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Updated: Forrest J Ackerman is gone... Dr. Acula has returned to the grave... & the Ackermonster is at peace...

A great man, a great life... by Kirbymanly	Dec 5th, 2008 05:13:34 PM
My life was better knowing that he was around. It's up to us geeks to keep his spirit alive and well for the next generation. We loved you, Mr. Ackerman!
RIP by Boba Fat	Dec 5th, 2008 05:13:36 PM

Wow. by goonie	Dec 5th, 2008 05:14:16 PM
So strange. I am happy that he led a full and wonderful life, but still very sad.
Sad Sad news by tolomey	Dec 5th, 2008 05:16:27 PM
that's all I've got
we will keep the monsters alive for you by redfishbluefish	Dec 5th, 2008 05:16:51 PM
rest in peace.
Thanks, Forry... by the_patriot	Dec 5th, 2008 05:17:17 PM
Your work is a better monument to your memory than any that we could build. You'll be missed and thank you for enriching all of our lives.
Thanks Harry... by goonie	Dec 5th, 2008 05:20:05 PM
...for working so dilligently to keep Ackerman's work alive. I can't wait to see his stuff on AICN. Thanks man.
Another great light goes out by cotman	Dec 5th, 2008 05:22:07 PM
"There comes a point where life stops giving you things and starts taking them away..."
Damn! Goodbye, Uncle Forry! by larrydart	Dec 5th, 2008 05:22:27 PM
Another piece of my youth gone.
Dignity by buffywrestling	Dec 5th, 2008 05:25:15 PM
Had it in spades. RIP Forry
Wow... by R L S	Dec 5th, 2008 05:25:40 PM
We all knew it was coming, sooner rather than later, but that doesn't seem to lessen the blow. Goodnight, sweet prince.
He knew, Esperanto... by SoylentMean	Dec 5th, 2008 05:29:22 PM
That alone is fuckin' cool. I don't share his beliefs but I respect them. Death is stupid. Now I have a new research topic and his name is Forrest J Ackerman.
There's a movie here, if people knew who he was by SoylentMean	Dec 5th, 2008 05:32:03 PM
I love living in an increasingly uneducated society where vampires sparkle in the sun and people look at you crazy when you say a name like Ray Bradbury.
A tear in my eye as I write by cinemaniac	Dec 5th, 2008 05:37:38 PM
We knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP Forry. You will be missed, but not forgotten.
RIP by disfigurehead	Dec 5th, 2008 05:38:22 PM
What a great man. Goodbye uncle Forry.
and by disfigurehead	Dec 5th, 2008 05:40:44 PM
He made me the geek I am today
RIP by DocPazuzu	Dec 5th, 2008 05:47:04 PM
What a guy. Very sad. I hope he wouldn't have felt too insulted by my fervent hopes that he was indeed surprised and greeted by Bloch and the others on the other side. Rest in peace, Uncle Forry.
When Monsters Cry by christian66	Dec 5th, 2008 05:57:54 PM
Glad I got to visit Ackerman in the day. But he's not gone. Not by a long shot...
Dear God... by deanbarry	Dec 5th, 2008 06:02:29 PM
I know that you made the rule that all living things must die. To live on this Earth is an experience to be cherished. Our souls are enrichened with the experiences that we make as mortals. Also, if no one died, there would over population. So therefore it is the natural order. But God...you know what? It's a really stupid rule sometimes! :(
Acker-Zombie! by lunadude	Dec 5th, 2008 06:04:05 PM
He fed our brains, now he will want to eat them!
My memory of "Forry Ackerman" by matineer	Dec 5th, 2008 06:05:34 PM
During the 80's (could have been early 90's, but I was there)Mr. Ackerman auctioned off parts of his vast SF collection at the Puck building in NYC. I managed to get a makeup piece from Lincoln in the "Savage Curtain" episode. Stuff didn't cost a bundle back then. Well, I had some reverses and had to sell the makeup piece. But I had a chance to speak to Mr. Ackerman at the auction, he was very gracious -- and I appreciate that to this day. RIP.
