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The Frankenscience monster
Biography - Tribute to Boris Karloff
- GenresBiography
191 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
17 people want to read
About the author
Forrest J. Ackerman
257 books33 followersForrest J Ackerman (born Forrest James Ackerman; November 24, 1916 – December 4, 2008) was an American collector of science fiction books and movie memorabilia and a science fiction fan. He was, for over seven decades, one of science fiction's staunchest spokesmen and promoters.
Ackerman was a Los Angeles, California-based magazine editor, science fiction writer and literary agent, a founder of science fiction fandom, a leading expert on science fiction and fantasy films, and possibly the world's most avid collector of genre books and movie memorabilia. He was the editor and principal writer of the American magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland, as well as an actor, from the 1950s into the 1980s, and appears in two documentaries related to this period in popular culture: writer and filmmaker Jason V. Brock's The Ackermonster Chronicles!, (a 2012 documentary about Ackerman) and Charles Beaumont: The Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man, about the late author Charles Beaumont, a former client of The Ackerman Agency.
Also called "Forry," "The Ackermonster," "4e" and "4SJ," Ackerman was central to the formation, organization, and spread of science fiction fandom, and a key figure in the wider cultural perception of science fiction as a literary, art and film genre. Famous for his word play and neologisms, he coined the genre nickname "sci-fi". In 1953, he was voted "#1 Fan Personality" by the members of the World Science Fiction Society, a unique Hugo Award never granted to anyone else.
He was also among the first and most outspoken advocates of Esperanto in the science fiction community.
Ackerman was born Forrest James Ackerman (though he would refer to himself from the early 1930s on as "Forrest J Ackerman" with no period after the middle initial), on November 24, 1916, in Los Angeles, to Carroll Cridland (née Wyman; 1883–1977) and William Schilling Ackerman (1892–1951). His father was from New York and his mother was from Ohio (the daughter of architect George Wyman); she was nine years older than William.[13] He attended the University of California at Berkeley for a year (1934–1935), worked as a movie projectionist, and spent three years in the U.S. Army after enlisting on August 15, 1942.
He was married to teacher and translator Wendayne (Wendy) Wahrman (1912–1990) until her death. Her original first name was Matilda; Forry created "Wendayne" for her. Wendayne suffered a serious head injury when she was violently mugged while on a trip to Europe in 1990, and the injury soon after led to her death.
Ackerman was fluent in the international language Esperanto, and claimed to have walked down Hollywood Boulevard arm-in-arm with Leo G. Carroll singing La Espero, the hymn of Esperanto.
Ackerman was an atheist.
More: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009969/
http://fancyclopedia.org/forrest-j-ac...
http://www.amazon.com/Forrest-J.-Acke...
http://content.time.com/time/magazine...
Ackerman was a Los Angeles, California-based magazine editor, science fiction writer and literary agent, a founder of science fiction fandom, a leading expert on science fiction and fantasy films, and possibly the world's most avid collector of genre books and movie memorabilia. He was the editor and principal writer of the American magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland, as well as an actor, from the 1950s into the 1980s, and appears in two documentaries related to this period in popular culture: writer and filmmaker Jason V. Brock's The Ackermonster Chronicles!, (a 2012 documentary about Ackerman) and Charles Beaumont: The Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man, about the late author Charles Beaumont, a former client of The Ackerman Agency.
Also called "Forry," "The Ackermonster," "4e" and "4SJ," Ackerman was central to the formation, organization, and spread of science fiction fandom, and a key figure in the wider cultural perception of science fiction as a literary, art and film genre. Famous for his word play and neologisms, he coined the genre nickname "sci-fi". In 1953, he was voted "#1 Fan Personality" by the members of the World Science Fiction Society, a unique Hugo Award never granted to anyone else.
He was also among the first and most outspoken advocates of Esperanto in the science fiction community.
Ackerman was born Forrest James Ackerman (though he would refer to himself from the early 1930s on as "Forrest J Ackerman" with no period after the middle initial), on November 24, 1916, in Los Angeles, to Carroll Cridland (née Wyman; 1883–1977) and William Schilling Ackerman (1892–1951). His father was from New York and his mother was from Ohio (the daughter of architect George Wyman); she was nine years older than William.[13] He attended the University of California at Berkeley for a year (1934–1935), worked as a movie projectionist, and spent three years in the U.S. Army after enlisting on August 15, 1942.
He was married to teacher and translator Wendayne (Wendy) Wahrman (1912–1990) until her death. Her original first name was Matilda; Forry created "Wendayne" for her. Wendayne suffered a serious head injury when she was violently mugged while on a trip to Europe in 1990, and the injury soon after led to her death.
Ackerman was fluent in the international language Esperanto, and claimed to have walked down Hollywood Boulevard arm-in-arm with Leo G. Carroll singing La Espero, the hymn of Esperanto.
Ackerman was an atheist.
