LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS FINAL ISSUE

It is with a heavy heart and my head in my hand that I bring you this news: the next issue of LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS (#53) due this June/July will be (BWAHHH!!) its last. I received the sad notification from editor/publisher Richard Klemensen a week or so ago:

Here we go. After 54 years (1972 to 2026), we are locking the doors on Little Shoppe of Horrors. This last issue will be filled with informative articles and interviews - Maybe not as many visuals, but they will be key and rare. The written contents are our focus, so we hope you join us on this last romp through some good, some bad, and some ? of Hammer and British fantasy films.

It has been a good run and so many thanks to all of you for supporting us. The key goes into the Shoppe door for the last time.

The first issue of LSoH was published way back in 1972 which means Mr. Klemensen has put out about one 'zine a year since then. I've been buying it regularly for about 20 years or so and I have always enjoyed the novel-length text in every single issue accompanied by scads of photos and other images that--guaranteed--you wouldn't see anywhere else. The most extreme example of this was his last issue entirely devoted to Gorgo. That's 270 pages full of giant sea monster, folks.

LSHoH was UK film-centric, and if you weren't particularly a fan of Hammer and other British horror films, you would be after reading a few issues. Klemensen always attracted some of the greatest genre writers and artists available which made each and every article special.

Order your copy HERE.

 

Little Shoppe of Horrors presents: Little Shoppe of Horrors #53

 

Front Cover By Steve Karchin (Who did our first painted cover back in 1990 and LSoH #10/11).

Back Cover By Paul Watts (text by Mark Maddox) Dick Klemensen (the famous Klem) and Nancy Emdia (the LSoHgirl) - Still Hammer dreaming after all these years.

Inside Front Cover By Mark Maddox.

Inside Back Cover By Lee Copeland.

FEATURING:

• 'The Legacy of Little Shoppe of Horrors' 17 key mentors, authors, artists and readers comment on the history and influence of LSoH  
• 'There is No Yeti!' — The Making of The Abominable Snowman By Bruce G. Hallenbeck
• Interview with Clive Dawson on the Unfilmed Snowman
• A Chat with Forrest Tucker (Tom Friend himself) by David Aquino and George Stover
• 'Messing Around in the Laboratory' — The Making of The Horror of Frankenstein By John Hamilton  
• 'Goon Squad' — The Unmaking and Making of The Gamma People By Stephen R. Bissette   'Desperate Joys' — Some 70s Hammer Favorites By John Logan 
• 'My Hammer Hero' — In Praise of Martine Beswicke By John Logan  
• Christopher Lee Interview By Denis Meikle  
• Peter Cushing Interview By Denis Meikle  
• 'Mister Hammer' — Anthony Hinds Interview By Denis Meikle 
• 'Hammer Has Other Family Connections' — Roy Skeggs 1963-2000 By Gloria Skeggs  
• Philip Martell — Hammer's Music Director By David Huckvale  
• 'History of Horror Film Fanzines' — Cult Movies 1990-2005

PLUS:

• Letters to LSoH
• The Keith Dudley Report
• Hammer News
• Book Reviews.
• 8-Page Center Section of original color art.
• 148 pages - slick paper/perfect bound
• Lots of Original Artwork and Rare Photos!

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS ALL-GORGO ISSUE!

"Like Nothing You've Ever Seen Before."

- Joe Dante (director of Gremlins)

Attention all Gorgo fans: Richard Klemenson's upcoming LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS (#52) will be a blockbuster, all-Gorgo issue! At 270 pages, this will be more than a magazine, it'll be a monster-sized book. I guarantee you will not be disappointed as LSOH has been a class act for over 50 years.

Get over to the site and order a copy HERE.

From the publisher:

In 1961, Mama Gorgo tore London apart while going to save Gorgo Junior. For film goers of that period, it was a gorgeous, colorful, knockout. For M-G-M, and particularly the King brothers, (or as they weere originally known - the Kozinsky brothers) Maury, Frank and Hymie, it was a successful trip into the 'man-in-a-suit-asaurus' realm that Toho had instigated with their original 1954 Godzilla.

In our massive study, Gorgo, you'll learn all the inside info on how it came to be. Not just from the previous Eugene Lourie articles by Paul Mandell, or Lourie's auto-bio, but lots of never seen or read production information and comments/stories from crew members and the King brothers themselves.

And, you'll have the fascinating, full story of the King/Kozinsky Bros., from their early 'slightly' gangster-like businesses, to very successful independent movie producers (Dillinger. Gun Crazy. The Brave One (Academy Award © winner). In the movie Trumbo, John Goodman plays Frank King to perfection.

