SCREEN FACTS: BELA LUGOSI

This fanzine edited by Allan Barbour ran for 24 issues from 1963 to 1972. Page count varied from issue to issue and content was not limited to only horror films and actors, but included pictorials of many stars and movies from Hollywood's golden years.

The 6th issue (January 1964) contained a portfolio of photographs featuring Bela Lugosi. The photos were given to film critic and historian William K. Everson by Lugosi himself, who, in turn, kindly supplied them to Barbour to publish. Although many of them are now recognizable from various sources, at the time, the images had not yet been publicly seen.

A larger size of Lugosi's favorite portrait:

See more SCREEN FACTS HERE.

MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD CLASSIC RE-POST NO. 2

An early post I thought was worth taking another look at was this one -- actually two, as one was a follow-up to the other. These represented some of the first investigative topics that I wrote about in MMW.

Reprinted from MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD, December 31, 2010. This is an edited version of the original post.

FRANKENSTEIN'S 100th ANNIVERSARY

Another film celebrating a milestone this year -- this time a centennial -- is Thomas Edison's production of FRANKENSTEIN (1910). Long thought to be a lost film, the discovery in the Edison Archives of a copy of the March 1910 advert magazine, THE EDISON KINETOGRAM, offered a frightening glimpse of a Frankenstein monster that had after that became the stuff of legend. Unknown at the time, the remaining extant print was being jealously guarded by a private collector for many years. Short clips, sold for thousands of dollars per foot, were slowly and judiciously introduced into the market (to maximize profits, of course!). Finally, the owner was coaxed into a deal and a full print finally appeared. It is one of the very few success stories of a lost film being found . . . and intact.

Readers of early monster magazines got their first glimpse of the silent actor, Charles Ogle, in full make-up and costume as the monster in both FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND (issue #23) and CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN (issue #3 and later reprinted in the 1967 Fearbook).

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND NO. 23, June 1963

CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN NO. 3, 1963

CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN 1967 FEARBOOK

This is the follow-up post, reprinted from MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD, December 15, 2012.

THE EDISON FRANKENSTEIN CONTROVERSY

“I don’t think it’s egotism or conceit when I say I can’t honestly conjure up a vision of many filmonster fans standing at a newsstand confronted by FM and a couple of other titles, with only enough money to purchase one, and buying a title other than FM.”

– Forrest J Ackerman

In December, 2010 I published a post celebrating the 100th year of the Edison FRANKENSTEIN silent film. In it I mentioned the first two magazines that showed actual pictures from the EDISON KINETOGRAM cover depicting the monster.

I was wrong.

It turns out that -- like many historical events -- the truth is sometimes overshadowed by the pomp and circumstance surrounding their occurrence. As shown below in the editorial by Alan G. Barbour, recognition for the first “modern” magazine to carry the now-famous photo actually belongs to SCREEN FACTS (Vol. 1 No. 4, Fall 1963).

This claim is further bolstered by the discussion by author Frederick C. Wiebel, Jr. in his book, EDISON’S FRANKENSTEIN (Bear Manor Media, 2010). He mentions the discovery of the March 15, 1910 issue of the EDISON KINETOGRAM while researching an article about the FRANKENSTEIN films for SCREEN FACTS. Interestingly enough, while Mr. Wiebel comments on himself seeing the KINETOGRAM photo in both FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN, he fails to mention its earlier appearance in SCREEN FACTS, including listing it in as a source in the "Periodicals" bibliography of the book.

Nevertheless, editor Barbour asserts he was the first to run the photo according to his explanation:

“In the June 1963 issue of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, a magazine devoted primarily to printing pictures of monsters and its editor, a picture of the first Frankenstein Monster was presented. Since that time we have received many letters from our readers asking whether or not that was the FIRST publication of that picture in recent times. The answer is, of course, NO! The first publication of this picture was in SCREEN FACTS magazine number one (now out of print and a collector’s item). So that the record may be set straight on this rare SCREEN FACTS scoop, here are the facts (all backed up by indisputable evidence).

"November 1962: On a tip from Kirk Bond, Edward Connor uncovers the picture in the archives of the New York Public Library.

"January 1963: SCREEN FACTS magazine publishes the picture for the first time in recent history.

"January 1963: SCREEN FACTS gives a copy of the picture for publication to CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN magazine.

"February 1963: Forrest J. Ackerman orders ten copies of SCREEN FACTS number one which were shipped directly to his home by ENTERTAINMENT FILMS here in New York. (We still have his dated order form).

