My Very First Issue Of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND!!

This is the very first issue of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND that I ever got when I was only 7 years old. I was with my Dad when he was shopping at the HARDING WAY NEWSSTAND in Stockton, when this cover literally begged me to get this magazine. It said to me, "Little Boy, Get Me, Read Me!". And Dad bought it for me. Even though I watched Horror Movies at home, it would still be more than 4 years before I would see Bob Wilkins, even though I had heard of him. 1973 would be the year I first saw Bob Wilkins. In fact, It was about 35 years ago this year that I first saw Bob on KTXL TV 40 on Saturday Nights.

Happy 50TH Anniversary FAMOUS MONSTERS!!!

It was 50 years ago on this day (February 27, 1958), that FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND was born to publisher, Jim Warren and Editor In Chief, Forrest J. Ackerman. I first became acquainted with FM in 1968 with Issue #54 (The Alien From INVASION OF THE SAUCERMAN on the cover) when I was 6 years old. While I didn't get every issue when growing up, I got most of them until the 1970's until the Star Wars Issues kind of burned me out and I graduated to FANGORIA. I did every once in awhile during the 1970's checked out other monster magazines like CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE MONSTER TIMES (a cool monster newspaper) and HAMMER'S HOUSE OF HORRORS as well as those CRACKED MONSTER MAGAZINES.(Parodies like MAD MAGAZINE) Though the original FM died in 1983 and a new one was revived by Ray Ferry, it just wasn't the same. In fact he is folding it up this year after 50 issues as well as lawsuits back and forth against 4E. I actually prefered Dennis J. Druktenis's SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE anyway. On December 31, 1995, I finally met FJA for the first time at his legendary ACKERMUSEUM. I will never forget that day. If you want to order a replica of FM#1, Ray Ferry is selling it at http://www.filmlandclassics.com/zencart/

February 24, 1968 Schedule: "The Demon Planet" 11:30PM

Bob Wilkins showed a very good Mario Bava Film called THE DEMON PLANET which is actually the TV Title. The original title was PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES which is the title used on both video and DVD. In the 1980's, due to musical rights problems, Orion Pictures (AIP's Successor) replaced the original score on both video and subsequent TV airings by one done by Kendall Schmidt. MGM (the current rights holder) restored the original score for its MIDNITE MOVIES DVD edition.

February 17, 1968 Schedule: "The Spider" 11:30PM

Bob showed this AIP/Bert I. Gordon 1958 Classic again. (The last time, Bob showed this movie on November 12, 1966) This movie was also known as EARTH VS THE SPIDER. I actually prefer this to Universal's better known TARANTULA (1955).

It is available on DVD from LIONSGATE as part of a double feature with WAR OF THE COLLOSAL BEAST.

Sacramento TV Personality, HARRY MARTIN passes away!

Former KCRA TV personality as well as Bob Wilkins Best Friend, HARRY MARTIN passed away today of cancer at the age of 81. Harry Martin graduated from The College Of The Pacific (now UOP) in Stockton in 1951, then he worked at new Sacramento TV Station KCCC Channel 40 as a announcer. When KCCC went off the air in 1957, Harry moved over to KCRA Channel 3 to become Captain Sacto, a children's TV Host with such shows as CRUSADER RABBIT for 6 years. Harry also hosted movies in the 1960's and early 1970's (THE EARLY SHOW and MARTIN AT THE MOVIES). In 1973, Harry went to host the groundbreaking evening entertainment talk show, THE 7:30 SHOW. In 1976, it was renamed WEEKNIGHT and moved to 7:PM, where he cohosted with Bette Vasquez. After leaving WEEKNIGHT in the mid 80's, Harry became KCRA's Fulltime Entertainment Reporter. Harry retired from KCRA in 1988. He made a special appearance on KCRA's 50TH Anniversary in 1997 reprising Captain Sacto. But Harry Martin was Bob Wilkins BEST FRIEND as well as BEST MAN for Bob's wedding to his beautiful wife, Sally. Harry also made appearances on Bob Wilkins Show on KCRA as well as Bob's Final KTXL Show on February 14, 1981. Harry also appeared at the Bob Wilkins Tribute Show at The Crest Theatre last March in Sacramento. Harry's wife, Polly passed away last August of Cancer. Born as HARRY MARTIN UHLENBERG on February 4, 1927, Harry Martin is survived by his daughter, DAYNA, his son, Steven and Five Grandchildren. You can check out his obit at http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/719926.html

February 10, 1968 Schedule: "The Woman Eater" 12:30AM

On this evening, Bob shows a very interesting movie about a mad scientist capturing women to feed his flesh eating plant and somehow creating a serum to bring back the dead.

February 3, 1968 schedule: "The Revenge Of Frankenstein" 12:15AM

Bob Wilkins shows a Hammer Films classic, THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN from 1958 on this particular evening. Peter Cushing again plays Dr. Frankenstein who survived the gallows from the previous movie, THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN from help from a dwarf. It is available on DVD via SONY HOME ENTERTAINMENT.

January 27, 1968 schedule: "Beast From 20000 Fathoms" 11:45PM

On this evening, Bob Wilkins shows the Ray Harryhausen Classic, BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS that was shown before on March 25, 1967. This movie is available on DVD from WARNER HOME VIDEO. A must buy!!!!

January 20, 1968 Schedule: "Carnival Of Souls" 11:30PM

Bob Wilkins shows the classic, CARNIVAL OF SOULS on this evening. It was shown previously on July 22, 1967. As this that post, I highly recommend everyone to buy the CRITERION COLLECTION DVD and not the numerous P.D. versions floating out there though I heard good things about the LEGEND FILMS DVD version which has both a Colorized Version and a Restored Black And White Version! I still hate colorized movies!

