directors, including David Silverman, Mike Anderson, Mark Kirkland, Steven Dean Moore, Matthew Faughn, and Chris Clements.

Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay") is an invented name for the process of making fine-art prints from a digital source using ink-jet printing. The word was coined to distinguish commonly known industrial "Iris proofs" from the fine-art prints artists were producing on the same printers. The name has since come to mean any high-quality, ink-jet print, and is often used in galleries and print shops to denote such. In the past few years, the word (as a fine-art term) has come to be associated with prints using fade-resistant "archival" inks and the inkjet printers that use them. A wide variety of substrates are available, including various textures and finishes such as matte photo paper, watercolor paper, cotton canvas, or artist textured vinyl.

See Also: Marge Simpson Is Playboy's Hot New Bunny / The Simpsons Movie (2007)(20th Century Fox) / Meet The Simpsons - Homer Simpson / Meet The Simpsons - Marge Simpson / Meet The Simpsons - Bart Simpson / Meet The Simpsons - Lisa Simpson / Meet The Simpsons - Maggie Simpson / Duchovny Wanted The Simpsons To Guest Star On The X-Files

MONSTER ISLAND NEWS Nominated For 2010 RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR AWARD

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Imagine my delight when I learned that Monster Island News had been nominated in the category of "Best Blog" for the 9th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards!

I feel great pride knowing that something I created was selected by you, the fans, for such a nomination. The site was also nominated last year as well as 2008 and 2006, but alas we here at MIN have never taken home the trophy.

I feel this could be our year, though the competition is great and all the blogs nominated alongside us are excellent and well deserving of the coveted trophy that features the unmistakable mug of Rondo Hatton.

Here is the list:

BEST BLOG OF 2010

-- Cinema Suicide A celebration of cheap thrills
-- Cinema Dave A journal of horror and film.
-- Dollar Bin Horror For monster fans on a budget.
-- The Drunken Severed Head Impeccable sense of the outre, an essential stop for monster weirdness.
-- Final Girl Stacie Ponder survives to have the last, bloody but often essential word.
-- Frankensteinia Fun, smart and essential as it keeps the Monster alive.
-- From Midnight, With Love A cult movie reverie with an edge.
-- Gary J. Svehla: Midnight Marquee/Mad About Movies A founding fan on movies new and very old.
-- The Good, the Bad and the Godzilla August Ragone's G-blog is wise among giant monsters.
-- Groovy Age of Horror Fearless and unexpected.
-- The Horrors of it All When horror corrupted more than the comics.
-- Monster Island News Godzilla is just the start.
-- Monster Magazine World A digital home for monster magazines past, present and hopefully future.
-- Monstermoviemusic The soundtracks of our horror lives.
-- Obscure Hollow Gorgeous photos of sets and props show the look of classic horror,
-- Scared Silly The chills between the horror comedy laughs.
-- Secret Fun Blog Preserving the ephemera of your childhood.
-- Shloggs Horror Blog Modern horror talk, with a classic sensibility.
-- The Shock! and Son of Shock! Viewing Project Every film in the TV package viewed again.
-- The Spectral Realm Where monsters and religion find common ground.
-- Terror from Beyond the Daves An essential, home of the weekend horror host report.
-- A Thriller a Day Peter Enfantino and John Scoleri review all 67 episodes, with style.
-- Unimonster's Crypt Musings on the status of monstrous media.
-- Video Watchblog Scaled back, but Tim Lucas' musings are still worth the wait.
-- Zombos Closet All manners of horrors pour out.

Other friends of MIN to receive nominations:

BEST COMMENTARY

August Ragone, Jason Varney, GAMERA VS. BARUGON

BOOK OF THE YEAR

THE MONSTER MOVIE FAN'S GUIDE TO JAPAN, by Armand Vaquer

FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2010

KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, Washington, DC)
COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feaures)
PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)

and ...

MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)

BEST HORROR COMIC

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE (Monsterverse). Colorful and clever anthology features Bela as a very sinister host..

VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS (Bluewater). Anthology includes Witchfinder General tales.

Here is some more info and the rules on voting from the Rondo Hatton Awards website:

The Rondos, now in their ninth year, are fandom's only classic horror award, decided by fans, for fans, and dedicated to preserving the undying spirit of monsters past.

Every Rondo nominee below is being recognized for a significant achievement in the genre during the year of 2010. So please take a look at the ballot and let the nominees know how much we appreciate their work by voting.

HOW TO VOTE:

-- All voting is by e-mail only.

-- Simply copy this ballot and send an e-mail with your picks to me (David Colton), at taraco@aol.com by midnight, March 27, 2011.

-- Winners will be announced Monday night, March 28, 2011 here and at the Classic Horror Film Board.

THE RULES:

-- One vote per person, please.

-- Every e-mail must include your name to be counted. All votes are kept strictly confidential. No e-mail addresses or any personal information will ever be shared with anyone.

-- Important: Feel free to spread the word about Rondo. But please remember that organized voting campaigns (duplicated ballots, mass e-mailing efforts, getting strangers to vote), are prohibited and can result in a warning and even disqualification. Let's keep this a fun vote of monster fans.

-- And no, you do not have to vote in every category.

AGAIN HERE'S HOW TO VOTE: E-mail your selections from the ballot (cut-and-pasting the whole thing into an e-mail works fine), or you can type them into a separate list.

Simply send your choices to David Colton at taraco@aol.com. And please remember to include your name so your vote can be counted.

The official ballot with al the nominies can be found at - http://www.rondoaward.com/rondo/rondos.html

See Also: Rondo Awards: You Can Now Vote! / Voting Starts Sunday Night For 2009 Rondo Awards! / Seventh Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards / 2008 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards /

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND Reveal Issue 255 Cover Art

Your Invited To Frankenstein's Wedding

Source: BBC

Lacey Turner, Being Human and former EastEnders star, takes up the role of Elizabeth Lavenza in BBC Three's forthcoming live TV spectacular Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds.

Lacey, who won the Best Serial Performance award at last month's National TV Awards, is joined on Saturday 19 March by Spotlight Prize winner and star of ITV's upcoming Monroe, Andrew Gower, appearing as Victor Frankenstein, and Mrs Mandela and Doctor Who star David Harewood as the Creature.

For one night only, Leeds' Kirkstall Abbey plays host to a one-of-a-kind live TV event – the marriage of scientist Victor Frankenstein and his bride-to-be, Elizabeth Lavenza.

Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds is a bold and ambitious project which explores Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece through live drama and contemporary music.

Nine thousand free tickets will be made available to the public to come and watch the live event and ticket application will open on Friday 18 February at bbc.co.uk/bbcthree.

Andrew Gower says: "The sheer scale and challenge of the project was very attractive and to play a character as renowned as Victor Frankenstein is so exciting."

David Harewood adds: "As soon as I saw the idea on paper, I knew I wanted to do it. Combining so many different elements, live acting, dance, drama and of course the large audience at home and at the performance, was just too dazzling to turn down."

Following on from the success of Manchester Passion (2006) and Liverpool Nativity (2008), which were both broadcast on BBC Three, Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds brings the passion, emotion and horror from the classic tale to a live audience of 12,000, in addition to the BBC Three viewers at home.

The event focuses on the lavish wedding of Victor Frankenstein and his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Lavenza. While Elizabeth fusses over seating plans and the wedding band tune up for the reception, Victor broods on a dark secret – the murderous monster he has created.

Harry Lansdown, Acting Controller, BBC Three, says: "The story of Frankenstein is as relevant today as it ever was. I'm delighted to be telling its story on BBC Three through this live drama, which has a great cast and fantastically ambitious audience participation at its very heart."

In a unique take on audience participation, the live audience is invited to attend the event in their best wedding outfits and play a real role as wedding guests.

In the weeks leading up to the event, BBC Learning and Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre are set to help people find their dancing feet through a series of workshops to teach 2,000 locals a special wedding dance routine. This will culminate in a mass celebratory wedding dance live on the night by an audience of 12,000. For full dates and to book a workshop place, visit the Phoenix Dance Theatre website (booking opens at 12noon on Monday 14 February).

A range of exclusive online content to support the live event can be found at bbc.co.uk/bbcthree. Supported by BBC Learning, the site hosts specially created two-minute video diaries for Victor Frankenstein, the Creature, Victor's bride-to-be, Elizabeth Lavenza, and Justine Moritz, Elizabeth's firebrand maid of honour, all of which introduce the characters and set the scene for the dramatic story.

The page also supports the dance workshops, features a video tutorial and a performance of the dance that the public need to learn for the big dance moment at the event. There is also information about the event's dress code and over the next few weeks a behind-the-scenes film, hosted by Creative Director, Colin Teague, whose previous credits include Being Human and Doctor Who, will be added to the site.

The live event features spectacular light projections highlighting the grandeur of Kirkstall Abbey in a way that it has never been seen before. Audiences will be fully immersed in the emotion and horror of the classic tale, from witnessing the very moment Victor gives life to his creation in his laboratory and glimpses of Elizabeth planning her big day, to the Creature's harrowing and deteriorating journey as he seeks justice for his plight.

Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds is a collaboration between BBC Three, BBC North and BBC Cymru Wales and the event is being supported by key organisations within Leeds, including Leeds City Council, Welcome to Yorkshire, Marketing Leeds and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

See Also: The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1 / Universal Monsters - Life Like Stretchable Figures - Complete Set Of Six / Universal Monsters - Action Figures - Frankenstein, Wolfman and Dracula - Jakks Pacific / Frankenstein - 1/8 Scale Model Kit - Universal Monsters - Moebius Models / The First Images From Jesse Cook's MONSTER BRAWL / Frankenstein As A Ruthless Killing Machine In FRANKENSTEIN 2011 / MONSTER BRAWL Update! - Teaser Art And Casting News / Del Toro Ready To Begin Makeup Tests For FRANKENSTEIN / Monster DVD Madness! DEMEKING, GAMERA And HOUSE OF THE WOLF MAN / Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy And Zombies - Let's Get Ready To Rumble! / Mark And Brian Gunn To Write MONSTER SQUAD Remake / Halcyon International Pictures Teams Up With Famous Monsters Of Filmland To Reboot Classic Universal Horrors / Famous Monsters To Bring Back The Creature, The Mummy, Frankenstein And Others To The Silver Screen? / Eric Swelstad Promises A More Violent Monster In "Frankenstein Rising" / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2009 / Universal's Monsters: Legacy / Robot-13 Returns For An Action Packed Second Issue / Boris Karloff Tales Of Mystery Hardcover Graphic Novel / Universal Monsters Frankenstein 1:8 Scale Model Kit / Behind-The-Scenes of "Bikini Frankenstein" / Gonzo Movie Trailers From Japan - Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl & Robo-Geisha / Scarlett Johansson As The Sexy Bride Of Frankenstein? / The First Look At Nishimura And Tomomatsu's Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl / A Modern Look A The Frankenstein Mythos In Blacklist Studios Robot-13 / Tatopoulos And Grevioux To Mix Classic Monsters With Film Noir In I, Frankenstein / 40th Anniversary of Boris Karloff's Passing / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2008 / RIP Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008) / Universal Monsters Frankenstein Black and White Head Knocker / Mad Monster Party (1969) / Frankenstein Painting Finds Home At Rockwell Museum / The Royal Mail Pays Tribute To Hammer In Their Latest Stamp Collection / Frankenstein (1931)

The Twilight Zone - Talky Tina Doll Replica

Order Yours Here For Only $139.99!

Source: Entertainment Earth

If you like your collectibles big and a little creepy, the The Twilight Zone Talky Tina Doll Replica - EE Exclusive is just the thing for you! This giant talking doll is based on the designs from the original TV series, with a murderous gaze but minus the killer personality seen on the show. We still wouldn't suggest turning your back on her, but this limited edition collectible doll is well worth pre-ordering so you won't miss out!