Stephen R. Bissette on the Gorgo (and Konga & Reptilicus) Charlton comic books. Lee Kaplan writes about the models and toys based on Gorgo.

Hundreds of behind the scenes photos, NEVER SEEN before, showing how all the monster and effects scenes were filmed and achieved by Academy Award © winning SPFX director Tom Howard, and photographed by another award winner - Freddie Young.

 11 Full page color paintings including Basil Gogo's Famous Monsters of Filmland #11. BRUX (David Brooks), Bob Eggleton, The Gurch, Tim Hammell, Alistair Hughes, Ron Lizorty, Stewart McKissick. Adrian Salmon, Mike Schneider and William Stout

 

270 Pages / hi def reproduction of B/W and color / over 625 images.

Covers: Front Cover by Mark Maddox; back Cover by Neil D. Vokes.

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #51

After this, there are only three more issues to go and I am already in mourning for one of my favorite monster magazines. For years, Dick Klemensen has been publishing his tribute 'zine to British horror films with an emphasis on Hammer.

Shipping next month is issue #51 with a gorgeous cover (if you can say that about Nosferatu!) by Jeff Preston.

Please support Mr. Klemensen's most excellent contribution to horror cinema by ordering a copy (with shipping around $20).

CONTENTS:

• The Plague of Nosferatu. The Making of a Vampire - 1922 F.W.Murnau by Rolf Giesen
• It's Doomsday at the Movies! THE DAMNED by Arthur Joseph Lundquist
• 'Help us! Please help us!...' (suffer the Little Children) - The Making of THE DAMNED by John Hamilton
• VICTIM OF HIS IMAGINATION - Bram Stoker and an Unmade Hammer Conducted by Jonathan Sothcott
• Robert Russell Interview (Witchfinder General Conducted by Steve Fenton
• Hammer's First Horror - The Making of The Mystery of the Mary Celeste by Frank Dello Stritto
• The Keith Dudley Report: 'Hammer Films and the Plundering of BBC television.'

Ordering information is HERE.

 

Inside front cover by Neil D. Volkes.

Back cover by Stewart McKissick.

Inside back cover by Noufaux.

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 50 NOW ON SALE

I'm happy to announce that the latest issue of LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS is now available to order.

Inside front cover by Adrian Salmon.

At the rate of about one issue a year, Richard Klemensen has been publishing his very cool fanzine of (mainly) Hammer Films since 1972, and every issue is well worth the wait. Please support Mr. Klemensen and his efforts to keep this legendary magazine in print by purchasing a copy. Plus, all of his back issues are reprinted and now available, too.

Inside back cover by Colin Fenwick.

ISSUE #50

When director Terence Fisher finished his version of the Dennis Wheatley novel - The Devil Rides Out, in late 1967, he would soon be acclaimed for what many consider the best movie that Hammer Films ever made. Time has entrenched it, indeed, among the greatest. Yet 5 years later and just two films more, Fisher was at the end of his career ... age, health and a changing film landscape ... but, again, Fisher would show all his talents in a dark finale to the Peter Cushing Baron Frankenstein series with Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell.

FEATURING

• Hammer Films and BBC Radio by Keith Dudley
• Confessions of a Monster Chick by Pam Murray
• The Making of THE DEVIL RIDES OUT by Bruce Hallenbeck
• The Devil is in the Details: Examining Richard Matheson's Script by Constantine Nasr
• Inside Roald Dahls TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED by John Stoker
• The Making of FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL by Bruce Hallenbeck
• Front cover art by award-winning Mark Maddox

+ Much more

+ Rare photos and original art

+ 100 pages

+ The Best Classic British Horror Film Coverage Since 1972

Go HERE to order.

Back cover by William Stout.

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 49 DUE SOON

Anyone familiar with Dick Klemensen's fabulous publication will know that every issue is brimming with fascinating content and packed to the gills with rarely scene photos. Issue #49, featuring THE HAUNTING and THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN is rolling off the presses soon. I urge everyone to purchase a copy of the long-running, essential monster tome.

From the publisher:

1963 saw two different approaches to scaring movie audiences. There was The Haunting - filmed by Academy Award© winning director Robert Wise, and starring Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, Claire Bloom and Russ Tamblyn. Considered by many the most frightening ghost story ever made. 'An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has stood for 90 years and might stand for 90 more. Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.' - 'It ought to be burned down ... and the ground sowed with salt...'