"June 1963: FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND publishes the picture of the Frankenstein Monster using such eye-catching front cover headlines as "THIS ISSUE - MOST UNUSUAL FRANKENSTEIN PICTURE EVER", and inside "50 Year Search Ends in FM Triumph!" The find was credited as follows: "Motion Picture historian Clark Wilkinson helped track the monster down & bring you this magic moment in FM history" (Ed. Mr. Wilkinson is also a SCREEN FACTS subscriber and received issue one in January 1963). Nowhere in the article does Mr. Ackerman credit the actual source (45 pages away in the front under the credits and acknowledgements listing SCREEN FACTS is listed, which we assume justifies the omission in the actual article). In fairness to the magazine, nowhere does it actually mention that it was the FIRST to print the picture. But then, did it actually have to?

"July 1963: CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN publishes the picture, understandably believing they were the first major magazine to have it (and they credited SCREEN FACTS!).

"We were content to let the matter ride, knowing full well that all our readers would, of course, know the truth. However, after reading the asinine and thoroughly unprofessional attack leveled by FAMOUS MONSTERS against a competitor in FM's current issue, we felt just a little TRUTH should sprout forth.

"We know Mr. Ackerman would NEVER fail to give credit where credit is due. We even wish FM well on their latest contest (the one where the kids must spend FOUR DOLLARS to buy two original scenarios). We are sure it will be as successful as the last (in which the kids had to buy a 4.95 make-up kit in order to enter).”

Interview with FJA from Famous Monsters #24 , March 1963.

The “attack” mentioned by Mr. Barbour was leveled against the short-lived WORLD FAMOUS CREATURES magazine. Admittedly, like a few other monster magazines of the day, WFC was a bit on the rough side, but to be singled out by Forry as a hack job was downright vicious -- and ultimately – unnecessary, especially when he explained earlier in the interview that he was dismissive of any rival publications.

Another curious point to ponder is that, in the two-part, multi-issue interview of the editor of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND (issue #’s 24 and 25), Mr. Ackerman pontificates on many ‘a topic, including his acerbic comments on FM’s competition. The comments are rather imperious to the point of being arrogant – strange coming from a person whose own ‘zine was, although benefited by somewhat more appealing art direction, mainly targeted for a teenage-and-younger audience.

There is no question that FJA and his publisher, Jim Warren, were protective of their product. After all, it was these two that launched the industry of the monster magazine in the first place. Combined with their unabashed self-promotion (how many pictures have you seen of Forry without a copy of FM in his hands?) and aggressive marketing, they were, indeed, a force to be reckoned with.

Unfortunately, I do not have an example of the issue of SCREEN FACTS where the Edison Frankenstein is pictured. For now, I will be taking film historian Alan Barbour’s word as printed in his editorial.

And that is, indeed, a screen fact!

MALEVA!

It's true that Unviversal's monster movies wouldn't be much if it weren't for the monsters themselves and the mon-stars that played them. Production design, sets, scripts, and music also play a large part in the general atmosphere of these gothic greats.

Another important element that makes these vintage horror films classics are the numerous supporting cast members, many of them playing memorable roles that have over the years, become iconic in the oeuvre. After all, whrere would Dr. Frankenstein be without Dwight Frye's Fritz, or Rathbone's Frankenstein be without Lugosi's Ygor?

One of the most unique of these supporting players was a woman who knew how to "say her prayers by night" and avoid the bite of the werewolf -- the character that monster fans the world over know as "the old gypsy woman", Maleva, played by Maria Ouspenskaya.

Maria Ouspenskaya was born in Tula, Russia, on July 29, 1876. She played in hundreds of Russian films before coming to America to make a few more.

In her biography by Homer Dickens in SCREEN FACTS #4 (Fall 1963), he proclaims that her "unusual accent, luminous eyes and bold Tartar feautures created an image not easily forgotten". He goes on to chronicle her short run of 20 American films that includes her role as Maleva in THE WOLF MAN and FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN.

We all know and are endeared towards the character of Maleva as she is always seen as the wise benefactor and sometimes-protector of our anti-hero turned werewolf, Larry Talbot. The role couldn't have been more perfectly cast.

