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Naturally, all of us at Pillar of Fire and the University of North Alabama who were involved with The Alfred Hitchcock Hour reunion event, Spellbound: The Hypnotic Power of "The Jar," are ecstatic over the Rondo nomination for Best Fan Event. We deeply appreciate the recognition and support from everyone associated with the Classic Horror Film Board. My apologies for not posting my thanks in a more timely manner.

The "Jar" reunion was definitely a labor of love on every level, from the Pillar of Fire volunteers and university faculty and staff who worked so tirelessly on the program to our all-star lineup of warm, eager and incredibly generous and enthusiastic celebrity participants -- legendary director-producer Norman Lloyd, cast members James Best and George Lindsey (Norman, Jimmy and George all joined us in person), plus Ray Bradbury -- the remarkable author of that eerie original chiller from the pulp pages of Weird Tales -- who participated in the post-screening panel discussion by phone from Los Angeles. A third cast member -- Thedy Sue herself, Collin Wilcox Paxton -- was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, but she contributed her own memories, reflections and insights through a beautiful e-mailed letter that I quoted during the discussion. We also honored in the audience several close relatives of the late "Jar" star Pat Buttram, who played the leading role of Charley Hill, the cuckolded country bumpkin who discovers strange and awesome power in a mysterious carnival jar.

Last but certainly not least, special thanks to our peerless Pillar of Fire artist, George "E-gor" Chastain, who created yet another of his eye-popping poster designs. Photos from the event as well as George's E-gorgeous artistry can be viewed on the "Norman Lloyd Appearance and Reunion Screening of 'The Jar' " thread in the Horror Events folder, http://monsterkidclassich...orum.yuku.com/topic/18746. Ray wrote some special program notes for the occasion, and I'll try to post those later today or tomorrow. Anita also plans to post some video clips from the reunion on YouTube in the next few days, so that those who were not able to join us in person can experience and enjoy the fiendish festivities for themselves.

In the meantime, just F.Y.I. ...

We talked to Norman (who is especially thrilled over the Rondo nomination) earlier this week, and he told us that he will be interviewed on this weekend's edition of what is arguably the best -- and certainly the classiest -- news magazine on television, CBS Sunday Morning, hosted by Charles Osgood. The program airs from 7-8:30 a.m. EST (8-9:30 a.m. CST) this Sunday, Feb. 22, on most CBS affiliates.

Norman -- who is still working at the astonishing age of 94 -- will compare today's movies with the movies he saw growing up in the 1920s and '30s and the movies he made with Hitchcock, Chaplin, Renoir, Milestone and many others once his own screen career began in the 1940s. The interview is apparently part of a special Oscar-morning preview.

Hope you'll tune in.

Terry Pace
pillaroffire@bellsouth.net

"God, here and there, makes madness a calling." -- Ray Bradbury



Norman Lloyd discusses "The Jar," the classic 1964 episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, during
his appearance at the University of North Alabama on Oct. 27, 2008.