PRAISE


 

David Colton  To: baron_von_wolfstein@yahoo.com  Wed, 29 Jun 2005

Tim: There's lots about your performance -- including some photos -- at the Classic Horror Film Board -- link attached here. My name is
David Colton, also known as Taraco, and I'm one of the Old Clubhouse guys who was there. Bravo!!  Here's the link...keep scrolling and you shall
find!

http://p075.ezboard.com/fmonsterkidclassichorrorforumfrm55.showMessage?topicID=59.topic 
<<< PERTINENT TEXT >>> 
taraco; Administrator  ... Finally, we don't really know how to describe these last two photos, which ended up being the highlight of the Bash for the few lucky enough to be there. Prof. Griffin (Joseph Fotinos), was showing us his Austin, Texas horror host tapes when a giant Frankenstein monster walked into
the Old Dark Clubhouse. The lights went on and one of the wives actually gave out a little scream because the monster, played to a fault by Baron
von Wolfstein, was intensely realistic and intensely green.  Well, what happened next absolutely floored everyone. Prof. Griffin explained that the two
had worked up a small play based on the last nine pages of Mary Shelly's novel -- not the 'bread good' stuff of the movies but the High Romance language of the novel itself, with breathtaking passages about the creature's guilt, rapid-fire exchanges of Shakespearean-like dialogue and just professional acting by all
concerned.   The 20 or so folks in the Clubhouse watched all this with rapt attention. It was riveting and high drama and so unforgettable that Richard
Gordon, after the standing ovation had ended, said that the performance was so good it could have been a production on Broadway. Others who
were there may have their own takes, but it was quite the special event. As others post photos or describe what happened, I think all will agree
it was a weekend to remember. That's it for now, but more to come. david 'It was a graveyard smash!'



Report from E-Gor

This was posted by George 'E-Gor' Chastain  at the Universal Monster Army group at yahoo!, but since it deals with the Old Dark Clubhouse
'Frankenstein' dramatization, I thought I'd repost it here:
------------------------------------
I had to write to acknowledge one of the Olympian high points of this past Bash weekend, and of any other movie convention I've ever attended. I was extremely fortunate to be one of the small group of people being regaled by Professor Anton Griffin and his show viddys in the Old Dark Clubhouse on Saturday night when we were interrupted by a surprise guest -- an astounding incarnation of the Frankenstein Monster personified by our own "Baron Von Wolfstein," Timothy Herron. His awesome visage was the finest recreation of Jack Pierce's makeup in the original film that I've ever seen, built lovingly and accurately by Tim himself using the same sort of materials and techniques Pierce used. As if that wasn't enough, an imaginary stage was quickly set with a few introductory words, and for a dreamlike span of time everyone present was held spellbound by Tim's beautiful, extremely moving performance of the Creature's agonized final speech from the climax of Mary Shelley's novel, delivered in a voice hauntingly evocative of Boris Karloff!   Tim delivered a letter-perfect, nine-page monologue but his performance was not QUITE a one-man show -- he was ably supported by Joseph Fotinos (aka Prof. Griffin) as Captain Walton, and by multi-talented Richard Olson as the corpse of Victor Frankenstein. Richard was so perfect for this part that he actually stunk (just kidding, pal)!   Richard Gordon witnessed the performance, and thought that it was worthy of Broadway. I certainly agree -- someone MUST stage and capture Tim's performance for posterity; it has to be seen to be believed. I think he had already performed it earlier this year at Wonderfest, and I'm sure he'll be doing it again and again as the word gets around -- WATCH FOR IT!   Tim and I have been corresponding by e-mail for years -- he first wrote to me when he found information about his late 70's horror host show in Indianapolis posted on my "E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts" site -- anybody who saw the show never forgot it, and I had heard from a bunch of his old fans. We finally met at a small one-shot show in Pittsburgh a few years ago, and several times since then. I had seen his show tapes so I knew he was a unique and very original TV horror host, as well as a very talented designer, sculptor and makeup artist. And I knew he was a gifted actor with many years of stage experience -- but I was totally blown away by the excellence of this performance, one of the finest "monster" performances I've ever seen in any medium, I kid you not. Bravo, Tim.  Tim Herron is a deeply spiritual person, as he occasionally reveals in his e-mail, but he astounded me another time this weekend with a totally different display of his unsuspected
powers. We were standing in the hallway chatting, Tim in one of his amazing costumes (full rotting corpse regalia this time) when I mentioned that I had a splitting headache (possibly caused by all the fun I'd been having, or maybe it was all the martinis I had consumed the night before).   Tim straightened and took a moment to meditate on the situation, and then he put his hand very close to, but not touching, my aching forehead.  I automatically closed my eyes, completely trusting in whatever he was going to do. He told me to tell him when I felt either heat or a tingling sensation radiating from his hand, which I did within about 30 seconds. Then he began to talk very softly and calmly, evoking a series of images that turned my pain into visual metaphors that melted away with his words.  The entire experience was very brief, perhaps a minute and a half, but when he stopped talking my headache was totally gone and never returned all the rest of the weekend. He told me he'd done the same thing about a hundred times over the last few years, always successfully, and that remembering the images he suggested would empower me to work the same spiritual magic on my own pain in the future. My blessings on you too, Tim. I'm privileged to know you and call you my friend and Monster Kid brother, and I'm really delighted that you're a regular "Featured Creature" at Monster Bash now. I trust that next year you'll be able to repeat your
Frankenstein performance for a much larger audience, and that you'll dig deep into your vast knowledge of monster lore and delight us with many more such characterizations in the future. 

