Fully emmersed in monsters it is no small wonder that when I discovered Famous Monsters of Filmland it would be an immediate 'love at first site' scenario.
The Land of the Giants cover of #55 smacked me
right across the face and I was hooked forever. I vividly remember standing there at the mag rack and checking out
each department. Even the ads in the back were awesome! How cool is
that!!
Awaiting each monstrous issue was almost too much for a young kid caught up in the land of Universal Monsters. There were two stores up the street that had them, Magic Market and Curry's Pharmacy, and they would only get a few copies of each issue. Naturally I wasnt the only kid in town crazy about monsters, and having issues scarfed up before I had a chance to get there only heightened the expectation and excitement when FM was available.
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Born from a partnership with a 50's mag entitled 'After Hours', Jim
Warren and Forrest J Ackerman brought this iconic rag to the planet earth in
February of 1958. Intended as a 'one shot' publication with a working title
of 'Wonderama', Famous Monsters of Filmland disappeared from magazine racks
across the country at speeds even a tranforming Dracula could appreciate. It
became so popular
in fact, that its initial run lasted until March 1983...ending on Issue # 191.
Ackerman left the publication after issue #190, though it's
demise was due in large part to a sudden debilitating illness to Jim who
just couldnt keep up with his many responsiblities.
One of the many endearing qualities to FM is the classic covers. Many a monster fan would confidently proclaim that FM has the greatest assortment of monster art , found in the covers themselves. With masters such as Gogo's and James Bama providing the landscape. Who could argue.
While JW kept himself out of the fray, Forry remained active in the monster/sci-fi con circuit and contributed to numerous publications during FM's absence. He was also very kind to his fans. I "still" can't beleive he actually responded to two of my emails. This is the man who rubbed shoulders with Karloff, Lugosi, Chaney...and he has time for me!! What a guy.
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Before he decided to scale down his living arrangements, he always opened his home "THE ACKERMANSION" to anyone who has cause or desire to enter and be witness to arguably the greatest collection of sci-fi/horror memorabilia on the planet earth. Even near the end of his life , he was graciously letting fans not only come by, but call him to chat.
Two men who shared a common goal, who are today legends in the area of fandom and publishing. Two men who helped shape the imaginations of countless children, and foster a generation of fans.
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As the years passed, Famous Monsters of Filmland found itself mired in limbo. Doing so led to the trademark being tagged as 'Abandonned' by the US Patent and Trademark office. But for long suffering fans of FM, the mag was about to bust out of the sulpher pit like the Frankenstein monster himself.
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Like FM#55 before it, I was completely taken aback when I stumbled into Barnes and Noble in Auburn, Massachusetts sometime in 1998, looking for a sports mag when there, on the stand, staring back at me, was Famous Monsters of Filmland #223. I had no idea my favorite mag had risen from the grave.
Fresh in mind is my snatching up that issue and seeing, rather happily mind you, that it was more than up to snuff to my ideal of FM's legend. Once home, I called the back issue department and purchased every issue available at the time, filling it out with ebay purchases. Within no time I had the complete new run. It was like 1968 all over again!!
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Brought back to life by Ray Ferry sometime in '93, Famous Monsters once again spread the horrorific ideals of its predecessor, vastly improving on the overall quality of the publication. Smooth, sleak, and jam packed with monsters big and bold, FM crept across the country introducing a new generation of kids and Monster Kids to all the great things Famous Monsters has to offer.
During his time at the FM helm, Ray Ferry pumped out terrorific issue after issue. Just like in the golden age of FM in the 60's, the covers were graced with classic portraits of the legendary actors of that bygone era of Horrorwood. At the start of FM's rebirth, Ferry allowed Forry to be part of it all as he once again served as Editor with issue #200; brought to life for the now legendary 1993 Famous Monsters of Filmland Convention. Forry ended up leaving the magazine a second time, and filed suit against Ferry. Forry won the judgement, altho it was later downsized considerably. This stagnated the publishing of FM for a time, but it returned in full force shortly after the trial.