More: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009969/
http://fancyclopedia.org/forrest-j-ac...
http://www.amazon.com/Forrest-J.-Acke...
http://content.time.com/time/magazine...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 9, 2022
This is a nice appreciation of and tribute to Boris Karloff (who was born William Henry Pratt in 1887), assembled by ultra-fan 4SJ AKAman shortly after his passing in 1969. It includes pieces by Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Christopher Lee, Elsa Lanchester, William Nolan, Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Fritz Lang, George Pal, and many others, though the majority of the prose is by Ackerman and/or reprinted from his seminal magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland. 4E tended to make whatever he wrote a little bit too much about himself most of the time, but he comes through as sincere and heartfelt in his appreciation of Karloff. There are several interviews transcribed and quite a bit of interesting biographical information, but the book doesn't serve as a true biography. (I was amused by a note on page 114 in which he says the chronological list of films does not match the alphabetical list; he states that he read the lists dozens of times each, but that he couldn't find the one extra entry in the alphabetical that wasn't in the chronological. He goes on to say: "It would presumably take a computer (or a robot) to spot the error!") It's an interesting and appreciative volume for the most part, with some surprising information.
March 13, 2018
This book. This. Book.
This book is everything I didn't know I wanted. It's also everything I hoped for.
I loved this book. Every single thing about it. A collection of first and second (but primarily) first accounts detailing the life and career of Boris Karloff and released shortly after his death--for that reason. There is so much love within the pages of this book, so much personal respect, adoration and admiration for the "King" of horror, as he's referred to, several times. I couldn't believe it. For some reason, I've always had trouble imagining professionals in this business, especially back then, holding the same awe-inspired passion as the modern day nerd/enthusiast (depending on the term you prefer.) Boy, was I wrong, and glad to be!
As not only a fan of this classic era of horror, but also one who's heavily inspired by it, I can't express enough what a thrill this was to read. The personal words from celebrities long-past--Elsa Lanchester, Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, to name a few, all speaking in Karloff's memory. Some who long outlived Karloff and those I never considered actually knew/worked with him. I realize that sounds silly now, but some actors you associate with a certain generation, a certain tone and quality of horror and drama. Karloff to me, is among those who ruled the gothic era, while Christopher Lee and Price dominated the one, following. At least to me.
The interviews were a real treat. Karloff's life, his journey, told in his own words...I genuinely felt like I was there, like I was sitting in the room as well, listening intently. I really was touched to learn how fondly he spoke of the monster, how grateful he was to land that role and how he adored his career in the horror genre! So many actors, I think, speak negatively of type-casting, something to avoid like a plague. Not Karloff. He loved it, at least according to this book. Loved his fans, loved to entertain, right up until the end, he gave it his all. Maybe I'm a little starstruck; who wouldn't be? We all want something personal from the books we read and this...this was a treat like no other.
Karloff seemed like an old soul, too--someone who found little meaning in background music or cheap "tricks" thrown in to shock, horror with no meaning--sorry, terror. He didn't care much for the former word. As someone who's studied film and actually discussed this very thing (regarding sound) it was really kind of cool to hear this old soul touch on those grievances. I don't mind some use of background music, I think it is an art in its own merit, but there's definitely an overuse and reliance on it, these days. I have watched movies since, modern, usually more artistic or lower budged, that don't rely on it nearly as much and Mister Karloff is correct: it in no way hampers my experience.
There were little things, too, little facts I didn't know or expect. For example, Lurch, the iconic Addams' Family character, drew inspiration from Karloff in appearance! Or that Karloff helped found the Screen Actors Guild.
On yet another personal note, it was so so cool seeing Karloff's widespread career--from film to television and beyond! So many movie titles I recognized--movies I've seen--but also radio programs featuring Karloff, too. I've listened to several "Lights Out" podcasts in the past, and while I haven't heard any of the ones mentioned in the book, I've got several fond memories of other Karloff performances!
My absolutely favorite moment, however, has to be the first meeting between Karloff and Lugosi. I was grinning like an idiot the entire time. I've seen several films with the two of them and often wondered what their relationship was like. I've heard things, of course, but there was--to my knowledge--no way to be that fly on the wall and witness anything, first-hand. My gosh though...what I wouldn't give to have been a fly on the wall during that historic encounter. I won't spoil it but...wow. It was like something out of a horror novel. Iconic. Entertaining. Perfect. In general, Karloff and several others spoke fondly of Lugosi, and I was glad to see. I'm a huge Lugosi fan and I wish his career ended differently.
This is, a hundred percent, a personally-indulgent review. I have no regrets. Few things in life do I harbor the same passion for as I do Universal's monsters and those who brought them to life. If you love them as much as I do, or heck, love and admire Karloff, himself, I highly recommend giving this book a read. It now sits firmly among my favorites, second place only to good ol', vampire-hunting Abe.
Thank you, Mister Karloff. And thank you, Mister Ackerman, for bringing this tribute to life!
