Fanzine pioneer (and credited coiner of the term “sci-fi”) Forrest J. Ackerman died last week at the age of 92, so I thought it appropriate to showcase a bittersweet clip from the documentary The Sci-Fi Boys. Though I panned the film when it premiered at Tribeca a few years back (and got a lot of crap from readers as a result), I do recognize it as primarily a showcase for Ackerman’s celebration of and influence on genre filmmaking. If you’re looking for something to watch to pay tribute to the guy, this may be it.
Or, you could use this as a springboard with which to begin a marathon of Forry’s favorite sci-fi films. He lists them in this clip as being Metropolis, Things to Come, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man and The Time Machine. Also in this clip, filmed in 2003, Ackerman visits the grave of legendary sci-fi filmmaker George Pal and mentions that he’d recently almost joined the producer/director in the afterlife. Fortunately, fans got to enjoy Ackerman and his memorabilia museum home (the “Acker-mini-mansion”) for another five years. Now, though, “Forry” has gone and met up with Pal, and they’re likely having great conversations about H.G. Wells and the current state of sci-fi/fantasy.
Check out the clip of Ackerman and Sci-Fi Boys director Paul Davids after the jump.
Very cool clip.
I did a documentary soley on Forry’s life last year - called Famous Monster…it’s airing on Space TV in Canada and is about to be released on dvd in Europe….with a north american release soon.
We had no budget (I’m pretty envious of Sci-Fi Boys on that front) and a crew of two (including me), but I got to admit it was the best time I ever had making or writing in this business - hanging with Forry in his mini ackermansion and meeting all his friends (Bradbury, Harryhausen, Landis, Dante, Corman, etc)…It was a joy.
. Forry wasn’t too healthy and didn’t move around much, but never complained when an interview session reached 3 hours (plus the required trip to The House of Pies).
As my camera man remarked at one point - I can’t believe we get to spend the whole day talking monsters….
Exactly…It was so cool……thanks Forry.
Ian Johnston
So I thought Duke Nukem Forever would never come out, but I just saw this footage of it on http://jacehall.tv. Does this mean that it is going to come out.