Sunday, February 13, 2011

VOTE IN THE "RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS!"

I have always heard of this, but have failed to cast a ballot... until now! Fellow cult and b-film fans, now is the time to exercise YOUR patriotic and vote for the best of the best in all things Horror-related this year! Read on to learn how to cast your ballot and see all of the nominees:

Here is the official ballot for the NINTH Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror awards, recognizing the best in monster research, creativity and film preservation.

The Rondos, now in their ninth year, are 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 2010. 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 midnight, March 27, 2011.

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

THE RULES:

-- One vote per person, please.

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

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

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


AGAIN HERE'S HOW TO VOTE: E-mail your selections from the ballot (cut-and-pasting the whole thing works fine), or you can type them into a separate e-mail, below to David Colton at taraco@aol.com. And please remember to include your name so your vote can be counted.

ACCURACY WATCH: No document this complex can be free of errors or mistakes. So if you see something wrong, either minor or appalling, e-mail me and I can fix it in the opening hours or days.

So thanks again to the thousands who have voted every year. We look forward to hearing from you again. And now the ballot. Thanks everyone!


-- THE NINTH ANNUAL RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR NOMINEES --
This year's awards are dedicated to the memories of Gloria Stuart,
Ingrid Pitt and Verne Langdon


1. BEST MOVIE OF 2010

-- THE BLACK SWAN
-- THE CRAZIES
-- DAYBREAKERS
-- DEVIL
-- HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART ONE
-- INCEPTION
-- LAST EXORCISM
-- LEGION
-- LET ME IN
-- MONSTERS
-- PIRANHA 3D
-- PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2
-- PREDATORS
-- SHUTTER ISLAND
-- SPLICE
-- TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE
-- THE WOLFMAN
-- Or write in another choice:

2. BEST TV PRESENTATION OF 2010

-- DOCTOR WHO, 'The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone,' BBC, 4.24.10-5.1.10. Horrors abound in a battle against the Weeping Angels. 'I'm nine hundred and seven. I don't get older, I just change.'

-- FRINGE, 'Over There, Part 1 and 2,' Fox, 5.13.10-5.20-10. To prevent a collision of two worlds, Walter and Olivia visit the alternate Earth. 'You did cross universes twice to save my life. That's gotta count for something, right?'

-- GLEE, 'The Rocky Horror Glee Show,' Fox, 10.26.10. The conflicted high schoolers go 'Time Warp' for Halloween. 'Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still.'

-- LOST, 'Across the Sea,' ABC, 5.18.10. As the final episode neared, the eternal story behind Jacob and the Man in Black was revealed. 'There is nowhere else. The island is all there is.'

-- SHERLOCK, 'The Great Game,' BBC, 8.8.10. A Rondo-like villain challenges the Great Detective in this modernized version. 'You've gotta help me, Mr. Holmes. Everyone says you're the best. Without you, I'll get hung for this.'

-- SMALLVILLE, 'Absolute Justice,' CW, 2.9.10. Scripted by Geoff Johns, Clark is joined by Dr. Fate, Hawkman and other Justice Society legends. 'Those messages between me and Black Canary are purely platonic.'

-- SUPERNATURAL, 'Live Free or TwiHard,' CW, 10.22.10. With a sly nod to 'Twilight,' a vampire vs. werewolf conflict emerges. 'Dude, you reek. You're like a walking hamburger.'

-- TRUE BLOOD, 'It Hurts Me, Too,' HBO, 6.27.10. Shifting alliances in the vampire collective take a shocking head turn. 'How come nobody tells me any of this?'

-- WALKING DEAD, 'Days Gone Bye,' AMC, 10.31.10. Opening episode finds zombies deep in Atlanta. 'Hey, you in the tank. Cozy in there?'

-- Or write in another choice:

3. BEST CLASSIC DVD

-- CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965)
-- THE CYCLOPS (Warners Archives)
-- KING KONG (1933; Blu-Ray)
-- M (1931; Blu-Ray)
-- THE MAGICIAN (Bergman; Criterion Blu-Ray)
-- THE COMPLETE METROPOLIS (Kino)
-- NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (Criterion Blu-Ray)
-- VAMPIRE CIRCUS (1972)
-- THE WOLF MAN: SPECIAL EDITION (1941)
-- Or write in another choice:

4. BEST DVD COLLECTION

-- LON CHANEY SIX-FILM COLLECTION (Warner Archives: He Who Gets Slapped, The Monster, The Unholy Three, The Unholy 3, Mr. Wu, Mockery)
-- FANTOMAS: THE COMPLETE SAGA (Kino) Five-film set of crime thriller silent serials from 1913-14.
-- HAMMER FILMS: ICONS OF SUSPENSE: (Stop Me Before I Kill, Cash on Demand, Never Take Candy from a Stranger, Maniac, The Snorkel, These Are the Damned)
-- SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE: The Complete Television Series (52 episodes of rare 1955 series)
-- THRILLER: THE COMPLETE SERIES. All 67 episodes, including 27 commentaries.
-- TWILIGHT ZONE: Seasons One and Two (Blu-Ray). Dozens of new commentaries and features.
-- WARNER BROS. HORROR/MYSTERY (Find the Blackmailer/The Smiling Ghost, Sh! The Octopus/The Hidden Hand, Mystery House/The Patient in Room 18)
-- Or write in another choice:

5. BEST RESTORATION

-- CAT AND THE CANARY (1939): Finally available as part of Bob Hope Collection.
-- DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW: Rarely has a made-for-TV movie looked this good.
-- GAMERA Sequels: vs. Barugon, Gyaos, Viras, Guiron, Jiger (Shout!) all in widescreen, Japanese versions.
-- THE GREEN SLIME: Warner Archives features longer American version.
-- JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (Sony Blu-Ray) Special effects, flaws and all, star in this ultimate upgrade.
-- THE MAGICIAN (Criterion Blu-Ray): Sparkling print of 1958 Ingmar Bergman classic.

-- METROPOLIS (Kino). Discovery of another 25 minutes of lost footage is a revelation.
-- PSYCHO: 50th Anniversary Edition: Blu-Ray offers richer images, music and sound effects.
-- SPIRITS OF THE DEAD: Arrow Films' Blu-Ray is restored throughout; English audio includes Vincent Price opening and closing narrations.
-- THESE ARE THE DAMNED: Hammer 'Suspense' set features most complete version.
-- TWILIGHT ZONE Seasons One and Two (Blu-Ray): Episodes shine in high-definition.
-- Or write in another choice:

6. BEST COMMENTARY

-- Ron Borst, Gary Gerani, THRILLER, 'Waxworks.'
-- Director Frank DeFelitta, screenwriter J.D. Fergelson, DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW.
-- Gary Gerani, Lucy Chase Williams, THRILLER, 'Mr. George.
-- Ray Harryhausen, Tony Dalton, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS
-- Tim Lucas, David J. Schow, Ernest Dickerson, THRILLER, 'The Grim Reaper.'

-- Martin Grams Jr. TWILIGHT ZONE Season Two Blu-Ray, 'King Nine Will Not Return.'
-- August Ragone, Jason Varney, GAMERA VS. BARUGON
-- Stephen Romano, STAR CRASH (1978)
-- Tom Weaver and Michael Hoey, NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS
-- Marc Scott Zicree, TWILIGHT ZONE Season One Blu-Ray, 'Time Enough at Last.'
-- Or write in another choice:

7. BEST DVD EXTRA

-- AURORA MONSTERS: 'Zacherley Behind the Scenes' features outtakes and more.
-- CRONOS: 'Welcome to Bleak House.' Guillermo del Toro leads a tour of his home and memorabilia.
-- M (1931 Blu-Ray). Once believed lost, included is the 92-minute English version, dubbed and with different scenes.
-- MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Vol. XVIII: 'No Dialogue Necessary,' the making of The Beast of Yucca Flats, a half-hour featurette.
-- NIGHT OF THE HUNTER: 'Night of the Hunter,' 2.5 hours of outtakes show how Laughton directed.

-- PIRANHA (1978), 'The Making of Piranha,' featurette with Corman, Dante, Dick Miller.
-- STAR CRASH (1978): 73-minute interview with Caroline Munro.
-- TWILIGHT ZONE: Season One Blu-Ray: 'The Time Element,' a 1958 episode of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse by Rod Serling.
-- VAMPIRE CIRCUS: 'The Bloodiest Show on Earth: Making of Vampire Circus,' 30-minute featurette.
-- THE WOLF MAN SPECIAL EDITION (1941): 'Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney Jr.' 37-minute featurette.
-- Or write in another choice:

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

-- ATOMIC BRAIN INVASION, directed by Richard Griffin. Send-up of 50s sci-fi paranoia, including an alien plot to kidnap Elvis. Video link
-- AURORA MONSTERS: The Model Craze That Gripped the World, directed by Cortlandt Hull, Bill Diamond, Dennis Vincent. A look at the creators of it all. Video link
-- THE DEAD MATTER, directed by Edward Douglas. A vampire relic is used to raise the dead. Video link
-- EVAN STRAW, directed by Michael Legge. Cast of this tale of the paranormal includes Danielle Gelherter. Video link
-- LET THERE BE LIGHT: The Odyssey of Dark Star, directed by Daniel Griifth. Two-hour documentary part of Dark Star, Hyperdrive Edition. Web link

-- LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN/DARK AND STORMY NIGHT, both directed by Larry Blamire. Zany double-feature sends-up sci-fi, jungle adventure and creaky old dark house movies. Video link1 Video link2
-- THE ROCK: THE ED WOOD OF THE 21st CENTURY, edited by Strephon Taylor. The movie madness of David 'The Rock' Nelson. Video link
-- SHADOWLAND, directed by Wyatt Weed. A girl on the run and suddenly, a vampire. Video link
-- THE BEST OF TRAILERS FROM HELL, VOL. 1, commentaries by Joe Dante. John Landis, Eli Roth, others. Video link
--THE WILD WORLD OF TED V. MIKELS, directed by Kevin Sean Michaels. Narrated by John Walters. Video link
-- Or write in another choice:

9. BEST SHORT FILM (Click on video link to see clip or trailer))

-- THE DEVIL AT LOST CREEK, directed by Raymond Castile. Children tap three times to attract a haunting monster. Video link
-- DREADFUL HALLOWGREEN SPECIAL, directed by Cameron McCasland and Rebecca Paiva. Featuring Dr. Gangrene, Penny Dreadful and Count Gore DeVol. Video link
-- THE FURFANGS, directed by Andrea Ricci. Furry invaders cause suburban trouble. Video link
-- MUMMY IN THE MAZE, directed by Brian C. Nichols. The monster hunting Nichols family encounters terror with all the wrappings. Photo link
-- UNITED MONSTER TALENT AGENCY, directed by Greg Nicotero. Spoof of the Universal Monsters, re-created in living black-and-white. Video link
-- VOLKODLAK, directed by Bjorn Egil Eide. Silent short evokes a time of vampires and fear. Video link

10. BOOK OF THE YEAR

-- THE ART OF HAMMER: Posters from the Archives of Hammer Films, by Marcus Hearns (Titan Books, hardcover, 192 pages, $75). More than 300 posters, some iconic, some obscure.
-- CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN, by Matt Beckoff (BearManor Media, softcover, 260 pages, $19.95). Fifteen actresses from Fay Wray to 1980s heroines.
-- A CRITICAL HISTORY AND FILMOGRAPHY OF TOHO'S GODZILLA SERIES (2nd edition), by David Kalat (McFarland, hardcover, 286 pages, $55). Revised and updated version of an analysis of Toho's biggest star.
-- DRACULA IN VISUAL MEDIA: Film, Television, Comic Book and Electronic Game Appearances, 1921-2010, by John Edgar Browning and Caroline Joan (Kay) Picart (McFarland, softcover, 312 pages, $45). Compilation of credits and more, a vampire king's undying legacy.

-- FORRY: The Life of Forrest J Ackerman, by Debbie Painter. (McFarland, hardcover, 224 pages, $45) Biography of the eternal Mr. Monster by a fan and a friend.
-- HORROR FILM AESTHETICS: Creating the Visual Language of Fear,' by Thomas M. Sipos (McFarland, softcover, 288 pages, $35). A look at the cinematic techniques lurking in the shadows of horror films.
-- HOUSE OF ACKERMAN: A Photographic Tour of the Legendary Ackermansion, by Al Astrella, James Greene (Midnight Marquee, softcover, 142 pages, $35). A room-by-room tour of the original Ackerman collection.
-- INGRID PITT: Queen of Horror, the Complete Career, by Robert Michael 'Bobb' Cotter (McFarland, hardcover, 230 pages, $45).

