20th - 22nd September 2013 at Manchester

20th - 22nd September 2013 at Manchester Conference Centre
Welcome to the second progress report for the 24th Festival of Fantastic Films.
***** Breaking News *****
It gives us great pleasure to announce that Michael Armstrong
has agreed to attend the Festival. You may recall that Michael
hoped to attend last year but had to pull out. Last year’s loss is
this year’s gain. He has had a long and varied career and it
promises to be a challenge to fit it into a few hours.
As announced on the website Judy Matheson has had to pull out because of other commitments.
It is regrettable as we had received many comments from you looking forward to meeting her.
We cannot compete with paying work and we always attempt to find alternative guests. The
increase in memorabilia shows has increased the calls on various guests and they cannot
commit to attending months in advance. The Committee has been working hard to get
confirmations but where we have received a number of provisional acceptances, from guests that
you will recognise, they have stated that they are unable to confirm until June/July. However we
do want to reassure you that the Festival is on and there are a number of guests who have
provisionally agreed to attend that you will recognise and look forward to meeting. We am aware
of the disappointment experienced when guests have to pull out as a result of other
commitments therefore we will not tempt fate by publishing names prior to firm acceptances.
However we would urge you not to wait for this information before booking your accommodation
as rooms are certainly likely to go and they do not require payment now. (see page 10 for details)
We will put a special notice on the website when we have further news, although as per most
other organisations we propose to remember Peter Cushing as this is his 100th year.
“Our great friend Wayne Kinsey has produced yet
another Hammer tome this time specializing in Mr
Cushing. I have seen it and believe me it is, yet
again, a terrific book” (see advert on page 6)
Gil Lane-Young
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Welcome to the Festival
And so we approach our 24th Festival of Fantastic Films an event which started with all sorts of
good intentions to basically be a retrospective event aimed at those genre types whose
preference was for the Fantasy / Horror or Sci-Fi of that golden period between 1930 & 1970.
That is not to say that good, even great movies were not made out of that period, just that the
regular attendees, at least at that time, were much more interested in films of that era.
So now we are not only in a new century, but a new era and style. I remember when I watched
the early movies it was not necessary to show huge amounts of blood to prove a point, now
however that is not the case, indeed even the western & thriller are coated in it.
So with a huge number of horror/sci-fi events up and down the country it is becoming more
difficult to decide what to show & which guests to invite. Admittedly most of the other, not all,
but most, are themed on a particular film/show etc. Certainly Tony & I wish them all the best but
I'm not sure that we are not killing it for everybody by having so many, anyway time will tell.
So where do we go this year we have taken a leaf from the above and are looking at giving a
theme to ours, we certainly have a great series of movies ( some good - some bad & some
bloody awful ) to choose from. We are probably going Sci-Fi more this year as we have tended
to be mainly horror before. Suggested themes & films we will consider are creature movies
( space monsters / giant bugs / and such like for one choice. Then really bad creatures/
monsters & just plain bad films ( Not bad bad, just so bad they are good ).
As to the guests I have made concerted attempts to invite guests both from this side of the
Atlantic and the other, but am being told no due to prior commitments, or being deferred until
later in the year ( etc. June ) but am still working on it.
Gil
Membership Information
Rates are £70 for the full weekend of the 2013 Festival.
Day membership is available
Friday £20
Saturday £35
Sunday £30
Please remember to include an email address for receipt and for future updates.
Supporting Membership - £35
This entitles you to all publications, ID Badge and attendance at any of the
events on a single day of the Festival. Membership can be upgraded at any time
to FULL by paying the balance before 20th September.
Children—Attending membership
£20 Up to 12 years of age
£30 Up to 16 years of age
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You can download the registration
form by clicking on the image above
Retrospective Programme.
Presented by Tony Meadows
Hello folks,
I hope and trust that you are all well and looking forward to
the Festival.
I have been thinking about some of the titles for Weston 2.
You may enjoy a 'TASTE OF FEAR'. Last year I was hoping
to show 'LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT', which is made up of
stills with a musical soundtrack, it's not the sharpest pin in
the box, but it is the closest you can get.
There will be an offering from the British SF cinema, and yes
'SPECTREMAN' will be there too.
I know that some of you enjoyed last years Japanese film,
let's see if we can squeeze in an extra dose this year.
There are a few titles that didn't appear late on the Sunday, I
hope these will appear this time round, one way or another.
'EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERIES' may get a chance in
there as well, in addition there will be another shot of
German Krimi.
Till next time, take care
(Doc) Meadows.
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Guest: Michael Armstrong
Michael Armstrong has had a long and
varied career, beginning as an actor, aged
20, replacing Melvyn Hayes in the original
London stage production of Bill Naughton’s
Spring and Port Wine. Michael was soon
producing and directing for the stage and
in 1966 began writing for Films and
Filming. His movie career began with the
award-winning 1969 black-and-white short
The Image, which starred Micheal Byrne
and in his first film role David Bowie.
Michael’s first feature, The Haunted
House of Horror (aka Horror House),
which he wrote and directed at the age of
24 (at that time the youngest ever writer/
director of an international feature film),
starred Frankie Avalon, Jill Haworth
and Mark Winter. It’s rumoured that
Michael had originally intended that
David Bowie would appear in the
picture, with Boris Karloff in the role
subsequently played by Dennis Price.
Hopefully, Michael will be able to
confirm or deny some of the amazing
tales that have grown up around the
legendarily troubled shooting of the
notorious Mark of the Devil (1970). Set
in eighteenth century Austria, it starred
Herbert Lom as a wandering
witchhunter, ably assisted by his young
assistant (Udo Keir). The international
cast and crew spoke a veritable Babel
of different languages and Michael
reportedly had problems from the start
of shooting with the picture’s producer,
Austrian actor-director, Adrian Hoven.
Michael should be able to give us the
definitive account of this clash of the
titans.
Thanks to an excellently executed
publicity campaign, including handing
out sick-bags to the audience, the film
became an international hit smashing
box office records all over Europe and
America and is now reckoned to be one
of the most popular cult films ever.
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He turned his hand to comedy, writing
Eskimo Nell (appearing with Roy Kinnear
and a host of other comedy stars) and
Adventures of a Private Eye, while still
keeping to the serious stuff with the
screenplay for The Black Panther, a gripping
account of the criminal career of real-life
murderer Donald Neilson..
Michael's other credits include House of the
Long Shadows - the only film to unite such
horror luminaries as Vincent Price,
Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and John
Carradine, it was also the last film in which
Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing appeared
together.
His television writing credits include Return
of the Saint, Triangle, Shoestring and The
Professionals and has many theatre credits
including The Enchanted Orchestra,
performed by the London Symphony
Orchestra with an all star cast including
narration by David Niven.
Writer, director, producer, actor, is there anything
that Michael Armstrong hasn’t done?
Alongside his film work, Michael has been writing
directing and producing for the theatre and television
in England, France and America. He has also worked
as a film consultant, publicist, cartoonist, arts
journalist, record producer, magazine publisher and
drama teacher. Michael is about to commence work
on a new film which should be going into production
later this year.
With this rich history to draw upon it may be difficult to fit all of this into one weekend, but I know
you’ll do your best.
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THE PETER CUSHING SCRAPBOOK
Wayne Kinsey, Joyce Broughton, Tom Johnson
A pictorial tribute to Peter Cushing to celebrate his centenary on 26 May, 2013. Joyce
Broughton (Cushing’s secretary and aide for over 35 years) has donated images of many
rare treasures from the Cushing estate: sketches, watercolours, notes containing his hand
writing, cartoons for his wife, letters, annotated script pages, candid photos and much more,
including other rare items from collectors.
328 pages, full colour, soft back
Over 1800 rare images
Limited edition – ONLY 2000
numbered copies
ONLY available from our
website Peverilpublishing.co.uk
– It will not be available in book
shops or Amazon. Sales now
live on the website.
£35 cover price plus postage
(options on website) with offer
of optional DVD containing
Cushing memorabilia images
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The Delta Award
Last year’s competition provided a clear winner but the competition for second place was
very close, reflecting the very high standards of submissions.
3rd Place:
Love Bug
av. score: 65/100
Winner:
Quedate Conmigo
av. score: 85/100
2nd Place:
Brutal Relax
av. score: 66/100
Honorable Mention: Por Que Desaparecieron Los Dinosaurios - av. score: 63/100
Since I first became involved with the Delta Film Award in the mid-1990s, I've watched it
steadily grow in strength and scope. During my eight years as administrator, we've also
widened its international reputation, as evidenced by the fact that all but one of this year's
finalists were produced outside the UK.
Technology has improved by leaps and bounds since the Award's early years, but one
element remains unchanged: the power of a great idea, coupled with a clear vision. It trumps
a million-dollar budget every time.
Can you do better?
There is still time to submit an entry for this year, you can download a form from the website.
What are you waiting for?
Steve Green
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THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH.
1964, USA. 73 minutes. Directed by Del
Tenney. With John Scott, Alice Lyon, Allan
Laurel, Eulabelle Moore.
Sillier than the slime people? The British
censor didn’t seem to think so. When this film
and its supporting feature The Curse of the
Living Corpse were submitted to the BBFC
they were both refused a certificate. (You
used to be able to find that out from the
Board’s web site, which has been revamped
and is now useless to the researcher – so
much for transparency.) The distributor cut
every single gory moment and resubmitted
the films, which then got an X. (Presumably
the title of the director’s next film after these
two, I Eat Your Skin, put distributors off from
even trying.) Here’s all the horror restored,
including the songs. Bop along with the
monsters!
THE SLIME PEOPLE.
1963, USA. 76 minutes. Directed by Robert Hutton.
With Robert Hutton, Les Tremayne, Susan Hart and
Judee Morton.
The 2013 FoFF’s first contender for the Giant Claw
award for the silliest movie monster. You’ll see them in
the opening scene, but there’s much more fun to
come. Los Angeles is overcome by them – apparently
by just a pair of them until a bunch of their friends
show up for the finale. Half a dozen humans survive
and see them off.
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Some Words about the Auctioneer
As many of you know Ramsey Campbell
wrestles with the age old dilemma of all fans.
How to be able to buy everything he ‘needs’
and to fit it into his house.
As the auctioneer, we have seen this acted
out on stage as he pours over each item
trying to remember if he has it, and probably
putting in a bid anyway. Whilst Jenny sits on
the sidelines giving him that ‘just you wait’
look.
The only answer to this sort of compulsive
behaviour is to festoon him with all sorts of
desirable stuff then buy it out from under his
nose. Save him from himself and rescue his
marriage.
The Festival operates without grants or
financial support from anyone, and the
auction helps us raise much needed cash to
allow us to continue.
We would appreciate the donation of any
DVDs, Movie posters or other film
memorabilia.
Please email Keith to let him know of any
donations and how to send (in advance) or
donate on the day.
Thanks
The Committee
All flyers, progress reports and correspondence from the Festival are sent to people who register, or who have attended previous Festivals.
Unfortunately over time contact can be lost with some previous attendees as they may have moved. The Festival Committee encourage
the distribution of these Progress Reports to anyone who would be interested. So if you are aware of any of your friends who would be
interested then pass them a copy or email them a link, and persuade them to come along.
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Please Note—Hotel Rooms Limited—Book Now
Recently we were informed by the hotel that, with the Conservative Party Conference
occurring the week after the Festival many attendees of that conference were intending to go
early and were booking rooms covering the weekend of the Festival. This will result in those
rooms available to Festival attendees being reduced. We asked for your views on this
offering a number of options, including moving the Festival to different dates. The resulting
response was an overwhelming desire to retain the original dates.
So the Festival dates will not change. However it should be
understood that hotel rooms may not be available closer to the
Festival so we would encourage anyone who wishes to stay in the
main hotel to book now. It does not cost anything to book and if
necessary you can cancel provided you give notice. (preferably a few
weeks)
To access the form please click on the thumbnail on the right.
If you have trouble accessing this then email us.
The Venue
The Festival returns to the Manchester Conference Centre on Sackville Street in
Manchester. A purpose built conference centre and hotel.
The hotel has indicated that the following
prices will apply during the festival.
£60 B&B per room, per night, for 3 nights
£75 B&B per room, per night, for 2 nights
These rates are valid up to 1st September after that the Hotel may alter these.
The Hotel has 117 bedrooms and it is expected that these will book up quickly.
Advance payment is not required and cancellation is possible up to 2 weeks before the festival.
You are advised to book as soon as possible.
For more details check out the Centre’s website
Alternative accommodation
Manchester city centre is a short walk from the venue, and there are numerous hotels, offering
cheap rooms. Further information can be found from the Visit Manchester Website .
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Over 20 Years of Film Fandom A Tribute to .... The
Festival of Fantastic Films
Book by George Houston & George Gaddi
The price of the book will be £25
Please send your cheque with your name, and address to:
Keith Mather
8 Farndon Road,
Reddish,
Stockport
SK5 6LY
Please include an email address to confirm receipt.
If you want to reserve a copy and collect it at the 24th
Festival of Fantastic Films a non-refundable deposit of £10
is required. The balance will be due on collection.
If you require the book to be posted then this can be
arranged. (P&P extra)
Only 16 Left
When they’re gone,
They’re gone
The Festival is brought to you by the following people
Tony Edwards
Membership, Finance,
Publications
Humour so old it’s dried out
Gil Lane-Young
Guests
Films/Independent Films
Venue
International man of mystery
Keith Mather
Tony Meadows
Steve Green
Delta Award
Films
Bad Jokes
Worst Jokes
And downright
unrepeatable jokes.
Operations
Logistics
Shouting
Owner of the big stick
Ramsey Campbell
President
Auctioneer/Collector
In need of help (see Page 9)
….and just in case you were curious, they are all open to bribery.
Contact Us:
For more information on the membership email: Tony Edwards: anthonyFedwards@hotmail.co.uk
For more information on the Guests/Films email: Gil Lane-Young: grlyfilms@gmail.com
To suggest stories for publication, letters or comments email: festival.of.fantastic.films@gmail.com
See you there, and bring a friend you know they’ll enjoy it too.
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