Do you remember the ''Famous Monsters of Filmland'' magazine?

The magazine had some great spinoffs, too!

The Everett Collection

In 1957, a studio maneuver sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry with reverberations that would still be felt decades later. Universal packaged together 52 of their pre-1948 horror movies. The resulting bundle was titled Shock Theater and was sold for television syndication by a Columbia subsidiary called Screen Gems. Fright flicks like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man were broadcast on TV for the first time, ever, and found new audiences with kids that weren't around to see them in theaters. 

The most immediate ramification was one that would go on to shape us here at MeTV, as a new genre of television personality emerged. The "horror host" began springing up in different TV markets across the nation, as the likes of Zacherly and Vampirella were brought onscreen to introduce many of these movies to viewers new and old alike. Eventually, the wave would hit Chicago, and before you could say "Berwyn," our beloved coffin-dweller Svengoolie was popular nationwide.

While Sven might be our favorite consequence of the Shock Theater package release, there were plenty of other ways these movies shifted the culture. Namely, they fueled curiosity with a brand new audience, one that could only be satiated in print. In 1958, well before the internet, there was a demand for behind-the-scenes looks at these costumes and creatures that were suddenly on TV. How did Frankenstein look like that? Who did the Mummy's makeup? 

Watch Svengoolie on MeTV!

Saturdays at 8 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

Two enterprising publishers met the demand by releasing Famous Monsters in Filmland, a periodical chockful of film photos from all the spookiest horror movies of the day. When publisher James Warren envisioned a one-off publication to capitalize on the popularity of Famous Monsters of Filmland, he enlisted editor Forrest Ackerman to put punny captions under the shocking stills!

When the first issue was published in 1958, the magazine was so successful that a second printing was required to fulfill rabid public demand! In addition to the film photos, Famous Monsters included well-written articles, illustrations, and interviews with horror stars and filmmakers. Ackerman would become a beloved horror figure, as the magazine influenced such talents as Guillermo del Toro, Steven King, and Joe Dante.

So, what we want to know is, did you ever have a copy of Famous Monsters? Does the publication hold a special place in your heart? Would you subscribe to a magazine like this today? Let us know!