I am one of the lucky ones to have met him and known him, by Snake Foreskin	Dec 5th, 2008 06:06:08 PM
sitting in his living room at the Ackermansion, listening to his wonderful stories and wishing they would never end. I will always cherish those times. Forry was indeed a special man and the world is a sorrier place now that he is gone. RIP, Forry.
He was a Legend. I am honored to have met him. by Uncle Stan	Dec 5th, 2008 06:11:47 PM

Thanks to my film school teacher... by blackmantis	Dec 5th, 2008 06:11:53 PM
I got the whole Forry Ackerman tour through his house and basement and got to inspect all his goodies. I even laid eyes upon the golden idol from Raiders! Rest In Peace Forry!
Good bye... by TheBigLebowsky	Dec 5th, 2008 06:26:31 PM
Even though he didn't believe in life after death, I so hope he was wrong... If it wasn't for Forrest Ackerman, the geek culture as we know him wouldn't exist... There would be no comicon, no chiller conventions, no adults collecting toys, no nothing... Thanks for everything Forry, and may you rest in peace.
Thanks for carying that farewell burden these 5 years. by The Reluctant Austinite	Dec 5th, 2008 06:26:47 PM
I just heard the news. I called my Monster Kid buddy, Donnie Waddell, to share my thoughts. I wrote a brief email to Gene Simmons (he's not only the media Rock God you see on TV, he's also one of Forry's biggest fans), and then I logged on AICN and read Forry's epitaph from 2003. It hit me so hard I can't come up with a clever way to describe it. I just started to cry. One of my best friends is an atheist, and he lives happily with his own mortality, believing that how you "live on" is through your DNA. Your children. I struggled with the idea of faith for many years concluding only that it is not my place to tell anyone that what they believe is wrong and what I believe is right and that maybe we might all be wrong, or maybe we're all a little right and each religion only has a piece of the big picture. There's so much bad news in the world right now and so much hate and pain around every corner, and Forry's message as delivered here offers little of the comfort he gave us in the pages of Famous Monsters as children. Perhaps it's has he suggested--childhood's end. Goodbye, Forry. I hope you're wrong.
Famous Monsters Of Filmland by skimn	Dec 5th, 2008 06:36:58 PM
informed my childhood culture as much as any movie or television program. Growing up in the '60s, we had Outer Limits and Twilight Zone on TV to view, George Pal and Ray Harryhausen films in the theater (long before Planet Of The Apes and 2001), but nothing could be more pleasurable than hiding under the covers, with the trusty flashlight and reading Famous Monsters. And Forry's love of the weird, the wonderful, the monsterous, leapt forth from the page and into the imaginations of the young, and to quote a corny cliche, the young at heart. In fact, the introduction of genre films through that magazine has indeed kept this 51 year old, feeling like a kid.
very sad. I will miss him. by JediRob	Dec 5th, 2008 06:37:01 PM

RIP Uncle Forry by guido505	Dec 5th, 2008 06:38:47 PM
Not much else I can say that hasn't already been said. You will be missed Sir.
RIP, 4E by Barko	Dec 5th, 2008 06:41:18 PM
Thanks for this post, Harry. I had tears in my eyes reading it.
Master Magician by HugePrawn	Dec 5th, 2008 06:44:51 PM
true magic the idea comes to us we take that idea and sketch it out we develop it the idea becomes 3 dimensional the idea is born and now we can see, feel, hear it we hold a once intangible thought in our hands that is true magic. For those of us that create in this genre, Forest was our maestro. His enchantments will be missed -Erik
The word legend gets bandied about.... by FilmCritic3000	Dec 5th, 2008 06:44:57 PM
all scattershot. But he truly defined the word. Rest in peace, good sir. You will be missed by millions.
"we here at AICN are going to create an Acker-Section" by Geekgasm	Dec 5th, 2008 07:11:56 PM
Easily the best thing you could add to the site. Please follow through on it. Don't be J.J. Abrams (i.e. all great ideas with half-ass follow through).
Rest in Peace Uncle Forry by Kloipy	Dec 5th, 2008 07:20:54 PM
You will be sorely missed by a lot of people.