Bash wishes, George "E-gor" Chastain 



sketchyfrank (6/27/05 10:28 pm)
Re: Report from E-Gor
---------------------

Tim also proved himself quite the performer on Sunday night, when he dazzled the bar crowd with a splendid version of THE MONSTER MASH. Other karaoke performers included myself, Harry Hatter, Kathy Burns and Susan Gordon. Monster Karaoke! Now that's entertainment! Here's a shot of Tim Herron, a.k.a. Baron Von Wolfstein, in yet another of his strange characterizations: Frank Dietz; www.sketchythings.com 
Edited by: sketchyfrank at: 6/28/05 12:24 pm


taraco; Administrator (6/28/05 11:39 am)
A mon-star is born (and T-shirts)
---------------------------------
Tim Herron was what I'll remember most about this Bash. There were videos of his Frankenstein monster portrayal and hopefully we'll be able to enjoy, and share them, again.
david 


GaryP11111; Administrator (6/28/05 12:00 pm)
Re: A mon-star is born (and T-shirts)
-------------------------------------
I have it on digital tape and Angie Olson also taped the performance. I'll talk to Kerry to see if there is a way we can upload it and make it available as streaming video. I'll post more about the Bash and the ODCH in a little while, but for now, thanks for all the kind words about the ODCH! GARY L. PRANGE 


Re: Other Bash Moments
----------------------
Saturday night at Bash 2005 will always be remembered as the night the Frankenstein monster came to visit. We had visitors over the years (I'll never forget the sight of Graf Orloc downing a Rolling Rock at the 2000 Bash), but this was very special. Earlier in the day Baron Von Wolfstein's alter ego Timothy Herron walked up to me and asked if he could do a dramatic performance (with Prof. Griffin's assistance) as Mary Shelley's monster in the ODCH. Happy to oblige I was stunned by his appearance later that night. He came as the Karloff monster and, using the Karloff voice (the best I've heard--ever), presented the monster's soliloquy from the end of Shelley's book (eight pages of dialogue).  The performance was emotional and the effect astounding. I think everybody was stunned by the calibre of the performance. Herron felt that the ODCH was the right place for the show, believing everybody there would understand what he was trying to evoke. It's one thing to read Shelley's words but another to hear them in the voice of one of Universal's classic movie monsters. Tim Herron is already at work on
next year's surprise and it's going to be as wonderful as this year's. GARY L. PRANGE "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectos nunc." 