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35 Comments

bdettlingmetv 25 days ago
Ach! I totally misread the title as "Famous Monsters of Finland" and was quite disappointed to NOT read about Iku-Turso, Hiisi, Haltija, and trolls.
GradivaOlive 25 days ago
I was a kid in the 1960s, teen in 1970s; of course I had every copy of Famous Monsters that came out in those years, thankful for Forest J. "Ackermonster" Ackerman's love of the genre. Nowadays make do with Sven and the Classic Horror Film Board/Monster Kids. And Sven fans don't forget, ballot is out now for this year's Rondo Hatton Awards; anyone can vote, runs to April 20.
sholy13 26 days ago
Tomorrow's Publishing has a new "monster" magazine called Cryptology which looks fun !
https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=98_194&zenid=qhm8n7dhuk6l6d6qnkf7m2u6d4
Badge714 sholy13 26 days ago
Thanks sholy13! Checking it out.
iowast8er 29 days ago
My two brothers and I shared three magazine subscriptions: Famous Monsters of Filmland, MAD magazine and Stock Car Racing magazine. We would each read out subscription and then trade them around until we had all read all three. I wish we still had them today.
Vaughn1960 29 days ago
I love Famous Monsters of Filmland. I bought many copies in the late 60s-early 70s. I would buy a similar magazine today. When horror movie hosts were mentioned I thought of the horror movie host we had in the Detroit area in the 60s and 70s Sir Graves Ghastly.
Yes, I remember Sir Graves. We also had The Ghoul too! I remember Famous Monsters of Filmland.
We had Ghoulita and Seymour on San Diego/L.A. stations, then later Moona Lisa.
Badge714 29 days ago
Loved FMoF and have many back issues I've picked up from various cons and dealers. My first exposure was at age 7 to the spin-off 'Monster World' mag, a family friend had the 'Have a Cool Yule With a Ghoul' issue with Glenn Strange's Frankenstein (monster) in a Santa Cap. I have a framed copy on my den wall (which today houses several of my 1960s Aurora monster models ... my wife indulges me). The latest copy of FMoF was always around in our house (and MAD) from the late 60s to the mid 70s, then I started taking it again when Ray Ferry revived the mag in the late 90s. PLUS, I made it to the 'Son of FM Con' at the Universal Sheraton in the 90s, so glad I did, such a great time -- (btw I'm the person who wrote-in to Ray Ferry before the con -- they had solicited suggestions for sing-alongs at the con -- and I suggested they have the band play 'Fa Do Fa, Fa Do Lee' from the "Festival of the New Wine' sequence from 'Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man and they did a GREAT version). Made many treks to Forry's Glendower Ackermansion in the Los Feliz hills (below Griffith Park observatory) in the 90's and last saw him after his bankruptcy and illness (he was partially facial-paralyzed by this time) in his little house down on Robertson after he lost the mansion to the truly unfortunate and, frankly unnecessary multi-year court battles with Ferry over the Dr. Acula name, etc., which only made the lawyers wealthy and devastated both Forry and Ferry too. Such a shame, such a waste. That said, FMoF has nothing but wonderful memories for me -- sometimes I'll take out an old copy to page through the bad Forry puns and smell that old paper. And those incredible Basil Gogos covers! ... so glad I was a 60s kid.
Morbius Badge714 29 days ago
Nice read, thank you!
Glendower. I couldn’t think of that street name! ‘…bad Forry puns and smell that old paper.’
And speaking of Basil Gogos covers, there’s a great book ‘Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos’. I suspect you’re already aware, but if not, it’s a MUST HAVE!
Badge714 Badge714 29 days ago
P.S. With all due respect and not to sound like a know-it-all ... but in p2 of the story above, they really should change the reference of 'Vampirella' to 'VAMPIRA', Maila Nurmi's iconic but short-lived horror hostess of the mid-1950's. Vampirella was a comic book character not created until about 1969 and never a TV show horror hostess. The closest female horror hostess to Vampira (or even Vampirella for that matter) was San Diego's 'Moona Lisa' who was around in the 60s and early 70s.
Badge714 Morbius 29 days ago
I have it! Thanks Morbius!
Morbius Badge714 29 days ago
Why am I not surprised!?
Hail to thee, kindred spirit!
brettgray Badge714 16 days ago
This was a fun article! Regarding the "Vampirella" reference, you're absolutely correct. I think the confusion stems from the fact that FM founder Forry Ackerman created the character 'Vampirella' (he shared his idea with legendary artist Frank Frazetta who, of course, provided several magazine covers for all of the Warren titles). If my history is correct, I believe Forry wanted to do a sexy horror comic heroine mash-up: "Barbarella" (from the science fiction film of the same name starring Jane Fonda) + 'vampire' = 'Vampirella'. Vampy got her own mag at Warren, the same company that published FM. Those who aren't collector geeks or monster freaks (like myself) wouldn't be privy to such info, but it's out there for those who care to research it.
Morbius 30 days ago
I remember FMoF and still have many original issues. I also remember and have issues of Monster World and Spacemen (but none of the latter). I wish I could say Forry and I were friends, but to be honest I would have to say more like acquaintances. We spoke on the phone on occasion, and I had the good fortune to visit the Ackermuseum a couple times. The first time I met ‘Uncle Forry’ ( we all called him that) he answered the door wearing the Dracula’s Crest ring worn by Lugosi! He was a delightful fellow, and once told me I had ‘restored his faith in humankind’ for doing something on our first meeting, or rather NOT doing something really. But that’s a story close to my heart, and a fond remembrance of 4SJ. Except for another visit in following years, and yakking’ on the phone, I wish I had met him sooner, and had spent more time with him. But alas….
Btw, at the very bottom of the steps leading to his basement, there sat the giant rubber octopus Lugosi wrestled with in ‘Bride of the Monster’!
And now I’m in my seventies, and I still miss ye, Forry!
brettgray Morbius 16 days ago
Amazing stories. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
Snickers 30 days ago
Yep, I remember famous monsters and Starlog magazine as well.
CaptainDunsel 30 days ago
Absolutely I remember (and had) "Famous Monsters"!
Yes, MeTV, I would subscribe to such a magazine even today. While we wait for you to announce yours, everyone who loved the FMoF should check out "Scary Monsters". Here's an issue from a couple of years back where they featured many Horror Hosts. Notice anyone we should all recognize on the cover?
Badge714 CaptainDunsel 29 days ago
Sven and Joe Bob Briggs!
Scary Monsters is a good magazine, but$15 for each issue is too steep for me just to read. More of an investment for some I think.
wolfman69 1 month ago
Loved it! Bought one every chance I got back in the late 70"s & 80's!
Moonpie 1 month ago
I was introduces to FM in the late 60's by a school buddy and I was hooked. Being a naive kid of 7 I had no idea when or how many times a year it came out, but I was always searching. In the early 70's I got my act together and never missed an issue. I still have every issue with Vincent Price on the cover. ah the good old days.
Brad 1 month ago
I would absolutely subscribe to that magazine if it were published today! I'm one of those people who still appreciate real magazines, and sometimes even catalogs. When Hot Rod Magazine fell to the wayside not quite a year ago, I was heartbroken, even though they've made a few "special issues" since. One of my favorite pastimes, especially in the winter months, is just curling up on the couch with a new magazine... that's getting harder to do nowadays, since many of my favorite magazines are saying "goodbye".
BenSobeleone 1 month ago
Yep, I remember and bought a few issues late 1960s and early to mid 1970s.
MrsPhilHarris 1 month ago
Unfortunately no. I bet it was a fun read. I was probably reading Archie, Richie Rich and Casper.
Snickers MrsPhilHarris 30 days ago
Love those comics. Big fan of Space Family Robinson and Magnus the Robot Fighter too.
Badge714 MrsPhilHarris 29 days ago
Archie ruled!
MrsPhilHarris Badge714 28 days ago
I loved Archie comics.
coffinman 1 month ago
I met "Forry" once because my Brother-in-Law was a horror comic writer/artist, and was a friend of his.
FrankensteinLover 1 month ago
I love my Universal Monsters and would love for this to come back around or even a new era that covers their legacy
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