The Evil of Frankenstein was Hammer's third in the series featuring Peter Cushing as Baron Frankenstein. Freddie Francis replaced Terence Fisher as director (Fisher was preparing to film The Gorgon right after 'Evil' wrapped, at Hammer's Bray Studios) Being released by Universal, it also featured a traditional Universal creature design ... not always a fan favorite ... but the Kiwi Kingston look as the 'monster' is a seminal one for Hammer.

Featuring:

- 'The Road to Hill House'

  Robert Wise's The Haunting by Anthony Mckay

 

- 'Why Can't They Leave Me Alone!?'

  The Evil of Frankenstein by Constantine Nasr

 

- 'Sandor Eles'

  by Barry Forshaw

 

- Katy Wild (deaf girl)

  interview by James McCabe

 

- Caron Gardner (Burgomaster's wife)

  Interview by Use Sommerlad

 

- Roy Ashton's Creature

  by Dave Elsey

   

  Plus - "Fools Rush In..." Editorial * Letters to LSoH *

  Ralph's One-and-Only Travelling Reviews Company *

 

Hammer News * 100 Pages

- Lots of Original Artwork and Rare Photos

Covers

• Front Cover by Ron Lizorty
• Back Cover by Paul Watts
• Inside Front Cover by Chantal Handley
• Inside Back Cover by Alistair Hughes

The Best Classic British Horror Film Coverage Since 1972.

Order HERE.

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 48 NOW AVAILABLE!

Now at the half-century mark, Richard Klemensen has delighted horror film fans with his excellent magazine, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS. The latest issue, #48 is now available. I ordered mine, did you? Support independent print publishing!

When Hammer Films hit it big with their Quatermass films, and followed on with The Curse of Frankenstein – it didn't take long for other companies to jump on the bandwagon. Among the best was Tempean Films of Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman. After many years of making good 'B' level action and noir films – at the end of the 1950s we got The Trollenberg Terror (The Crawling Eye), Blood of the Vampire, The Flesh and the Fiends and Jack the Ripper.

And, like Hammer, they often offered extra sexy 'continental' scenes for the European market.

Featuring:

• George Feltenstein talks Warner Bros Archive and The Curse of Frankenstein' Interview by Constantine Nasr
• Down Among the 'B' People - Robert S. Baker, Monty Berman and Tempean Films' Article/interview – by John Hamilton
• Making of features - The Trollenberg Terror (The Crawling Eye) – by Clive Dawson
• Blood of the Vampire & The Flesh and the Fiends – by Bruce G. Hallenbeck
• David Wickes – Jack the Ripper and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' Interview by Matthew Edwards
• Fire Maiden Me to the Stars - and that darned 13th Moon of Jupiter The Making of Fire Maidens of/from Outer Space – by Richard Klemensen
• Greta Gynt Interview by Niels Solberg
• Christopher Wicking Hammer Diaries - part 5 Compiled by Mitchel Wicking
• Plus - "Fools Rush In..." Editorial * Letters to LSoH * Ralph's One-and-Only Travelling Reviews Company * Hammer News * 100 Pages

Covers:

• Front Cover by Mark Maddox
• Back Cover by Noufaux
• Inside Front Cover by Neil D. Vokes
• Inside Back Cover by Stewart McKissick

Order your copy HERE.

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 47 NOW AVAILABLE

With a cover by Jeff Preston, Richard Klemensen's 47th issue of LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS is ready to order for shipping this month. Looks to be another great issue packed with the best of British horror that we can always come to expect from this venerable magazine.

Order your copy HERE.

Description:

By the end of 1963, the golden-era of Hammer Films was coming to an end. 1964 would mark the end of long time distribution contracts with Universal and Columbia Pictures. THE GORGON would represent the last film to feature Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and to be directed by Terence Fisher. At its conclusion, the backlot at Bray Studios would be plowed under, taking out sets going back to 1957. It was an end to an era — and Hammer went out on top with the stylish atmospheric THE GORGON.

Inside front cover.