Edited by: GaryP11111 at: 6/29/05 1:20 pm



EDITOR MFTV (6/29/05 2:04 pm)
Re: Horror Events
------------------
My report on the Bash (with tons of photos) is now on-line at: www.monstersfromthevault.com  Once there, click on the "MFTV Road Trips" link for the full report.  Jim Clatterbaugh; Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com   {Here, is the excerpt regarding my contribution}


After the dealers' room closed for the evening, it was off to The Old Dark Clubhouse.  The Clubhouse is the place where fans who've been in contact throughout the year (via phone, e-mail, message boards, etc.) gather to share in the celebration of the guests, renew old friendships, start new friendships, share Monster memories, and show off some of their Monster memorabilia.  In other words---it's heaven on earth! While the Monster Bash itself provides enough activities to keep all attendees busy from sunup to sundown, it's the lucky few who gather in the Clubhouse who get to share that special Monster Kid bond. As in the past, this year was no exception. Of course, I can't leave out our gracious host, Gary Prange, and my lovely wife Marian.  While there were many highlights this year- like receiving several wonderful Old Dark Clubhouse 'premiums' (a Bash tradition that grows every year) from various Monster Kids, the wonderful conversations that took place nonstop in the ODCH all weekend, the various Horror Host clips shown, and the movies and TV shows watched (including episodes of Milton
the Monster, Fearless Fly, and The Groovie Goolies)--- two events stand out this year.  The first was Sara Karloff visiting the ODCH and posing for tons of photos with Gary Prange's life-size Morgan figure from The Old Dark House (which happened to be the theme of this year's Old Dark Clubhouse). She seemed totally in awe of the figure and was really touched by it. You really can see Boris in her face these days, as she seems to resemble him more and more each time
I see her.  The second standout event, and probably one of the greatest Monster Convention memories I'll ever have (and I've got a lot!), happened in the
ODCH while we were watching clips of Horror Host Professor Anton Griffin's show:   We were interrupted by a surprise guest-- the Frankenstein Monster (Timothy Herron, aka Horror Host Baron Von Wolfstein, in a fantastic self-makeup job that rivaled Pierce's own creation). After a quick description of how
the makeup was done, and a few introductory words, Tim's beautiful, extremely moving performance of the Creature's final speech from the climax of Mary Shelley's novel stunned a captive audience of Monster Kids! ... On top of everything else the speech was delivered in a voice that was unmistakably Boris Karloff's! Tim delivered the nine-page monologue with perfection and was assisted by Joseph Fotinos as Captain Walton and Richard Olson as the corpse of Victor Frankenstein.  Producer Richard Gordon happened to be present in the Clubhouse during the performance and exclaimed that it was worthy of Broadway!
For all of you who were at the Bash but missed this special treat, several attendees that evening videotaped the performance, so hopefully copies will be floating around in the future.  Also, one can only hope that the performance will be repeated on a much larger scale at a future Monster Bash so that more people can enjoy
this truly spectacular performance.



BixB; (6/29/05 8:14 pm)
Re: Report from the Bash (Photos too)


As producer of Monster Kid Home Movies I have to say that this has been one of the most exciting and emotional Bashes I’ve ever attended. The response to the DVD was overwhelming. Sharing a stage with so many of my Monster Kid brothers was, as Carl Denham might say, the thrill of a lifetime. So many wonderful things to recall...  Of course Tim Herron’s performance on Saturday night will be long remembered. It was hypnotic hearing those eloquent words being spoken by a Karloff Frankenstein. Richard Gordon who told us tales of working with Karloff on THE HAUNTED STRANGLER. The photo session with the Sara Karloff and the ODCH gang. So many other things that have already been mentioned.  I’m so blessed to be surrounded by this beautiful extended family. As Philip Marlowe says, “The stuff that dreams are made of.”.  -Joe; Edited by: BixB at: 6/29/05 8:16 pm


RAY CASTILE wrote:


Timothy Herron (Baron Von Wolfstein)  The biggest surprise of the Bash. If you only know Tim through his baroque Baron Von Wolfstein posts, you don't know him at all. This philosopher/actor/poet/humorist/make-up artist commands jaw-dropping respect. He tosses around his talent like candy from a parade float. He'll break your heart in half with a tragic observation, then slap it back together with a witty quip and a deep Zacherly laugh. You've already heard about Tim's bravura performance as Mary Shelley's Creature Saturday night in the Old Dark Clubhouse. Terry and I kicked ourselves for missing that, but it turned out to be serendipitous. Sunday night, Tim treated Jane, Max, Terry and myself to our own private performance. Sans the Jack Pierce-style makeup he wore in the Clubhouse, Tim's Sunday performance was raw, real and intimate. There was no theatricality standing between him and his audience. Without the Halloween trappings, the sheer emotional honesty of Shelley's words hit us full force. Jane was so overcome she had to leave the room to collect herself. I'm sure the Clubhouse performance was fantastic, but I wouldn't trade it for our private experience.  Baron Von Wolfstein is always welcome to post at UMA, but I hope his good friend Tim will drop in once in awhile. There is room here for both.


johnrozum01 UniversalRobots@aol.com 
Frankenstein meets Professor Griffin 
Tue, 28 Jun 2005


Not only did I miss out on the Bash as a whole, but it looks like I also missed out on what is being described as the event within the event, a display of theatrics which Richard Gordon said should be performed on Broadway.  -- What was this performance? Why, a surprise treat for the people in the Old Dark Clubhouse put on by our own Professor Griffin and Baron von Wolfstein. The two of them performed the final scene from Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" with the Baron in an incredible recreation of the Karloff monster (I saw the pics!) delivering a 9-page monologue (and we thought he was verbose here!) I hope someone captured this event on video and is willing to pass along a copy to me so I can see it for myself. Professor, when you said you had a few things in mind to offer up as treats to the Old Dark Clubhouse, I had no idea this is what you had in mind. Bravo! 



CRAIG WICHMAN <wich2@aol.com>
Re: [UMA] Re: WE DID THE BASH...
(Tim Herron's FRANKENSTEIN!... 
Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Dear George- A wonderful story. Tim, keep
using The Gifts. Best, -Craig


Robert Taylor <taylorro@nalu.net>
[UMA] More (tana) leaves from my Bash journal
...a loooong post 
Tue, 28 Jun 2005


I always think of the Calvin & Hobbes title, THE DAYS ARE SIMPLY PACKED...and that's what they are at the Bash but you pick and choose, and that's how one finds the valuable spare time to meet up with valuable friends!  ... And speaking of role playing, the remarkably transformable faces and personalities of Baron
Timotheus (who was reported unable to attend, but who at last DID make it!) and Prof. Griffin (who was there bright and early) were admired and enjoyed wherever they went. I met them, each, sans makeup, and it was rather unsettling to find that these monsters' alter-egos are, indeed, human. Or at least human-like! Friendly and smilin' fellows, both of 'em. I didn't get to see the performance they did from the original FRANKENSTEIN novel, in the ODC, but it has been reported elsewhere as a vast triumph. Congrats, guys! It was good to meet you, both, in the flesh and in the greasepaint... And Griffin-- what is it with those smoked glasses and sharky smile that lend an eldritch quality to the Professor's persona?! & Timotheus/Wolfstein- - here's a mental image or two with which to
conjure: I saw him twice during a brief period of time--the first time, it seemed that shreds of pale flesh hung in tatters from his cadaverous face!  And mere moments later, transformation complete (?), he had turned a ghastly green and seemed ready to melt into a mass of putrescence right on the spot!



Barb <bheiss@atlanticbb.net>
[monsterbash] The Bash is a blur 
Tue, 28 Jun 2005


WOW where did the weekend go? I took a ton of pictures and will figure out a way to share them with you guys later... Sunday night was karoake night in the bar and I had fun watching the good, the bad, and the ugly of karaoke. Fortunately, Tim, Harry, Frank Dietz, and some Scarlet Streeters were the good.


sthornt1 <sthorntn@voyager.net>
[monsterbash] Fwd: Re: WE DID THE BASH...
(Tim Herron's FRANKENSTEIN!!!!!!!!!!!) 
Wed, 29 Jun 2005


