It was reported at a Horror Drunx website by Jason Grove. Here is the link if you'd like to read the original report:
Attack on Eric Caiden; report at Horror Drunx Myspace
Thanx and onward...
david
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
taraco |
Eric Caiden, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! |
Lead | |
|
Following a complaint from the original Myspace author over sourcing, we're going to link to (rather than reprint), the breaking news about the reported
attack on Eric Caiden by Michael Copner.
It was reported at a Horror Drunx website by Jason Grove. Here is the link if you'd like to read the original report: Attack on Eric Caiden; report at Horror Drunx Myspace Thanx and onward... david
Last Edited By: taraco 05/29/08 3:17 PM.
Edited 4 times.
|
|||
Hachigatsu |
Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
August here: This story has been verified by the "Grindhouse Film Festival" Myspace page. I've known Eric since I was a kid; this is truly appalling and I am deeply saddened. I've met Mr. Copner on several occasions down in Hollywood at the Egyptian Theater, and he seemed amiable enough -- I don't know what precipitated this brutal attack, but just on face value, it's tragic.
Last Edited By: taraco
04/25/08 11:37 PM.
Edited 4 times.
|
|||
Mirek Henry |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
I wonder if it's over something as trivial as not getting paid for back issues. Or they knew each other personally, and it was a personal thing. Is this
story big enough so that we'll know the reason for the attack from a follow-up?
Mirek |
|||
Ted Newsom |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
As big as LA is, it's a very small & insular town when it comes to sci-fi/horror collecting. They did know each other; Copner (with Buddy Burnett) used
to operate a collector's store about six blocks from Eric's.
|
|||
JessieLilley |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
I wonder if it's over something as trivial as not getting paid for back issues.Hardly. I got the call on this yesterday. In the first place, Eric Caidin would never stiff anyone on back issues, but more to the point - it's not for me to give details on Mr. Copner's health, but the man is ill. He is currently receiving the care he needs. When representatives give the okay, you'll know exactly what's happened to Mike and how this came about. Other than that, please let me urge everyone not to indulge in idle speculation. The situation is horrible enough without foolish innuendo making it worse.
Jessie Lilley
"I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings." |
|||
TomWeaver999 |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
Mike has a looooong history of "health issues" -- think BLUE SUNSHINE -- and kinda snapped when he was in Eric's store on Friday. Eric and Mike
had been talking very convivially for several minutes when, all of a sudden, Mike turned into Mr. Hyde and the Round One bell sounded. Eric did get punctured
and bruised and spent one night in the hospital, but 24 hours later he was back at the store, and he is looking forward to the upcoming L.A. Fangoria show --
where he'll undoubtedly now be the number one attraction.
|
|||
Terry Pace |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
Wow. That's bizarre. And very, very sad. I'm glad Eric's O.K., and I hope Mike will be, too (on a totally different level, in a totally different
way).
I wrote for Cult Movies during its final years but dealt mainly with Coco rather than Mike, though the two of them did take me to dinner a few times to talk about some of the pieces I was writing or pitching. We were "in negotiations" for my Fay Wray interview when everything fell apart with Cult Movies (Jessie and Brad Linaweaver later came to the rescue with with an offer from Mondo Cult). Again, Coco was the person I was dealing with up to the end. I think I've only seen Mike once since their split, manning Eric's table at one of the collectors shows, and that was probably three or maybe even four years ago. I always stop by and see Eric when I'm in L.A. He always has things to send back to Forry's house, and he's unfailingly in attendance at Forry's birthday parties. (His dad was Forry's attorney long, long ago.) I try to do as much business with him as I can, and I also try to send plenty of business his way. At the Hollywood Collectors Show in February, I was thrilled to see that he had a great color shot of Ernie Borgnine in the final stages of makeup from The Devil's Rain and a cool color close-up of George Kennedy from Cahill: U.S. Marshall. They were first-class, sharp-and-vivid color prints, and much more interesting shots than most of the standard stills and promotional photos they had at their tables. I think Eric only charged me $3 for each of them, and then he asked me to pick out a free B&W! Tom's right about the Fang-Oh Gore and Gross-Out Show: Eric will be a much more interesting attraction than any of the Slasher Stars in attendance! Terry Pace pillaroffire@bellsouth.net "They're going to have to think up a lot of new adjectives when I come back!" -- Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) in King Kong (1933) |
|||
Mirek Henry |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
JessieLilley wrote: The internet is perfect for foolish innuendo. Where else can one display such pearls? Let's hope and pray that time heals all wounds--the physical, as well as the mental.Mirek
Last Edited By: Mirek Henry
04/20/08 1:59 PM.
