This year's Rondo Ceremony at Wonderfest was two hours of, well, wonder. There were monsters in full make-up, genre icons, video tributes, moments of
emotion and lots of laughter. It was truly amazing how far some people came -- winners came from California and Massachusetts to Louisville -- and how
seriously everyone took the event.
I can't thank everyone enough, and especially the Wonderfest leadership of Dave Hodges, Dave Conover and Donnie Waddell, who were so gracious with the convention's time and space and technical assistance.
Anyhow, here's just a taste of what happened at the ceremony.
All photos are by Eileen Colton, CHFB News.
(Feel free to post elsewhere, but we'd appreciate the photo credit if you can):
WELCOME TO RONDO: Organizer David Colton outside the theater with poster
of the man himself from HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946).
EARLY, ER, ARRIVALS: Garou, Penny Dreadful and the Monster (Tim Herron).
TABLE SETTINGS: The Rondos, some painted the day before, are lined up.
WELCOME! Co-host Nurse Moan-Eek, who appears with Dr. Gangrene on his Nashville
horror show, surprises the crowd with a rousing Transylvanian Twist.
STEADY BOYS: The Nurse leaves no doubt the evening will be special.
'RONDO, GOOD!' The Monster accepts -- with a growl! -- a Rondo for Universal's
Classic Horror Archive (Best DVD Collection).
WISH HE COULD BE THERE: In a Rondo first, director Joe Dante sends a
videotaped acceptance for Trailers From Hell, which won for Best Website of 2007.
Thanks, Joe!
JASON MEETS VAMPIRA: Ari Lehman, who played young Jason in the first
FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980), accepts the Best Independent DVD award for
Kevin Sean Michaels' VAMPIRA THE MOVIE. Ari scored the film, and is working
with Michaels on an upcoming documentary on Ted V. Mikels.
THE TINGLER IS LOOSE IN THE THEATER! Not quite, but in another video
acceptance, Chuck Williams, Dan Roebuck and Michael Schlesinger are seen on
the set of Larry Blamire's DARK AND STORMY NIGHT in L.A. Chuck and Dan,
accepting the Rondo for Best DVD Extra for HALLOWEEN: THE HAPPY HAUNTING
OF AMERICA, say five coupons for free copies of the DVD set have been taped under
random seats in Louisville. Pandemonium ensues!
WE HAVE A WINNER! Universal Monster Army member Jeff Pripusich shows
one of the five coupons, worth a free DVD of HALLOWEEN: THE HAPPY
HAUNTING OF AMERICA. Thanks again, Dan and Chuck!
ACCEPTING FOR ... Bil Brown, left, accepts the Best Magazine of 2007 award
for RUE MORGUE. Brown said everyone at the Canada-based magazine was
excited to have won, and hoped to continue to win in the future.
At right, Terry Ingram, head of the Universal Monster Army, accepts on
behalf of Terry Beatty, who won Best Cover for his portrayal of the Mummy
for SCARY MONSTERS #64.
In remarks prepared for the show, Beatty said, "This lovely award (can you call a bust of
Rondo Hatton lovely?) -- OK -- this creepy and craggy award, will be proudly displayed in
my studio."
DOUBLE WINNER: Tim Lucas continues his remarkable string of Rondo victories
with two more this year -- for Best Writer and Best Book for the epic MARIO BAVA ALL
THE COLORS OF THE DARK.
ALL YOU ZOMBIES: Prof. Emcee
Square of the It's Alive Show accepts Best Fan
Event for the Monroeville Mall Zombie Walk.
The event drew 1,028 zombies to the mall
where Dawn of the Dead was filmed, a
Guinness World Record. What is it about
Pennsylvania? And how cool is Emcee?
IT'S WITCHCRAFT: Penny Dreadful, accompanied by sidekick Garou, came all
the way from Massachusetts to accept the Rondo for Favorite Horror Host of
2007. Fans were wowed when we played the new opening for her Shilling Shockers
TV show, which must be seen (check out the new opening on Youtube).
LINE-UP: What the Rondos are all about.
RADIO, RADIO: At the last minute, Terry and Tiffany DuFoe of Cult Radio
A-Go-Go were unable to make it, so recent radio guest Frank Dietz accepted their award
for Best Horror Audio Site.