From one of the 50,000 that visited the AckerMansion by Alfie Boy	Dec 5th, 2008 07:23:15 PM
From my first FM (#96), Forry was my favorite "Uncle." I never knew he was an atheist, I wonder now if his writings led me to be one as well. For that, I thank him if it's so. This is a great loss, and the mainstream world won't even bat an eye, more fascinated with the Hanna Montanas of the world. Good-Bye Forry! I love you.
Goodbye Forry. by uberman	Dec 5th, 2008 07:24:52 PM
I used to sneak out of the house as a kid, bike around 4-5 miles down to the drugstore, buy a copy of FAMOUS MONSTERS, bike home, hide it under my shirt, sneak it downstairs and read it, dream of owning one of the masks or film prints, dream of seeing the movies. My mother would not let me have these mags, but I lived-LIVED-for them. In my office today is a large poster of FAMOUS MONSTERS, posters of the original KONG, WOLF-MAN, KING KONG VS GODZILLA, GWANGI, DRACULA, and a large bust of FRANKENSTIEN and a soon to be large CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. So, yeah. Forry was the first real uber-geek and he turned us all on, from us fans to now famous filmakers and writers. I loved/love him and cherish his gift to me and millions like me. And I've done alot of studies into near-death experiances and believe that Forry will be pleasantly surprised when he finds himself in the prescence of a loving God-a God who, like Forry, loves imagination and the wonders it brings. I recently read something from one near-death experiancer that makes sense. He said the We are all just one part of God exploring his creation. Thank you so much for giving me refuge in your fantastic magazine. I hope you experiance 1/10th of the joy I got from it.
thank you... by surprider	Dec 5th, 2008 07:28:57 PM
for being part of the magic and wonder of my childhood :-)
4Ever by deadboy1313	Dec 5th, 2008 07:30:33 PM
And all the monsters bowed their heads in tribute at the passing of a monster's best fiend. The world was a scarier place thanks to Forry, but it is a much scarier place without him.
Does anyone know about Famous Monsters Mag? by Alfie Boy	Dec 5th, 2008 07:43:00 PM
I flipped over to the Famous Monsters site to see if that creep Ray Ferry had the decency to post something on Forry's passing. I surfed around a bit and saw that as of 2008 the FM logo was under the ownership of another outlet, and has been turned into a webzine. Anybody know what gives?
Those FM covers used to scare the shit outta me when I was a kid by Stalkeye	Dec 5th, 2008 07:44:09 PM
Anyway rest in peace Forest. As a tribute I shall play the misfits CD titled, what else? "Famous Monsters"! RIP
Very sad... by ckane123	Dec 5th, 2008 07:51:00 PM
Like others here, I had the opportunity to meet Uncle Forry 15+ years ago at a sci-fi convention (I'll continue to call them that, in his honor) and was able to sit down with him and buy him a nice lunch - the experience was worth every penny. A wonderful, kind, smart human being - I hope similar words are spoken of me when I'm gone. Great posting Harry and I put my further thoughts on his passing at josephdickerson.com...
R.I.P. Forry.. by nolan bautista	Dec 5th, 2008 08:00:10 PM
..thanks for shaping my childhood (and adulthood)
“Forry boy, come and take your nap.” by Nosferatu Jones	Dec 5th, 2008 08:03:10 PM
I kept together for the entire article until I read that line. Beautiful, sad, uplifting stuff. All hail Forry, the patron-saint of Sci-Fi geeks.
Goodbye Uncle Forry by Dataset	Dec 5th, 2008 08:28:35 PM
You were the Johnny Appleseed of fandom. Thank you for planting those seeds. We are the forest of Ackerman. We'll never forget you.
Bye Forry by half vader	Dec 5th, 2008 08:35:29 PM
You will live on, in an extended way, through many many people. Harry, the "Forry's Photomansion" is a great idea!
it always sucks when someone cool dies by The Amazing G	Dec 5th, 2008 08:49:57 PM

Godspeed by rsswope	Dec 5th, 2008 09:20:24 PM
Thank you Dr. Acula for the impact you had on my young skull full of jello. The Paranormal Pastor gives you a blessing for the beyond. You are legend.
The Ackermonster.... by cineninja	Dec 5th, 2008 09:37:02 PM
...will never be gone as long as there are monsters and children who love them. May the wind be at your back
No God?? by Le Phantom	Dec 5th, 2008 09:44:18 PM
I liked Forry and grew up on Famous monsters but I am saddened to think he was an atheist! He is a guy that dedicated his life to sci fi and the fantastic...But was close minded enough not to believe in the possibility of an existence beyond this or a creative force in the universe! Little space aliens, yes! But a God, no??? That's like saying I believe in the Easter Bunny but the thought of Santa is ridiculous! I would have thought he would have kept a more open mind on the thought of universal possibilities! Maybe he is right, but maybe he is somewhere now part of a universal consciousnes, reunited with the spirits of family and friends thinking what a schmuck he was!
FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK by TylerDurden3395	Dec 5th, 2008 09:56:19 PM
Fuck... Now I'm REALLY depressed. The first issue I ever bought was the 82 yearbook when I was five years old. In it's pages were The Thing, Tron, Road Warrior, Wrath of Khan, Friday th 13th 3-D, all movies I'd later grow to worship. That issue was the introduction I had to all of these movies. FUCK! I'm depressed now.
He lived a full life and was loved by many! by Bob Cryptonight	Dec 5th, 2008 10:29:23 PM
A terrific man...
There is Blackness or there is Light by DRACULA_WANTS_THE_AMULET	Dec 5th, 2008 10:30:56 PM
and a peace you will never find in life. If it's the last 3 minutes of brain life- Then so be it. Those who have experienced it call it the greatest peace and calm you will ever know, those who have had NDE's are not afraid of death. Time is relative, dreams don't begin and in most cases they don't end. One second could be several lifetimes. Who's to say the brain doesn't purge itself in those last moments- presenting you with a state of existence unlike any we know in life. Both my Father and his Friend Frank have been critically dead. Both had NDE's Frank had a Heart Attack (2 actually) and my Dad was in a terrible accident while serving in the Army- He still has partial paralysis of his right arm. You either see yourself clearly, hearing everything happening around you, and then white light consumes you- a tremendous peace and calm overcomes you. My Dad said "I'm not ready yet" and it was over. He said something about his voice being different as well- like it was his inner voice, how he sounds to himself. As for Frank. Well he said he came to in complete darkness- a darkness unlike any darkness you know, he said he felt completely and totally aware that this was very real that it was not a dream. He specifically said that the "Ego was gone". Very odd to hear Forry say something about his own Ego. Enough of my mulling. I'm just saying as much hoping it gives everone here and those that knew you some comfort to know that whatever it is that appears to us after this ends is good enough to fool, and comfort those who saw it. Forry I can't thank you enough as rabid a fan of all things Creatures, Horror, and Sci Fi. I've been spending my most of my free time on the Internet since 1996 looking at prop replicas, monster busts, masks, and 3d cgi creature and character creations- Most of it from people not yet in the biz. It all goes back to the classic universal monster flicks, those magazines, and others like creepy, errie and vampira, creepshow, vault of horror, and so on. You were a big part. Scracth that you Started it in mag form. Damn it! I'm going miss you even if I never met you in real life. That Life Sized Statue it will happen. Fan will leave flowers near it. Take pictures hugging it, posing in front of it, making it wear silly hats and shirts related to horror and sci fi- celebrating it thanking it and you in doing so :(
Thanks Harry by Mace Tofu	Dec 5th, 2008 10:33:47 PM
I'm sure because of you he was sent a flood of fan letters before his passing and your idea to post his address was spot on as many here got to say goodbye before this sad day. Thanks. RIP Forry.
Le Phantom by spacechampion	Dec 5th, 2008 10:35:17 PM
you are such a douche.
My condolences by NivekJ	Dec 5th, 2008 11:06:09 PM
This is one of the better moments here at Aint It Cool, and I'm sad to see it be a melancholy one. A very thoughtful tribute.