This book is everything I didn't know I wanted. It's also everything I hoped for.
I loved this book. Every single thing about it. A collection of first and second (but primarily) first accounts detailing the life and career of Boris Karloff and released shortly after his death--for that reason. There is so much love within the pages of this book, so much personal respect, adoration and admiration for the "King" of horror, as he's referred to, several times. I couldn't believe it. For some reason, I've always had trouble imagining professionals in this business, especially back then, holding the same awe-inspired passion as the modern day nerd/enthusiast (depending on the term you prefer.) Boy, was I wrong, and glad to be!
As not only a fan of this classic era of horror, but also one who's heavily inspired by it, I can't express enough what a thrill this was to read. The personal words from celebrities long-past--Elsa Lanchester, Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, to name a few, all speaking in Karloff's memory. Some who long outlived Karloff and those I never considered actually knew/worked with him. I realize that sounds silly now, but some actors you associate with a certain generation, a certain tone and quality of horror and drama. Karloff to me, is among those who ruled the gothic era, while Christopher Lee and Price dominated the one, following. At least to me.
The interviews were a real treat. Karloff's life, his journey, told in his own words...I genuinely felt like I was there, like I was sitting in the room as well, listening intently. I really was touched to learn how fondly he spoke of the monster, how grateful he was to land that role and how he adored his career in the horror genre! So many actors, I think, speak negatively of type-casting, something to avoid like a plague. Not Karloff. He loved it, at least according to this book. Loved his fans, loved to entertain, right up until the end, he gave it his all. Maybe I'm a little starstruck; who wouldn't be? We all want something personal from the books we read and this...this was a treat like no other.
Karloff seemed like an old soul, too--someone who found little meaning in background music or cheap "tricks" thrown in to shock, horror with no meaning--sorry, terror. He didn't care much for the former word. As someone who's studied film and actually discussed this very thing (regarding sound) it was really kind of cool to hear this old soul touch on those grievances. I don't mind some use of background music, I think it is an art in its own merit, but there's definitely an overuse and reliance on it, these days. I have watched movies since, modern, usually more artistic or lower budged, that don't rely on it nearly as much and Mister Karloff is correct: it in no way hampers my experience.
There were little things, too, little facts I didn't know or expect. For example, Lurch, the iconic Addams' Family character, drew inspiration from Karloff in appearance! Or that Karloff helped found the Screen Actors Guild.
On yet another personal note, it was so so cool seeing Karloff's widespread career--from film to television and beyond! So many movie titles I recognized--movies I've seen--but also radio programs featuring Karloff, too. I've listened to several "Lights Out" podcasts in the past, and while I haven't heard any of the ones mentioned in the book, I've got several fond memories of other Karloff performances!
My absolutely favorite moment, however, has to be the first meeting between Karloff and Lugosi. I was grinning like an idiot the entire time. I've seen several films with the two of them and often wondered what their relationship was like. I've heard things, of course, but there was--to my knowledge--no way to be that fly on the wall and witness anything, first-hand. My gosh though...what I wouldn't give to have been a fly on the wall during that historic encounter. I won't spoil it but...wow. It was like something out of a horror novel. Iconic. Entertaining. Perfect. In general, Karloff and several others spoke fondly of Lugosi, and I was glad to see. I'm a huge Lugosi fan and I wish his career ended differently.
This is, a hundred percent, a personally-indulgent review. I have no regrets. Few things in life do I harbor the same passion for as I do Universal's monsters and those who brought them to life. If you love them as much as I do, or heck, love and admire Karloff, himself, I highly recommend giving this book a read. It now sits firmly among my favorites, second place only to good ol', vampire-hunting Abe.
Thank you, Mister Karloff. And thank you, Mister Ackerman, for bringing this tribute to life!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
What an homage to a departed hero. Inside you'll read everything about the man behind the monster, look at a nice photo section, his films. This book brings you everything you want to know about the late and great Boris Karloff. Intriguing read, highly recommended!
November 6, 2020
Interesting, but vaguely dissatisfying.
Lots of great bits, fun to read Karloff's own words and views, as well as to see his huge filmography, but at the same time the memoir by committee vibe and the constant focus/references to Frankenstein get tiring.
Big parts of his life get lazy, two second references, because they had to remind us, for the 40th time, that Karloff was in Frankenstein.
Slim book, but still managed to feel padded.
Not a bad read, but I shouldn't walk away from what is essentially a biography thinking 'Boy, I need to track down a biography of that guy."
Lots of great bits, fun to read Karloff's own words and views, as well as to see his huge filmography, but at the same time the memoir by committee vibe and the constant focus/references to Frankenstein get tiring.
Big parts of his life get lazy, two second references, because they had to remind us, for the 40th time, that Karloff was in Frankenstein.
Slim book, but still managed to feel padded.
Not a bad read, but I shouldn't walk away from what is essentially a biography thinking 'Boy, I need to track down a biography of that guy."
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews