CHARLIE GEMORA DOCUMENTARY DUE FOR RELEASE

I received my copy of CHARLIE GEMORA: UNCREDITED in the mail yesterday. The documentary, written and directed by Jason Barnett, was a Kickstarter project a couple of years or so ago. Barnett's dream has come to pass, as the film is due for general release April 15 on Vimeo (see trailer HERE).

I have not yet had the chance to view the film, but I have every expectation that this will be a proper tribute to the "Monkey Man from Manila" that appeared both in and behind the scenes for many years in Hollywood movies.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Jason and Diana Gemora, Charlie's daughter, on a couple of occasions. They are great people and very enthusiastic about bringing Charlie Gemora's story to the world.

TODAY IS NATIONAL GORILLA SUIT DAY!

Charlie Gemora and Lon Chaney in THE UNHOLY THREE (1930).

Today is not only the last day of January, but it's National Gorilla Suit Day!

Just got word from movie documentarian Jason Barnett that his brand new film, CHARLIE GEMORA: UNCREDITED, is being burned to DVD this week. As a contributor to his crowdfunding project, I am really excited to finally see the fruits (mainly bananas, I'm sure) of his labor!

THIS FISH WITCH NOT ON MICKEY D'S MENU

Making the rounds on TUMBLR of late is a photo depicting ace makeup artist Charlie Gemora putting the finishing touches on a hideous fish-like monster that could easily be a relative of an Innsmouth Deep One spawned from Lovecraft's Devil Reef.

I had no recollection of where this creature appeared so I had no choice but to contact Jason Barnett, the world's authority (besides Gemora's daughter, Diana, of course) on All Things Great and Gemora.

Turns out that the fish is actually a witch! Mr. Barnett, currently near-ready to unleash his documentary, CHARLIE GEMORA: UNCREDITED to the world on DVD, had this to say about the matter:

"That is Gemora working on a witch character from Jack the Giant Killer. The dancer/actress is named Karen Dolin and it was her first role! I had the unknown model photos in Gemora's archive for years before I found the key.  The key being that one newspaper article that showed Karen and the witch costume. You can see the witch in the background in a few shots [in the movie], but it wasn't featured that much.  Luckily, we have that great photo to prove who unusual it was."

Thanks to Jason for the newspaper clipping and the studio shots of the lovely Karen Dolin! Be sure to keep watching the skies for CHARLIE GEMORA: UNCREDITED!

BEGORRA! IT'S CHARLIE GEMORA!

This last April, Burbank CA was home to thousands of monster fans for the West Coast's biggest fear fest, Monsterpalooza. The highlight for me was the panel discussing King Kong. Among the group was the World's Biggest Monster Kid, Bob Burns, who brought along with him the last surviving piece of Kong himself, a complete, miniature armature of the Eight Wonder of the World. Later, a big birthday cake was wheeled in and we all sang Happy Birthday in honor of Kong's 80th year on Skull Island.

The next night we were in for another treat. Continuing on with the "ape theme", filmmaker and makeup artist Jason Barnett held a presentation on the life and movie career of Charles Gemora. Not as well known as a Chaney, Pierce, or Westmore, Gemora was behind the scenes for many a' monster movie flick.

Jason Barnett talks about Charlie Gemora at Monsterpalooza, April 2013

Perhaps Gemora's greatest achievement was his mastery of the ape costume. He built and modified "monkey suits" for many years, each one becoming more realistic than the other. Barnett is memorializing Gemora's life as a Hollywood makeup and special effects man in a documentary entitled: CHARLIE GEMORA: GENIUS MONKEY MAN. According to Jason, the film is is still being assembled and edited and is due for release next April (maybe in time for the next Monsterpalooza?).

Charlie's daughter, the always charming and ebullient Diana Gemora, was present during the presentation to speak and answer questions about her father. Accompanying the talk was Jason's slide presentation showing many shots of Charlie and his monkey suits, as well as photos from the rest of his career as an accomplished craftsman behind the scenes of many creature features.

Diana Gemora, who is always enthused when talking about her talented father.

Charles "Charlie" Gemora was born in the Philippines and came to the United States in 1922 during the civil unrest that has plagued the island and and off for many years. On the ship bound for the States, Charlie became an invaluable asset as, because of his small size, he could wiggle through the pipes and lines to repair some critical equipment. Charlie landed odd jobs in Hollywood. He later found work as a sculptor and key craftsman for the famed Universal Paris Opera House recreation that was later seen in Lon Chaney's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Another knack that Gemora had was his ability to sketch amazingly accurate portraits. Many times Charlie would sketch a co-workers' visage as quick as the time it took for a lunch break!

Charlie works on Paul Wexler during the making of THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE.

 Charlie contributed his artistic talents to films for many years, from the Phantom's Opera House stage to the shrunken heads in THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE. His legacy is rich in the lore of old Hollywood and the early days of special effects. Of particular interest to me was his affiliation with famed makeup artist Jack Pierce, who went on to become head of makeup for Universal.

As a financial backer to Jason's Kickstarter project for his film, I anxiously await its release. I was able to briefly speak with him after his presentation to let him know his work is greatly appreciated and has a loyal supporter of this important historical project.

You can follow the progress of CHARLIE GEMORA: GENIUS MONKEY MAN, right HERE.

The black and white photos that are shown here are from the Charlie Gemora website right HERE.