George Chastain <chastain@m...> wrote: > I was extremely fortunate to be one of the > small group of people being regaled... 
`````````````````````````````````````
I was there too, George, and I agree - the dramatization by Baron Von Wolfstein and Prof. Griffin absolutely blew us away! This was more moving than any Hollywood adaptation of Frankenstein that I have seen in the past 20 years. Tim and Joe, you must perform this again at Monster Bash, Wonderfest or some other
convention in the near future. Fandom NEEDS to see this!
Steven


Mark Redfield
Re: Report from the Bash (Photos too)


Aaarrrgh! That's all I can muster after missing the Bash and reading all of the reports and seeing the photos. Yes, there's always next year, but we were really looking forward to getting there this year (had a table and everything) and wanted so much to meet everyone I've met here on the boards. Our schedule looked good on paper (three months ago), but typical production problems came up for the new picture (the first time LACK of rain and overcast weather has caused us to reschedule!) and we had to work through the Bash weekend. My loss, seems like all had a terrific time.  ... I had missed Tim's Frankenmonster monologue at Cinema Wasteland, and had promised to catch it at MonsterBash; from all reports, it was wonderful. One day Tim--- ... Off to pout and rev up for next weeks work-- Missing in action, Mark Redfield; www.redfieldarts.com 



PROFESSOR ANTON GRIFFIN
Re: Report from the Bash (Photos too)
-------------------------------------
The Bash Bash Bash was a blast blast blast.  Greetings Night Creatures, - Well, I made it to my first Monster Bash and WOW what a show. An amazing time and a thrilling weekend. Speaking of treats, working with Baron Von Wolfstein in any way is a treat but he was kind enough to allow me to support him in his amazing Frankenstein scene. It was a honor to share the stage with him. - It was a splendid Bash, a memorable one for me as it was my first. I most certainly plan on attending NEXT year as well, and every year after that. Who knows? If things work well with this here National Horror Cable Channel that I work for, perhaps I can even make the guest list one day? Thank you for an amazing convention. 

Prof. A. Griffin; www.fangoriatv.com 


BARON TIMOTHEUS, B.G.G. (11/29/05 5:16 pm)
Re: Horror Events
-----------------
Dear CHFB & ODCH FANG-MILY, ... I did not know, that, more than one page existed of re-caps, of the AD 2005 MONSTER BASH. I discovered them, today, 5 months later, with their humbling contents of effusive compliments.  I was moved to tears; genuine tears, at such praise as yours. Thank you, one & all, who were there; who saw and felt the depth of Mary Shelley's stirring, immortal words, which she put into the mouth of 'the Other'; The Creature' ... 'The MONSTER'. --- I was at a low ebb, this week: * Food poisoning, just prior to Thanks-Giving, * the recent loss of a significent relationship, * having to find new housing, * financial uncertainty... ... Then, to unearth, by surprise, the continued BASH Thread, here, at CHFB, filled with Heart-felt Love and Unalloyed Appreciation for my Dramatic Efforts into Classic Monsterdom ... well, they nourished & restored my sad, tired heart. Thank you, again. ... Decades ago, when I first read the Monster's final solliloquy, I knew that I must learn and perform it... Someday. The return of SARA JANE KARLOFF to THE MONSTER BASH (my 2nd) prompted my heart, as being the perfect occasion to memorize the scene; suffuse it with all the vitality I could muster; and, present it, in Homage, to her,
in Honour of her Father, who { along with BELA & LON(s) } inspired me to take up Acting as a Profession, more than forty years ago.  * I began learning 'The Speech', last November (AD 2004), late, around BORIS & SARA'S Birthday. Reading it, once a night, before bed, for many weeks, I tried, first, to rehearse it, in private, as I waited outside my workplace, before the manager arrived. * Pleased with what had, by osmosis, "set in", I began to whisper it to myself, on the bus,