I like that "Johnny Appleseed of Fandom" by Alfie Boy	Dec 5th, 2008 11:09:30 PM

http://tinyurl.com/6q6eob Youtube Forry Tribute by DRACULA_WANTS_THE_AMULET	Dec 5th, 2008 11:10:48 PM

Forry by cgccomics	Dec 5th, 2008 11:14:10 PM
I still have most of my Famous Monsters of Filmland magazines from the 50's through the 80's. I loved the articles, the photos and the wonderful corny but funny captions that came with some of the photos. Where else could you find a magazine like that? Even my dad liked to look at Famous Monsters. Rest in peace Forry. I wish I could have met you in person.
spacechampion by Le Phantom	Dec 5th, 2008 11:42:51 PM
First of all blow me! Second of all...I guess i am a douche for pointing out a legitimate pov, but it doesn't make me wrong! I liked Forry and all props to him and his passion and achievements, but i still think that letter reflected a sad and bitter closed mind...a hypocracy for some one who dedicated his life to possibilities!
RIP Forry by ebonic_plague	Dec 6th, 2008 12:00:09 AM
The most you can ask for is to make your mark on this world. Sounds like Forry did exactly that.
L.A. Geeks... by GhostJax	Dec 6th, 2008 12:28:16 AM
I'm going to get to the New Bev around midnight with a bunch of FMOF covers to paper the place. Join if you want. Good night, Forrest. We miss you.
What a great life.. by eustisclay	Dec 6th, 2008 12:38:39 AM
... he had. Those of you ar AICN are living a new generation of Forry's by informing and celebrating genre films. Somewhat saddened but still he had a long life doing whah he loved. He was liked and loved by many. Not a bad way to go. And it would be so cool to see a film in the line of Tim burton's ED WOOD or Joe Dante's MATINEE about Forry. Not much to add accept thank you mr. Ackerman
I love the fact that... by Kasch	Dec 6th, 2008 12:43:28 AM
Forry not only wrote his own perfectly eloquent elegy, but he also managed to call out both Harlan Ellison and Ray Ferry for acting like complete cocksuckers to him. I fervently hope that both of those egocentric assholes read this and feel like absolute shit for their juvenile behavior.
Goobye, Forry... by BrooseTheScharuk	Dec 6th, 2008 12:59:43 AM
...I expressed my love and respect, as well as the place Famous Monsters had in my childhood, in the previous post about Forry Ackerman, which alluded to his nearness to death's door, so I will only say that -- from one "secular humanist" to another (who can, of course, no longer appreciate the sentiment) -- thanks for that beautiful expression of what it's like to be an atheist approaching the end of life. I'm glad that it (apparently) went so peacefully for you.
Don't forget Tolkien's famous letter... by Kingasaurus	Dec 6th, 2008 01:10:35 AM
...written to Forry criticizing a potential film treatment. It gave us a rare insight into what the Professor thought about his work being turned into a film, and the contents of that letter were dissected quite a bit when Peter Jackson was working on LOTR. Thanks for picking Tolkien's brain, Forry. I appreciate it.
I was lucky by skerns	Dec 6th, 2008 01:26:30 AM
I had the pleasure of meeting Forry and Wendy at AmberCon 2 in Wichita, KS in 1977. My first Science Fiction convention, after years of reading FMOF. He was gracious, kind, funny, and tolerant. He even let me try on Lugosi's Dracula ring which he wore constantly! Forry, I'll miss you... We'll all miss you...
So long Uncle Forry.... by lurk3001	Dec 6th, 2008 01:54:44 AM
....and thank you Harry for keeping his memory alive. I loved Famous Monsters. I couldn't wait to get to Circle K each month and get the next issue. Rest in Peace Forry and thank you.
