Dr. Gangrene Presents Ep. 20

This week's episode of Dr. Gangrene Presents marks the 20th consecutive episode of this season. Our show has been on the air since 1999 – we started on cable access but after a few years moved onto broadcast television. We’ve had a number of formats and timeslots over the years, and settled into our new timeslot at 1am Sat nights/Sun mornings on Nashville’s CW58 this past September.

This time around my program director said no reruns (not counting the 2 times the station played the wrong episode – but that was THEIR mistake), so we'll have to just keep churning out new episodes regularly. One thing is for sure; with no reruns we’ll definitely have more episodes in this season than any previous one!

New 6FT+ podcast up

Hey Ghouls - Check out the latest episode of the 6ft plus podcast. It is specially designed to blast away the winter blues with a healthy dose of surf music. You can download it here:
http://6ftplus.gravediggerslocal.com/

You'll hear me talking about the 6ft plus podcast a lot more in the future as I'll be submitting a new interview/review segment for them! It comes out bi-weekly, so bookmark it so you don't miss an episode!

To The Devil A Daughter

 After listening to a couple of episodes of the 1951 Down Place podcast I got to thinking about the films of Hammer Studios. I’ve seen a large number of Hammer films – or so I thought, until I looked at a complete Hammer filmography. The studio had a ridiculous output between the 1950s – 1970s, and even made some films in the 1930s and 1940s. All of the Hammer pictures I’ve seen are horror or science fiction themed, but early on they made a lot of drama and thrillers. In 1953 Hammer stepped into the Science Fiction realm with THE FOUR SIDED TRIANGLE and SPACEWAYS, but it wasn’t until 1958 they entered into the horror arena with HORROR OF DRACULA. This would, of course, become the genre Hammer is known for and identified with. “Hammer Red” is a descriptive term that kind of says it all. Horror, blood, rich colors - Hammer.

The very last Hammer horror picture (before the current revival films) was the 1976 film To THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER. It features a terrific cast - Christopher Lee, Richard Widmark, Honor Blackman, Nastassja Kinski and Denholm Elliot. It’s based on a novel by British author Dennis Wheatley, who wrote a number of books on the subject of Satanism and witchcraft, both fiction and non-fiction. Two other novels of his were also adapted by Hammer Studios – THE LOST CONTINENT and THE DEVIL RIDES OUT.

Nastassja Kinski was only 15 years old at the time she made this film, which is kind of shocking considering there is a full frontal nude scene and sexual content. This definitely wouldn’t fly in today’s day and age. Nastassja has since said she felt exploited in her younger age and rightfully so. Well documented pedophile Roman Polanski had a romantic relationship with the under aged Kinski, reportedly beginning sometime after To The Devil A Daughter and ending after she starred in the Polanski film TESS. Undoubtedly Kinski caught his eye in TTDAD, a film similar in theme to Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby. As the father of a 15 year old I can’t understand how her mother allowed these things to occur – undoubtedly the sway of money and glamour of Hollywood was compelling – but that’s YOUR DAUGHTER, man! In a PEOPLE magazine article from 1981 Kinski says, about her mother, “She always trusted me. When I was 12, she let me loose like a wild animal. I needed that. She knew I had good instincts and would not go into drugs or wrong roads." But at age 12 kids don’t have good instincts, and that is what a parent’s job is, to protect them from predators like Polanski. Kinski defended Polanski, saying "He was really a gentleman, not at all like the things I had heard," she continues. "He introduced me to beautiful books, plays, movies. He educated me." All part of the con game, which Polanski was good at, manipulating a young child like actors on a set to get what he wanted. I’m really amazed at how open the entire Polanski relationship was. That People article reports it very matter of fact, as if they were describing a trip to the grocery store, not a sexual assault by a 43 year old upon a 15 year old. Unbelievable. How many children did Polanski assault before his ultimate arrest? As Lloyd Kauffman told me in an interview, “In America they give you an Academy Award for being a pedophile.”

As for TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER, it isn’t one of Hammer’s best pictures. That’s not to say it is a BAD film – in fact I liked it. But the story apparently strayed so far from writer Dennis Wheatley’s novel that he hated it and refused to let them option any further stories. The story involves a demon cult that has raised a young girl (Kinski) from birth to become the vessel for their dark lord, Astaroth, that he might walk on the earth as a mortal. The leader of this cult is, naturally, played by Christopher Lee. There are some nice scenes of supernatural spookiness but overall the film is a little slow paced and falls apart at the end. I’ve read reports that the script was being written up until the last minute, changes made practically on-set. The main plot is a bit confusing – a female cult member has a baby that is a deformed fetus looking demon creature. The cult brings Kinski to the altar, kills the demon baby, and spills its blood so it can live inside her body. Huh? If the creature is already alive why the need to kill it so it can live inside another person? I didn’t get that – and it really didn’t matter. The film was enjoyable for the performances, the atmosphere, and the sets. The story was good up to a point then you have to sort of just go with it, overlook the fake puppet baby - especially when it’s humping Nastassja in a particularly gross and laughable dream sequence – and just enjoy the ride.

Hammer threw in the towel shortly after this. Their time was up and it wouldn’t be until the late 2000s that they would begin making pictures again. So far I’m happy with the direction of the new Hammer Studios. They’re making wise decisions on movie choices, and staying away from Frankenstein and Dracula for the time being. I think they’re smart to reestablish themselves as a quality studio making solid pictures before they revisit any older franchises – IF they even ever decide to go there. Perhaps they’re wiser to just let the past rest in peace and move on into the future with fresh films instead of “reimaginings.”

Johnny Depp, Night Stalker

So Johnny Depp is going to play Karl Kolchak, the Night Stalker, huh? I can say this much for Johnny, he certainly gets choice roles. Just look at some of the parts he’s played – Ichabod Crane, Sweeney Todd, Ed Wood, Willy Wonka, Barbabas Collins (in the upcoming film) – and that’s just the tip of the acting iceberg, leaving out signature characters such as Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow. Yes, he’s really had some choice roles. And now it appears he’s going to add one of my all-time favorites to his resume – Carl Kolchak, the Night Stalker. Or so reports say –slated for release in 2014, Depp would play the part of the supernatural detective that was previously portrayed by Darren McGavin in the 1974-75 TV Series of the same name (as well as the 1972 movie THE NIGHT STALKER and 1974 movie THE NIGHT STRANGLER). Reports also say that the movie will be directed by Edgar Wright, the writer/director of two of my favorite modern movies, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Time to rejoice, right?

Not so fast, kemo sabe. Here’s the thing about The Night Stalker. There is a very specific vibe that makes it work. Is it a comedy? Not really. There were definitely comedic elements to the original series, particularly the banter and interactions between Kolchak and the police and his editor and co-workers, but at its heart it was a supernatural detective series, with legitimate suspenseful moments.

Looking at the last few character pieces Depp has done I’m really worried he won’t or can’t be reined in any longer.  Reminds me of Vincent Price when he was making Witchfinder General in 1968. Director Michael Reeves rode Price hard in that film, nipping his performance any time Vincent started to slip into “Price-isms” and trying his best to shake a legitimate performance out of Price. Vincent hated the experience and found Reeves insufferable to work with, but the success of the end product can’t be argued. It is one of Price’s finest. Depp has been allowed to go so over the top unbelievable and silly with his characters that a little Reeves-style direction would do him good. He is a very talented actor, but the makeup and performance in some of his recent films – Alice and Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory come to mind – are embarrassing and so opposite what the role of Kolchak calls for.

Edgar Wright has crafted some brilliant and smart films. Look at Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – very creative and imaginative, like a living comic book. But what direction will he choose to take Night Stalker? Can he pull off the balancing act between suspense and laughs, and can he contain Depp’s tendencies to over-embellish his roles? The part of Kolchak was played masterfully by Darren McGavin, and those are big shoes to fill. Just ask Stuart Townsend, the actor who played the part in the lackluster 2005 reimagining of the TV series. It was updated to modern times but lacked the feel and charm of the original. Again, the producers just didn’t get or even attempt the combination of humor and drama of the original. Townsend was too pretty for the part, honestly, and that is something else I worry about with Depp.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Shaun of the Dead had a nice mix of horror and humor, though it’s a little campier than how I envision The Night Stalker. Perhaps Wright is just the right director for the job. But Johnny, if you see this, rein it in a little, please! Look at the irascible and cranky Kolchak of the original series and channel those characteristics. Give us a performance to make McGavin proud!

