FAMOUS MONSTER: FORREST J ACKERMAN, a one-hour Canadian TV documentary on sci-fi and horror's greatest fan,  screened as part of a star-studded Ackerman tribute March 8^th in Hollywood.

 

“It’s a real thrill and more than a little appropriate,” says Famous Monster producer/director Michael MacDonald of the Halifax-based Roadhouse Films. 

 

“Forry was a legend who spent his whole life living and working in Hollywood. To be asked to screen our doc for his friends and fans is a great honour.”

 

The TV documentary – a collaboration between MacDonald and former Halifax writer Ian Johnston (TV’s Liography, The Business) - was shot in Hollywood and Toronto. It aired originally in Canada on Space and City-TV.

 

Famous Monster focuses on 90 years in the life of editor/agent/collector Ackerman, who once possessed the world’s large collection of fantasy film memorabilia. Known as Uncle Forry to his fans, Ackerman is credited with coining the word “sci-fi” and inspiring writers like Stephen King and young film-makers like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas with his magazine “Famous Monsters of Filmland”.

 

“Forry inspired me,” confesses legendary B-movie film-maker Roger Corman in the documentary. “And I inspired a few people. And hopefully, they’re inspiring others.”

 

Ackerman died December 4^th at the age of 92.

 

The memorial tribute – sponsored by American Cinematheque, a non-profit film organization in Los Angeles - will be held at the historic Egyptian Theater, the site of the first red carpet Hollywood movie premiere in 1922.

 

Following the tribute, FAMOUS MONSTER will be released on DVD in North America March 23^rd.

 

“I don’t think you can say who will follow in Forry’s footsteps,” concludes director John Landis (Animal House, The Blues Brothers) in Famous Monster.  “The answer is nobody.”

 

For more information or photos, please contact Michael MacDonald (Halifax) at (902) 448-9091 or Ian Johnston (Toronto) at (416) 532-9869.

 

 

To get your own copy please see our blog:

 

http://famousmonsterforrestjackerman.blogspot.com/