Horror Hostess, VAMPIRA, passes away at 86 years old

Legendary Horror Tv Hostess VAMPIRA (Maila Nurmi) has passed away at the age of 86. In addition to her show on KABC-7 Los Angeles from 1954-55, she also was in movies like the Camp Classic and Golden Turkey itself, PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE as well as in THE MAGIC SWORD.

January 13, 1968 Schedule: "The Mad Executioners" 12:15AM

On this evening, Bob Wilkins shows a West German produced KRIMI (Horror-Crime) made in 1963 which was based on a story by Edgar Wallace dealing with a mad scientist beheading his victims then trying to keep their heads alive. Also known as DER HENKER VON LONDON.

TRASH FILM ORGY at the CREST THEATRE: "Monster From Bikini Beach".

On Friday, January 11 in Sacramento, California is the Annual TRASH FILM ORGY at the Historic Crest Theatre. The movie being shown is MONSTER FROM BIKINI BEACH which was filmed entirely in the river city of Sacramento. This movie is inspired by those wild 50's monster flicks/70's Drive-In Indie Features that was later shown on Bob Wilkins shows on KCRA, KTVU and KTXL. The movie features tons of bikini-clad go-go babes and one ravenous monster rising from the murky depths to go on a bloody rampage. I wish I can go, but will be too busy. Doors open at 9:30PM for the 10:PM show. Tickets on sale at http://www.tickets.com/ ,the CREST THEATRE BOX OFFICE, or call 1-800-225-2277. Also visit their site at http://www.trashfilmorgy.com/ or check out their My Space at www.myspace.com/monsterfrombikinibeach

A New Year

2007 has been an amazing year for me as well as this blog. 2007 was also the year that I finally met my childhood idol, BOB WILKINS himself, unfortunately on his final public appearance due to Alzheimers. Back to my blog, I must apologize for being late on certain posts. With the holidays and a very busy work schedule, that is the reason. As for 2008, on the program schedules that I post (right now of KCRA only), We are now into 1968. A very interesting year for Bob at KCRA that i will post later. Also locally, I survived the big storm of the New Year last Friday, January 4. Stockton had Lots of rain and wind gusts that were close to 60 MPH. My Apartment survived as well as my storage unit with no damage. No power outages at my place either. (My sister in nearby Lockeford wasn't so lucky.) Here is wishing everyone a great 2008!!!

January 6, 1968 schedule: "A Bucket Of Blood" Midnight

Well it is a new year, 2008...errr...I mean 1968 when it comes to Bob Wilkins Seven Arts Theatre On KCRA Channel 3. This time, he shows the Roger Corman Black Comedy Classic, A BUCKET OF BLOOD starring Dick Miller. Speaking of 3 (not KCRA), this is Bob's third time showing this movie. He showed it on October 1, 1966 and then on July 29, 1967. Well just a little more than 5 months, Bob shows it again. This fine movie is in the public domain and is available on different DVD labels, but the best is the MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT version. Now this particular evening of Saturday Night of January 6, 1968 was a special night for monster fiends, oh I mean fans because KCRA Channel 3 had an evening of fright. At 7:PM, KCRA showed DESTINATION INNER SPACE and at 9:PM as part of NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES, showed the Alfred Hitchcock classic, THE BIRDS. (There was an episode of GET SMART sandwiched between the two)

December 30, 1967 Schedule: "Curse Of The Demon" 11:45PM

For my final post of the year 2007: Bob Wilkins showed the Columbia Pictures Classic, CURSE OF THE DEMON also known in the UK as NIGHT OF THE DEMON, for his final Saturday Night show for the year, 1967. This movie was first shown on Bob's show back on September 17, 1966. It was released on VHS by both RCA/COLUMBIA HOME VIDEO (SP mode) and the budget line GOODTIMES HOME VIDEO (LP mode) with the longer British Version but with the U.S. Title. Sony Home Entertainment finally released both versions on DVD in 2002 (along with the correct British Title: NIGHT OF THE DEMON). An excellent book on the subject was written by Tony Earnshaw, BEATING THE DEVIL:THE MAKING OF NIGHT OF THE DEMON.

Merry Christmas 2007 To All!!!

I want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL!!!!!

December 23, 1967 Schedule: "The Phantom Of The Rue Morgue" 11:30PM

2 days before Christmas, Bob Wilkins showed THE PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE (1954), a remake of the Bela Lugosi Classic as well as Edgar Allan Poe's MUDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE. This movie starred KARL MALDEN in the BELA LUGOSI role. This movie was released in movie theaters in 3D, but obviously was released in flat 2D on Bob's show. Only available on VHS by Warner Home Video.

December 16, 1967 Schedule: "The Creature Walks Among Us" Midnight

Believe it or not, Bob Wilkins shows this Universal Classic, though this isn't the best of the Lagoon Creature Trilogy. Though not the best, it is still a pretty interesting movie about scientists trying to surgically change the creature into a more human like hybrid.

December 9, 1967 Schedule: "The Hideous Sun Demon" 11:30PM

Bob Wilkins showed this 1959 Low Budget Horror Classic about an Atomic Scientist who was exposed to radiation which now causes him to change into a murderous lizard-like monster when exposed to the sun.

December 2, 1967 Schedule:"Cry Of The Bewitched" 11:30PM

I don't know much about this Mexican Horror Movie from 1957. IMDB doesn't seem to be much help. Does anyone else know much about this ? Did K. Gordon Murray release this film with his other imports?