Ben Chapman, the on-land Gill Man ... in Final Farewells Forum

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Ben Chapman, the on-land Gill Man ...

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TomWeaver999	Ben Chapman, the on-land Gill Man ...	Lead	[-]
Feb 21 08 10:51 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	... in the original CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, passed away this morning. Bob Burns, who e-mailed me and asked me to post this, doesn't have any further details as yet. "I knew that he was not doing well and I wrote him a week ago," Bob writes; "I just didn't know he was this bad. I'm still in a state of shock. He was such a sweet guy." Probably the last time most of us saw "Benny" was at last summer's Monster Bash, where he was under the weather the very first night and then too sick even to leave his bed the rest of the weekend. But when I called him subsequently, he said he was going to try to rally his strength and do a few more cons. I don't know if he did or not. R.I.P., Benny. Last Edited By: TomWeaver999 Feb 21 08 10:54 AM. Edited 1 time.
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Penny Dreadful		#1	[-]
Feb 21 08 11:03 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I just read about this over on the UMA site. Very sad news. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Penny Dreadful's Shilling Shockers http://www.shillingshockers.com
sketchyfrank		#2	[-]
Feb 21 08 11:10 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	He was my friend. I am devastated. Frank Dietz www.sketchythings.com
blackbiped		#3	[-]
Feb 21 08 11:11 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Sorry to hear it. Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way. Porfle's Secret Blog HK and Cult Film News Andersonvision.com
sketchyfrank		#4	[-]
Feb 21 08 11:47 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Frank Dietz www.sketchythings.com
taraco		#5	[-]
Feb 21 08 12:27 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I met Ben Chapman a few times at various shows and was always struck by how big a man he was, and how gentle and happy he seemed with his unforgettable slice of movie history. He would tell the same stories -- don't we all? -- but always with a new twist or laugh. He seemed wondrously vibrant, and his passing is a sad moment indeed. I'll hear the da-da-daaah now and always. Rest in peace, Ben Chapman. david Rondo VI is here!
Robert Summit		#6	[-]
Feb 21 08 12:29 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The Lagoon is a little blacker this morning....RIP!! "If you had a face like mine, you'd punch me right in the nose, and I'm just the fella that can do it!"
sketchyfrank		#7	[-]
Feb 21 08 12:37 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aloha, "Dad," I'll miss you always. Frank Dietz www.sketchythings.com
georgechastain	Aloha, Ben	#8	[-]
Feb 21 08 1:12 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	(Just posted this over on the UMA site, sorry to be redundant if you saw it there): THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the first horror movie (possibly the first movie of ANY kind) that I can remember seeing, at the Islander Drive-In in Key West when it first came out, sitting in the back seat of the family car by myself. It scared the HELL out of me, but it also fascinated me and initiated a lifelong interest in awesome monsters. I got to spend some time with Ben when I first met him at Monster Bash in 2000. Some friends and I had a table in the same room with him, and we helped him whenever we could over the weekend. I was delighted to find out that the big lovable monster I'd known so long was such a big lovable character inside too. A very warm, friendly, funny, GENUINE guy -- and a little outrageous too! I brought along one of those near-lifesize diecut standees of the Creature that Blockbuster used to advertise the video, and Ben displayed it behind his table all weekend. At the end of the show he inscribed and signed it for me across Blackie's midsection with a big silver marker... and he offered to add an off-color anatomical doodle if I wanted it. I wish now that I'd taken him up on it. This would be a good day to watch THE CREATURE again and revisit the magic and the majesty.
Ottermole		#9	[-]
Feb 21 08 1:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"This is the one I'll be remembered for!"
Tim Lucas VW		#10	[-]
Feb 21 08 1:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm regretting now that I never met him. Frank, that line drawing of Ben has so much heart, so much love in it, I'm speechless -- and the photos you posted explain why. I'm sorry to hear that we've lost one of filmdom's great monsters, but I'm especially sorry for your personal loss and for the loss being felt by others who knew and loved him. Read Video WatchBlog at www.videowatchdog.com!
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KarloffLives		#11	[-]
Feb 21 08 1:32 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Wow. Ben was one of the first interviews we ever ran on Classic-Horror.com, way back in 2002. Very sad. Rest in peace, Ben. Classic-Horror.com - Reviewing the History of Terror Horror reviews, features, interviews, and news with a nostalgic bent.
HalLane		#12	[-]
Feb 21 08 1:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Really starting to dread this folder. We'll miss you, Ben.
JefftheWalrus		#13	[-]
Feb 21 08 2:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I stood before the ocean a young man and noticed just beyond the horizon a thickening. I wasn't quite sure what it was at first maybe just an optical trick or just the light refracting off the water. It seemed to be getting closer and rising and then I realized that it was a giant wave. Before I could react it was upon me and the force of it pushed my already frozen legs further into the ocean floor. I could not move and then passed out. Slowly, I regained consciousness, how long was I out for? I opened my eyes into the salty murk of chaos. I could not see or hear clearly but could feel that my skin was wrinkled and bleached . Rubbing my head, I noticed my hair had thinned. When I looked up I noticed that the sun seemed to be getting closer but realized that it was just the water slowly receding back to its origin. Miraculously, I had survived, I could once again breathe. Little by little I could even start to move my legs. As I looked about my surroundings the horror of my situation became clear. Everything was different, all that was near and dear to me was now gone. I began to cry as I longed for what never would or could be again. Lucky to be alive yet out of place, I realized that I no longer feared life's ultimate surrender. RIP Mr. Chapman Jeffrey Martin
Butcher Benton	I hate this.	#14	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:02 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yesterday, Lt. Lou Escobar (Perry Lopez) and today the Gillman, Ben Chapman. To echo Tim, he is obviously a person that was worth meeting. R.I.P.
FAMOUSMONSTERS62		#15	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:02 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm speechless .................RIP MR. CHAPMAN Kevin
JessieLilley		#16	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:05 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This sux. I really liked Ben a lot. He and I had a few parties at Chiller over the years. He was truly a party animal and one sweetheart of a guy. I'm so sorry to have gotten that phone call a little while ago. Aloha, Ben. We miss ya' man! [Edited to add] I will never forget how he cracked me up one night when I was running from point A to point B on some mission or other and he reached out a big paw and snatched me around the waist (that's beack when I still had a waist) and said - "Whoa! Slow down baby cakes! This ain't the mainland!" ut it WAS the mainland. "Naw. It's Chiller! The place you come to Chill!" Last Edited By: JessieLilley Feb 21 08 5:34 PM. Edited 1 times.
Wolfman Joe	Re: Ben Chapman, the on-land Gill Man ...	#17	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:09 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, man, first Roy Scheider, now Ben... it's been a rough beginning to 2008 for fans of underwater horror. I remember first hearing about this "other" Gill-Man years ago, after for so long thinking that he was always Ricou Browning - finding out that there was another living classic monster actor was like finding out about a long-lost family member that you never knew you had. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a Chiller con about five years back - a warm, friendly, generous man who, as stated here, seemed perfectly happy to be remembered as the Gill-Man. My only gripe with him is that I can't watch the film anymore & see Creetch as a scary menace, since I know it's just big jovial old Ben Chapman in the suit. Man, this sucks.
Count Gamula		#18	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:13 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I met Ben Chapman a few times and really liked him. He seemed so happy to have been the Creature and to have that connection with all the monster fans. It's great that we had him with us for so long. It was a unique chance for many of us to have some personal contact with one of the men behind one of the famous Universal monsters. Aloha, Ben.
Bill Warren		#19	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I only met him a couple of times, but they were memorable. A big, sunny, outgoing guy, almost the embodiment of the Aloha spirit.
jenthezombie		#20	[-]
Feb 21 08 3:15 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I am so sorry to hear this news. I am grateful that I was able to see Ben at wonderfest a few years ago. It was so much fun to meet him and he really seemed to love talking to his fans. He was full of life. Rest in peace, Mr Chapman
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Ben Chapman, the on-land Gill Man ...

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