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Bleary eyed from an all-day flight to Los Angeles, Eileen and I nonetheless were able to make toinight's premiere of BEAST WISHES in Hollywood.

If tonight's reception is any indication, the documentary should have no trouble finding an audience.

Previewed to almost 200 fans and friends, this recounting of the life and times of Bob and Kathy Burns plays briskly and smartly, covering everything from the Blaisdell years to Kogar, Major Mars, the Halloween shows and Bob and Kathy's fabulous movie prop collection.  The clips from his neighborhood Halloween shows are just astounding in detail and most of all, in the very real shocked reaction from kids when Kogar, The Thing, Alien, the Creature or the Id Monster make havoc in the driveway. Just wonderful.

There are also some amazing photos and video of young Rick Baker working with Bob on makeups. Those who don't know the Burns story will be educated and enthralled. The documentary plays amazingly fast, thanks to smart interviews, sharp editing and sound work,

"If Bob and Kathy didn't exist, the world would have to create them, but the world wouldn't do nearly as good a job'' makeup artist John Goodwin told the crowd during a panel session after the showing.

"They are the parents we always wished we had, but never had,'' effects expert Steve Wang said.

Here's a group shot after the showing:


Photo by Eileen Colton, CHFB News

Opening night: Panel host Dana Gould, Trish Geiger, Kathy Burns, John Goodwin, Frank Dietz,
Chris Walas, Bob Burns, Steve Wang, Patrick McClung, Frank Ippolito

At one poiint, ruminating on his doctor's advice that he not play Kogar anymoree at his age, Bob said that when
he puts on the suit "it changes me. It makes me feel young. Maybe I should wear it all the time!"

A really wonderful night, a great kickoff for the film and a nice start to Monsterpalooza weekend in L.A.

david