"You don't know what you've got 'til... by Charlie & Tex	Dec 6th, 2008 02:11:11 AM
...it's gone." This is very sad stuff, but Forry's sheer enthusiasm for sci-fi will carry his legacy for many years to come. We'll admit that we didn't appreciate or realise the monumental significance of Forry's contribution to the sci-fi & horror genre until fairly recently, but it is awfully sad that he has passed into the beyond. God speed Forry, you cheerfully demented dynamo!
bacci40 by GhostJax	Dec 6th, 2008 02:44:23 AM
I'm starting from Beverly Hills. I'll hit them both. Thanks, man.
sounds like... by billyhitchcock	Dec 6th, 2008 03:18:05 AM
...he created geek heaven at his house.
goodbye Uncle Forrey by Bloo	Dec 6th, 2008 03:52:58 AM
someone above said He was the Johnny Appleseed of fandom an dwe are a forest of Ackerman's I like that I know you didn't believe in Him Forrey, but it's my prayer that you rest in peace, with God and his angels and that Oleg watches over you You wer eour inspiration, our mentor, our grandfather, our "cool" uncle. You inspired us and called us out, you motivated and led us. If the geekdom had an Abraham it would be you, stepping out into a strange new land with new clue where you were going and not even for sure if you would see the promise, but you heeded the voice and paved the way.
Another legend has gone. by alucardvsdracula	Dec 6th, 2008 04:12:16 AM
Sad day.
Every Monster Kid's Uncle... by Grinning White Skull	Dec 6th, 2008 04:34:37 AM
Farewell, Forry. I was so lucky to grow up with FAMOUS MONSTERS, CREEPY, EEIRE and VAMPIRELLA. I'm a better Monster Kid because of you.
Peace by Dingbatty	Dec 6th, 2008 04:54:00 AM

G'bye and thanks by Nyllednav	Dec 6th, 2008 08:24:05 AM
I grew up in Elgin Scotland and Monsters was hard to find there, but there was an ice cream shop that sold comics that would get the occasional Monsters magazine. Thanks 4E,for I was the only geek in my town, and you made me realize there were others out there. We were not alone.
Beautiful job AICN... by Pdorwick	Dec 6th, 2008 08:42:42 AM
...this whole thing is a beautiful send off for a truly wonderful man.
I loved Vampy, and still do by toadkillerdog	Dec 6th, 2008 10:24:07 AM
I still have my colection of Vampirella mags, as well as a select few Famous Monsters. I never had the pleasure of meeting Uncle Forry, but my childhood was undoubtedly made richer by his mags and, all of us who love Sci-fi and fantasy have had our entire lives enriched by his passion and talent.
Nice 2C that fans congregated at theaters out west... by Alfie Boy	Dec 6th, 2008 12:23:34 PM
...as a tribute to Forry. In this embarrassing cultural vacuum known as Philadelphia, no one did anything that I could find. The cretins and cultural illiterates around this part of the country sit around and idolize nothings like sports stars.
Perfect tribute by Goldmagus	Dec 6th, 2008 01:35:15 PM
Well done, Harry - perfectly pitched, touching, moving tribute to a great man. I'm a kid from Croydon, England, living my dreams as a producer in Hollywood - and I don't think I would ever have got here without the inspiration of Forry's magazine, which magically appeared from time to time on a local newsagent's shelves. And wow - how the years fell away when Rick Baker wrote about that BOY INTO MONSTER article - I can see the photospread in my minds eye as clearly as if I had that issue of the magazine in front of me! Rest In Peace, Ackermonster - thanks for your amazing life...
The Passing of the Founding Father of Geekdom. by RobinP	Dec 6th, 2008 01:38:52 PM
I wrote my own eulogy, please follow this link... http://tinyurl.com/6fk5fq
Feebles prop by torpedoboy	Dec 6th, 2008 02:08:52 PM
I'm lucky enough to own a "Meet the Feebles" puppet that was once in his possession. He was a great man.
Great Tribute by hallmitchell	Dec 6th, 2008 03:10:13 PM
As good as your Stan Wintson tribute was Harry. This was a great one.
Thanks Forry... by Frankenbastard	Dec 6th, 2008 03:15:16 PM
I’ll never forget my trip to the Acker-mansion, holding that Kong Brontosaur and getting teary eyed. So long Forry, thanks for making me love monsters and sparking my career.
And Harry... by Frankenbastard	Dec 6th, 2008 03:16:35 PM
Thanks for posting his letter, outstanding.
Maybe the best thing Harry has written by I am_NOTREAL	Dec 6th, 2008 03:17:02 PM
A proper adieu to man who touched many. I would now and again find issues of FMOF at my local A&P back in the day. I probably read less than a half dozen overall but they played their role and are still remembered today, as is Mr. Ackerman.
