Meeting the Ackermonster

Posted by Earl in A Walk Through the Forrest with Earl Roesel, Books, Latest News on November 14th, 2009

Sometime around 2002 I gained a home internet connection and it would change my life forever. At first I was very sheepish about contributing to chat rooms or message boards, but soon I found courage enough to post in minor ways on IMDb, and later Scarlet Street. The latter was operated by Richard Valley, publisher of the eponymous magazine. Though I only met him once in person, I found Richard to be an intelligent and witty, if at times vitriolic, expert on the subjects of classic horror and his beloved Sherlock Holmes.

I would make the acquaintance of a number of other intriguing individuals on this same board, including one who went under the name Moetown. Though I was completely ignorant of the fact at first, this was Joe Moe of Hollywood, Forrest J Ackerman’s caretaker. His online demeanor was as warm and supportive as his personal one, as I’d eventually discover.

Over the ensuing years of posting on Scarlet Street, I found that the board regulars made a habit of attending the Monster Bash convention in Pittsburgh. The thought of leaving my old Kentucky home was still unfathomable, but in early 2006 I found myself strongly urged to make my way north for the event. Never having taken a trip anywhere for any reason, the thought was of course daunting — but I did it. Soon enough I was in Pennsylvania, at my first convention, and loving every minute of it. Chilly Billy Cardille was sitting right by the door. He was the biggest celebrity I’d seen up to that point!

The Scarlet Street staff and Forry in a pre-dinner pose. I am third from left, Richard Valley second from right.

Joining the Scarlet team at their table, I was soon ushered along to meet Forry Ackerman. The walk to him was filled with wonderful anticipation. A circle that had begun with The Horror Hall of Fame was now closing, in a way. Upon entering the room the first thing I heard was Zacherley’s unmistakable laughter. Over to the side was Basil Gogos with prints of many of his tre-monstrous works. Just across from him was Forry.

And my heart sank. He looked to be 1,000 years old, bearing no resemblance to the suave, slightly obese gentleman I’d seen on television. I’d read the updates Joe Moe posted on Scarlet Street concerning 89-year-old Forry’s health,  making me aware he’d been going through some rough times-but I didn’t expect this. He spoke and moved very slowly.

An awestruck Earl Roesel looks on as Forry Ackerman and Zacherley converse.

I was quickly invited by Joe to sit down next to Forry. I produced a pocket tape recorder to capture this moment for posterity. Figuring that everyone asked about Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, I proceeded to question FJA about L. Ron Hubbard and Kenneth Anger. He related a number of anecdotes, including a few nasty-sounding ones in relation to a falling-out he’d recently had with Anger. I rejoiced in the thought that no one, ever, had been privy to these fabulous secrets.

Little did I know then that these same tidbits, along with scores of others, were all very well rehearsed inside Forry’s clockwork mind. I’d hear them trotted out again and again to various people over the course of my association with the Ackermonster. At the time though, I felt like a neophyte receiving arcane knowledge from an elder wizard.

I can’t help but be reminded of something Forry would later tell me about his first meeting with Bela Lugosi. FJA played an audio recording of the aging actor in his prime with the following results.

“Bela was a little deaf but he smiled as he heard himself speaking those words that he’d once spoken many years ago in his youth. He excused himself temporarily and went into his kitchen and beyond it; he came back wearing his famous Dracula cape. He put himself into the role of Dracula, putting the whammy on my wife. She pretended to be frightened of him. Then he put the whammy on our Japanese houseguest, who likewise acted afraid of him. It is a wonderful memory in my mind.

My wife and I began to feel sorry for Bela. With no wife, he seemed to be a fragile old man with no friends.”