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Ferry long asserted he owned the mark due to legal inconsistencies at the trial. His continued publishing of the mag supports his belief in this claim. This is why it was so suprising to learn that in 2007 Philip Kim purchased the trademark of Famous Monsters from the bankruptcy trustee assigned the mark during Ferry's bankruptcy trial. Ferry balked at the sale, claiming it unjust, and another legal tussle over the iconic mark was on.
This time, however, it would be in complete contrast to the Forry/Ferry trial.
With the principles involved getting together in conversation, they came to an understand and reached a rather fast settlement.
For your ease, the statement is provided for you below:
AN OPEN MESSAGE TO ALL FM FANS FROM RAY FERRY, PHILIP KIM AND CONNIE
BEAN:
April 08, 2009 --
Many of you are aware that, for the past 6 months, we have been involved
in legal proceedings related to ownership rights concerning the "Famous
Monsters of Filmland" trademark. These proceedings stemmed from
unresolved matters arising from a sale of the property rights to Mr. Kim
in October 2007. After a personal meeting among us, we have fully
resolved our differences and reached an amicable settlement. Ray and
Connie acknowledge Phil Kim as the new owner of the trademark. His web
site at www.famousmonstersoffilmland.com is to be considered the
"official" internet site for the mark. Connie will retain her
www.filmlandclassics.com web store and will continue as the reseller of
back issue of Famous Monsters magazine published by Ray until the
current inventory is depleted. Ray will continue his work as editor and
publisher of his two new magazines FREAKY and SHOCK THEATER CLASSICS.
CONCERNING FM #250:
Pursuant to our agreement, FM #250 will be edited/published by Ray Ferry
as originally planned. FM #250 will be the FINAL ISSUE in the SECOND
SERIES of FM magazine, which began with issue #200 (May 1993). Filmland
Classics customers who have current subscriptions that include FM #250
will receive their copies. Pre-orders for FM #250 are currently being
accepted. The issue will ship at the end of May, 2009. Note that there
will be only a limited number of copies available for general purchase
once the issue is published! There will be no reprints of any more
issues and once current inventory is depleted, that's it. Visit
www.filmlandclassics.com (or www.famousmonstersoffilmland.com) for
pre-ordering information.
THE WAR OF THE WORDS:
We realize that FM is an emotional topic for many fans. There was and
still continues to be a lot of anger and misunderstanding among some
factions of fandom and the subject has polarized what should be a
friendly and enjoyable hobby for all. We three have resolved our
differences and we ask that you fans respect our decision and end the
war of the words. There is no good that can come from fans continuing to
debate, ridicule, threaten or otherwise keep a war going that no longer
exists.
FINALLY:
We each thank all who have shown their support. We ask that all fans
bury the proverbial hatchet and let us rebuild to once again make the
world of FM an enjoyable place to be. Certainly there will be those few
(and even people close to Phil, Ray and Connie) who will resist change
or settlement and will continue to fan the flames. Ignore them. They
don't speak for us and they don't speak for fandom. If Ray, Phil or
Connie has something to say, they will say it. If you find our
reconciliation to be surprising or even shocking, keep in mind there
will be probably be even surprises in store in the coming months…To
paraphrase John F. Kennedy: "There are no permanent enemies. Our most
basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all
breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are
all mortal."
So we say again (in 3-part harmony) "To a new world of gods and
monsters!"
Ray Ferry
Phil Kim
Connie Bean
Ferry has moved on to the future with plans at Filmland Classics to release two new magazines: Freaky Monsters and Freaky Tales. Information can be found at his new website FreakyMag .
Phil Kim's FM site is up and running with loads on info on all things horror, sci fi and fantasy. Futher, it has been announced that, indeed, Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine will continue!
From what I understand the forward of the first PKFM was written by Forry himself! What a way to kick off the new era in pulp having the sci fi and FM grand master draw back the curtain.
As FM purists understand, there just isn't anything close to holding a new copy of FM in your hands. That opportunity is cropping up at Comic Con where fans can get a preview of FM#251. Better yet, Famous Monsters of Filmland conventions have returned to the Universe! It's enough to pop an electrode.
The FM future is now at the NEW FM.
One thing is clear.
Regardless of time and distance.......
Famous Monsters of Filmland will persevere.