06-Jul-2004
I HEAR AMERICA SCREAMING
David J. Skal�s monthly reader�s newsletter from MONSTERSHOW.NET
July 2004
Dear Friends,
First, my thanks for all the great comments and suggestions I�ve received on MONSTERSHOW.NET during its inaugural weeks. Second, my apologies for the lateness of this first newsletter, but it�s been a busy period. Next newsletter will post the first week of August without fail.
Perhaps the most interesting news this month is that I�m now officially a Creative Advisor to the forthcoming cable Horror Channel, scheduled to launch in October. The channel�s web site, horrorchannel.com, is already up and running, and well worth visiting. I will provide additional information on my personal involvement as things develop, both through this newsletter and at MONSTERSHOW.NET
The new, revised and updated edition of HOLLYWOOD GOTHIC is now in production for October release by Faber and Faber , and a 30% advance order discount is now being offered through the purchase link at my web site. The book has a smaller format than the original, coffee-table edition, but much of the text has been substantially rewritten.
Some readers may be surprised that I�ve changed some of my original conclusions about Stoker and the ultimate influence of his employer Henry Irving on DRACULA�but, hey, that�s what comes with fifteen years of additional thought and study.
I�m particularly excited about the new cover design, which echoes the original edition while brilliantly delivering a graphic homage to vintage �Dracula� film posters.
Numerous e-mails have arrived in asking why on earth the DVD release of Edward Albee�s play ALL OVER comes up so prominently at amazon.com whenever my name is entered in a search. I can�t explain amazon�s priorities, but, yes, I do have an extremely brief appearance as a reporter who gets clobbered over the head by a bunch of gargoylish upper-crust types awaiting the death of their patriarch. This happened in 1977, when I was publicity director of the Hartford Stage Company, a leading regional theatre that mounted an extraordinary revival of the play. Who else to play an abused media type? This cameo was my reward. People who hate my books might especially love the image of me being whacked over the head by the likes of the distinguished character actor William Prince (a veteran of William Castle�s MACABRE and the original version of THE STEPFORD WIVES).
Caution: this DVD is for Skal completists only (if there is indeed any creature out there who qualifies for such a wretched fate). As for the show itself, it�s definitely worth the consideration of anyone seriously interested in Albee, Pinter, and Beckett The performances are impeccable of their kind, but may not be everyone�s cup of tea. As Edward Van Sloan said in his introduction to FRANKENSTEIN -- you�ve been warned.
Enough for this month. August will bring a more expansive missive, I promise.
Yours in monsters,
David