The Twilight Zone Talky Tina Doll Replica - EE Exclusive:

"My name is Talky Tina, and I'm going to kill you."
Exclusive 18-inch talking-doll replica from the iconic The Twilight Zone TV series.
Based on the episode titled "Living Doll" that starred Telly Savalas.
Speaks 5 phrases and features eyes that open and close.
Talky Tina is back again… to stay!
The buzz of Comic-Con is now available!

Entertainment Earth Exclusive! One of the most talked about items revealed at San Diego Comic-Con is here, available to order for the first time ever! This authentically reproduced black-and-white Talky Tina Doll Replica from The Twilight Zone is a lifelike exclusive that stands 18-inches tall and features rotocast Vinyl head, arms, and legs; soft fabric body and fabric clothing; rooted hair; eyelids that open and close; and a talking mechanism. Don't miss this exclusive Talky Tina Doll!
Talky Tina comes with a certificate of authenticity and speaks the following memorable phrases:

"My name is Talky Tina, and I love you very much."
"My name is Talky Tina, and I don't think I like you."
"My name is Talky Tina, and you'd better be nice to me."
"My name is Talky Tina, and you'll be sorry."
"My name is Talky Tina, and I'm going to kill you."

Long before Chucky, there was Talky Tina, star of one of the most spine-chilling episodes of The Twilight Zone ever aired. In the show titled "Living Doll" that also starred Telly Savalas, Tina kept coming back and coming back, no matter what he did to try to destroy her. If you remember that frightening episode, you may think twice before ordering this item. But don't worry. After all, she's only an innocent talking replica… or is she?

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead. Your next stop… the Twilight Zone." (Spoken by Rod Serling at the beginning of each The Twilight Zone episode.)

Age: 13+
Size: 18-inches tall
Batteries Included: Yes
Battery Type: 3 x AG13 (LR44)

See Also: A Tribute To Anne Francis (1930 - 2011)/ / The Twilight Zone - Talky Tina & Willie Figures - Comic Con Exclusives! / The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #81 - #90

Joanne Siegel, Widow of Superman Co-Creator, Dies At 93

by Armand Vaquer

Above, a group photo from the Superman Week ceremony with Joanne Siegel and her daughter Laura at far right. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Sad news today in the world of Superman.

Joanne Siegel, the widow of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and the model for Lois Lane (drawn by Joe Shuster) died today in California at the age of 93.

Daughter Laura Siegel Larson is currently making funeral arrangements.

It was my honor and privilege to meet Mrs. Siegel in July 2001 at the Superman Week ceremony at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. At that ceremony, Mrs. Siegel met actress Noel Neill for the first time. Neill played Lois Lane in to Sam Katzman Columbia serials and replaced Phyllis Coates in the role on the Adventures of Superman television show in 1953.

Mrs. Siegel later joined us for a luncheon at Cafe Pinot following the ceremony.

My condolences to the Siegel family.

Cuties For A Cause Blows The Elephant's Roof Off!

Photos/Story By: Ken Hulsey

Unless you missed my story from last week, or any of my numerous Facebook posts, you undoubtedly knew that my lovely wife April and I spent our Saturday night at the Hensley's Flyng Elephant pub in Carlsbad, Ca in support of Cuties for a Cause, a group of local San Diego pin-up models who do charitable work.

The Valentine's Day themed event was called "Cuties for a Cause SMOOCH-O-RAMA", which means, as you probably already guessed, that for a small donation to their cause the "cuties" would plant a smooch on you. Which they did, plus also pose for a photograph with you.

There was an amazing turn out and the ladies were able to raise a lot of money for their selected charities.

Though the event was a celebration of hot pin-up girls running around in their underwear it was also a celebration of ska music and let me tell you, the bands on Saturday night set the pace on fire. In fact they were so hot that right in the middle of the first set by "Ottly Mercer" I popped onto Facebook and posted "If you love ska? Get your ass down to Carlsbad .....NOW!". That however was just the start, the following two sets by both "The Amalgamated" and "Kingston a go-go" had the faithful at Hensley's ready to tear the place up.

