Haruo Nakajima At 2011 Monsterpalooza

by Armand Vaquer

Left, Haruo Nakajima taking a break during the filming of "Godzilla vs. Hedorah."

The original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima will appear at next year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank, California.

Nakajima was "the man in the rubber suit" from the first Godzilla movie in 1954 to 1972's Godzilla vs. Gigan. He will turn 82 on January 1.

Monsterpalooza will be held at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center April 8-10. I've attended the first two Monsterpaloozas and they were very enjoyable.




Monsterpalooza has many celebrities from the world of science-fiction and horror in attendance and exhibits featuring everyone's favorite monsters.

Above, Armand with Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima in 2008.

Nakajima's daughter Sonoe told me a few nights ago that they will be attending Monsterpalooza next year.

For more information on Monsterpalooza, go here.

Dark Shadows Festival News!

Dark Shadows Festival News!

by Armand Vaquer

Just got home a while ago and found in the mailbox the mailer from The Dark Shadows Festival about this year's convention in Burbank.

This year's convention, "Dark Shadows In The Sun" will be held July 16, 17 & 18 at the Burbank Airport Marriott (the site for Monsterpalooza). Weekend admission is $30.00 (available until July 10, thereafter at the door only) and they will have a special banquet Sunday, July 18 with Barnabas Collins himself, Jonathan Frid. The cost is $50 and reservations and payment must be received by July 10. Frid's autographed photograph (from the original negative) will be available only to those attending the banquet. The autograph will be personalized.

Also attending this year's show are David Selby, Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, John Karlen, Marie Wallace, Jerry Lacy, Roger Davis, Kathleen Cody, Robert Rodan, Chris Pennock, Lisa Richards, Jim Storm, Bob Cobert, Sy Tomashoff and Michael Brockman.

For additional information, go to www.darkshadowsfestival.com

Additionally, on Friday, July 16, at 12:30 p.m., Jonathan Frid will be honored with a handprint in cement ceremony at the historic Vista Theater in Hollywood. Following this, House of Dark Shadows (1970) will be screened. Admission to this event is $10.00.