Said Tiffany in an email: "We're anxiously looking forward to Frank putting lil Rondo
in our hands. We just had Zacherley on our show and we found out that Zach refers
to the Rondo Hatton Award he won as the "ugly guy award" (lol!) but to us it's the
most beautiful award we've ever seen."
COFFIN JOE: One of the highlights of the Rondo ceremony was the appearance
of Ray Castile as Coffin Joe (with translator Nicole), who wowed the crowd as
he passed the Monster Kid of the Year Award to this year's winner, Michael Schlesinger.
OVER THE TOP: Coffin Joe emotes in overwrought Portuguese extolling the
virtues of Michael Schlesinger, who he calls "My-Kyle Schless-ING-GRRR!"
repeatedly. Nicole calmly translates.
COME ON DOWN! Michael Schlesinger
comes up to accept Monster Kid of the
Year Rondo.
WELL-DESERVED: Mike shows off his Rondo. He was named Monster Kid of the
Year because of his work behind the scenes at Sony, where he helped greenlight
LOST SKELTON OF CADAVRA, worked on Americanizng recent Godzilla
films, and spearheaded release of the SAM KATZMAN COLLECTION. Well done, My-Kyle Schless-ING-GRRR!
CROWD LOVES IT: Among those applauding Coffin Joe and Mike are Bernie
Wrightson (in green shirt). Those are CHFBers Lisa and Chris Herzog behind Bernie.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Fan favorite Frank Dietz takes the artistic Rondo for
a second straight year. In his acceptance, he extols the great work being done by
new artists at the CHFB's Art Gallery. A class act.
REMEMBERING GHOULARDI: Several inductions into the Monster Kid Hall
of Fame are posthumous, including the induction of Cleveland's legendary horror
host Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson). Accepting for the late Ghoulardi were Ron Garstock,
organizer of this October's Ghoulardi Fest IV, and keeper of the Papa Ooh Maw Maw
beat and current horror host, Son Of Ghoul. Crazy eyes, but a touching remembrance
for a true trailblazer.
BROTHERS IN ART: The biggest ovation of the night went to comic book
artist Bernie Wrightson, inducted into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame by Frank
Dietz. They hug after Frank's introduction.
MONSTERS AS A KID: Wrightson, in his acceptance speech, recalls his love
of monsters throughout his life, and said he was touched by the honor. We were
proud to be part of recognizing the creator of Swamp Thing and so many other
classics.
TOGETHER AGAIN: Wrightson and Dietz enjoy the moment. (Gotta love
Bernie's T-shirt).
REMEMBERING BEN: Bob Burns accepts a posthumous Monster Kid Hall of
Fame award for the late Ben Chapman, who portrayed the Creature from the
Black Lagoon and was such a big part of the convention circuit in recent years.
Chapman was eulogized in a written statement from Sam Borowski, director of a
Creature documentary, and by Burns, who said Ben was a good friend and that
he'd be sure the award got to his wife in Hawaii.
WITCH'S DUNGEON: A brief but sudden illness prevented Dennis Vincent and
Cortlandt Hull from attending Saturday night's ceremony, but Rondo caught up with
them Sunday night at a separate Wonderfest event. Here, an off-duty Nurse Moan-Eek
presents the pair with Monster Kid Hall of Fame plaques in recognition of 40 years
of horror magic through their life-sized monster figures and props.
REAL HEROES: Hull, at right, is a nephew of actor Henry Hull. The two
are at work on a new documentary in addition to their Hollywood museum in
Connecticut.
UNHOLY THREE: Back at the ceremony, Wrightson, Schlesinger and Dietz.
ALL WINNERS SQUAD: From left, Ari Lehman, the Monster (Tim Herron),
Son of Ghoul, Ron Garstock, Garou, Penny Dreadful, Prof. Emcee Square,
double winner Tim Lucas, Bernie Wrightson, Michael Schlesinger and, oh yes,
Frank Dietz. Winners all!
Again, all photos by Eileen Colton, CHFB News.
This doesn't include all the Rondo winners of course. We'll be mailing Rondos to many
of the others.