If all the amazing looking women didn't get your heart rate up the thumping ska undoubtedly did the trick for sure!

Feel bad that ya missed it? Fear not, the "Cuties" will be putting on a special St. Patrick's Day show on at the Flying Elephant ..... more details on that soon!

For more on Cuties for a Cause please visit - http://www.moglesbyphotography.com/Default/CutiesforaCause.html

Oh, and on a side note, all the girls spent Sunday afternoon taking test shots for their upcoming 2011 calender shoot.

Don't believe the joint was smokin'? Check out the photographic evidence:

Disney Jessica Rabbit Mini Bust

Order Yours Here For Only $69.99!

Source: Entertainment Earth

Disney Jessica Rabbit Mini Bust:

She's not bad... she's just sculpted that way!
A striking mini bust featuring Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Almost 9-inches tall!

She's not bad... she's just sculpted that way! The star attraction at the Ink and Paint Club, Jessica Rabbit has a talent for turning heads and stealing hearts. Now the sultry torch singer has been captured in all her curvaceous splendor in this character-authentic polystone mini bust designed and sculpted by Disney animator Rubén Procopio. Presented on an art deco base inspired by the very stage on which she performs, Jessica stands 8 3/4-inches tall and comes fully hand painted, ready to display. Order yours today!

Age: 13+
Size: 8 3/4-inches tall

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" Garners Rondo Nomination

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's that time of year again!

The Ninth Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards ballot is now up and ready for your votes!

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has been nominated in the Best Book of The Year category. (Note: It was on last year's ballot, but since it didn't get published (or "go live") until January 2010, I requested that it be removed from the ballot so that people can fairly judge it a year later.) It is an honor just to have it nominated!

Also, Monster Island News has been nominated in the "Best Blog" category!

What is the Rondo Award? According to the official Rondo Awards website:

The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards were created by David Colton and Kerry Gammill at the Classic Horror Film Boards in 2002. The awards are fan-based, and have no connection to any commercial sponsor. Anyone in fandom can vote or propose nominees.

The 'Rondo' award itself, shown at right, features a bust sculpted by illustrator Kerry Gammill, and cast by modeler Tim Lindsey.

The statuette is a miniature version of the bust of Hatton seen in the Universal film, HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946). The Rondos have been praised by recipients for their quiet beauty and evocation of classic horror.

Nominees for the Rondo are selected from suggestions by horror fans, pros and enthusiasts offered all year at the CHFB. Each year's nominees are finalized by classic horror fan David Colton (taraco@aol.com), with the help of more than 20 classic horror fans from around the world, and with expertise in all parts of fandom.

Your votes for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and Monster Island News are very much appreciated, of course. But the most important thing for Japanese (and all) monster fans is to vote!

Just go here and copy and paste the ballot onto an email to taraco@aol.com with your votes.

After you've voted, then you can say...

Ryan Gosling To Play Logan 5

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Variety
Artwork By: Lauras Muse

Variety is reporting that the Ryan Gosling (The Notebook, Fracture) is in negotiations to step into the shoes of fellow British thespian Michael York to play Logan 5 in the upcoming "Logan's Run" remake.

Reportedly Warner Bros is also in negotiations with Nicolas Winding Refn to direct the film which has been various stages of development for over a decade. Refn would join a long list of film makers that have been attached to "Logan's Run" throughout the years, a list that also includes Carl Erik Rinsch and Bryan Singer.

Producers Joel Silver, Andrew Rona, Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster have already been in place for some time.

Last year Silver revealed that "Logan's Run" was going to be produced in 3D, which should come as no surprise to anyone due to the fact that just about all upcoming fantasy film projects are slated to be produced in that format.

