The fine writer Peter Straub, perhaps best known for his best-selling novel GHOST STORY, died on September 6, 2022 at the age of 79. He also wrote such thrillers as BLUE ROSE, KOKO and THE THROAT. For more information about his career and passing, click on the link below:
I was saddened to learn that Robert Madle, Ray Bradbury friend and great science fiction fan, passed away on October 8, 2022 at the age of 102. Bob Madle had been active in science fiction fandom since the 1930's, and was also a renowned book dealer of science fiction, fantasy and horror. (I purchased many books from Mr. Madle over the years, including a first edition of THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, as well as my copy of Ray's screenplay for AND THE ROCK CRIED OUT.) For more information about Robert Madle's life and passing, click on the link below:
And Robert Madle, along with Ray Bradbury, were two of the attendees at the first World Science Fiction Convention, held in New York City in 1939. While I have posted the following picture on this Board before, it is one of my very favorites and I am glad to post it again for any newcomers. During the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939, several attendees took a side trip out to Coney Island to have some fun. The photo was taken on July 4, 1939. 19-year-old Mr. Madle is in the top row, second from the left. And at the right end of the top row, looking very tan, is 18-year-old Ray Bradbury:
Some truly sad news. Author Greg Bear died yesterday at the much-too-young age of 71, after complications from heart surgery. Ray Bradbury was a long-time friend and mentor of Mr. Bear, who as a young man regularly attended Ray's lectures. And Mr. Bear dedicated his fine novel, MOVING MARS, to Ray. Both Ray and Greg Bear attended the 65th anniversary screening of KING KONG in Omaha, Nebraska in 1998, and I had the chance at that event to observe that affection and friendship the two had for each other. For Mr. Bear's own thoughts about his long friendship with Ray, check out his contributions to the books NOLAN ON BRADBURY, and the recently published HOME TO STAY! THE COMPLETE RAY BRADBURY EC STORIES. For more about Mr. Bear's life and work, click on the link below:
And for a photo of Greg Bear with Ray Bradbury, and well as a painting Mr. Bear did in Ray's honor, click on the following link to Mr. Bear's own website:
Finally, to see Greg Bear, along with Ray Bradbury, Forrest J Ackerman and Ray Harryhausen, at that 1998 screening of KING KONG in Omaha, click on the link below and scroll to the very bottom:
Someone needs to mention Lance Kerwin, one of my favorite child actors. He didn't appear in anything by Bradbury but was in Salem's Lot by Stephen King.
Raquel Welch also passed away. Can't think of a Bradbury connection but she was in at least one film with dinosaurs and the science fiction epic The Fantastic Voyage.
Posts: 7263 | Location: Dayton, Washington, USA | Registered: 03 December 2001
"If cavewomen looked like Raquel Welch back in the day, then we've regressed."
- Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury best friend and creator of the special effects in ONE MILLION YEARS B.C., in which Raquel Welch starred. Rest in peace, Ms. Welch.
This post is to acknowledge the passing on March 8, 2023, at the age of 100, of science fiction and horror movie director Bert I. Gordon. Mr. Gordon was nicknamed "Mr. BIG" by Forrest J Ackerman, a reference not only to the initials of his name, but also to all of the movies he made that featured giant creatures. While his films were low budget and by no means great, they were fun and I saw a number of them as a youngster. My personal favorite is THE MAGIC SWORD (1962), starring Basil Rathbone, Estelle Winwood and Vampira (!). For more information on Mr. Gordon's career, click on the link below:
