Tour of Forrest J Ackerman's Ackermansion 1986

Summer of 1986 my old friend and then student Luis Pelayo and I ventured to the home of horror icon Forrest J Ackerman to shoot some footage to go with the appearance of 4SJ on Air Talk, a long running Pasadena City College radio program that we had recently developed as a live cable TV program.

The program was entirely student produced under the auspices of a class taught by myself and Sharon Stephens.

I had known Ackerman years before and it was great working with him again, and I think my students got a kick out of it too. Sadly much of the Acker-collection has been sold off over the years, but Forrest is still alive and kicking, even if in a somewhat smaller home today.

Here are some surviving clips of the interview and the "tour" of his home cum museum.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Forrest
• Ackerman
• Famous
• Monsters
• 4SJ
• horror

[bijeto]

I only now heard the news. I am greatly saddened to learn that Fory has departed our dimension. Ironically, my childhood might not have been so rosy had it not been for Famous Monsters and the escape it provided me. Both the man and the magazine have had a definite influence not only on me personally, but even my channel here at Youtube. Famous Monsters made me wish that every day was Halloween (or at least monster filled).

[Almuric7]

4SJ is the greatest. He is so important to TRUE fantasy/Sci Fi writers, Fans, Artists, Filmakers. The fact tha Harlan Ellison says he wishes him dead speaks volumes (with or without a mouth - loud or otherwise Ellison!)

[meme4922]

Thank you for posting this little treasure! I always wanted to me Mr Akerman and see is museum/house and I was very sad to here of his passing. Thank you for posting this.

[MiltonJenkins]

I was very fortunate to visit both Ackermansions-a warmer gentleman was not to be found in L.A. or anywhere. I even got to sing at a banquet at his and Ray Harryhausen's honor. He was a week shy of 90 when I last saw him in his Los Feliz home. The Ackerman visits were my favorite parts of my LA trips and it's hard going back now that Forry has left. We love and miss him.

[countchoc13]

Amazing!!!!!!

[thEannoyingE]

What movies are covered in FM#1?

[thEannoyingE]

Alfred Hitchcock is the man you are referring to.

[FiendsInRedSatin1]

RIP, Mr. Ackerman. You will be missed. (Mr. Ackerman's cameo was the only thing redeemable about the horrid "Future War" movie.)

The mansion is an absolute Mecca for anyone interested in sci-fi or horror.

[SmileyCrossbones]

3:40 Imagi-Movies!! he said it! :)

[ottowes]

I bought a book from the 'Garagemahal' in 'Horrorwood, Karloffornia' from a fellow on eBay a few years back. He detailed as to how FJA was downsizing and selling off items. Wish that I had bought more than only one. It included a printed thank you note from FJA.

[anvilofcrom]

I wonder what will happen to the collection now that Forry has past on.

[jjb1011jjb]

this man is a true inspiration for me im 23 and only found out about forry 2 years ago but since then iv began bulding a collection of books and magazines on horror and scifi the most recent is a replica of weird tales #1