Featuring:

* 'Reflections of Fear'

  The Making of THE GORGON - by Joshua Kennedy

* 'Cut Me A Robe From Toe to Lobe... Give Me A Skin For Dancing In'

  The Making of THE WITCHES - by Bruce G. Hallenbeck

* 'Joan Fontaine: Dreams of Manderley. From Hitchcock to Hammer'

  by Rod Labbe

* Ingrid Brett

  by Michael Reed

* Dracula and the Modern Age. Don Houghton and His Screenwriting of the Modern Day Hammer

  Dracula Films

  by David Gee

* Hello Dolly! The star of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls on The Kiss of the Vampire, Russ Meyer,

  Playboy and Hollywood

  Interview by Bruce G. Hallenbeck

* Christopher Wicking Hammer Diaries Part 4 - 1976

  Edited By Mitchel Wicking

Plus - "Fools Rush In..." Editorial * Letters to LSoH * Ralph's One-and-Only Travelling Reviews Company * Hammer News * 100 Pages!

 

Covers:

Front Cover by Jeff Preston

Back Cover by Colin Fenwick

Inside Front Cover by Dan Gallagher Jr.

Inside Back Cover by Alistair Hughes

The Best Classic British Horror Film Coverage Since 1972!

Back cover.

Inside back cover.

SPOTLIGHT ON LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS

Richard Klemensen has devoted himself to the world of British horror films for decades. His love for the genre is nowhere more evident than in his long-running magazine, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS. Over the years, he has cultivated a list of contributors that are world-renown for their critical and scholarly treatment of all things Hammer and other UK terror cinema. In addition, he has a group of artists that depict each issue's theme with outstanding renditions.

Now available to order is issue #46, with the lead feature on the making of Hammer's DRACULA (HORROR OF DRACULA in the USA) by Bruce Hallenbeck. Along with FRANKENSTEIN (aka CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN), these two films launched a new era in the history of horror.

I encourage readers of WOM who are interested in British Horror and horror history in general to order a copy from the flyer or website (see below). Help keep independent print publishers going!

In addition, a new biography of famed Hammer director Terence Fisher is being released by Fab Press in a signed and limited hardbound edition HERE.

Inside front cover by Bruce Timm.

Back Cover by Neil D. Volkes

Inside back cover by Mike Schneider.

Ad flyer page one.

Ad flyer order blank.

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 44 NOW AVAILABLE!

The latest issue of Richard Klemensen's award-winning magazine is now available to order! He's not kidding when he promotes his 'zine with the title: "The Best Classic British Horror Film Coverage Since 1972"! This issue is a special HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES retrospective. So, put on your deerstalker, fire up the calabash and get to it -- order link is below.

From the Publisher:
In 1958, Kenneth Hyman (the son of Hammer Film's silent partner - Eliot Hyman) came from New York to England with a project in hand - a new color version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles. After that, Hyman (also heading the overseas operation of his father's 7Arts Production) would provide Hammer with two action packed 'true life' films - The Stranglers of Bombay (1959) and The Terror of the Tomgs (1960).

Featuring:
The Hyman Horrors - Denis Meikle examines producer Kenneth Hyman's Trio of Terror for Hammer Films - The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Stranglers of Bombay and The Terror of the tongs.  

'Behind the Scenes' on The Hound of the Baskervilles - Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Terence Fisher and many of the people involved talk about the making of the film.  

'Murder Their Religion!' - The Making of The Stranglers of Bombay by Bruce G. Hallenbeck. 

"Murder By Hatchet!' - The Making of The Terror of the Tongs by Bruce G. Hallenbeck.  

'He Painted With Light! Jack Asher' - A tribute to Hammer's great Director of Photography by Emmy Award winning cinematographer - David J. Miller & Asher's daughters & Hammer film co-workers.  

'Michael Medwin: Hammer's First Star' - Interview by Denis Meikle.  

Dracula 2020 — The recent BBC/Netflix/Hartswood Film version of Bram Stoker's classic Novel.  
Interviews with Mark Gatiss (Writer/Producer/actor - as Renfield), Steven Moffat (Writer/Producer), Claes Bang (Count Dracula), Dolly Wells (Sister Agatha Van Helsing/Zoe Helsing), Cathering Schell (the Grand Duchess Valeria of Habsburg) and Dave Elsey (with his wife Loue responsible for all the FX makeups and effects).  

'The Hammer Diaries of Christopher Wicking - 1975 - Part 2' - Edited by Mitchel Wicking.  

Vampirella Live - Jonathan Rigby on the recent reading of Christopher Wicking's Vampirella script.  

All our regular features - Letters to LSoH - Ralph's One-and-Only Traveling Reviews CVompany - Hammer News.

Covers

• Front Cover by Mark Maddox
• Back Cover by David Robinson
• Inside Front Covers by Paul Watts & David Brooks
• Inside Back Cover by Alistair Hughes

 $10.95 + $3.25 first class shipping (USA)

BUY IT HERE!