-- LON CHANEY'S SHADOW: John Cheske and the Chaney Mystique, by Suzanne Gargiulo (BearManor Media, softcover, 184 pages, $19.95) Controversial look at Chaney's friend and purported make-up assistant.
-- THE MONSTER MOVIE FAN'S GUIDE TO JAPAN, by Armand Vaquer (Print-to-order, softcover, 48 pages, $15). Veteran Godzilla fan tours the real sites of famous giant monster destruction.
-- MONTE: KING OF ATOM-AGE MONSTER DECALS, by Bill Selby (Last Gasp, softcover, 158 pages, $14.95). Richly illustrated, the tale of the man behind some of the zaniest images of our childhood.
-- MYSTERY MOVIE SERIES OF 1940s HOLLYWOOD by Ron Backer (McFarland, softcover, 324 pages, $45). Inner Sanctum, Crime Doctor, The Whistler and more.

-- NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: Behind the Scenes of the Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever, by Joe Kane (Citadel Press, softcover, 308 pages, $16.95). A look at every facet of the production. Includes original screenplay, archival quotes and interviews, and new material.
-- RAY HARRYHAUSEN: Master of the Majicks, Vol. 3: The British Years, by Mike Hankin (Archive Editions, hardcover, 640 pages, $84.95). From Gulliver to Selenites to Titans, the later triumphs of a stop-motion genius.
-- A SCI-FI SWARM AND HORROR HORDE: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers, by Tom Weaver (McFarland, hardcover, 412 pages, $45). Massive interview book lets filmmakers and stars tell stories in their own words.
-- SIX CULT FILMS FROM THE 60s: The Inside Stories by Writer/Director Ib Melchior. (BearManor Media, softcover, 296 pages, $19.95) Behind the scenes from Angry Red Planet to 7th Planet and Reptilicus.
-- THE VAMPIRE'S TOMB MYSTERY, by Dwight Kemper (Helm, softcover, 320 pages, $16.95). Third in series of mysteries with a Hollywood twist: Can Forrest J Ackerman, Tor and Criswell help solve the death of Armand Tesla?.

-- Or write in another choice:

11. BEST MAGAZINE OF 2010

-- Cinema Retro
-- Famous Monsters of Filmland
-- Filmfax
-- Freaky Monsters
-- G-Fan
-- Horror Hound
-- Latarnia Fantastique International
-- Little Shoppe of Horrors
-- Mad Scientist
-- Midnight Marquee
-- Monster Attack Team
-- Monster Bash
-- Monsters from the Vault
-- Paracinema
-- Phantom of the Movies Videoscope
-- Rue Morgue
-- Scarlet
-- Scary Monsters
-- Screem
-- Van Helsing's Journal
-- Video Watchdog
-- Or write in another choice:

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

-- 'The (Almost) Forgotten Films of Richard Gordon: Space Monsters, Haunted Stranglers, Fiends Without Faces and More,' by Richard Gordon. FILMFAX #125. Autobiographical look back at his output in the 1950s.

-- 'Are You Afeared? The Making of Blood on Satan's Claw,' by Bruce G. Hallenbeck. LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #25. Exhaustive look at the then-shocking and forever sexy Tigon film.

-- 'Bloodstock: Four Days of Stress, Chaos and Wonderment,' by David J. Schow, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #27. Like opening a time capsule, vivid memories, characters and photos from the 1977 Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy World Exposition in, of course, Tucson, Arizona.

-- 'The Blu Planet: Return to Ape City -- In High Resolution,' by Bill Cooke. VIDEO WATCHDOG #156. All six films get a fresh look and analysis from very human eyes.

-- 'The Books of Fu Manchu,' by William Patrick Maynard. VAN HELSING'S JOURNAL #11. The history of Sax Rohmer's evil mastermind. Includes an excerpt from Maynard's new Fu Manchu novel.

-- 'The Creature Incarnate,' by Mirek Lipinski, Shade Rupe and Gore-Met. RUE MORGUE #98. An overview of the late Paul Naschy's work, including an interview and top films.

-- 'The Deadly Mantis: A Lot of Bug on a Little Budget,' by Doug Lemoreux. MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #77. Making the case for the most titanic insect of the 1950s.

-- 'The Doctor Is In: A Tribute to John P. Fulton,' by Tom Triman. SCARY MONSTERS #74. How the special effects genius helped make Universal's horrors believable.

-- 'The First Frankenstein: 100 Years of Fear,' by Phil Hall. VIDEOSCOPE #76. A century later, the lost, then found, history of Edison's 1910 Frankenstein.

-- 'Gorilla Man? Even a Man Who Is Pure at Heart ... Can Steal from Himself,' by Michael Mallory. SCARLET #5. The strange similarities between Curt Siodmak's Wolf Man and his Bride of the Gorilla.

