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Martin was charmed by Rick as I knew he would be, and quickly found himself the center of attention as Rick proceeded to ask as much as he could about his beloved Rathbone. He was not to be disappointed: Martin was, as we know, as fond of Basil as Rick was, so it was a super encounter for both of them. At one point in the festivities I had John and Martin pose with a still from PURSUIT TO ALGIERS which they both then signed for Master Rick who, by this time, was overwhelmed by all the attention. It did both actors a service to witness someone as young as Rick respond to classic films and actors with such reverence and respect.

I can’t really remember the other guests, but there were only about a dozen of us in all. The evening was quite festive until about 11 pm. Martin was feeling his liquor by now and found his way into John’s pub to be by himself, and pretty much stayed by his vodka while Rick and the others chatted away, Martin having by then shared what he could with Rick about the divine Basil, so the spotlight was off him and he more than took advantage of it by keeping out of everybody’s way.

I kept going back to check on Martin during this time, and his partner Chris, having been through this experience countless times, kept an eye on him as well. To say there is a God can be an understatement, but it defiantly applied in this case, as Martin was by midnight stoned out of his skull and could not even make conversation beyond a few mutterings, which only Chris could fully appreciate. Fortunately, Rick had retired to his room to look at all his mementos, and most of the other guests had said their goodbyes and departed without ever seeing the state our Mr. Kosleck had gotten himself in.

At this point it was time to let John Abbott know that his guest of honor was out cold and resting soundly on the floor of his beloved English pub. I do wish camera phones had existed back then so I could have captured the remarkable expression of disgust that passed across John Abbott’s face as he fully understood that his peer and colleague from days gone by had let himself go blissfully astray, just another night at Baskerville Hall for our Mr. Kosleck. John followed me into the Pub, muttering all the well-worn lines from films about drunks, and how dare he come into my house, and so on. When we reached our guest of honor he looked quite dead to all concerned except for the rise and fall of his chest.

Without too much fanfare, Tony and Chris carried Martin Kosleck out of Abbott Manor feet first, just like in the movies. As his body was going past the door, John Abbott stood in the alcove, saying with great aplomb “There goes the saddest thing I think I have ever seen, a man who can’t hold his liquor.”

HALLOWEEN CHOICES ON DVD

Since we have devoted this Camp David to John Abbott and Martin Kosleck I am taking the opportunity to recommend their Horror films to ring out this Halloween 2007 season.
Fortunately a number of their best work is on DVD, so here goes:

MARTIN KOSLECK

THE MUMMY’S CURSE
This is the last of the Chaney Mummy films from Universal and is currently available from MCA home entertainment. See the look of hate Martin gives the mummy and understand they are not acting!!

SHE-WOLF OF LONDON
This is also available from MCA and what a hoot seeing June Lockhart freak out as she suspects she might be a monster! Martin actually gets the girl in this one; too bad he didn’t really want her!

THE FROZEN GHOST
This mystery from the Inner Sanctum series is available from MCA as well in their boxed set of Chaney Inner Sanctum films. I think you can also buy this one separately. See our Martin lose it in a wax Museum as Lon Chaney pisses him off again and again.

THE FLESH EATERS
1962 saw the release of this enjoyable horror psychodrama, literately scripted by Arnold Drake, edited by Radley Metzger, and crisply shot in B&W. Martin gives the film’s best performance, nuanced, menacing and sincere. The DVD also contains deleted rushes from a Nazi experiment scene.

JOHN ABBOTT

PURSUIT TO ALGEIRS
This classic Sherlock Holmes film is almost the last of the series with Nigel Bruce as Dr Watson and Basil Rathbone as the great detective. This one features both our boys, the gruesome twosome – John Abbott and Martin Kosleck, together for one time only.

THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST
This is John’s best role and he makes the most of it. A sleeper vampire film with a great script by Leigh Brackett. Ann Rice must have seen this one. Available on DVD-R, these are bootleg copies, but until someone puts this out, it’s the only way to see it. Check on IMDB for outlets

CRY OF THE WEREWOLF
This was a follow up to Columbia’s superior RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE, only this time it’s werewolves. Nina Foch is on hand as well as our own John Abbott who is the first thing you will see as the film opens. This, too, is a DVD-R but should not be too hard to find. Check IMDB as well for outlets.

THRILLER
With Boris Karloff

WAXWORKS
With Martin Kosleck

TRIO FOR TERROR
Directed by Ida Lupino

These episodes are available on you-tube for nothing. Log on and watch the best Gothic Horror ever on television.

Anyway have a brilliant Halloween…
…AND MAY ALL YOUR NIGHTMARES COME ALIVE THIS ALL HALLOWS EVE. REMEMBER, THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO LOSE IS YOUR MIND…..

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RICHARD VALLEY REMEMBERED

Halloween is usually a most festive time of year for those of us here at Camp David, However this year has been sadly overshadowed by the loss of a kindred spirit in the realm of publishing and fandom. The founder as well as editor of one of the brightest magazines ever dedicated to mystery and the macabre, SCARLET STREET has died.

Richard Valley has lost his battle with cancer at the untimely age of 58. He will be greatly missed by all his readers here and abroad who loved the gaslight mysteries of Sherlock Holmes as well the fantastic in film and the arts.

Our own Roy Frumkes was immortalized in one of the best interviews with an iconic actress that I have ever read with The legendary star of CAT PEOPLE, Simone Simon. I had the honor as well of being printed in what has sadly proven to be the final issue of ‘Scarlet Street’ with a rare interview with the late LYLE TALBOT.

Richard was not only a dedicated editor and writer but was also a pioneer in the genre by bringing a gay perspective to his research and thus creating a film magazine with a flair for subtext previously neglected in the study of fantastic cinema.

Richard was a good friend to Films in Review and a close personal friend to Camp David.

HE SHALL BE MISSED.

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