Logan's Run Plot:

In the distant future the survivors of the apocalypse live in a giant domed city where their every need is taken care of by overlord computer. People live in world of pleasure, but there is one catch. At the age of 30 (21 in Johnson and Nolan's novel) all citizens are required to report for a ritualistic murder ceremony known as "Carousel". The populace has been fooled into believing that this ceremony leads to reincarnation and a new life though its real purpose is population control. To insure that citizens don't "chicken out" on their way to Carousel there is a police force in place known as "Sandman" who terminate those who attempt to run.

Logan 5 is one of the elite Sandmen. During one of his routine terminations he retrieves an anch, a symbol for a mythical place called Sanctuary where runners can find refuge, off the body of a would be runner. Upon placing the item into the computers scanner he is instructed to undergo a process to alter his "Life Clock", a symbol of a persons age embedded in the palm, to the blinking red of a person on last day so that he may pose as a runner to infiltrate Sanctuary. During the process he learns that 1036 runners had managed to escape the city and that Carousel is a ruse.

Along with his companion, Jessica 6, Logan attempts to flee the domed city in search of Sanctuary.

Let's see if Logan really gets running this time.

See Also:Logan's Run Remake Update - Logan 5 And Jessica 6 In 3D? / Carl Erik Rinsch To Direct LOGAN'S RUN Remake / Universal Courting Carl Erik Rinsch To Direct "Creature From The Black Lagoon" / The Death Of An American Icon - Farrah Fawcett - 1947-2009 / Logan's Run (1976)(MGM)

SyFy Begins Production On BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BLOOD & CHROME

Source: NBC / Universal

Production has begun in Vancouver on Syfy’s highly anticipated 2-hour pilot, Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, the all-new chapter in the Battlestar Galactica saga. Universal Cable Productions will produce the event with Syfy utilizing cutting edge CGI and virtual technology.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome takes place in the 10th year of the first Cylon war. As the battle between humans and their creation, the sentient robotic Cylons, rages across the 12 colonial worlds, a young, talented fighter pilot, William Adama (Luke Pasqualino), finds himself assigned to one of the most powerful Battlestars in the Colonial fleet: the Galactica. Full of ambition and in pursuit of the intense action that the Cylon war promises, Adama quickly find himself at odds with Coker (Ben Cotton), the battle-weary officer to whom he reports. With 47 days left in his tour of duty, Coker desires an end to battle just as much as Adama craves the start of it. Though they clash at first, the two men forge an unlikely bond when a routine mission turns dangerous and becomes a pivotal one for the desperate fleet.

Joining Pasqualino and Cotton in the cast is Lili Bordan, who will play Dr. Beka Kelly, a Ph.D. who worked for Graystone Industries that created the Cylon robots. Currently assigned to a secret military mission, Beka and Adama quickly establish a rapport.

From the award-winning producers of Battlestar Galactica, this new action-packed chapter of the BSG canon was written by Michael Taylor form a story by David Eick, Taylor and Bradley Thompson & David Weddle and directed by Jonas Pate. David Eick, Jonas Pate and Michael Taylor will serve as executive producers.

See Also: The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #21 - #30 / Battlestar Galactica - Classic Three Character T-Shirt / Battlestar Galactica - Galactica Model Kit / Alessandra Torresani's Caprica Add, The Sexiest Ever? / Battlestar Galactica: The Plan - Galactica Through The Eyes Of The Cylons / Bryan Singer Signs On To Direct Battlestar Galactica Movie / Battlestar Galactica And V Coming To The Big Screen Retro Style?! / Interview - Richard Hatch / SyFy Announces Air Date For Caprica / Tricia Helfer Talks Galactica And Burn Notice With The Media / USA Launches Second Online Game Based On Burn Notice / Galactica Prequel Caprica To Premiere On DVD / iPhone Users Can Now Download Their Own Cylon Detector / Galactica Brings Record Viewers And Web Traffic To Sci Fi / Galactica Actors Hand Pick Items For Charity Auction / Sci Fi Begins Producion On Galactica Prequel Caprica / Battlestar Galactica Props To Go On The Auction Block In Pasadena / The Galactica Begins Its Final Journey Battlestar Galactica Props Go On The Auction Block / Actress Profile - Grace Park / Galactica's Grace Park Set To Star In The Cleaner / Nothing Brightens Up A Home Like A Life-Size Cylon /Battlestar Galactica (1978-1979)

Joe Harris To Sink His Teeth Into VAMPIRELLA & THE SCARLET LEGION

Source: Dynamite Entertainment

Vampirella & the Scarlet Legion #1 is an ALL-NEW mini-series coming out in May written by Joe Harris! With the main Vampirella series seeing sell-out after sell-out with so many retailers, this new mini-series will serve to compliment this HOT ongoing series. For fans new and old, this series will re-introduce The Scarlet Legion to Vampirella's mythology!

Keeping in mind that #1 main covers sold out from Dynamite, and Vampirella #2 close to a near sell out, there is no question that Dynamite's Vampirella title is a bonafide hit! Dynamite also recently announced that Vampirella Archives, Vol. 1 was #1 on Hardcover Graphic Books New York Times Bestseller List for the week of January 23rd! Dynamite plans on continuing Vampirella's amazing success with Vampirella & the Scarlet Legion!

In May's Vampirella & the Scarlet Legion #1, The Crimson Chronicles, that foul bible of blood, foretells the coming of Chaos, the Destroyer and his servants on earth. Since her earliest days, Vampirella has stood between that vicious cult and their Mad God's plans. But when an ancient prophecy of doom is uncovered and a new push to resurrect the foulest demons from the pit is revealed, it's clear Vampirella won't be able to take them on alone. Enter THE SCARLET LEGION, assembled to keep the dark things at bay and protect this world from the evils which lie beyond. The only question is, will they see Vampirella as friend... or foe?

"I'm stoked to be working on a Vampirella story, one of the baddest, sexiest and most iconic characters and properties in horror comics," says writer Joe Harris. "We're looking to do something big and sprawling with a bit of a globe-spanning sweep to it. A big screen adventure interwoven with some some frightening and truly horrific moments that, I hope, will help keep the dark scary. Vampirella & The Scarlet Legion expands our vampire heroine's inner circle a bit, but not always with friends. Sometimes rivals, or even enemies, make for more interesting dynamics. We're doing horror, after all. You want to keep things tense, and less than rosy. I'm a big fan of what Dynamite has been able to do in this market and I'm both proud and humbled to be on board. They've taken some great properties and really carved out a space for themselves. Nick Barrucci is a true patron of this industry and it's no wonder Dynamite have gotten a lot of well-deserved attention lately."

"I've always followed Joe Harris' writing history, admiring his work inside and outside of the comics market," says Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "After making his return to comics at Oni, we've kept in touch for the last few years trying to find the right project. Vampirella is very important to Dynamite and we would not entrust a series, even a mini-series, to anyone that could not execute. Having seen the overview and Joe's script to date, we definitely made the right call!"

"There are some great things happening in the Vampirella ongoing and now that we've brought Joe [Harris] in, we can begin to add a little flesh to the skeleton," says Dynamite Editor Joe Rybandt. "Readers of the ongoing know that the mystery is right there upfront in terms of who or what Vampirella is and with Vampirella & the Scarlet Legion, we take a step back to time shortly before our main series and explore the roots of the world Vampirella is finding herself in. We'll meet some old friends and a slew of new enemies along the way, Guaranteed."

See Also: Dynamite Has Big Plans For Vampirella In April / Vampirella Goes Toe-To-Toe With Dracula / A Sneak Preview Of VAMPIRELLA #1 From Dynamite Comics / VAMPIRELLA To Be Reborn Courtesy Of Eric Trautmann And Dynamite Comics / Vampirella - Grave Beauty T-Shirt / Vampirella - Monster Scenes Model Kit / New Toy Wednesday! - 11 Doctors, Limited Edition Spock Kit, Gundam, Vampirella And Some Killer Anime Cleavage! / RIP Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008) / Forrest Ackerman's Health Is Failing Now Is The Time For Fans To Contact Him

Moore Girl (Raven) Polystone Statue Sculpture

Order Your Statue Here For Only $124.99!

