THE 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN: DAY 19 Creepy Magazine Fan Club Button (1964)

The loquacious Uncle Creepy was created by the talented Russ Jones.

On the nineteenth day of Halloween, my true blood gave to me, nineteen Creepy Uncles, eighteen Eerie Cousins, seventeen Famous Monsters, sixteen Spiders Spinning, fifteen Witches Brewing, fourteen Voodoo Dollies, thirteen Ghosts a-Haunting, twelve Ghouls a-Grumbling, eleven Skulls a-Screaming, ten Zombies Feasting, nine Werewolves Howling, eight Mummies Crumbling, seven Vampires Preying, six Creatures S'laying, five Ghoulish Things, four Severed Limbs, three Shrunken Heads, two Devil Bats, and a Senior Lon Chaney!

THE 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN: DAY 18 Eerie Magazine Fan Club Button (1966)

The coquettish Cousin Eerie was created by the legendary Jack Davis.

On the eighteenth day of Halloween, my true blood gave to me, eighteen Eerie Cousins, seventeen Famous Monsters, sixteen Spiders Spinning, fifteen Witches Brewing, fourteen Voodoo Dollies, thirteen Ghosts a-Haunting, twelve Ghouls a-Grumbling, eleven Skulls a-Screaming, ten Zombies Feasting, nine Werewolves Howling, eight Mummies Crumbling, seven Vampires Preying, six Creatures S'laying, five Ghoulish Things, four Severed Limbs, three Shrunken Heads, two Devil Bats, and a Senior Lon Chaney!

THE 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN: DAY 17 Famous Monsters of Filmland #9, 1960

A portrait of Vincent Price was the first cover painted by Basil Gogos!

On the seventeenth day of Halloween, my true blood gave to me, seventeen Famous Monsters, sixteen Spiders Spinning, fifteen Witches Brewing, fourteen Voodoo Dollies, thirteen Ghosts a-Haunting, twelve Ghouls a-Grumbling, eleven Skulls a-Screaming, ten Zombies Feasting, nine Werewolves Howling, eight Mummies Crumbling, seven Vampires Preying, six Creatures S'laying, five Ghoulish Things, four Severed Limbs, three Shrunken Heads, two Devil Bats, and a Senior Lon Chaney!

INTO THE PAST WITH "FAMOUS MONSTERS #70"! I Review DESTROY ALL MONSTERS In 1970!

©2011 Movieland Classics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Last fall, I was contacted to contribute an article for a retro-style issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland, which would fill in the gap of the original "missing issues" (#70-#79). This was, according to legend, because the original founder and publisher, James Warren, hoped to reach #100 ten issues sooner to help with flagging sales (which were soon boosted by a Horror film revival in the early '70s). So, the publishing and editorial staff of the current incarnation of the classic magazine, decided to go forward to the past — having these issues set in the original dateline in which they would have been released, and that the writing should reflect not only the FM style of the 1970s, but also that all of the content be in-period.

I was told that they already had the perfect article in mind for me, a feature review on DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968), which would have been making US theatrical rounds in 1969 and 1970. Always having wanted to write for FM, I immediately said, "What's the deadline?" The resultant feature is heavily illustrated with a number of stills (including a couple of behind-the-scenes shots and storyboards), and even features an original sketch of the Moonlight SY-3 spacecraft, personally drawn for me by the late art director, Mutsumi Toyoshima, who created it! (Be sure to check out the You Axed For It! section, in this same issue, for a great behind-the-scenes still of visual effects director Sadamasa Arikawa coaching monster suit actor Yu Sekita as Angilas!)

The original monster magazine, with a publishing legacy spanning more than 50 years continues! Famous Monsters #70 is now shipping! In a tip of the hat to our grand old name, Famous Monsters presents the first of the missing issues. FM Retro 70, written in the style of the original Famous Monsters of Filmland, and offering features on Count Yorga, Vampire; Destroy All Monsters; Hercules in New York; Bride of Frankenstein and more. Also original columns, Mystery Photo, You Axed For It, Fang Mail and Things to Come. The Retro Cover is by Jeff Preston, edited by your favorite Monster Cuz Mighty Joe Moe, and of course we have Forrest J. Ackerman as our Honorary Editor-in-Chief!

Issue #70 of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" is now shipping! Order your copy today from the Captain Company!