-- 'The Greatest Ghost Story Ever Heard,' by Craig Wichman. NOSTALGIA DIGEST, Autumn 2010. The radio history and more of Dickens' Christmas classic.

-- 'Horror in a Christian Century,' By Gary Don Rhodes, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #27. Fascinating look at how Christiuan group rated the horror films of the 1930s and 1940s.

-- 'How Do You Solve the Problem of Carmilla? (Part Two),' by John-Paul Checket. VAN HELSING'S JOURNAL #11. Continuing the exploration of lust, twins and vampires.

-- 'Jess Franco's Declaration of Principles: How to Read the Early Films 1959-67,' by Tim Lucas. VIDEO WATCHDOG #157. A revised look at both a filmmaker and the cinematic waves he anticipated.

-- 'The Lucky Ones Are Dead, But Not Forgotten,' by Paul and Donna Parlam Anthony DiSalvo and Lawrence Fultz Jr. FILMFAX #125. In-depth look at 'Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster.'

-- 'Moreau: H.G. Wells' Exercise in Youthful Blasphemy,' by Allan A. Debus, MAD SCIENTIST #21. Tracing the evolutionary links between Island of Lost Souls and The Alligator People.

-- 'Uncovering the Mummy Movies of Hammer,' by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, with David Del Valle, John Hamilton and others. LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #24. Hammer's four incarnations covered scene by scene, inclduing conflicting accounts of who did Christophere Lee's stunts.

-- 'Universal Cult Horror Collection,' by Kim Newman. VIDEO WATCHDOG #155. Atwill, Zucco and Hatton all in the mix in reviews of five-film set.

-- 'Unpublished 1963 Forry Article,' provided by James Van Hise. SCARY MONSTERS #76. Short piece on death of Frank R. Paul includes Ackerman's layouts and notes.

-- 'Video Invasion: Remembering the VHS Boom, Parts 10-15,' by Matt Moore. HORROR HOUND #21-26. Continuing an unprecedented look at the VHS horror wave of the 1980s.

-- 'The Visual Journey of Karl Freund,' by David Alex Nahmod. FAMOUS MONSTERS #251. Exploring the fluid camera and choices of one of classic horror's earliest directors.

-- 'We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes: A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Psycho,' by Gary Giblin. CINEMA RETRO Vol. 6, No. 18. From the casting to the shower scene, an in-depth look at every aspect of the Alfred Hitchcock classic.

-- 'Witchcraft through the Cinema,' by Joseph Winters, SCARY MONSTERS #74. From Haxan to the Craft, a spooky survey of the field.

-- 'The Wolf Man: 69 Years of Terror,' by Robert Aragon. HORROR HOUND #21. Character retrospective accompanied by numerous photos, posters, toys.

-- Or write in another choice:

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


13. BEST INTERVIEW
(Award goes to the interviewer)

-- Allan Arkush: 'Rock 'n Roll Cult Classic,' interview by Terry and Tiffany DuFoe. VIDEOSCOPE #75. On Rock and Roll High School, Corman, Andy Kaufman, Deathsport and more.

-- Larry Blamire: 'Forgetful Milkman's Quadrangle,' interview by Martin Arlt. MAD SCIENTIST #22. Filmmaker proves science is just part of his mad plan.

-- Veronica Carlson: 'Dracula's Most Beautiful Victim Discusses Her Career at Hammer,' interviewed by Mark Redfield. FAMOUS MONSTERS #252. Memories of Cushing, Lee and Terence Fischer.

-- Bert I. Gordon: 'Eye Caramba: The Cyclops Arrives on DVD,' by Tom Weaver. SCREEM #21. All about the see-through one-eyed monster.

-- June Kenney: 'Our Teenage Living Doll,' interview by Paul and Donna Parla (with Anthony DiSalvo and Jim Fetters). SCARY MONSTERS #73. The original hot rod girl remembers The Spider and Attack of the Puppet People.

-- Christopher Lee: 'Royal Blood,' interview by James Burrell. RUE MORGUE #100. A career retrospective.

-- Andres Resino: Interviewed by Mirek Lipinski. LATARNIA FANTASTIQUE INTERNATIONAL #1. Spanish horror star offers memories of Naschy, Jess Franco and others.

-- Ted Rusoff: 'Il Mostro della Fono Roma,' interviewed by John Charles. VIDEO WATCHDOG #159. The 'monster' of dubbing, whose voice can be heard on more than 1,000 European films and TV shows.