Goodbye Forry! by mojoman69	Dec 6th, 2008 03:45:44 PM
I have been a fan of FJA since my Mom first showed me an issue of FM back in 1960. I was hooked and never looked back. Forry inspired me to build monster kits and today I have my own company which produces monster and figure model kits. I put on a few monster memrobilia shows in Chicago and had the honer of havign Forry as a guest twice. I had Ray Harryhausen as a guest too and was amazed to have breakfast with two of these childhood icons. One can never say too much about Forry, he was kind, giving, generous and loved. It is too bad that he got screwed over by the likes of Ray Ferry and his crew when they tried to revive FM. Not to mention people who would steal from the Ackermansion! Shame on all of those who did! But still Forry opened his home to all those who wished to see it. I am sorry to see you go old friend! Prince Sirki has claimed one of the best!
Did Forry have children? by Alfie Boy	Dec 6th, 2008 03:54:06 PM

Thanks for the memories, Forry by DoctorTom	Dec 6th, 2008 04:13:44 PM
I actually remembered FJA (or 4E, or 4SJ as he sometimes used) from his stint bringing Perry Rhodan to the US before reading Famous Monsters. His enthusiasm for science fiction was obvious from each of the 'books', which was actually more like an older pulp magazine in paperback form. He loved to reprint old forgotten SF stories from the 20's-40's in each issue. Issue seems the most appropriate word, since (like the comics in the sixties and seventies) each of the 'novels' was numbered as well as having the title of the book. He also had a letters page for readers comments and had some editorial comments of his own, sometimes as introductions to some of the stories that he selected. His joy for the genre shone out of the pages. Sometimes I would think of him as science fiction's Stan Lee the way he promoted SF with such entusiasm. Later I picked up a Famous Monsters of Filmland and could see the same enthusiasm there. Most magazines now seem to have lost that entusiasm, unfortunately. I'm glad to hear of the "Ackermansion wing" forthcoming at AICN. He didn't believe in the afterlife, but he would probably agree that remembering his life and work fondly, and continuing to keep them visible as a kind of literary immortality would be a kind of afterlife he would enjoy.
I just found a stack of old MONSTER TIMES mags by Lenny8	Dec 6th, 2008 06:07:17 PM
I loved that as much as FMOF.
Thanks, 4E... by Stunt Vocalist 709	Dec 6th, 2008 08:12:35 PM
I still carry with me the coolest memory of travelling with Father Geek and Head Geek to Dallas for a convention. We were invited to a private showing of King Kong. Among the less than ten people there were Forry and Ray, who shared a lot of memories and model making details. They were both gracious, enthusiastic, and patient with our endless questions. Geek paradise. Thanks again...
Oscars.. by Dataset	Dec 6th, 2008 08:19:44 PM
I wonder if the oscar "in remembrance" montage will include 4e. It would be a shame If it doesn't.
Harry by ArcadianDS	Dec 7th, 2008 01:51:33 AM
where would any of us be but for our fathers, and their heroes? nice write-up for Forry AND for Fathergeek. I called my dad today after reading it.
letter to forry by jofex	Dec 7th, 2008 02:32:39 AM
Thanks Harry for the heads up on Forry's condition. Joe Moe shared that the very special man got an eye twinkle from my gushing note. I will forever regret I didn't go see 4SJ and his collection more than once- back in 1992. Much later I had the transcendent thrill of sitting behind Forry and Ray Harryhausen as we all watched a print of King Kong. I'd seen the movie so instead watched them watch it- and tried to absorb everything that meant-- the electro-chemical process of those images igniting brain cells and the chain reaction that resulted in so many lives changed. So that's how the world evolves, I thought. Anyway, its childhood's end for so many of us. Can anyone else still sense-memory the smell of a crisp, new issue of FMOF? Glad the brain can take us (back) there. Maybe that's proof we do in fact last-- in the collective sense-memory. If so, we'll bump into Forry again. Hope so.