Rue Morgue Podcast

While we're still flying our horror flag at half-mast for the now (sadly) defunct Rue Morgue Radio I wanted to spread the word about another podcast available over at rue-morgue.com

 It's called the RUE MORGUE PODCAST and it's hosted by Stuart Feedback Andrews. It's an interview podcast featuring Stuart chatting with folks from the horror and film industry - think extended segments of what used to be featured in RMR. I always liked Feedback's interview segments and often wished they were longer, and that is exactly what this show is. It's actually been going on for over a year now - how I missed it before I have no idea. I've slowly been going through the archives over the last couple of months and catching up, and there are some really entertaining episodes. I've been surprised by the variety as well - in-depth conversations with everyone from Victoria Price to Slash from Guns and Roses, as well as panels from the Festival of Fear convention. You never know quite what or who will pop up next. The shows are well produced, with movie and music clips spread throughout the interview to punctuate the high points. This one is definitely worth checking out.

 You can subscribe through itunes or download the episodes from the Rue Morgue website.

Svengoolie Tribute on Glee!

Last night Chicago horror host Svengoolie (aka Rich Coz) received a huge compliment on national Television. Glee co-creator Ian Brennon played a character on the show that was a direct tribute to Sven - called Svenboolie, the character was a judge for a Regionals Competition. Ian grew up watching Sven, and wanted to pay tribute to his host. As my good buddy Bob Burns would say - How Cool Is That?!

Rondo Nominee Spotlight - Attack of the Octopus People

One of the nominees for Best Short Film in the 10th annual Rondo Awards comes from writer/director Joshua Kennedy.  It is a black and white movie called ATTACK OF THE OCTOPUS PEOPLE that is a loving tribute to the giant monster movies of the 1950s that also gives a knowing nod to the film noir detective genre. The plot involves strange octopus creatures attacking mankind. Oh, and did I mention Joshua is 16 years old?

Listen folks, this is what the Rondo Awards are all about. A 16 year old kid who has an obvious love of classic horror made his own movie that references Harryhausen, Corman, Castle and more. Yeah, it's shot on video, made with no budget and features a cast of mostly kid actors - but so what? That is exactly the charm of it.

How awesome is it that a kid would go out of his way to make something like this, especially in today's attention deficit society? Is this kid going to win? Probably not. But just having his work nominated has to be a huge morale booster for Joshua, and rightly so. Keep up the good work Joshua! I understand you've already started on your next film, CURSE OF THE INSECT WOMAN. I look forward to it! Best of luck and by the way, folks, this film is available on Alpha Video packaged with another short called Frankenstein vs. Hitler. Support a rising young dirwector and go pick up a copy today and kudos to Alpha for distributing this!
http://www.oldies.com/product-view/1069D.html

Kirk Hammett Horror Collection

Kirk Hammett, guitarist for a little band you may have heard of called Metallica, is in the process of putting together a book featuring photos of his massive collection of horror memorabilia. Kirk has been a lifelong classic horror fan and often plays onstage with guitars featuring classic horror imagery such as BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA or THE MUMMY. He appeared on THAT METAL SHOW talking about his upcoming book, to be titled TOO MUCH HORROR BUSINESS (a nice nod to punk rock horror pioneers Misfits). While there he showed off a 2-page spread from the upcoming book featuring two amazing pieces  - Karloff's outfit from THE BLACK CAT (1934) and Lugosi's outfit from WHITE ZOMBIE (1932). He keeps them on life-size dummies of the two actors - naturally! No release date for the book has been announced but it will no doubt be of interest to both horror and rock fans alike. Can't wait to see what all else Kirk owns!

One question I really wish the hosts had asked - and Kirk, if you happen to see this feel free to post a response - have you ever worn those costumes? I bet I know the answer!

Ghost Rider 2 jumps the rails

I got a chance to catch Ghost Rider 2 today and although I didn't have high expectations going in it was still pretty bad. For the life of me I swear I don't understand how Nick Cage gets these parts. He was laugh out loud bad at one place in the film, and in fact both myself and a man a few rows behind me did just that. There was a strange animated narrative the film cut away to a couple of times to advance the story that was  odd and overall the story was predictable and uninspired. The animation was pretty good for the most part but they used a jerky fast-motion effect on the rider from time to time that was irritating. It seemed like the filmmakers were trying to make this more of a horror film than a superhero movie, and as such it  betrayed the source material... and in a telling moment of just that very thing the obligatory Marvel Comics logo at the beginning of the movie was missing. Can't say I blame them for that.

Definitely skip this one, and go see Woman in Black instead, a real scary movie.

Follow Up to Yesterday’s Rant…

Yesterday’s post about the Rondo Awards got quite a few comments and stirred up a little controversy, mostly on Facebook. People are very passionate about their horror hosts and I take that as a good thing. It means that the host is doing something right and has a passionate crew and viewers. Horror hosting works best on the local level, that’s what it was designed for. You build a fan base and try to entertain them weekly – sometimes you succeed more than others. So it’s no surprise those same people defend their host just as passionately.
My point yesterday was lost in the midst of comments about other hosts. Let me sort of back up for a second and clarify – not all horror hosts feel that way about the Rondo Awards and in fact most are very proud to be nominated. There are a couple who have mentioned the contrary to me, but I think most are happy for the exposure and appreciate any chance for potential new viewers to check out their work. The point I was trying to make is that despite the negative comments I’ve heard several places – not just from other hosts – about the Rondos they do a lot to spotlight artists, writers, filmmakers, horror hosts and their work.

Is a voting award system perfect? Of course not. But unlike many online voting awards they go out of their way to try and eliminate fraud. It is an email only voting system – which I know discourages many voters because I’ve heard complaints firsthand about how difficult the process is. Every vote must have a name attached to count, and every email is personally read and votes tabulated by David Colton – by hand. He does this because it’s a labor of love for him, something he started because he wanted to spotlight the great work out there.

Let’s take a look at the list of hosts on this year’s ballot:

21. FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2011

(Active hosts only; if your favorite is missing -- there are far too many to list here -- please write them in)

-- A. GHASTLEE GHOUL (Ohio)

-- THE BONE JANGLER (Illinois)

-- KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, Washington, DC)

-- BROTHER JACK ANGRY (Omaha)

-- COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Features)

-- COUNT GREGORE (Count Gregore's Crypt)

-- DR. GANGRENE (Nashville)

-- Dr. MADBLOOD (Virginia Beach)

-- DR. SARCOFIGUY (Spooky Movie Television)

-- ELVIRA (Movies Macabre)

-- GHOUL A GO-GO (NYC)

-- LATE DR. LADY

-- MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)

-- ORMON GRIMSBY (N.C.)

-- PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)

-- PROFESSOR EMCEE SQUARE IT'S ALIVE, Pittsburgh)

-- REMO D (California)

-- SON OF GHOUL (Ohio)

-- SVENGOOLIE (Chicago)

-- WOLFMAN MAC (Chiller Drive-In, Michigan)

-- ZOMBOO (House of Horrors, Reno)

-- Or write in another choice:

Twenty-one hosts mentioned, along with their show name in many cases (he didn’t list mine, interestingly enough) and a fill-in category in case YOUR host isn’t listed. That is twenty-one people that just got free advertisement for their show in a venue that thousands of people will see – AND it’s the SECOND time I’ve posted this list on the blog here, not to mention all the other places on the net it’ll get reposted. Not too bad, and you know what – I’ll honestly be happy for whoever wins it. I don’t take it personally. It is what it is. It would be nice to win, but ultimately doesn’t change what I do one way or the other. I’ll still be plugging away weekly making the best TV show I can. And THAT’S what it’s all about.

Long live the Rondos!