SCREEN FACTS NO. 23/24 (DOUBLE ISSUE)

SCREEN FACTS
No. 23/24 (Double Issue)
Editor: Alan G. Barbour
Publication Date: April (?) 1972
Publisher: Screen Facts Press
B&W covers and interior
52 pages (including covers)
Cover price: $3.00
Estimated value: $20.00

I covered a special SCREEN FACTS ALBUM edition in a July, 2010 post. In it I discussed the beginnings of SCREEN FACTS magazine and its creator Alan G. Barbour. Mr. Barbour was a highly-regarded writer and film historian. His name can be seen in many film publications, and he wrote a number of books including one on the Republic Pictures serials.

He also had access to massive stills collections. This special double issue of SCREEN FACTS spotlighted the Universal horror films and was promoted as "A Pictorial Salute to All Time Favorite Universal Horror Fills". And what a tribute it is! Filled with impressive, high quality shots of famous scenes from the various classic Universal monster movies, it is a visual feast for any fan of the era. Although a number of the stills are quite recognizable today, many have not had a lot of exposure since they were published here. I am particularly impressed with the portrait of Vincent Price from the TOWER OF LONDON. Also included in the sample images below is a great crane shot of the Universal backlot.

SCREEN FACTS magazine remains an indispensible resource for not only vintage horror film images, but historical cinema in general. This special monsters issue was printed on a toothy, matte paper. The repro qualities of the images are terrific. The only text are the captions at the bottom of each photograph. The rest of it more than speaks for itself.

SCREEN FACTS ALBUM UPDATE

It appears the tale of SCREEN FACTS ALBUMS is not quite over. Mike from MONSTER MAGAZINES BLOGSPOT was kind enough to inform me that there was indeed a third edition that featured Bela Lugosi's 1931 DRACULA and directed me to Pierce & Ballantine's 2000 edition of MONSTER MAGAZINE & FANZINE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE #2. Sure enough, on page 232 a SCREEN FACTS ALBUM NO. 3 is listed. The editors list the date of publication for the series as "1971-1972?" I purchased my copy of SCREEN FACTS ALBUM NO. 2 at Bond Street Bookstore in Hollywood back in the mid-70s and considered it a back issue even at that time.

Unfortunately, the cover scans for the various magazines in the Guide are large enough to view but small enough to make a decent scan a challenging prospect. I have yet been able to find any additional material on the elusive and short-lived SCREEN FACTS ALBUM series. As a result, I felt compelled to create a "reconstructed" image of the cover of the third edition utilizing several graphics sources. I think it turned out to be a pretty fair representation. Below is the image:

SCREEN FACTS ALBUM NO. 2: FRANKENSTEIN

SCREEN FACTS, THE MAGAZINE OF HOLLYWOOD'S PAST, was a bi-monthly magazine that first appeared on the stands in 1963, selling for a hefty 75 cents. It was edited and published by film historian Alan G. Barbour (d. 12 FEBRUARY 2002). Chris Steinbrunner was credited as the magazine's Business Manager. The editorial address was listed as being in Kew Gardens, New York.

The contents for issue one were: "The Silent Serial" by William K. Everson, "The Saga of Frankenstein" by Edward Connor, "Roy Barcroft", by Alan G. Barbour, "Miklos Rozsa" by Clifford McCarty, and "The Serials of Republic" by Earl Michael. The back cover announced within its pages "an exclusive picture of the original Frankenstein monster of Edison's 1910 production!" SCREEN FACTS ceased publishing in 1969 with issue 20.

Sometime, probably in the mid-60s, SCREEN FACTS published a companion magazine entitled SCREEN FACTS ALBUM. It featured the serials of Flash Gordon. The second (and last) edition featured the 1931 Universal Pictures motion picture, FRANKENSTEIN. The album was 12 pages, including covers, and contained stills with no interior descriptive text other than a copyright notice for the film. There was no indicia. The back cover was a full-page order blank for the next album which was to be Universal's DRACULA. So far as can be determined, it was never published.

SCREEN FACTS ALBUM could be considered scarce, if not rare, as little has been seen of it for sale throught the "usual" channels in recent years. Taken in the context of the time in which it was published, it was quite a find in and of itself, for some of the photographs depicted within its dozen brief pages were considered rare for most readers and fans of the day, even to those familiar with most of the images that had already been regularly circulating through the various monster movie magazines. In conclusion, SCREEN FACTS ALBUM NO. 2 FRANKENSTEN, despite its noticeable lack of text and editorial content, remains a rather unique entry in the over 50-year history of monster film magazines. Included here are the covers and six of the interior pages.