HARRY: How about something permanent for Forry by Alfie Boy	Dec 7th, 2008 08:36:30 AM
on the sie? Maybe replacing the ID4 backdrop w/ a pic of Forry?
Thanks Forry! by JarJar25	Dec 7th, 2008 05:21:25 PM
I still remember getting the Famous Monsters Alien Issue! That was such a high for me, because living up in Port Angeles, Wash, the film wouldn't come out until late in the summer. That issue got me into Alien and H.R. Giger, which I still love, both films and art to this day. It was so important, because there was no way I could afford any artbook or anything else at that time. Famous Monsters got me through some tough times, way before the internet and home video. My one regret was never going to your home to see your collection. I think I will try to see Bob Burns collection next year. R.I.P. and until the next light!
Goodbye Dr. Acula. Rest in peace. by L.H.Puttgrass	Dec 7th, 2008 09:08:04 PM
What would the geek world be today if Uncle Forry never started that magazine?
The Underworld of AICN mournes his passing by Orcus	Dec 8th, 2008 08:28:55 AM
Somehow the archives are a bit less happier
What a great man. What a wonderful life. by 2for2true	Dec 8th, 2008 08:30:00 AM
From the time I was eight, I made a beeline to the magazine section looking for the latest edition of FM. One of my favorites was the 1970 edition honoring the life of Boris Karloff. I remember the first page had a photo of Karloff, with the words, "The King is Gone." How sad FM is no longer around to do an edition devoted to its creator - the real King of Horror. I would love to see the Ackermansion perserved as a museum for all to visit, or at the least, have his collection preserved somewhere for geeks like us who were never fortunate enough to see it ourselves. Thanks for making my childhood so much fun.
It's unfortunate... by richier123	Dec 8th, 2008 04:33:29 PM
that he's going to spend eternity in hell. Maybe if he didn't look at all religion in black and white he could have better'd himself... With that said, I am greatful for his contributions to Sci-fi. Sad that he's gone.
sorry richier... by jofex	Dec 8th, 2008 05:19:58 PM
but you are a broken little kid. Whoever put poop in your head needs a good spanking. If Forry taught us anything it was to turn our back on bad nonsense and embrace good nonsense. Let's keep monsters fantastical. Real monsters like the ones crawling around in your head are far too scary.
One of the most AMAZING moments in my life.... by progrocktv	Dec 8th, 2008 05:44:22 PM
...was at Archon on St.Louis attending a talk with uncle Forry, Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen. Here, I was able to witness 3 friends, who are considered kings of the genre, getting together and sharing a warm conversation. Talk about a life-changing event and one that still brings a tear to my eye thinking about it to this day!
richier/jofex by m2298	Dec 9th, 2008 09:08:19 AM
Whatever happens or doesn't happen to Forry in the Hereafter is between him and the Deity. As for the rest of us, let's just celebrate his legacy and enjoy the films, books etc. that we (and Forry) love without any negativity.
Well said, m2298. by 2for2true	Dec 9th, 2008 09:47:21 AM
People who proselytize and chastise others for refusing to accept god/religion are far more scary than any movie monster. As Carlin said, religion is like a lift in your shoe. If it makes you feel better and walk straighter, good for you...but don't go nailing lifts on other people's shoes.
and conversely... by m2298	Dec 9th, 2008 01:05:58 PM
people shouldn't go around mocking believers either. If you have a point to make about something, do it civilly (and yes I know this is an AICN talkback, but what the heck). And I suspect that any "Forry's in Hell" posters over here aren't really religious believers, but just troublemaking trolls.
Forry will finally find peace from James Warren by thegreatwhatzit	Dec 11th, 2008 11:51:41 AM
FJA will slip through the pearly gates while Mr. Warren will be hi-fiving Hitler in Hades. Have no idea how Ackerman survived his publisher's egocentric fascism.
BETTY PAGE IS GONE TOO by mojoman69	Dec 11th, 2008 11:17:07 PM
Just heard that Betty Page died tonight, never woke up after her heart attack. What a crappy week!

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Updated: Forrest J Ackerman is gone... Dr. Acula has returned to the grave... & the Ackermonster is at peace...

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