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(Ever the Luddite, I may have missed an already existing thread on this topic, but if there is one I haven't been able to locate it.)
Congratulations are in order to our own David Schechter, the Movie Music Maven of MMM, who has co-authored with Tom Weaver and Steve Kronenberg a brand new, magnificent book about the three CREATURE features:
http://www.amazon.com/Creature-Chronicles-Exploring-Lagoon-Trilogy/dp/0786494182/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413272191&sr=1-1&keywords=creature+chronicles
Naturally, David's contribution covers the musical scores from these Universal classics, and if you've ever read any of his MMM liner notes -- and if you haven't, why the hell not? -- you know what to expect: an amazing, in-depth knowledge of his subject, rooted in archival research and personal relations with composers, presented with an irrepressible sense of humor.
The whole book, (blessed by an Introduction from the one and only Julie Adams), is a lavishly illustrated treasure trove of never-before-revealed information. Don't be surprised next spring when it wins the Rondo Award!
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Posted: |
Oct 14, 2014 - 12:35 PM
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By: |
MMM
(Member)
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Thanks for the kind words, Preston. My contributions derived from a book Tom Weaver and I collaborated on that covered all of Universal's 1950s sci-fi/horror films, which will eventually be released under the title "Universal Terrors." When publisher McFarland wanted a book solely devoted to the three Black Lagoon films, I had to rewrite my Creature material and expand upon it for the purpose of this present book. Weaver is 98% responsible for the amazing quality of the book, and the publisher did a great job on the layout and presentation. It really is a gorgeous piece of work.
Coincidentally, I did post something about this a couple of weeks ago under the same subject heading, but as nobody responded, I'll move my post over to this thread, since it involves and upcoming signing pertaining to "The Creature Chronicles." Hope to see a few FSM people there!
On November 8th at 2 p.m., Dark Delicacies in Burbank will be celebrating the 60th "birthday" of The Gill Man, that famous man-fish also known as the CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.
I will be signing copies of the new McFarland book "The Creature Chronicles: Exploring the Black Lagoon Trilogy." Although largely written by the amazing Tom Weaver (and with additional contributions from Steve Kronenberg), I wrote four chapters on the music, so I get to sign, too! Joining the festivities and also signing will be Julie Adams (star of the movie and an author in her own right -- she penned the book's wonderful introduction), Rex Reason (THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US, THIS ISLAND EARTH), and Gregg Palmer (THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US, FROM HELL IT CAME, ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU).
Adding to the 1950s sci-fi/monster fun will be Coleen Gray (THE LEECH WOMAN, NIGHTMARE ALLEY), Joyce Meadows (THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS, MEN INTO SPACE, THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR), Donna Martell (PROJECT MOON BASE, ROCKY JONES SPACE RANGER), Kathleen Hughes (CULT OF THE COBRA, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE), Tommy Cook (MISSILE TO THE MOON, ADVENTURES OF RED RYDER), Tommy Cook (MISSILE TO THE MOON, ADVENTURES OF RED RYDER), Francine York (MUTINY IN OUTER SPACE, SPACE PROBE TAURUS, CURSE OF THE SWAMP CREATURE), artist Robert Aragon, writer David J. Schow, and plenty of other surprises and guests. We'll even be serving "Creature food" that the Gill Man would enjoy. More details will follow as this fun event begins to take further shape!
I will not be offended if you buy a copy of this amazing book (Tom Weaver deserves all the credit for making it so amazing) and don't want me to sign it. Personally, I hate signing things because I believe my autography lessens the value of the product. But if you're in the area, please stop by anyway -- it promises to be a lot of fun.
http://www.darkdel.com/index.htm?c52.htm&1
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And I'll be three thousand miles away in New England. Damn!
Break a leg. And sign a book -- it's not the same as "defacing a book," trust me!
(It makes the book more valuable, not less, both as an historical artifact and as a personal connection between writer and reader.)
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Posted: |
Oct 15, 2014 - 8:06 PM
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By: |
PFK
(Member)
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And I'll be three thousand miles away in New England. Damn!
Break a leg. And sign a book -- it's not the same as "defacing a book," trust me!
(It makes the book more valuable, not less, both as an historical artifact and as a personal connection between writer and reader.)
Preston, from Los Angeles to New Haven CT, by plane, is 2,502 miles, not 3,000!
Just saying ........ 
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True enough, but you see, I'll be traveling by train.
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I don't know what Rotenone is -- I'll probably have learned by the time I finish reading the book -- but it looks suspiciously like the normal brain and the criminal brain.
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No, David, I'm not a Creaturephile, though naturally I've seen all three movies and enjoyed them. That's one of the reasons I know this is a great book, because it's keeping me fascinated just as if I were a Creaturephile.
That said, I've seen the first film several times, including twice at theaters in 3-D -- but I still never remembered the name of that white powder; in fact, I never remembered that it even had a name.
I mean, it's not as if it were something important, like monocaine.
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Thanks for the head's up. Next time I watch the Creature, I'll think of you.
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What'd I tell you?
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I keep going back and forth on whether you're kidding or not about this signing thing, both the other day and now again today. If perchance you're serious, then I have to say that not since the late Hugo Friedhofer has such a brilliant but bashful presence graced the film music community.
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