Edited 1 times.
|
|||
Tim Lucas VW |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
I am omitting my 4/21 post as a good will gesture, as it adds nothing of value to this discussion now that the facts behind the attack are better understood. Read Video WatchBlog at www.videowatchdog.com!
Last Edited By: Tim Lucas VW
05/09/08 9:43 PM.
Edited 2 times.
|
|||
JessieLilley |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
Sorry Tim. I've never heard from anyone else regarding that. God knows, since I worked with Eric from the early days of Scarlet Street, I never missed a
dime. Sounds like Eric's handed the bookkeeping over to someone else. Who knows?
Be that as it may, I've been given permission to post the following information, so let's please understand what's going on and not have any nonsensical speculation. Mike Copner has a brain tumor. He told me so himself a few years ago. He is also an epileptic and subject to seizures. Yes Tom, Mike dabbled in the drug scene, as did I and many others of our acquaintance and while it didn't help any, it's not the reason for his mind snapping. A few years back, Mike was the victim of a mugging wherein he had his skull cracked and for some reason refused medical attention. That didn't help things either. For some time Eric Caidin had given Mike a place to live when he couldn't find any place else. As his delusions deepened, he began to think Eric was recording his personal conversations etc., basically - he thought "they" were out to get him. Buddy Barnett saw him a few weeks ago and found him living in a seedy motel in Hollywood. He had no hair and was giving things to Buddy because "Buddy should have them." The bottom line is, the man has been slowly sinking into dementia but nothing was done about it. No one had any idea he might become violent, but apparently that's exactly what happened. Eric told Buddy that he feels sorry for Mike, and if the victim of the attack is willing to cut the guy some slack, I would think the rest of us could. Mike will no doubt be institutionalized at this point, as he's not capable of caring for himself and also, no one knows when he may or may not snap again. This is a very sad and tragic epilogue to a life. Even though this IS the internet and Tom Weaver is everyone's hero, can we try not to be too nasty with the black humor? These are men many of us know personally, and it's hard enough to swallow the reality without having to slosh around the bad puns. That said, Caidin was heard to say that the situation reminded him of Larry Talbot turning into a wolf. It was that bizarre. But Mirek, sadly, I don't think time is gonna heal Mike's wounds. I think he's irrepairable at this point. Mike always has such a sweet and gentle smile. This is all too much.
Jessie Lilley
"I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings." |
|||
Tim Lucas VW |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
I mentioned our situation only to suggest that Mirek possibly had a point. Now, with the subsequent information that's come to light, the point is moot. A
tragic situation.
Read Video WatchBlog at www.videowatchdog.com!
|
|||
TomWeaver999 |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
<< These are men many of us know personally <<
Well, I know 'em too, and maybe time will tell about my BLUE SUNSHINE theory. Eric's semi-okay just 24 hours later and Mike's in a hospital instead of rotting in a hellhole hotel (next to the PLAN 9 studio!) so I'd say that, for a terrible incident, the upshot wasn't too bad at all. |
|||
TomWeaver999 |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
<< Caidin was heard to say that the situation reminded him of Larry Talbot turning into a wolf. <<
Actually, it sounds a lot more like the movie BLUE SUNSHINE where the menaces were bald guys (and gals) who snapped justlikethat and were super-strong and unstoppable. |
|||
Dread |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
I've spent a lot of time at Hollywood Book and Poster over the years. It was one of the first places I was drawn to in L.A. when I moved here in the early
90's to get into the film industry. I have only fond memories of the store and wish Mr. Caidin all the best.
|
|||
Stuart4th |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
I haven't spoken to either Mike or Coco in ages, though in a blue moon I'd hear from her via email. Even back then however, five or six years ago, Mike
seemed to be living a very '70s Ed Wood-y type existence. (Come to think of it, if Wood had lived he probably would've written articles about Buck
Jones for CULT MOVIES!)