both morning and evening. Finally, I put away the script... my 'Dumbo's Feather'. * Each rehearsal revealed a new emotive depth, or, insightful direction, as to the most honest, efficient ways to perform it; to allow me to enter into That Sacred Space of: "The Illusion of The First Time" ... to make it appear, that, the viewer was eaves-dropping, upon a private, yet significent moment, in Time & Space. * This scene has enriched my Life, MARY SHELLEY was a certifable Genius, and, how could I not honour BORIS & JACK with my choice of performance characterization.  * On Halloween, I had the unique pleasure of re-enacting the scene, again, this time at the University of Dayton, for my dear Friend, DR. J. RITTER WERNER, who teaches a yearly autumn class, entitled, RELIGION AND THE ARTS. I performed the scene twice, in a hour & 15 minutes. The first time through, I used measured cadences and subtle, smoldering emotiveness to give the students a chance to hear and digest the script. Then, for the second go, I united all the emotions to their appropriate thoughts, to show the MONSTER as a truly conflicted, driven, mis-begotten Being, who has fallen into satan's trap, of repaying evil for evil, and, living, to regret it. Rage, maniacal laughter, tears; the entire gamut of the human emotional spectrum was poured through me, leaving the students, likewise, on the verge of, or, in, tears, themselves.  * Each time I am called upon to perform it, the make-up reflects the KARLOFF Visage a bit 'Truer'; I look foreward to THE MONSTER BASH, with, hopefully, the most accurate face, yet.  * Thank you, for all of your kind words. They mean more to me, than, I can express in words.

 EXANIMO EVERNOW, 

TIMOTHY FRANCIS HERRON, B.G.G. aka, BARON Von WOLFSTEIN & FRIENDS, B.G.G. 


taraco; Administrator (12/4/05 1:45 am)
Re: Horror Events
-----------------
Many thanx to Tim and the Baron for such an extensive and heartfelt post. For those who missed their performance as a tortured Doctor Frankenstein and a mournful Victorian monster, we hope indeed the opportunity arises again for a repeat showing. Also, there were several folks in the Old Dark Clubhouse who videotaped the performance that night. We wonder if any of those are postable as QuickTime files? Either way, it was an unforgettable moment.
david 


BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG (1/28/06 4:21 pm)
Re: Report from the Bash (Photos too)
-------------------------------------
Dear CHFB & ODCH FANG-MILY, ... As an addendum {which is easier to care for, than a duodenum}: I keep recalling, what RICHARD GORDON told me, on Sunday, at MONSTER BASH, AD 2005, so, I shall share it with you, now.  Sans make-up, I entered the Celebrities Room, and, made a bee-line, straight to him, to introduce myself, and, to thank him, personally, for his wonderful compliment, of the night before, that: "The scene was so good, that, it should have
been produced on Broadway." After I thanked him, his eyes settled upon mine, with a very piercing look; a gaze, of immensely sincere depth, and, as if, to drive the point home, of his great enjoyment, for what PROFESSOR GRIFFIN and I had shared, he formulated these words, with deliberate, measured intensity:
"You have given me something, which I will, never, forget." After that, further words were useless, and, I could hardly speak... Needless to say, I look foreward to his return, to this upcoming MONSTER BASH, and, hopefully, delighting him, as well as, all of you, my MONSTER-KID FANG-MILY, further... whether,
with a reprise of THE FRANKENSCENE, or, some other CLASSIC MONSTER Surprise, which I'm in the process of concocting!


EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMOTHY, B.G.G. 
Edited by: BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG at: 1/28/06 4:23 pm


Jessica Suba @yahoo.com...


It's funny...I keep thinking of how much fun it would be if you were in the musical as well. You could probably have played Emile very well. I can attest that you have a very convincing french accent! Those accolades written about you from the Monster Bash last year are so very flattering... and, I must say, so very true. You moved me to tears that night when you delivered that final speech from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." It is difficult to move me to tears unless I am seeing it with the staging and props and mood, etc., but you transplanted your heart and soul into every word that the monster spoke, you felt every emotion as though it were your own. You became Frankenstein's monster completely and you moved me as though I were actually seeing the monster in front of me and you made me feel every ounce of his pain, his torment, his anguish and I actually felt as if I understood the character in a brand new way. I didn't think that I properly thanked you
for sharing such a gift with me. I felt truly honored that you would share that speech with me. I felt honored by many things that you did and said during the time that I spent with you.  Thank you so much for being you and for sharing your life with me for that brief time.  I honestly hope that we can share a theatre experience sometime in the near future. I would truly love to be in a play with you.