Source: Entertainment Earth

Moore Girl (Raven) Polystone Statue Sculpture:

This item has features and themes that are for adults only. Ages 18 and up. Recommended for mature collectors.

The Moore Girl… an animated classic!
Raven Moore Girl Polystone Statue based on the work of artist Fred Moore.
Stands over 9-inches tall.
The bombshell centerpiece addition to any collection!

Primarily known as a premiere animator for such studios as Disney and Walter Lantz, Fred Moore was equally famous for his drawings of alluring females. Based on his provocative sketches, this sensational Raven Moore Girl Polystone Statue is exquisitely sculpted by Kent Melton and will serve as a bombshell centerpiece addition to any collection! It stands approximately 9 1/4-inches tall.

"Freddie Girls"-- pinup babes drawn by Fred Moore primarily in the 1940s-- were mostly nude, and they utilized all of Moore's talents for fluidity, charm, appeal, and great posing, although channeled for a slightly different purpose. Only glimmers of them got to the screen ("All the Cats Join In" in Make Mine Music and the centaurettes in the Pastoral Symphony section of Fantasia), but they were so well known and admired by animation artists that they are as much a part of animation history as the classic work that continues to inspire to this day.

Univerasl Picks Up the Tab For PAUL Roadtrip

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

It's great when you get to go on a cross-country holiday ..... and it's even better when you can talk a major movie studio into paying the tab.

That's exactly what actors Nick Frost and Simon Pegg did to prepare for their roles in the upcoming UFO comedy "Paul". The comedic duo decided that the best way to figure out how to approach their parts was to pack up a RV and head strait into America's UFO loving heartland. Much to their surprise, Universal was more than happy to fork over the money to cover the expenses.

Pegg notes,"We did the road trip initially as a way of getting a free holiday out of Universal but it was an incredibly inspiring time and a lot of what happened on that trip, we fed into the script. It was a great adventure."

Nick Frost adds, "It is work but you're also with your best mate, Sigourney Weaver's there and you're driving an Rv in the desert and it's beautiful and the food's great too."

Sounds like a dream I had once. I wonder if I can get Warner Bros to pay for my summer vacation? True, I'm not making a movie but hey it doesn't hurt to ask right?

See Also: Shaun of the Dead - Bash 'Em In The Head - T-Shirt / Celluloid Philosophers - Shaun / Hot Fuzz (2007)(Rogue Pictures) / Star Trek (2009)(Paramount) / Pegg Makes His Portrayal Of Scotty A Tribute To Doohan / Simon Pegg Reaches Out To Star Trek Fans / Has Simon Pegg Burned His Star Wars Bridge? / Is Edgar Wright Planning A Gorgo Remake? / Pegg, Wright, And Frost Set To Cause The Worlds End

It's Kirk And Spock vs Zombies in STAR TREK: INFESTATION

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: StarTrek.com

It seems that zombies are everywhere these days and the comic book publisher IDW has let the undead critters run rampant through their titles for the month of February. They have even sent them into deep space to tangle with the beloved crew of the Starship Enterprise.

Yes Kirk, Spock, Bones and the gang will be up to their tribbles in zombies in "Star Trek: Infestation" a two-part spin-off series. According to IDW "Infestation" will put the movie era Enterprise crew into a darker realm then they have ever been before, fighting off hordes of the undead.

"Star Trek: Infestation" is written by David and Scott Tipton and features art by Casey Maloney. In true comic book marketing form, the first issue will feature four different covers by John K. Snyder III, Jason Wright, Casey Maloney, Gary Erskine, Luis Antonio Delgado, Gabriel Rodriguez and Gordon Purcell.

The 32-page book is scheduled to be released on Wednesday (February 9th) and will set you back $3.99 .... that is unless you have to have all four covers then that's a little under $12.

Fear not zombie fans, the undead are also causing mayhem in the IDW comics G.I. Joe, Transformers and Ghostbusters in February as well.