Mike invited me to dinner once, and we ended up at the Denny's on Sunset Blvd. where all the hookers hang out after work. Halfway through the meal, Mike was literally midway through a sentence when -- zap! -- it was like someone unplugged him from the wall. His chin dropped to his chest and it was like he was dead. He was totally unresponsive for about 20 minutes, though clearly breathing, so I was at a loss as to what to do. I remember the waitress kept coming back to refill our coffee, adding to the WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S-type atmosphere. He finally, groggily woke up and shuffled slowly back to his car where he insisted he was okay to drive home. It was a real $100 junker, filled with garbage and, naturally, stacks and stacks of CULT MOVIES and I think that SUPERBOY book he published. The next morning I called Coco to make sure he was okay and to alert her to what had happened, at which time she confirmed his epilepsy. Sadly, what I'm hearing on and off the record sounds eerily similar to CULT MOVIES writer Guy Tucker's last few years. As for Mike, in public and in halfway decent health he was unfailingly good-natured with an almost childlike enthusiasm for movies. Add mine to the list of people wishing Eric a speedy recovering and those hoping Mike gets the care he obviously desperately needs. |
|||
Tor havin fun |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
Last Edited By: Tor havin fun
05/06/08 10:34 AM.
Edited 1 times.
|
|||
TomWeaver999 |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
<< From being around 4e's, I know that the monster fan scene is so full of courtships, rivalries, and jealousies, it's totally repellent.
<<
You oughta try a different branch of monster fandom, then. Go east, young man, go east! |
|||
JessieLilley |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
You oughta try a different branch of monster fandom, then. Go east, young man, go east!Don't kid yourself Tom. You know as well as I do that it's no different back East then it is out here. There are good guys and bad guys everywhere and plenty of jealousies to go around and fill fandom to the brim.
Jessie Lilley
"I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings." |
|||
Mirek Henry |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
TomWeaver999 wrote: You know, as I was reading through the reminiscences on this page, I had a similar idea. Not that monster fandom on the East Coast doesn't have its weirdos (it does), but the East Coast type seems a more passive "I live with Mom, though I'm 55" type, rather than the weirdos on the West Coast who seem to battle with destitution and severe drug problems. There's a down and out vibe one gets from West Coast horror fan weirdos. I realize that I'm generalizing, perhaps wildly, but does anyone get this impression also? As for me, I'm perfectly fine. Really I am.Mirek |
|||
JessieLilley |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
As for me, I'm perfectly fine. Really I am.Oh, I don't know. I suspect the jury's still out on that one there ol' Mirek. (I should talk.) I do know what you mean though. Really, I do. Perhaps it's the climate. Back East, if you're on the street, you stand a damned good chance of freezing to death come winter so Mom's basement (or ground floor) works just grand. In Sunny Southern California, the climate, being more temperate, allows the fan boy access to the streets and the full ability to lose everything while still being fairly comfortable weather-wise. That aside, yes. I do think there's a more seedy miasma over some folks in LA. This is the place people come to from the world over, hoping to make their mark in the film business that they love. And when they fail, as 99% of them do, they find themselves with nothing left but their love of an industry they couldn't break into. You'll find a crowd of these folks waiting tables or working in bookshops, but the others never even get that far. Many, MANY of the street people in LA are failed actors, writers, directors, you-name-it... and all of these are fans. They wander the streets hungry and lonely and many take their own lives, or are found in doorways after a chilly night. It's not a nice town. The Boulevard of Broken Dreams has become a hackneyed acrylic-on-velvet, neon-lit joke at this point, but the sentiment is as real as it gets. Like a venus fly-trap, the fragrance of show business intoxicates and kills, all in the blink of an eye.
Jessie Lilley
"I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings." |
|||
Mirek Henry |
Re: Eric Caidin, owner of Hollywood Book & Poster brutally attacked by Cult Movies editor, Mike Copner! | ||
|
Very nicely put, Jessie. And, I think, spot on. (Though I was only in LA once--or was that twice?--I forget!)
Mirek |
|||