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 43 NOW AVAILABLE

Now available from publisher Richard Klemesen is the 43rd issue of LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS. First launched in 1972, LSoH has evolved into the single most comprehensive journal of Hammer and other British horror films in existence.

I have said this many times here at MMW -- LSoH is a MUST HAVE magazine. If you've never seen or read an issue, I have scanned the ad flyer that I received recently in full scale so that you can print it out and order some copies. Better yet, just go HERE and order online. I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Here's the contents of the latest issue:

 Filmed in 1967 by British Tigon Productions, The Blood Beast Terror was called by Peter Cushing the worst film he ever appeared in. But how can you not like a Death's Head Vampire moth — played by the gorgeous Wanda Ventham (of Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter and UFO fame). It is silly, colorful and eminently enjoyable.

Plus, we go in-depth on the follow up film to last issue's Village of the Damned. This time, the very intelligent - and topical - Children of the Damned.

Featuring!
* A History of Horror Film Fanzines — The Monster Times
From 1972 to 1976 - a very hip, colorful (and well written) tabloid newspaper that initially came out every two weeks. The men who created and designed it - Larry Brill and Les Waldstein - cut their design teeth on the early sex tabloid - screw!

*'Beware the Eyes That Paralyze!' — They Come to Conquer the World!
The Making of Children of the Damned by Anthony McKay.

* 'They'll Never Believe This At the Yard.' — 'They'll Never Believe It Anywhere!'
The Making of The Blood Beast Terror by John Hamilton.

* Director Vernon Sewell — 'Regret Nothing'
Interview conducted by John Hamilton. The director of the Blood Beast Terror, Curse of the Crimson Altar/The Crimson Cult and 1972's Burke & Hare.

* All our regular features are back — Letters to LSoH - Ralph's One-and-Only Travelling Reviews Company - Hammer News

* Lots of original artwork and Rare Photos!

Covers
Front Cover by Paul Watts
Back Cover by Lee Copeland
Inside Front Cover by Dan Gallagher jr.
Inside Back Cover by Stewart McKissick

100 Pages
The Best Classic British Horror Film Coverage Since 1972

THIS 'DAMNED' 'ZINE IS DUE IN MAY

Front cover art by Steve Karchin.

Man, when I saw the ads for CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED they scared the pants of me! I was a kid, too, and the thought that kids close to my own age had evil powers just creeped me out.

Now publisher Dick Klemensen, in his usual up-down-and sideways fashion, will be covering the film in the latest LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS, due next month. Please support Dick's always superb effort by pre-ordering your copy right HERE.

Me? I can hardly wait!

From the publisher:
In 1960, a little black-and-white science fiction film - Village of the Damned - was released almost by mistake - by M-G-M, in the United Kingdom. The cold, glowing eyes of those 'Children' grabbed at audiences and made an international hit of this little low-budget flick.

Featuring:
BEWARE THE STARE — THE MAKING OF VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED by Anthony McKay.
  Anthony takes you in-depth behind the scenes of how what started as a low-budget Hollywood version of John Wyndham's best seller - The Midwich Cuckoos - in 1957 - became one of several little movies shooting at M-G-M'S Borehamwood Studios in 1959. Anthony had access to all the production records, talking to most of the key people and young performers that made those glowing eyes a world sensation.

 Interview with Max Rosenberg — by Jonathan Sothcott and Tom Weaver.
  Rosenberg was one of the two co-founders of Amicus Film Productions. Read as Max talks about the often contentious relationship he had with his partner, Milton Subotsky. Yet they gave us films like City of the Dead, Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, Asylum and many other really cool movies of imagination.

The Hammer Diaries of Christopher Wicking - 1974-1976 - Part 1 — Edited by Mitchel Wicking.
  Christopher Wicking wrote the screenplays for three American-International films (such as Scream and Scream Again) and three for Hammer (Blood From the Mummy's Tomb, etc.) - and for almost three years, he kept a diary of his time with Hammer as Script Supervisor. Read all the inside working of Hammer Films as it struggled to survive the 1970's.

All our regular features are back — Letters to LSoH - Ralph's One-and-Only Travelling Reviews Company - Hammer News

Lots of original artwork and Rare Photos!

Covers
Front Cover by Steve Karchin
Back Cover by David Robinson
Inside Front Cover by Mark Maddox
Inside Back Cover by Adrian Salmon

100 Pages!

Art by Mark Maddox.

Art by Adrian Salmon.

Arty by David Robinson.