But we greatly appreciate everyone who helped make this Rondo ceremony -- the third
at Wonderfest -- such a success! Thanks to everyone.
david
I can't thank everyone enough, and especially the Wonderfest leadership of Dave Hodges, Dave Conover and Donnie Waddell, who were so gracious with the convention's time and space and technical assistance.
Anyhow, here's just a taste of what happened at the ceremony.
All photos are by Eileen Colton, CHFB News.
(Feel free to post elsewhere, but we'd appreciate the photo credit if you can):
WELCOME TO RONDO: Organizer David Colton outside the theater with poster
of the man himself from HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946).
EARLY, ER, ARRIVALS: Garou, Penny Dreadful and the Monster (Tim Herron).
TABLE SETTINGS: The Rondos, some painted the day before, are lined up.
WELCOME! Co-host Nurse Moan-Eek, who appears with Dr. Gangrene on his Nashville
horror show, surprises the crowd with a rousing Transylvanian Twist.
STEADY BOYS: The Nurse leaves no doubt the evening will be special.
'RONDO, GOOD!' The Monster accepts -- with a growl! -- a Rondo for Universal's
Classic Horror Archive (Best DVD Collection).
WISH HE COULD BE THERE: In a Rondo first, director Joe Dante sends a
videotaped acceptance for Trailers From Hell, which won for Best Website of 2007.
Thanks, Joe!
JASON MEETS VAMPIRA: Ari Lehman, who played young Jason in the first
FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980), accepts the Best Independent DVD award for
Kevin Sean Michaels' VAMPIRA THE MOVIE. Ari scored the film, and is working
with Michaels on an upcoming documentary on Ted V. Mikels.
THE TINGLER IS LOOSE IN THE THEATER! Not quite, but in another video
acceptance, Chuck Williams, Dan Roebuck and Michael Schlesinger are seen on
the set of Larry Blamire's DARK AND STORMY NIGHT in L.A. Chuck and Dan,
accepting the Rondo for Best DVD Extra for HALLOWEEN: THE HAPPY HAUNTING
OF AMERICA, say five coupons for free copies of the DVD set have been taped under
random seats in Louisville. Pandemonium ensues!
WE HAVE A WINNER! Universal Monster Army member Jeff Pripusich shows
one of the five coupons, worth a free DVD of HALLOWEEN: THE HAPPY
HAUNTING OF AMERICA. Thanks again, Dan and Chuck!
ACCEPTING FOR ... Bil Brown, left, accepts the Best Magazine of 2007 award
for RUE MORGUE. Brown said everyone at the Canada-based magazine was
excited to have won, and hoped to continue to win in the future.
At right, Terry Ingram, head of the Universal Monster Army, accepts on
behalf of Terry Beatty, who won Best Cover for his portrayal of the Mummy
for SCARY MONSTERS #64.
In remarks prepared for the show, Beatty said, "This lovely award (can you call a bust of
Rondo Hatton lovely?) -- OK -- this creepy and craggy award, will be proudly displayed in
my studio."
DOUBLE WINNER: Tim Lucas continues his remarkable string of Rondo victories
with two more this year -- for Best Writer and Best Book for the epic MARIO BAVA ALL
THE COLORS OF THE DARK.
ALL YOU ZOMBIES: Prof. Emcee
Square of the It's Alive Show accepts Best Fan
Event for the Monroeville Mall Zombie Walk.
The event drew 1,028 zombies to the mall
where Dawn of the Dead was filmed, a
Guinness World Record. What is it about
Pennsylvania? And how cool is Emcee?
IT'S WITCHCRAFT: Penny Dreadful, accompanied by sidekick Garou, came all
the way from Massachusetts to accept the Rondo for Favorite Horror Host of
2007. Fans were wowed when we played the new opening for her Shilling Shockers
TV show, which must be seen (check out the new opening on Youtube).
LINE-UP: What the Rondos are all about.
RADIO, RADIO: At the last minute, Terry and Tiffany DuFoe of Cult Radio
A-Go-Go were unable to make it, so recent radio guest Frank Dietz accepted their award
for Best Horror Audio Site.
