Have You ever Heard about Forrest J Ackerman?
Forrest J Ackerman is universally appreciated as the most famous collector of flying saucer and alien movie memorabilia. This outstanding person is also well-known as a former editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland. He has involved himself in a life-long love affair with science-fiction having helped shape the world of science fiction that we enjoy to this day. Science-fiction fans probably know Ackerman by a few of his many nicknames: Forry, 4SJ, Ackermonster, or Mr. Sci-Fi. He used to sign the editorials on the opening page of Famous Monsters magazine as DR. ACULA.
In some magical way Forry managed to embellish virtually every page of every issue( 200 altogether) of Famous Monsters with photos and posters borrowed from his personal collection, and you would not find any single space alien, spacecraft, or flying saucer born in the TV world in those days that did not have its photo featured on the magazine's pages.
Forry Ackerman's Contributions to Sci-fi World
Forry Ackerman contributed to establishing the reputation of the best special effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen. Ray's films (EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS and FIRST MEN IN THE MOON) gave everybody the idea about the way how classic saucers and aliens should look like.
Forry also supported in his magazine the science fiction and fantasy films of George Pal (WAR OF THE WORLDS, WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, THE TIME MACHINE.) The George Pal films were vital for the foundation and development of science fiction in the cinema. The Science-fiction books of Ray Bradbury and the films of John Landis were also provided with great backing thanks to Ackerman. He is also the creator of the sexy comic-book character Vampirella, an attractive female vampire from Drakulon. As an actor himself he has acted in more than sixty films. Forrest Ackerman drives a Lincoln Continental with a SCI FI license plate.
Forry Ackerman's Unique Collection
Forry Ackerman's science-fiction collection has been housed in his 18-room Hollywood home named "The Ackermansion" where he lived until 2002. It is filled with 300,000 pieces of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror movie memorabilia. Forry's generosity to fans is absolutely amazing. The Ackermansion was opened to everybody interested in a visit. The only requirement to get the ‘entrance ticket' was to phone in advance to make a reservation for attending his often-held open house afternoons. Since 1951, about 50,000 fans were thrilled to witness Mr. Sci-Fi's collection paying the visit to the Ackermansion.
This is a man who really has deserved love and admiration of those who worship Forry's favorite film genre. Forry has received as a gift the "key" to many cities from mayors in many countries. He even wanted to donate all the collection, valued at around ten million dollars, to the City of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the former mayor, Tom Bradley, could not provide a suitable location for the museum to house the treasures, and Ackerman's dream of a museum remained unrealized.
The Present Life of Forrest J Ackerman
Now at the age of 88, Forrest J Ackerman takes an active part in such activities as making hundreds of appearances at international conventions, book signings, film cameos and television programs. Everyone can enjoy reading his own works (Famous Forry Friends, Lon of 1000 faces), as well as many anthologies featuring Forry's favorite stories (Ackermanthology, Ackerwomanthology, Rainbow Fantasia, etc) published by Sense of Wonder Press. Worlds of Tomorrow represents a picture book of Sci-Fi art from the golden age of the genre. It has been recently released and is greatly praised by the critics. Forry has also become a board member of the wonderful new Seattle Science Fiction Museum where many precious things from his own collection have been displayed for future generations.
At the moment Forry lives in his Acker-mini-mansion in Hollywood and continues entertaining fans every week with his unique collection of memorabilia and beloved stories of the origins of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror art, filmmaking, and everything fantastical. For every passionate science fiction fan the visit to Acker-mini-mansion is an opportunity of a life time.
Those who had a chance to visit Mr. Sci-fi's house, would acknowledge that every room, every inch, was filled with science fiction books, magazines and vintage movie posters collected through the years. Forri likes to show to his visitors a copy of Amazing Stories dated with 1926, the first scientifiction story read by the young Forri that made him fall in love with the genre.
The shelves in the house are full of masks from a great variety of movies like Frankenstein, Star Wars, Enemy Mine and others. The visitors may also see actual props, models and miniatures from such films as This Island Earth, War of the Worlds, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Earth Vs The Flying Saucers, King Kong and many, many more. There you will discover actual pieces of original ape makeup from Planet of the Apes and real "live" tribbles from Star Trek.
At Mr. Ackerman's disposal there is the cape and ring owned by Bela Lugosi when he acted as the famous Dracula. The fans are surprised by an entire cabinet of antiques dedicated to Dracula. Bela Lugosi has given to the museum the first edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula signed by the author and many over prominent men who performed the role of the famous vampire. On top of the cabinet there is one of the alien hands obtained from War of the Worlds.
Metropolis is one of Forry's favorite movies. Mr. Ackerman organized a room devoted to the Fritz Lang film. The Robot Maria captures everybody's attention in Forry's living room where he usually tells his fascinated visitors amazing stories about his fantastic journeys.
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