Vincent Price was the host for a special 1971 Halloween episode of the children's show, THE CURIOSITY SHOP. And featured on that show was an animated version of Ray Bradbury's wonderfully creepy poem for kids, "The Groon". The executive producer of THE CURIOSITY SHOP was animator, and close Ray Bradbury friend, Chuck Jones:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0...mmary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl

And since we seem to be on a Ray Bradbury/Vincent Price theme, I would add that each (among many others) contributed to a 1982 anthology called THE ARBOR HOUSE CELEBRITY BOOK OF HORROR STORIES. The idea behind the collection was that famous people got to pick a horror-themed short story for inclusion in the book, and Ray and Vincent Price were among those doing the selecting. Vincent Price chose Edgar Allan Poe's "The Sphinx", and Ray chose "The Monkey's Paw", by W.W. Jacobs. Ray had one of his own stories included as well, as "The Lake" was selected for inclusion by author John Jakes:

https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?244981

Richard, I knew about The Curiosity Shop which was the TV episode to which I was alluding. Sadly, the episode does not seem to have survived but I have collected about 30 still pictures from it. I didn't know about the anthology. It's just a bit funny I can't find any other connection as both Ray and Vincent knew so many people and were both so associated with Poe and Halloween themes.

I once started to view the more recent F451 and did (could) not get halfway through it. It reflected none of Mr. Bradbury's metaphoric gems as found upon the book's pages or even within the scenes of the original movie. Filmed in 1966, it still captivated students' imaginations after we concluded our studies. Classic Stuff!

In no way would the 2018 re-try serve to motivate or intrigue young readers
toward further RB readings, unfortunately...

fjp451, I must admit that I have heard so many bad things about the re-make of FH451 starring Michael B. Jordan, I have never watched it. However, I have watched Truffaut's film several times, and I agree with you that it is excellent!

quote:

Originally posted by Richard:
fjp451, I must admit that I have heard so many bad things about the re-make of FH451 starring Michael B. Jordan, I have never watched it. However, I have watched Truffaut's film several times, and I agree with you that it is excellent!

Same deal here.

I know this topic has veered from HBO's re-make of FH451 to author Richard Matheson to actor Vincent Price and back to Ray Bradbury. However, in one of the postings above, I mentioned how both Ray and Vincent Price selected stories for a 1982 anthology called THE ARBOR HOUSE CELEBRITY BOOK OF HORROR STORIES, and thought this would be the best spot for this post. The people asked to submit stories to that collection were also apparently told they could provide the reasons for their selection. Some did submit their reasons, and some did not. (Sorry, dandelion, Mr. Price did not). However, Ray did provide his thoughts behind his selection of W. W. Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw" ( a fine, creepy story for those who have never read it) and here they are:

"I was fifteen, in the tenth grade of high school, when the teacher and inspirer for the rest of my life, Jennet Johnson, read 'The Monkey's Paw' aloud to our short story writing class. Her reading was such, and the story was such, that I had permanent hackles for a month. I knew a kindred spirit was at hand, and as the year went by, showed her more and more of my 'strange' stories and science fiction. Her response: 'I don't know quite what you're doing, but you have talent. Continue.' That dear lady died two years ago, at ninety-two, after half-a-lifetime of friendship shared with her young half-Martian friend from Waukegan."

Great teachers can have such an impact on our lives. Thus, the career of one of our finest writers began.

Just finished listening to Zen in the Art of Writing. Although I had read the book previously, while driving and listening to the narrations:
https://images.audiobookstore....jul-square-1536.webp
... so many treasured RB experiences and exchanges came rushing back:
evening readings with our boys growing up, lessons presented for youth and adults, letters, gifts, and talks with Mr. B and countless friends on this site, along with visits to the RB Center at IUPUI, in recent years.

That all being said, I continue to wonder how two of Mr. Bradbury's major works would venture if in the hands of just the right RB appreciators and cinematographic offices!? (We know what can happen when these much needed aspects are side-stepped, a' la Illustrated Man and the recent F451?! mishap.)

Many of the short stories captured on Ray Bradbury Theater were produced well, with famous performers, and they held the entertaining and metaphoric qualities evident in all of Mr. Bradbury's works. So....!?

Dandelion Wine: A travel back in time to American during its days of challenges for small town families, kids keeping themselves busy playing outdoors, in gardens, climbing trees, and discovering the magic of friendships and the sadness of losing friends and relatives. However, through it all, the glory of growing up with family and learning life's lessons, one at a time, are the young boy's most valuable achievements that will direct all of his future endeavors.

Green Shadows, White Whale: So, a young author is attempting to support his family by writing dozens of stories each week. He is in with some prominent writers of the time, but not yet quite on-board with both feet secured. He is approached by a prominent and quite demanding producer, who offers him the potential key to success, via a trip to Ireland to write the script to Moby Dick. Nothing to it!! Other than, he had never read the whole story!! Irish culture and music, dark mansions, foggy night drives, pubs filled with hard-core locals, and the ego of a dominant director are just a few of the captivating elements the young author must face. How will he deal with such overwhelming daily challenges!?

Granted, we have a different audience in the theaters these days. Yet, with the proper performers - young and established, proper musical scores, and well-informed and balanced RB production staffs, I would be ready to purchase my tickets and large boxes of popcorn!

Last I knew someone owned film rights to Dandelion Wine. I am not in touch with this person for reasons which have nothing to do with Ray. All I know is that if a film is not made within a certain amount of time the rights revert, in this case to Ray's estate. Does anyone have further details?

I think The Illustrated Man would make a terrific movie in the right hands. I think Something Wicked This Way Comes could be better except you would never find a better Mr. Dark. The Martian Chronicles was badly made for TV despite some good talent. I heard A Sound of Thunder was so bad I never tried to watch it. The talent on The Ray Bradbury Theater was mostly very good and I feel most of the problems with it had to do with budget limitations.