Said Tiffany in an email: "We're anxiously looking forward to Frank putting lil Rondo
in our hands. We just had Zacherley on our show and we found out that Zach refers
to the Rondo Hatton Award he won as the "ugly guy award" (lol!) but to us it's the
most beautiful award we've ever seen."
COFFIN JOE: One of the highlights of the Rondo ceremony was the appearance
of Ray Castile as Coffin Joe (with translator Nicole), who wowed the crowd as
he passed the Monster Kid of the Year Award to this year's winner, Michael Schlesinger.
OVER THE TOP: Coffin Joe emotes in overwrought Portuguese extolling the
virtues of Michael Schlesinger, who he calls "My-Kyle Schless-ING-GRRR!"
repeatedly. Nicole calmly translates.
COME ON DOWN! Michael Schlesinger
comes up to accept Monster Kid of the
Year Rondo.
WELL-DESERVED: Mike shows off his Rondo. He was named Monster Kid of the
Year because of his work behind the scenes at Sony, where he helped greenlight
LOST SKELTON OF CADAVRA, worked on Americanizng recent Godzilla
films, and spearheaded release of the SAM KATZMAN COLLECTION. Well done, My-Kyle Schless-ING-GRRR!
CROWD LOVES IT: Among those applauding Coffin Joe and Mike are Bernie
Wrightson (in green shirt). Those are CHFBers Lisa and Chris Herzog behind Bernie.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Fan favorite Frank Dietz takes the artistic Rondo for
a second straight year. In his acceptance, he extols the great work being done by
new artists at the CHFB's Art Gallery. A class act.
REMEMBERING GHOULARDI: Several inductions into the Monster Kid Hall
of Fame are posthumous, including the induction of Cleveland's legendary horror
host Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson). Accepting for the late Ghoulardi were Ron Garstock,
organizer of this October's Ghoulardi Fest IV, and keeper of the Papa Ooh Maw Maw
beat and current horror host, Son Of Ghoul. Crazy eyes, but a touching remembrance
for a true trailblazer.
BROTHERS IN ART: The biggest ovation of the night went to comic book
artist Bernie Wrightson, inducted into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame by Frank
Dietz. They hug after Frank's introduction.
MONSTERS AS A KID: Wrightson, in his acceptance speech, recalls his love
of monsters throughout his life, and said he was touched by the honor. We were
proud to be part of recognizing the creator of Swamp Thing and so many other
classics.
TOGETHER AGAIN: Wrightson and Dietz enjoy the moment. (Gotta love
Bernie's T-shirt).
REMEMBERING BEN: Bob Burns accepts a posthumous Monster Kid Hall of
Fame award for the late Ben Chapman, who portrayed the Creature from the
Black Lagoon and was such a big part of the convention circuit in recent years.
Chapman was eulogized in a written statement from Sam Borowski, director of a
Creature documentary, and by Burns, who said Ben was a good friend and that
he'd be sure the award got to his wife in Hawaii.
WITCH'S DUNGEON: A brief but sudden illness prevented Dennis Vincent and
Cortlandt Hull from attending Saturday night's ceremony, but Rondo caught up with
them Sunday night at a separate Wonderfest event. Here, an off-duty Nurse Moan-Eek
presents the pair with Monster Kid Hall of Fame plaques in recognition of 40 years
of horror magic through their life-sized monster figures and props.
REAL HEROES: Hull, at right, is a nephew of actor Henry Hull. The two
are at work on a new documentary in addition to their Hollywood museum in
Connecticut.
UNHOLY THREE: Back at the ceremony, Wrightson, Schlesinger and Dietz.
ALL WINNERS SQUAD: From left, Ari Lehman, the Monster (Tim Herron),
Son of Ghoul, Ron Garstock, Garou, Penny Dreadful, Prof. Emcee Square,
double winner Tim Lucas, Bernie Wrightson, Michael Schlesinger and, oh yes,
Frank Dietz. Winners all!
Again, all photos by Eileen Colton, CHFB News.
This doesn't include all the Rondo winners of course. We'll be mailing Rondos to many
of the others.
But we greatly appreciate everyone who helped make this Rondo ceremony -- the third
at Wonderfest -- such a success! Thanks to everyone.
david