-- Kenji Sahara: 'Shine Bright,' interviewed by Brett Homenick. G-FAN #90. A talk with the Godzilla star whose film career far outlasted the oxygen destroyer.

-- Fiona Subotsky: 'Remembering Milton,' interviewed by John Hamilton. LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #25. Producer's wife on Vincent Price, The Monster Club and a house that dripped blood.

-- Don Sullivan: 'Zombies and Crustaceans and Gila Monsters, Oh My!' interviewed by Bryan Senn. MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #27. From confronting the monster from Piedras Blancas to singing while the gila monster stalked teens.

-- Vampira: 'In Loving Memory, A Final Interview with Maila Nurmi,' interviewed by Michael Monahan and Sandy Clark. HORROR HOUND Convention Special. Excerpts from two-hour conversation in 2004.

-- Or write in another choice:

14. BEST MAGAZINE COVER
FAMOUS MONSTERS #251
by Basil Gogos

FAMOUS MONSTERS #252
by William Stout

FAMOUS MONSTERS #253
by Kerry Gammill

FILMFAX #125
by Vincent Di Fate

G-FAN #90
by Chris Scalf

HORROR HOUND
Convention Special

LATARNIA FANTASTIQUE INTERNATIONAL #1
by Brianna Wanlass

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #25
by Adrian Salmon

MAD SCIENTIST #21
by Don Marquez

MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #27
by Daniel Horne

MIDNIGHT MARQUEE #77
by Susan Svehla

RUE MORGUE #105
by Gary Pullin

SCARLET #5
by Michael Wilk

SCARY MONSTERS #74 by Terry Beatty

SCREEM #20
by Daniel Horne

VIDEOSCOPE #76
by Kevin Hein

VIDEO WATCHDOG #156
by Charlie Largent

-- Or write in another choice:


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

-- Atomicmonsters.com More than a decade of radioactive reviews.
-- 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.
-- Fearnet.com Includes daily TV horror listings.
-- HK and Cult Film News In a special world, it helps to be knowledgeable.

-- Horrorhost Graveyard Clips, show listings and more.
-- Horror Society The world of independent horrors.
-- Latarnia: Fantastique International All things Euro; an outspoken Forum, too.
-- Lugosiphilia Yahoo Group Just Bela, by the people who know.
-- Masters of Horror Classic news and updates from a true horrorhead.
-- Mondo Cult Online The world of genre and music, plus a message board.
-- Monster-Mania Forum Offers a window on 21st century conventions.
-- Serial Squadron Their work grows more important every year.
-- 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.
-- Witch's Dungeon Multimedia home for Hollywood monsters, history and preservation
-- Or write in another choice:

16. BEST BLOG OF 2010

-- Cinema Suicide A celebration of cheap thrills
-- Cinema Dave A journal of horror and film.
-- Dollar Bin Horror For monster fans on a budget.
-- The Drunken Severed Head Impeccable sense of the outre, an essential stop for monster weirdness.
-- Final Girl Stacie Ponder survives to have the last, bloody but often essential word.
-- Frankensteinia Fun, smart and essential as it keeps the Monster alive.
-- From Midnight, With Love A cult movie reverie with an edge.
-- Gary J. Svehla: Midnight Marquee/Mad About Movies A founding fan on movies 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 the comics.
-- Mail Order Zombie A resting spot for the undead.
-- Monster Island News Godzilla is just the start.
-- Monster Magazine World A digital home for monster magazines past, present and hopefully future.
-- Monstermoviemusic The soundtracks of our horror lives.
-- Obscure Hollow Gorgeous photos of sets and props show the look of classic horror,
-- Scared Silly The chills between the horror comedy laughs.
-- Secret Fun Blog Preserving the ephemera of your childhood.
-- Shloggs Horror Blog Modern horror talk, with a classic sensibility.
-- The Spectral Realm Where monsters and religion find common ground.