Leaving Marks

As I mentioned yesterday, my favorite thing about the Rondos is discovering new works that I'd probably not see if they weren't spotlighted in this award. It's going to take me a while to check out the links to all the nominees, but that's where the fun comes in. I wanted to share with you guys one of the nominees in the Best Independent Film Category:

It's called Bite Marks, and it's written and directed by Mark Bessenger, a first time film maker. It is, as you can guess from the title, a vampire movie. A big rig carrying a load of coffins, which later turns out to be a single coffin, stops to pick up a pair of hitchhikers. Along the way they pull over at a truck stop and things get out of hand quickly when the occupant of said coffin awakes.

The producers of this film are obviously big fans of Fright Night. There is a character named Brewster in this film and I also spotted actor Stephen Geoffreys in the trailer as well. He's the guy who played Evil in the original Fright Night. This film looks like it's a hoot. Nicely shot, a decent budget and my only complaint about the trailer is that some of the music in it is pretty bad. But this definitely looks like one I worth tracking down.

You can visit their Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bite-Marks-The-Movie/158292614208026

Here's the trailer:

Rock N' Roll Nightmare Review

This time I take a good look at metal classic, Rock n' Roll Nightmare. If you haven't seen this one you're missing out on some prime 80s cheese!
http://rocknrollhorror.blogspot.com/2012/02/rock-n-roll-nightmare-review.html

Pardon my rant.

You know the saying, no good deed goes unpunished. Yeah, there's definitely a lot of truth to that statement.

 The 10th annual Rondo Awards were just announced this week, and voting is now underway. The Rondo Awards were started in 2002 by David Colton. It was an extension of the Classic Horror Film Board, a message board that originally started as a chat group among peers on AOL, then moved to the message board site. David started the awards as a way to congratulate and honor the folks who have had outstanding achievements in the field of horror - writers, artists, filmmakers and more recently, horror hosts are all on the ballot. It is a really neat award and has really helped spotlight and bring attention to some worthy projects and creators.


But, alas, along with anything of this type you are going to have detractors, and that's true of the Rondos. I've heard complaints for years, mostly from people who haven't won or weren't nominated. I chalked those up to sour grapes. In some cases there was a legitimate oversight on the part of David and steps were made to correct it in future ballots.

David runs this award by himself for the most part, and there's no way any one person could possibly keep up with every worthy nominee in every category. It is just impossible. So he relies on nominations.  It is well advertised that in order to get something on the ballot, a nomination needs to be made on the Classic Horror Film Board sometime in the preceding year. That gives folks an entire year to nominate or have someone else nominate their work. But still they don't and then complain they're not on the ballot.

Lately I've even heard griping from fellow hosts. They complain that the voting system makes this a popularity contest. Yet every one of them admits the three winners of "favorite" horror host - Svengoolie, Penny Dreadful (2-time winner), and Count Gore DeVol are all deserving winners. Oh, and I put the word "favorite" in quotation marks because that was changed to appease these same hosts. It's the only category that reads "favorite" rather than "best." Why? Because some hosts whined and didn't like the term best. Really? Doesn't seem to be a problem with "Best Writer," "Best artist" and so on. People need to grow a little thicker skin, that's ridiculous.

One horror host yesterday, I won't mention his name, said he is on the Rondo ballot but doesn't want to be, he is bigger that that and doesn't need it. He said don't vote for him, contests are for losers. But this same host was the very one complaining a few years back when he wasn't on the ballot and complaining about his show not getting the respect it deserves. He also won a Telly award - which means he forked out about $250 dollars to enter and get an award and statue. Kinda pricey for something that is for losers.

Multiple awards have sprung up in the past decade as a response to the Rondos, and just today I read about one that really made me say WTF!? The Horror Host Award - "The first ever award for hosts by hosts." The way it works is they're judging individual shows, not the hosts themselves, and the people who pick the winners are - get this - the nominees themselves. Really? So you're giving yourself an award?

That is lame.

The host I mentioned before said he'd be down for a contest between hosts in a heartbeat. Let me show my show is better than the rest. OK, let me be very clear here:

HORROR HOSTING IS NOT A CONTEST.

It is about creating the best, most entertaining and informative show possible. About building a fan base and connecting with them. About making a fun show that can teach a generation of kids what classic horror is all about, to build an appreciation of b-movies and all things schlocky rather than simply dismissing them as crap. Bottom line - I compete with myself every week - compete to get my show done on time despite working 40 hours a week, managing family crises, and all the other things that come up daily. Life gets in the way and sometimes it can be tough, but you know what? It's fun, so I continue. That's my competition. And if someone wants to reward me for my hard work, to say hey - you do a great job and here's a statue to say congrats, then that is terrific.

So for all the Rondos have done to spotlight all the talented artists, writers, filmmakers and yes, horror hosts out there, let me be the first to say thank you. It is a very nice gesture and David puts in countless hours - why? To reward folks in the genre and spotlight their work. And to all the detractors who want to complain about something done with the best intentions - go enter one of the countless sour grapes awards.

1951 Down Place

You know what the best part of the Rondo Awards is? The very best part? Ok, the BEST part is the kickass statues given to the winners - but the next best part is looking over the ballot and finding a link to something cool you never knew existed. That's exactly what happened when I started going through the podcasts nominated on this year's ballot. 1951 Down Place is a new podcast dedicated to Hammer Horror films. There are three hosts -  Derek Koch aka Brother D, Casey Criswell, and Scott Morris, and they discuss various Hammer films each episode in an informative, entertaining and well produced podcast that I really enjoyed. And to top it off imagine my surprise when, in episode 2, I heard my own name invoked! Extra points for referencing Doc G!

Defintiely check this podcast out, as well as all the nominees on this year's Rondo Awards. It is a fantastic reference place to find out about some cool stuff you never knew existed.

And they give away some kick ass statues, too!

Scary Monsters Yearbook on Noosestands soon

Keep your eyeballs peeled for the new Scary Monsters Magazine, SCARY MONSTER MEMORIES Yearbook 2012. This time around I have an interview with artist Eric Pigors. It's at the printer as I type this, so should be out soon!!

Morgus the Magnificent for the Hall of Fame

I ran this post last year and wanted to re-post it now that the Rondo Award voting season is here!!So without further adieu...

Last year there were sadly no horror hosts inducted into the hall of fame, and I'd love to see that rectified this year.




I once again nominate Dr. Morgus aka Morgus the Magnificent.

Dr. Morgus began airing January 3, 1959, in New Orleans. Played by actor Sid Noel he is the classic mad scientist archetype. Along with his faithful sidekick Chopsley, Morgus introduced movies until the 1980s. In 2006 he came back on the air with a new batch of shows.

That is an incredible 50 year span as a horror host dating to present.  Morgus syndicated into Detroit in the 1960s, first with a 5 minute weather spot/skit at 5:55 together with a robot sidekick named 'Armsby' (the forecast was projected on Armsby's front panel/chest), then later with MORGUS PRESENTS hosting movies. It also ran on WPIX in New York at one point, as well as a few other cities, I believe.

Week of Nov. 21-29 he appeared in TV Guide nationally...(thanks to David Sechrest for posting them here in the CHFB originally (click to enlarge and read)

Morgus made a feature length movie in 1962 called THE WACKY WORLD OF DR. MORGUS.
It featured the Instant People Machine, which turned people into sand and then back again - a plot device that would be lifted in 1966 in a little film called BATMAN.



Dr. John even recorded a groovy Morgus theme song called MORGUS THE MAGNIFICENT

Right click here to download: Morgus The Magnificent

(not sure if that link will work, but you can find it here: http://www.horrorhostgraveyard.com/2008/10/morgus-magnificent.html at the Horror Host Graveyard)

Mardi Gras coin of Morgus

Actor Sid Noel is alive and well in New Orleans. I'd love to see him get this award while he is here to appreciate it.

Vote Morgus for the Hall of Fame. 

In the name of SCIENCE!

Vote for Morgus!

10th Annual Rondo Awards!!

The tenth annual Rondo Awards are up and running and I'm proud to say Dr. Gangrene has been nominated for three Rondo's - Best Horror Host, Best Fan Event, and Best website. Check out the full ballot below with instructions on voting. Excelsior!!

Here is the official ballot for the Can-You-Believe-It? TENTH Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, recognizing the best in monster research, creativity and film preservation.

   Since 2002 the Rondos have been fandom's only classic horror award. They are decided by fans, for fans. Every Rondo nominee below is being recognized for a significant achievement in the genre during the year of 2011. So take a look at the ballot and please 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 SUNDAY NIGHT at midnight, April 1, 2012.

-- Winners will be announced Tuesday night, April 2, 2012 at rondoaward.com and here at the Classic Horror Film Board.

Send your votes to taraco@aol.com.

-- 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.

-- THE TENTH ANNUAL RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR NOMINEES --
This year's awards are dedicated to the memories of Les Daniels,
 Richard Gordon  and the vivacious Yvette Vickers

1. BEST MOVIE OF 2011

-- ATTACK THE BLOCK
-- BATTLE: L.A.
-- CONTAGION
-- DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
-- FINAL DESTINATION 5
-- FRIGHT NIGHT
-- HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (PART TWO)
-- HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN
-- INSIDIOUS

-- PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3
-- RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
-- THE RITE
-- THE SKIN I LIVE IN
-- STAKE LAND
-- SUPER 8

-- THE THING
-- TROLL HUNTER
-- TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN (Part 1)
-- X-MEN FIRST CLASS
-- Or write in another choice:

2. BEST TV PRESENTATION OF 2011

-- AMERICAN HORROR STORY, 'Halloween,' FX, 11.2.11 The holiday seems almost cheerful compared to the ghosts from the past invading Murder House.  'What are you, the Dead Breakfast Club?'

-- DOCTOR WHO, 'The Doctor's Wife,' BBC, 5.14.11.  The Tardis takes center stage at the edge of the universe in this episode written by Nail Gaiman. 'Oh, it's the warning lights. I got rid of those. They never stop.'
i
-- FRINGE, 'The Day We Died,' Fox, 5.6.11. In the year 2026, two worlds hang in the balance in a hunt for End of Days terrroists. 'When their world was destroyed, that was the day we sealed our fate.'

-- GRIMM, 'The Three Bad Wolves,' NBC, 12.9.11. Twists on the fairy tale include murder and Dan Roebuck as an arson investigator.  'Little pig, little pig, let me come in.'

-- HAVEN, 'Audrey Parker's Day Off,' SyFy, 8.19.11. A troubled Audrey gets caught in a time loop, unable to prevent a car from repeatedly killing her friends. 'You're stuck in my second-favorite Bill Murray movie.'

-- PSYCHE, 'This Episode Sucks,' USA, 10.26.11. Cameos from Kristy Swanson (Buffy), Corey Feldman (Lost Boys), and vampire homages abound in this Halloween send-up. 'Sookie is mine!'

-- SUPERNATURAL, 'My Heart Will Go On,'  CW, 4.15.11.  The Titanic has been saved from sinking so Fate begins removing people from the present. 'If these people are the Waltons, then why are they dying?'

-- TERRA NOVA, 'Instinct,' Fox, 10.3.11.  Swarms of Pterosaurs begin to stake a claim on the camp.  'What we've seen here today is just the first wave. There's a lot more coming.'

-- WALKING DEAD, 'Save the Last One,' AMC, 10.30.11.  Shane makes a shocking choice while getting medical supplies.  ' Look at him. Hanging up there like a big piñata. The other geeks came and ate all the flesh off his legs.'

-- Or write in another choice:

3. BEST CLASSIC DVD

-- BLACK MOON (Fay Wray, 1934)
-- THE BLACK SLEEP (DVD-R)
-- BURN WITCH BURN (DVD-R)
-- COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK (Olive)
-- DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
-- EMBODIMENT OF EVIL (Coffin Joe)
-- HORROR EXPRESS
-- HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS (Price, Lee, Cushing, Carradine)

-- ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (Criterion Blu-Ray)
-- KONGO (DVD-R)
-- KURONEKO (1968 samurai ghost story)
-- MASTER OF THE WORLD (MGM, 1961)
-- METROPOLIS (Moroder version)

-- MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (Twilight Time limited edition Blu-Ray)
-- PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Image)
-- QUATERMASS XPERIMENT
-- QUEEN OF BLOOD
-- Or write in another choice:

4. BEST DVD COLLECTION

-- GAMERA DOUBLE FEATURE: vs. Zigra and vs. the Super Monster (Shout!)
-- JURASSIC PARK: Ultimate Trilogy
-- ROGER CORMAN SCI-FI CLASSICS: Attack of the Crab Monsters, War of the Satellites, Not of This Earth
-- VAMPIRES, MUMMIES AND MONSTERS COLLECTION: Lady Frankenstein, Time Walker, Velvet Vampire and Grotesque
-- SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE ARCHIVE COLLECTION VOL. 2 (18 rarities from 1912 to 1955
-- STAR WARS BLU-RAY: THE COMPLETE SAGA (all six films)
-- TWILIGHT ZONE: Blu-Ray Bundle: Season One-Five. Includes all the commentaries and features.
-- Or write in another choice:

5. BEST RESTORATION

-- HORROR EXPRESS (MPI). Restored from print found in Mongolia.
-- ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (Criterion). Best elements combined, image cleaned, bits of dialogue restored.
-- LADY FRANKENSTEIN (Shout!) International cut is included.
-- LORNA THE EXORCIST (Mondo Macabro reassembles Jess Franco film from several sources)
-- MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (Twilight Time Blu-Ray): New 1:66 transfer.
-- TWILIGHT ZONE Seasons 3-5 (Blu-Ray): Episodes shine in high-definition.
-- Or write in another choice:

6. BEST COMMENTARY

-- ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, by Tom Weaver, Michael and John Brunas.
-- CHILDREN OF THE CORN, by director Fritz Kiersch, actors John Franklin, Courtney Gains
-- EVIL DEAD (Blu-Ray), by Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Bruce Campbell
-- ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, by Gregory William Mank.
-- MIMIC, by Guillermo del Toro.
-- SPINE TINGLER: THE WILLIAM CASTLE STORY: William Castle interview used as commentary on documentary.
-- TWILIGHT ZONE: SEASON FOUR, 'The Printer's Devil,' by Bill Warren and Marc Scott Zicree.
-- TWLIGHT ZONE: SEASON FIVE: 'In Praise of Pip,' by Neil Gaiman and Marc Scott Zicree

-- Or write in another choice:

7. BEST DVD EXTRA

-- BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS: Space Opera on a Shoestring documentary.
-- CAT O' NINE TAILS (Arrow Blu-Ray): Dario's Murderous Moggy, a 10-minute interview with Dario Argento.
-- CHILDREN OF THE CORN: Harvesting Horror, 39-minute documentary.
-- A CHRISTMAS CAROL (VCI). Two documentaries by Daniel Griffith (Dead to Begin With and Brian Hurst) VIDEO LINK
-- HALLOWEEN II, Full Terror in the Aisles documentary included.
-- HORROR EXPRESS. Audio interview with Peter Cushing.

-- KURONEKO, Critic Tadeo Sato on how Japanese ghost stories grew more violent (17 minutes)
-- MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Vol. XXII: Trail of the Creeper: Making the Brute Man, featurette by Daniel Griffith.
-- ROGER CORMAN SCI-FI CLASSICS: A Salute to Roger Corman testimonials from Peter Fonda, Peter Bogdanovitch, Joe Dante and others.
-- Or write in another choice:

8. BEST INDEPENDENT FILM (Click on video link to see clip or trailer)

-- ATTACK OF THE MOON ZOMBIES, directed by Christopher Mihm. Retro 50s spoof. VIDEO LINK
-- ATTACK OF THE OCTOPUS PEOPLE, directed by Joshua Kennedy. Young director's tribute to all things sci-fi, now an Alpha DVD. VIDEO LINK
-- BITE MARKS, directed by Mark Bessenger. A truck carrying coffins picks up hitchhikers, and that's just the start of this vampire horror-romp. VIDEO LINK
-- THE BOOK: They Came from Inner Space, directed by Richard Weiss. A mysterious book is focus of a stylish alien takeover in the 24th century.  VIDEO LINK
-- A CADAVER CHRISTMAS, directed by Joe Zerull. A janitor gets a bloody holiday revenge. VIDEO LINK

-- CHILLERAMA, directed by Adam Rifkin, Tim Sullivan, Adam Green and Joe Lunch. A very meaty sendup of midnight movies. VIDEO LINK
-- DIVINE: THE SERIES, by Maplewood Productions. Web series finds a priest confronting evil being called Divine. VIDEO LINK 
-- ERIK: PORTRAIT OF A LIVING CORPSE, directed by Ryan Bijan. The Phantom's story through Erik's eyes, adapted from Gaston Leroux' novel. VIDEO LINK

-- MIL MASCARAS VS. THE AZTEC MUMMY, directed by Andrew Quint. Cult lucha libre film finally makes it to DVD. VIDEO LINK
-- THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS, directed by Sean Branney.  Adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's evocation of alien horror. VIDEO LINK
-- YOU'RE NEXT, directed by Adam Wingard. Creepy home invasion thriller. Don't look in the window. VIDEO LINK
-- Or write in another choice:

9. BEST SHORT FILM (Click on video link to see clip or trailer)
-- ATTACK OF THE CREATURE: A 50s Monster Movie, directed by Dylan Druktenis. A giant turtle, skateboards and cool special effects. VIDEO LINK
-- BLINKYTM, directed by Ruairi Robinson. Formerly Bad Robot, all about a boy, a robot and a dysfunctional family. VIDEO LINK
-- CHARLIE CHAN IN TRANSYLVANIA, directed by Brian Nichols. The Nichols
family takes on the detective in their latest Monster Bash video. LINK
-- G-FANTIS: WORLDS COLLIDE, directed by Billy (Rockstarbd82). Preview of fan project Godzilla Battle Royale is amazingly Toho. VIDEO LINK

-- THE GIANT RUBBER MONSTER MOVIE, directed by Thomas Berdinski. Horror host cameos enliven this send-up of 70s kaiju. VIDEO LINK
-- MICROCINEMA, directed by Skip Shea. Fantasy turns deadly in this mature reverie of a stalker. VIDEO LINK
-- LA NINA, directed by Moises Servin. From Mexico, Richard Sheffield produces the tale of a mysterious child.    VIDEO LINK
-- WHISPER, directed by Bryan Wolford. A new dorm room is fine, except for the whispering from the closet. VIDEO LINK
-- YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT THIS AD IS ABOUT, directed by Andreas Roth.  German commercial will surprise you. VIDEO LINK .

10. BEST DOCUMENTARY  (full length; click on video link to see clip or trailer)

-- THE BEST OF TRAILERS FROM HELL, VOL. 2, commentaries by Joe Dante. John Landis, Eli Roth, others. VIDEO LINK
-- HI THERE, HORROR MOVIE FANS: The Bowman Body, A Documentary,
directed by Sean Kotz and Christopher Valluzzo. A look back at
Virginia's legendary horror host, Bill Bowman. VIDEO LINK
-- MIDNIGHT MADNESS: The History of Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Films, from Midnight Marquee. Two-disc set includes dozens of vintage interviews with top genre stars. VIDEO LINK
-- SCREAMING IN HIGH HEELS: The Rise and Fall of the Scream Queen Era,
directed by Jason Paul Collum. Told through the careers of Linnea
Quigley, Brinke Stevens and Michelle Bauer. VIDEO LINK


11.  BOOK OF THE YEAR

-- AMERICAN SCARY: Conversations with the Kings, Queens and Jesters of Late-Night Horror TV, by Michael Monahan. (Midnight Marquee, softcover, 242 pages, $25). Interviews and rare photos with 23 well-remembered horror hosts.
-- BORIS KARLOFF: MORE THAN A MONSTER: The Authorised Biography, by Stephen Jacobs (Tomahawk Press, hardcover, 568 pages, $50). Karloff's life from Canadian theater companies to his many creatures, radio appearances and triumphs on Broadway and television.
-- CASE FILES OF ORIENTAL SLEUTHS: Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto and Mr. Wong,
by David Rothel (Bear Manor Media, softcover, 326 pages, $24.95).
Detailed look at all the films, plus radio and even the short-lived Chan
TV series.
-- CREATURES OF THE NIGHT THAT WE LOVED SO WELL, TV Horror Hosts of Southern California, by James M. Fetters. (Perfect Paperback, softcover, 365 pages, $24.95). Armed with a tape recorder in the 1960s, the result goes to the roots of horror hosts.
-- DARK STARS RISING: Conversations from the Outer Realms, by Shade Rupe (Worldhead Press, softcover, 568 pages, $27.95). 27 interviews with the outre set, including Brother Theodore, Chas. Balun and Tura Santana.

-- FORGOTTEN HORRORS VOL. 5: The Atom Age, by Michael H. Price, John Wooley, Jan Alan Henderson (CreateSpace, softcover, 328 pages, $30). Sci-fi and Red Scare obscurities abound in this latest volume of the series.
-- HAMMER FILMS, THE UNSUNG HEROES: The Team Behind the Legend, by Wayne Kinsey (Tomahawk, softcover, 500 pages, $49.95). In their own words, the workers themselves, carpenters and secretaries, tell the story of horror's most colorful studio.
-- THE HAMMER VAULT, by Marcus Hearn. (Titan Books, hardcover, 176 pages, $34.95). From the studio archives, documents, stills and memorabilia in a handsome package.

-- HORROR FILM FESTIVALS AND AWARDS, by Thomas P. Sipos (McFarland, softcover, 318 pages, $40). Advice for filmmakers, and listings of scores of independent film festivals, award programs and winners (Rondos, too!)
-- THE HORROR HITS OF RICHARD GORDON, by Tom Weaver (Bear Manor Media, softcover, 236 pages, $24.95). Wisdom from the late director about his career and Hollywood, as told to his friend.
-- HORROR NOIR: Where Cinema's Dark Sisters Meet, by Paul Meehan (McFarland, softcover, 310 pages, $39.95). How horror and gritty mysteries meet, from the 1930s and 1940s to today.
-- MAIL-ORDER MYSTERIES: Real Stuff from Old Comic Book Ads! by Kirk Demarais. (Insight, hardcover, 156 pages, $19.95). The shocking truth about what you really got if you ordered those X-Ray Glasses or Six-Foot Monsters.

-- MONSTERS IN AMERICA: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting, by W. Scott Poole (Baylor University Press, hardcover, 290 pages, $29.95). A cultural history of monsters and why they touch such deep chords in the American psyche.
-- MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES: 100 Years of Cinematic Nightmares, by John Landis (DK, hardcover, 320 pages, $40). Large-format overview of the genre, told through hundreds of glossy photos and posters.
-- NIGHTMARE MOVIES, Horror on Screen Since the 1960s, by Kim Newman. (Bloomsbury, softcover, 633 pages, $45). Updated edition of his 1987 classic; covers films through 2011.

-- SCI-FI SAVANT, by Glenn Erickson (Point Blank Press, softcover, 312 pages, $19.95). Still-timely reviews of 116 science fiction films from his DVD Savant column.
-- SIXTIES SHOCKERS: A Critical Filmography of Horror Cinema, 1960-1969, by Mark Clark and Bryan Senn (McFarland, hardcover, 541 page, $59.95). Tracing the decade when horror found blood was red, awakened zombies and entered the modern age.
-- WAR EAGLES: The Unmaking of an
Epic by Dave Conover and Philip J. Riley (Bear Manor, softcover, 292 pages, $24.95).

An in-depth look at the Willis O'Brien film that could have been.
-- Or write in another choice:

12. BEST MAGAZINE OF 2011

-- Cinema Retro
-- Famous Monsters of Filmland
-- Fangoria
-- Filmfax
-- Freaky Monsters
-- G-Fan
-- Girls and Corpses
-- Horror Hound

-- Little Shoppe of Horrors
-- Mad Monster
-- Mad Scientist
-- Midnight Marquee
-- Monster Bash
-- Monsterpalooza
-- Monsters from the Vault

-- Paracinema
-- Phantom of the Movies Videoscope
-- Rue Morgue
-- Scarlet
-- Scary Monsters
-- Screem

-- Shadowland
-- Shock
-- Undying Monsters
-- Van Helsing's Journal
-- Video Watchdog
-- Or write in another choice:

13. BEST ARTICLE (Please choose two selections; one will win)

-- 'The Curious Undead Life of Tod Browning's Dracula (1931): A Classic of the Horror Films,' by Gary Don Rhodes, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #29.  From camera movements to cardboard on the lamp, a renewed appreciation of the film that started the horror cycle.

-- 'The Damning of the Tarantula,' by John H. Myers, FILMFAX #128. Spider by giant spider, a creepy look at the eight-legged beasts of sci-fi history.

-- 'Dare You See It? James Whale's Frankenstein,' by Pierre Fournier. MONSTERPALOOZA #1. Using vintage newspaper stories, ads and ballyhoo, what the public was told about the filming of Frankenstein in 1931.

-- 'Dracula's Guest Revisited,' by Bob Statzer, SCARY MONSTERS #77. Finding the truth about the Bram Stoker story said to inspire so many adaptations.

-- 'Godzilla Goes Green: Godzilla vs. Hedorah,' by Martin Arlt, MAD SCIENTIST #24. From Rachel Carson to a 300-pound smog monster suit, behind the scenes of Toho's ecological warning.

-- 'The Golden Age of TV Terror,' by Kier-La Janisse, RUE MORGUE #117. A look at made-for-TV rarities and 'haunted' episodes from shows like Andy Griffith, Laverne & Shirley and Punky Brewster.

-- 'The Green Slime Are Coming! The Green Slime Are Here!' by Bill Cooke, VIDEO WATCHDOG #162. An 'old school' Watchdog comparison of the film's U.S. and Japanese versions.

-- 'A History of Horror Films Portmaneau,' by Steven West, MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #78. Tracing the growth of horror anthology films, from the silent era to today.

-- 'Invasion: A History of Body Snatchers,' by Aaron Christensen, HORROR HOUND #31. From Jack Finney's novel to Nicole Kidman's takeover, they're here!

-- 'Japanese Fantasy Cinema: Reflections of Reality,' by Fabian Mauro. G-FAN #95-96. How Japanese fear and fantasy combined to create works of lasting impact.

-- 'Karloff and the Creation of the Screen Actor's Guild,' by Mark Redfield, MONSTERPALOOZA #1. How the shy British actor became one of the founding members of one of Hollywood's earliest unions.

-- 'King Kong and the City: A Unique Thanksgiving Tradition,' by James H. Burns, THE THUNDER CHILD webzine. Remembering when the 8th Wonder of the World took over New York's Channel 9 for years.

-- 'Lovecraft's Paleontological Time Travels,' by Allen A. Debus, MAD SCIENTIST #24.  How Lovecraft's mythos translated to lost worlds and beasts of the pulps and beyond.

-- 'The Mad Genius: A Retrospective,' by Greg Mank, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #28. A look at the Svengali-like era of John Barrymore's early sound career.

-- 'The Making of Hands of the Ripper,' by Bruce G. Hallenbeck. LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #26. How the shocking tale made it to theaters mostly intact.

-- 'The Marvelous Movie Menagerie of Marcel Delgado,' by Debbie Painter, MOVIE COLLECTOR'S WORLD #755. The influence of the master designer on Kong and other island beasts.

-- 'Music by James Bernard: Themes For a Tapestry of Terror,' by Steve Vertlieb, FILM MUSIC REVIEW, Fall 2011. Scoring the master of suspense and thrills.



-- 'Prophet of Horror: H.P. Lovecraft,' by Charles A. Coulombe. FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #255. A popular overview of the author's career and lasting influence.

-- 'Sarah's Song: Remembering Sharon Tate,' by Terry Pace, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #27. The career of the doomed actress, in her own words and those who knew her.

-- 'Save the Earth: Ecological Messages in Toho's Giant Monster Movies,' by Mark Justice, G-FAN #94-95. The green side of kaiju, film by film.

-- 'Scouting the Singularity,' by Thomas A. Foster, VIDEO WATCHDOG #165.  How dreams of a tech leap forward for mankind has been supplanted by films of apocalyptic hysteria.

-- 'Sex, Food, Death and Religion: Jean Rollin's Archaic Modernity,' by Bryan L. Yeatter, SCREEM #22. An argument that the famed French filmmaker pushed the limits in vampire films, but then lost his way.

-- 'Sullivan's Travels,' by William J. Wright, VIDEOSCOPE #79. Revealing the "unsung hero" of The Evil Dead, special effects technician Tom Sullivan.

-- 'What If -- Alternative Castings in Classic Horror Films, by Steven Thornton, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #29. Some not-so-far-fetched roles: Chaney as Dracula, Karloff as the Invisible Man, Lorre as the Son of Frankenstein, and more.

-- 'When Dracula Haunted New York,' by Mirek Lipinski, FREAKY MONSTERS #2-4. Three-part article looks at Lugosi's days in New York City.

-- Or write in another choice:

(Please vote for TWO of the articles above; one will win)

14. BEST INTERVIEW (Award goes to the interviewer)

-- Jane Asher: "On Masque of Red Death," by Rod Webber, DIABOLIQUE #6. Conducted by Skype in conjunction with ReelZine, actress talks about working with Corman and Price.

-- Tanya Constantine: 'My Father, Eddie Constantine,' by Tim Lucas, VIDEO WATCHDOG #163. A daughter reveals the man behind Lemmy Caution in this wide-ranging talk.

-- Warwick Davis: "From Leprechaun to Harry Potter,' by Calum Waddell, VIDEOSCOPE #77. The little person who began his very large career as an Ewok and never looked back.

-- Mimsy Farmer: 'The Mimsy Farmer Experience,' by Mark F. Berry. VIDEO WATCHDOG #162. Extensive talk with star of dragstrip films, Four Flies on Grey Velvet and more.

-- Haruo Nakajima: 'The Original Godzilla,' by August Ragone. FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #256. The man who played Godzilla, Rodan, Gargantua and many others recalls the hot suit, the staged battles and the work ethic.

-- June Lockhart:  'On She-Wolf of London,' by Tom Weaver, VIDEO WATCHDOG #160. Actress looks back on one of her earliest roles with laughter and some chagrin.

-- Roman Polanski: 'Dancing with the Master,' by Constantine Nasr, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #27. A rare transatlantic talk with the director of The Fearless Vampire Killers.

-- Peter Sasdy: 'A Taste for Vampires,' by Ashley Thorpe, FANGORIA #308-309.  A conversation with man who directed Dracula and Ripper films for Hammer.

-- Barbara Steele: "The Gothic Queen of Italy," DIABOLIQUE #5, by Paulo Zelati. The sometimes aloof icon's discusses her return to Italian horror.

-- Akira Takarada: 'Truly Amazing!', by Fabian Mauro, G-FAN #95. A star of the original Godzilla, and later Godzilla: Final Wars, talks about his six decades of fame.

-- Marie Wallace: 'On Stage and In Shadows,' by Rod Labbe. SCARY MONSTERS #77.  Encounters in the past and now with Dark Shadows co-star.

-- John Waters: 'His Master's Maniacs,' by Rusty Nails, RUE MORGUE #111. The cult movie pregenitor talks about the films that inspired him, his book and, of course, Divine.

-- Or write in another choice:

15. BEST MAGAZINE FILMBOOK, THEME OR SPECIAL CONTENT

   -- BRIDES OF DRACULA Filmbook, Undying Monsters #3. An old-fashioned look at the second Hammer vampire film,

   -- DUEL OF THE REMAKES, Horror Hound #32. Includes an 8-page 'Remake Report Card' rating 27 do-overs, from classics like Cat People and The Blob to Texas Chainsaw and The Crazies.

   -- THE FANGORIA 300, Fangoria #300. 'The Ultimate Horror Guide' includes expert commentaries on 300 films that matter.

   -- FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS. Little Shoppe of Horrors #27. Nine meticulous articles devoted to the making of the Roman Polanski classic.

      -- MONSTER KIDS, Famous Monsters of Filmland #257.  From Spielberg and Landis to Rick Baker and John Carpenter, profiles of more than a dozen 'Monster Kids' who made it big in Hollywood.

   -- THAT OLD HOUSE ON THE HILL, Mad Monster #1. The Psycho mansion ready to cut out and assemble from cutouts on thick glossy paper.

   -- 25 YEARS OF THE FLY, Rue Morgue #116. An anniversary examination of all the 'Help me!' films, then and now.

   -- Or write in another selection.

15. BEST MAGAZINE COVER OF 2011

DIABOLIQUE #7 by TK	FAMOUS MONSTERS #258 by Bob Lizarraga
FAMOUS MONSTERS #254 By Jason Edmiston	FILMFAX #126 By Greg Hildebrandt
FREAKY MONSTERS By Arliss	HORROR HOUND #31 By Daniel Horne
LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #27 By Mark Maddox	MAD SCIENTIST #23By Mark Maddox
MONSTER BASH #12 by Lorraine Bush	MONSTERPALOOZA #1 By Jeff Preston
MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #29 By Daniel Horne	MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #29 By Daniel Horne
RUE MORGUE #111 by Mitch O'Connell	SCARY MONSTERS #79 By Terry Beatty
SCREEM #22 By Bill Chancellor	SHADOWLAND #1 By Dwayne Pinkney
UNDYING MONSTERS #1 By Mark Maddox	VIDEO WATCHDOG #163 By Charlie Largent

16. BEST WEBSITE OF 2011
(The Classic Horror Film Board, sponsor of the Rondos, is not eligible)

-- Chiller Cinema Home of Dr. Gangrene's Web Lab.
-- Classic-horror.com Dedicated to the history of classic horror.
-- Count Gore de Vol's Creature Features Films, interviews and horror host news updated weekly.
-- Creepy Classics Home of Monster Bash, and classic and rare monster releases.
-- Dread Central Latest news, insider info from the horror industry.
-- Eccentric-cinema One of the earliest of the cult sites.

-- Famous Monsters of Filmland Version 3.0 of the first monster magazine.

-- Horrorhost Graveyard Clips, show listings and more.

-- Latarnia: Fantastique International All things Euro; an outspoken Forum, too.

-- Masters of Horror Classic news and updates from a true horrorhead.


-- Mondo Cult Online The world of genre and music, plus a message board.

-- Monsterz  Mark Thompsen's amazing collection of colorized monster stills.



-- Planet Fury Furious film news with discussions you won't find elsewhere.

-- Serial Squadron Their work never leaves us hanging.


-- The Terror Trap Horror movies from 1925-1987.

-- Thethunderchild.com Interviews, analysis of sci-fi and horror.
-- Trailers from Hell Joe Dante and top talents offer commentaries on vintage trailers.
-- Universal Monster Army The friendly and knowlegeable headquarters of monster toy talk.

-- Universal Steve The largest Universal archive outside of Hollywood.

-- The Vincent Price Exhibit  A lifetime documented, from Usher to cookbooks and Price's lost loves.

-- Witch's Dungeon Multimedia home for Hollywood monsters, history and preservation


-- Or write in another choice:

17. BEST BLOG OF 2011

-- Cinema Suicide A celebration of cheap thrills
-- Cinema Dave A journal of horror films/

-- Classic Movie Monsters  Photos, art and covers from the past.


-- Cyberschizoid Latest monster magazines and cult updates.

-- Die, Danger, Die, Die, Kill!  The wide world of pop culture underground.

-- 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.

-- First Person Monster Blog  Shannon Shea takes a personal approach to movies, models and monsters.


-- Four-Color Shadows  Horror, thrills, mystery from comic pages of the past.

-- 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 very 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.


-- Kindertrauma Your childhood ends (or starts), here.

-- Monster Magazine World A digital home for monster magazines past, present and hopefully future.

-- Monstermoviemusic The soundtracks of our horror lives.


-- Radiation-Scarred Reviews Bill Adcock takes on the mutants of film, no matter the era.


-- Sherlock Holmes News Charles Prepolec's grand arcanum of news, reviews and 'unsavory opinions.'

-- Shloggs Horror Blog Modern horror talk, with a classic sensibility.

-- Shock, Son of Shock Viewing Project  Every film in the TV package considered anew.


-- Terror from Beyond the Daves An essential, home of the weekend horror host report.

-- TheoFantastique  A high and furrowed brow ponders monsters, myths, theology and comics.


-- To the Batpoles! Holy completists! Peter Enfantino and John Coleri review every Bat-episode.

-- Unimonster's Crypt An original observer of monstrous media.


-- Video Watchblog Scaled back, but Tim Lucas' musings are still worth the wait.

-- Zombos Closet All manners of horrors fall out.
-- Or write in another choice:

18. BEST CONVENTION OF 2011

-- Blob Fest (Phoenixville, Pa.)
-- Chiller (Parsippany)
-- Cinema Wasteland (Cleveland)

-- Days of the Dead (Indianapolis)
-- Dragon Con (Atlanta)
-- Famous Monsters (Indianapolis)

-- G-Fest (Chicago)
-- Horror-Find (Baltimore)
-- Horror Hound weekend (Indianapolis)

-- Horror Realm (Pittsburgh)

-- Monster Bash (Butler, Pa.)
-- Monster Fest (Chesapeake, Va.)
-- Monster-Mania (Cherry Hill, N.J.)
-- Monsterpalooza (Burbank)
-- Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear (Toronto)

-- Scare Fest (Tennessee)
-- Spooky Empire (Orlando)
-- Texas Frightmare (Dallas)
-- Wonderfest (Louisville)

-- Or write in another choice:

19. BEST FAN EVENT OF 2011

-- Blob panic re-enactment. Held at actual theater in Phoenixville, Pa., where movie was filmed (Blobfest)

-- Classic Horror Campaign. British fans enlist horror celebrities in campaign to get for more classic horror movies on BBC.

-- Dracula's Guest at the Bash. The Hammer gals -- Veronica Carlson, Caroline Munro and Yvonne Monlaur -- perform with Zach Zito at Monster Bash,

-- Famous Monsters Imagi-Movies Film Festival.  Independent films, guest panels tributes to Lugosi, Price.

-- 80th Anniversary Tribute to Dracula and Frankenstein. Scott Essman and L.A.- based fans mount special presentations at Pomona Fox Theater, which also opened in 1931.

-- G-Tour 2011. G-Fan editor J.D. Lees, Mad Scientist editor Martin Arlt and others retrace Godzilla's steps on a tour of Japan that includes holding the original  oxygen destroyer at Toho Studios.

-- It's Bob, by iPad! Giant robot with the video face of Bob Burns, live from Burbank on an iPad on its chest, shows up at Dr. Gangrene show at WonderFest.

-- Scares That Care Horror events, videos, Facebook pages, Kane Hodder team up to scare up money for childhood diseases.

-- Super 8 Film Festival. Condensed versions of Price's Poe films, trailers and The Mad Magician in 3-D. Horror Hound weekend, Indianapolis.

-- They Called Him Godzilla. Hauro Nakajima talks about wearing the Godzilla suit. Monsterpalooza in Burbank.

-- Twilight Zone Carousel restored. Cortlandt Hull paints murals from famous episodes on Rod Serling's childhood carousel in Binghamton, N.Y.

-- Vincentennial: Celebration in St. Louis of Vincent Price's 100th birthday included appearances by Roger Corman, Victoria Price, museum exhibits and art shows.

-- Women in Horror Month. Websites and events in February again honor women in all aspects of horror. Begun by Hannah Neurotica of Ax Wound magazine.

-- Or write in another choice:

20. FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2011

(Active hosts only; if your favorite is missing -- there are far too many to list here -- please write them in)

-- A. GHASTLEE GHOUL (Ohio)
-- THE BONE JANGLER (Illinois)
-- KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, Washington, DC)

-- BROTHER JACK ANGRY (Omaha)
-- COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feaures)
-- DR. GANGRENE (Nashville)
-- Dr. MADBLOOD (Virginia Beach)
-- DR. SARCOFIGY (Spooky Movies)

-- ELVIRA
-- GHOUL A GO-GO (NYC)

-- LATE DR. LADY
-- MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)
-- ORMON GRIMSBY (N.C.)
-- PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)
-- PROFESSOR EMCEE SQUARE IT'S ALIVE, Pittsburgh)
-- REMO D (California)
-- SON OF GHOUL (Ohio)
-- SVENGOOLIE (Chicago)
-- WOLFMAN MAC (Chiller Drive-In, Michigan)
-- ZOMBOO (House of Horrors, Reno)

-- Or write in another choice:

21. BEST HORROR COMIC

-- EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF MYSTERY (Graphic Classics). Includes Murders in the Rue Morgue.
-- FLESH AND BLOOD: BOOK ONE (Monsterverse).  The Hammer film that never was, by Robert Tinnell and Neil Vokes.

-- GODZILLA: KINGDOM OF MONSTERS (IDW). Eric Powell tells a human story amidst the monster rallies.

-- BOB HOWARD: Plumber of the Unknown by Rafael Nieves and Dan Dougherty. Ordinary jobs don't stop this monster hunter.
-- HELLBOY: THE FURY (Dark Horse). Can this really be the end? Mike Mignola surprises everyone.

-- MONSTERS AMONG US (monsters-among-us.com). Celebrating the four-color fun of monstrosities.

-- PLANET OF THE APES (Boom!) Daryl Gregory and Carlos Magno pick up the story from Battle.

-- THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE (Dark Horse). Jekyll is dead. Then who...? By Cole Haddon and M.S. Corley.

-- 30 DAYS ON NIGHT (IDW). Steve Niles and Sam Kieth revive the true world of vampires.
-- THE WALKING DEAD (Image) Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard go far beyond the TV series.

-- XOMBI (DC). John Rozum and Fraser Irving resurrect David Kim in this dark tale of snow angels and mummies..

-- Or write in another choice:

22. BEST HORROR MULTIMEDIA (AUDIO OR PODCAST)

-- BLOOD & STONE  The Wireless Theater Company's version of Countess Bathory.

-- BLOODY GOOD HORROR Reviews of the monstrous.
-- BLOODY PIT OF ROD Home of the Naschycasts.
-- B-MOVIE CAST Talk and horror history in this podcast.
-- CADAVER LAB HORROR PODCAST Full-length PD films streamed here.
-- CULT RADIO A GO-GO! Pioneer of horror talk and music stations.
-- DEADPIT RADIO Hillbilly horror from the hills of Kentucky.

-- DRIVE-IN OF THE DAMNED RADIO  Exploiting the airwaves since 2002.

-- EXPLOITED CINEMA Horror, cult and exploitation mark these podcasts.

-- HORROR ETC Offbeat is focus of this horror podcast.

-- HORROR RISES FROM SPAIN. Podcast documentaries and more.

-- MAIL ORDER ZOMBIE A podcast for the undead.

-- THE MONSTER CHANNEL  Streaming movies, formerly 100 Years of Monster Movies

-- MOVIE MELTDOWN Podcasts feature caffeinated geek talk.

-- 1951 DOWN PLACE  Hammer discussion and gothic podcasting.

-- PROFONDO CINEMA  From NOTLD to Snake Plissen, intellectually-speaking, of course.

-- PSYCHOBILLY GARDEN PARTY  Where horror has a subculture beat.

-- RUE MORGUE RADIO The final year of Tomb and the caustic gang.

-- SIX FOOT PLUS  A biweekly podcast that find a monstrous rhythm.

-- TIMES PAST OLD TIME RADIO ARCHIVES. Searchable and deep.

-- Or write in another choice:

23. BEST SOUNDTRACK OR HORROR CD

-- BLACK SUNDAY (Kritzerland). Les Baxter's score for the American version of Mario Bava film.

-- THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (November Fire). The group Hobgoblin adds a haunting mysticism to this tribute.  

-- HYMNS FROM THE HOUSE OF HORROR, VOLUME II (Rue Morgue). 20 scare bands in a downloadable compilation.

-- IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (Monstrous Movie Music). Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter.

-- MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE: Carnival Arcane. Music to haunt by.

-- MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD (Monstrous Movie Music). Complete score by Heinz Roemheld.

-- MUSICAL SHADOWS: Songs from the Dark Shadows, A Gothic Musical. Songs inspired by the soap opera from folk-rocker David Leinweber.

-- RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (cosmichobo.com) A 4-CD set of readings recorded in 1971.

-- TALES FROM THE EMANCIPATED HEAD. The Pine Box Boys (mp3 download). Raw meat rock.

-- WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE, Alice Cooper (Bigger Picture). Cooper returns to a dark throne of rock.

-- THE X-FILES: Volume One. (LaLa Land). Mark Snow's music from 40 episodes over nine seasons. 

-- X:THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES (LaLa Land). Les Baxter's score, includes 'Morella' from TALES OF TERROR.

-- Or write in another choice:

24. BEST TOY, MODEL OR COLLECTIBLE
Nominees developed with help from the Universal Monster Army! 

Barbara from Night of the Living Dead
by Emce

 

Bela Lugosi Broadway Dracula
by Moebius
(Sculpted by Adam Dougherty
and Jeff Yagher)


Bride of Frankenstein
by Diamond Select
Sculpted by TK


Godzilla Carlton Heirloom Ornament
with sound and light
Sculpted by Tom Tvrdik


The Munsters Action Figures
by Diamond Select
(Sculpted by Jean St. Jean)




 The She-Creature by Sputnik Supplies
(Sculpted by Jamie MacFarlane)



The Shock Monster mask
returns by Don Post Studios


Twilight Zone bank teller
Harry Beemis
by Bif Bang Pow!

WRITE-IN CATEGORIES

25. CLASSIC MOST IN NEED OF RESTORATION

Which classic horror film, either released or unreleased, do you think most deserves a restoration or video upgrade?      

26. WRITER OF THE YEAR (for 2011)

Who do you think did the best published (or online) work in 2011 to advance the state of classic horror research?          

27. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Pro)

Which professional artist (designer, illustrator, sculptor, modeler), did the best work in 2011?

          

28. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Fan)                                                
Which amateur or fan artist (designer, illustrator, sculptor, modeler), did the best work in 2011?        

29. DVD REVIEWER OF THE YEAR

Which reviewer in print or online did the best work in 2011?  

                                

30. 'MONSTER KID' OF THE YEAR

Help us choose this year's recipient:  Who deserves to be named 'Monster Kid of the Year' for efforts beyond the call of duty to build a better world of gods and monsters? Send us your suggestion.  

        

31. MONSTER KID HALL OF FAME

And finally, help us again: Who do you think should be this year's inductees into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame?

ALREADY INDUCTED ARE: Bob and Kathy Burns, Forrest J Ackerman and James Warren, Zacherley and Vampira, Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury, Alex and Richard Gordon, William K. Everson, Rick Baker, Basil Gogos, Roger Corman, Dick Klemensen, Gary and Sue Svehla, James Bama and Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, Paul and Jackie Blaisdell, Joe Dante, Don Glut, Jack Davis, German Robles and Frank Frazetta; Bernie Wrightson, Ben Chapman, Cortlandt Hull and Dennis Vincent, Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth, Archie Goodwin and Ghoulardi. Ken Kelly, Jim and Marian Clatterbaugh, Bob Wilkins, Calvin Beck, Paul Naschy, Lux Interior, Bob Lemon and Ray Meyers, Bill Warren, Dennis Druktenis, Sammy Terry, Eliot Brodsky and Frederick S. Clarke; Tim and Donna Lucas, William Stout, Ron Borst, George A. Romero, Tom Weaver and Verne
Langdon. Who should join them?

Tell us your suggestions. We'll pick six more.      

Whew! That's it!!!

(Please remember to include your name so the ballot will be counted)