-- Terror from Beyond the Daves An essential, home of the weekend horror host report.
-- The Terror Trap Horror movies from 1925-1987.
-- A Thriller a Day Peter Enfantino and John Scoleri review all 67 episodes, with style.
-- Unimonster's Crypt Musings on the status of monstrous media.
-- Video Watchblog Scaled back, but Tim Lucas' musings are still worth the wait.
-- Zombos Closet All manners of horrors pour out.
-- Or write in another choice:

17. BEST CONVENTION OF 2010

-- Blob Fest (Phoenixville, Pa.)
-- Chiller (Parsippany)
-- Cinema Wasteland (Cleveland)
-- Dragon Con (Atlanta)
-- Famous Monsters (Indianapolis)
-- Fangoria weekend of Horrors (New York)
-- 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)
-- Spooky Empire (Orlando)
-- Texas Frightmare (Dallas)
-- Wonderfest (Louisville)

-- Or write in another choice:

18. BEST FAN EVENT OF 2010

-- Blob panic re-enactment. Held at actual theater in Phoenixville, Pa., where movie was filmed (Blobfest)
-- Every 'Thing' Must Go! A shocker as Dan Roebuck, aka Dr. Shock, announces sale of his wonderful monster toys.
-- It's Bob on the phone! Dr. Gangrene uses cellphone to bring the voices of ailing Bob Burns (and Kathy), to the crowd at Wonderfest.
-- 100 Years of Monster Movies. Year-long streaming of films, many with horror hosts, from FearWerx.

-- Night of the Living Dead Reunion. Cast and crew meet again at Famous Monsters Convention.
-- The Pit and the Pendulum, Poe's chilling words performed by Zach Zito at the Monster Bash.
-- The Sivads of March. A four-day celebration at Brooks Musueum of Art in Memphis, honoring the late Watson Davis, aka horror host Sivad.
-- 'The Tutor' project Filmmakers Terrance Zdunich (Repo! The Genetic Opera) and Shem Andre Byron. lead students through a multimedia 14-part production.
-- Godzilla co-star Akira Takarda. Original monster fighter appears at G-Fest in Chicago, tours city.

-- 'Too Many Creeps.' A reading at Wonderfest of Ted Newsom's Lugosi play, featuring David Skal, Frank Dietz, Perry Shields, David Schow, Brinke Stevens. Mark Redfield and more.
-- Tribute to Vampira. World-record gathering of horror hosts descends on Indianapolis to remember the first horror hostess. Sponsored by Horror Hound and Dark Carnival.
-- Women in Horror Month. A convention, online tributes and film festivals in February honor women in all aspects of horror. Begun by Hannah Neurotica of Ax Wound magazine.

-- Or write in another choice:


19. FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2010
(Active hosts only; if your favorite is missing, and 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)
-- COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feaures)
-- DR. GANGRENE (Nashville)
-- Dr. MADBLOOD (Virginia Beach)
-- DR. SARCOFIGY (Spooky Movies)
-- 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)

20. BEST HORROR COMIC

-- AMERICAN VAMPIRE (Vertigo), Co-plotted by Stephen King, tracing the American history of vampires.
-- ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN (Image). Robert Kirkman's bloody saga nears its end.
-- BATGIRL #14, 'Terror in the Third Dimension.' (DC) Is that Bela's Dracula coming off the screen. It seems so.
-- BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE (Monsterverse). Colorful and clever anthology features Bela as a very sinister host..
-- EDGE OF DOOM (IDW). Steve Niles and Kelley Jones team on tales with an EC-twist.
-- THE GOON (Dark Horse). Eric Powell's gritty enforcer gets darker.

-- GRAPHIC CLASSICS: Edgar Allan Poe Revised edition with four new stories.
-- HELLBOY: DOUBLE FEATURE OF EVIL (Dark Horse). Mike Mignola and Richard Corben deliver two horror tales.
-- MOON LAKE (Archaia). Dan Fogler's spooky tales of a place where the moon is closer than you think.
-- PINOCCHIO: VAMPIRE SLAYER and the Great Puppet Theater, by Dusty Higgins and Van Jensen.
-- VICTORIAN UNDEAD (Wildstorm). Before it was fashionable, Sherlock meets zombies.
-- VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS (Bluewater). Anthology includes Witchfinder General tales.
-- THE WALKING DEAD (Image) Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard go far beyond the TV series.

21. BEST HORROR AUDIO

-- BLOODY GOOD HORROR PODCAST Reviews of the new.
-- BLOODY PIT OF ROD Naschycasts are the thing.
-- 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 with a transmitter. No respect at all.
-- HORROR ETC Offbeat is focus of this horror podcast.
-- MOVIE MELTDOWN Podcasts feature caffeinated geek talk.
-- OLD TIME RADIO MYSTERY-HORROR Find classic favorites from the 1910s-50s
-- RUE MORGUE RADIO Horror news, satire and top guest interviews.


22. BEST SOUNDTRACK OR HORROR CD

-- BATMAN 1966 (Intrada). Nelson Riddle's campy scoring.
-- DARK SHADOWS: The Night Whispers (Big Finish Productions). Jonathan Frid returns in this audio recreation of horror soap scripts.
-- EARTH VS. THE SPIDER (Kritzerland). Albert Glasser's taut soundtrack still chills.
-- HYMNS FROM THE HOUSE OF HORROR (Rue Morgue). 17 scare bands in a downloadable compilation.

-- LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (Buysoundtrax). James Bernard's scary action score.
-- MARK OF THE PYCHO by Psycho Charger (Rotnroll Army). Monster rockabilly.
-- THE NOTHING LIKE VAUDEVILLE SHOW (Swinging Cane). Musical freak show reaches into graveyard.
-- SPOOKY SONGS FOR CREEPY KIDS, by Voltaire (Projeckt Records). Scary music for the horror-hip younger set.
-- THEY WON'T STAY DEAD! (Zero Day). Most complete collection of music from the soundtrack of Night of the Living Dead.

23. BEST TOY, MODEL OR COLLECTIBLE
(Compiled with the help of the Universal Monster Army)

Creature and Julie
by Diamond Select

Elvira by Amok Time

Frankenstein Retro Mego by
Diamond Select and Emce Toys

Frankenstein: Curse
by Distinctive Dummies

The Fly Bobble Head
Amok Time

Twilight Zone Gremlin
by Bif!Bang!Pow!

Karloff bust from set
by Ray Santoleri

The Mummy
by Diamond Select

Psycho: Bates Mansion
by Round 2/Polar Lights

Universal Plush Monsters
by Funko

Zacherley the Cool Ghoul
by Amok Time



WRITE-IN CATEGORIES



24. CLASSIC MOST IN NEED OF RESTORATION OR UPGRADE

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


25. WRITER OF THE YEAR

Who do you think did the best published (or online) work in 2010 to advance the state of classic horror research?


26. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Pro)

Which professional artist (designer, illustrator, sculptor), did the best work in 2010?


27. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Fan)

Which amateur or fan artist (designer, illustrator, sculptor), did the best work in 2010?

28. DVD REVIEWER OF THE YEAR

Which reviewer in print or online did the best work in 2010?


29. '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.


30. 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 Marion Clatterbaugh, Bob Wilkins, Calvin Beck, Paul Naschy and Lux Interior. 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)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again, to vote: Type your picks on an email, or simply cut-and-paste the ballot onto an email and put an X by your choices, highlight your choices or leave a claw print!

E-mail your vote, with your name, to taraco@aol.com by March 27, 2011, and watch this space for the winners of this year's Rondo awards!

Thanx for taking the time. Folks work hard to bring you the best in horror and scifi. This is our chance to let them know we appreciate it.



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

See a sneak screening of RUBBER in NYC on Thursday, February 3rd!

RUBBER - "Are you TIRED of the expected?"
I just got an e-mail from the folks at Magnet Releasing letting me know that there's a sneak preview of "RUBBER" playing at the IFC CENTER (323 Sixth Ave at W. 3rd St in NYC) February 3rd at 10:30 PM with director Quentin Dupieux in attendance! Seating is first come, first serve; to reserve your spot (or spots if you want to bring a friend), send an RSVP e-mail to RSVP2[at]magpictures.com, and be sure to get there early!

For those of you who are in the dark about this film, here's a quick synopsis and trailer to get you caught up:
RUBBER is the story of Robert, an inanimate tire that has been abandoned in the desert, and suddenly and inexplicably comes to life. As Robert roams the bleak landscape, he discovers that he possesses terrifying telepathic powers that give him the ability to destroy anything he wishes without having to move. At first content to prey on small desert creatures and various discarded objects, his attention soon turns to humans, especially a beautiful and mysterious woman who crosses his path. Leaving a swath of destruction across the desert landscape, Robert becomes a chaotic force to be reckoned with, and truly a movie villain for the ages. Directed by legendary electro musician Quentin Dupieux (Steak, Nonfilm), aka Mr. Oizo, RUBBER is a smart, funny and wholly original tribute to the cinematic concept of “no reason.”




RUBBER gets a limited theatrical release on April 1st (how appropriate) with a DVD (and Blu-ray?) release shortly thereafter. However, you won't have to wait that long because this flick will be available On Demand on February 25th! If you get to this sneak preview, feel free to comment on how the movie was; I'm quite curious about it and am looking forward to giving it a look!