November 8, 2009

THE LAST POE PICTURE SHOW

THE LAST POE PICTURE SHOW—a frightening evening of Poe on film

FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. But reserve your ticket NOW as space is limited. Reserve your tickets at: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=193069

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, 2009. 7PM (Doors open to the public at 6PM)

WHERE: Bring your body to the Westminster Hall. 519 E. Fayette Street. Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Regretfully the ghastly catacombs will not be available due to the fear factor. We cannot be responsible for sudden heart attacks due to fright.

Join us for our final event celebrating Poe’s Bicentennial in Baltimore and for a frightfully fun evening of films inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe!

THE PROGRAM:

• Vincent Price in HOUSE OF USHER (1960). Roger Corman’s first Poe adaptation!
• POE ON FILM TRIVIA CONTEST! Smart and lucky winners who “know Poe” and the movies can win DVD’s and Poe t shirts!
• Mario Cavalli’s THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO (1998). A thrilling adaptation of the Poe classic!
• Panel Discussion: POE ON FILM with Chris Kaltenbach (film critic, The Baltimore Sun), Gregory William Mank (“Golden Age Horror” historian and author), Tony Tsendeas (actor, “The Poe Show”). Moderated by Mark Redfield (actor and filmmaker, “The Death of Poe”). Stay after HOUSE OF USHER for a lively discussion about Poe and the cinema. With 100 years of Poe inspired movies, we’ll have plenty to talk about! Bring your questions!
  

FREE POPCORN! Refreshments also available for purchase.

ALSO: Do your Poe holiday shopping early! Vendors will be present featuring Poe-related gift items, perfect for the holidays, from t-shirts to DVD’s to Gregory William Manks’s new book “Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff”, signed by the author himself!

PROGRAM DETAILS:

• PREVIEWS OF POE: We’ve assembled trailers (or “previews of coming attractions”) of some of the many films inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. From the Universal Studios adaptations that starred Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, to the Roger Corman “Poe-Cycle” produced by American International Pictures and from films from all over the world, including works from filmmakers Frederico Fellini, Dario Argento and many more. How many have you seen?
• THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO (1998). Starring Anton Blake (Montressor) and Patrick Monckton (Fortunato). Directed by Mario Cavalli. Screenplay by Richard Deakin. Great Britain. Color. 16 minutes. Superbly acted and photographed adaptation of Poe’s classic tale of revenge, Cavalli’s film has played in festivals world-wide. Filmed in 35mm with a hand-cranked camera and using available light, this CASK is one of the finer vintages of short film adaptations we’ve seen!
• POE ON FILM TRIVIA CONTEST: Seven lucky winners receive Poe movies on DVD and Poe t shirts!
• INTERMISSION
• HOUSE OF USHER (1960). Starring Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey. Screenplay by Richard Matheson. Directed by Roger Corman. USA. Color. 79 minutes. USHER is the first of the adaptations in Corman’s so-called “Poe-cycle” for American International Pictures and remains a strong entry in the series. When AIP producer Sam Arkoff, known for producing quickie creature feature films for teenagers on the drive-in movie circuit, asked Corman what was “the monster” in this new horror film, Corman thought quickly on his feet and replied, “The house! The house is the monster!” Arkoff bought it, and green lit the film for production! Roger Corman will receive an honorary Oscar in 2010 for his prolific body of work.
• PANEL DISCUSSION: “POE ON FILM”. Stay and join us in a lively discussion moderated by actor and filmmaker Mark Redfield (“The Death of Poe”, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”). Our panelists include Chris Kaltenbach (film critic for the Baltimore Sun), Gregory William Mank (film historian and author of the recently published “Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff: The Expanded Story of a Haunting Collaboration”) and Tony Tsendeas (actor, director and Poe interpreter, currently touring his one-man show “The Poe Show”). Please note that all panelists are confirmed, but appearance at the event remains subject to last minute professional commitments beyond our control.
  

October 31, 2009

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

October 14, 2009

LARRY BLAMIRE'S DARK AND STORMY NIGHT OCTOBER FESTIVAL DATES

Larry Blamire's new comedy murder mystery DARK AND STORMY NIGHT stars Daniel Roebuck, Jennifer Blaire, Fay Masterson, Andrew Parks, Dan Conroy, Jim Beaver, James Karen, Betty Garrett, Marvin Kaplan, Bob Burns and Mark Redfield and more! The film is scheduled this month at the following festivals in the US and UK: CALIFORNIA, MILL VALLEY 32 FILM FESTIVAL Saturday, Oct. 17th 2009 at 3:45PM at the Sequoia Theater, Mill Valley, California. Visit http://2009.mvff.com/ for info and tickets. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND THE MANCHESTER FESTIVAL OF FANTASTIC FILMS Friday, October 16-Sunday, October 18, 2009 Visit http://fantastic-films.com/festival/ for info. ARIZONA, PRESCOTT FILM FESTIVAL Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at the Prescott Film Series. Visit: http://www.prescottfilmfestival.com

October 4, 2009

BALTIMORE GIVES POE THE FUNERAL HE SHOULD HAVE HAD

Baltimore, Maryland, USA EDGAR ALLAN POE 200TH BICENTENNIAL. EVENTS PLANNED FOR OCTOBER, 2009: Wednesday, October 7, 2009--Viewing of Poe's body at the Poe House Thursday, October 8, 2009--All Night Vigil at Westminster Hall Sunday, October 11, 2009--Poe's Funeral For tickets and info: www.poebicentennial.com Public Viewing of Poe’s Body October 7, 2009 12:00pm to 11:00pm Tickets: $5. All ages at the door. Mr. Poe’s body will lie in state at his former home at 203 North Amity Street from noon to 11:00 p.m. The Poe House will be open for an unprecedented 11 hours to allow people to view Poe’s body. This will be an open casket viewing. ----------- All Night Vigil at the Poe Monument October 8, 2009 12:00am to 7:00am

After the Poe House closes at 11 pm on October 7th the Vigil at the Poe Monument, located at the entrance to Westminster Graveyard, will start one hour later at midnight (the morning of October 8th). This will be the only opportunity for the public to offer their own eulogy or tribute to Poe. Assigned times will be given to people wishing to pay homage to Poe and it may be in simple spoken words, poems or music. The scheduling for this event will start in late September. A sign up sheet will be added to this website. People are welcome to spend the entire night if they desire. Poe related performances will be presented throughout the vigil. More details to follow.

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Funeral Procession
Sunday October 11, 2009 at approximately 11:30am

Free. Open to the public.

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, under police escort, Poe’s body will travel from his Amity Street home to the Westminster Hall for the funeral services and internment in the family plot in the historic Westminster graveyard. The procession will be led by the Loch Raven Pipes and Drums. Anticipated departure from the Poe House will be at 11:30 am. Mr. Poe’s casket will be transported in an antique horse drawn hearse. His coffin will remain on the hearse until the start of the 12:30 pm service. The procession is expected to arrive at the hall about noon. If you are attending the first service you may want to arrive early to witness the procession as it approaches to the hall. The procession route will be announced when it is finalized. There will be no procession for the 4:30 pm service.

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Poe’s Funeral
Two services: Sunday October 11, 2009 12:30pm and 4:30pm

Tickets: $35 in advance. $40 at the door. Ages 10 and up.

As Mr. Poe’s death was sudden and unexpected exact details of the funeral are still in the planning stages. We can say that there will be two services to accommodate the expected throngs of people who wish to attend the event. The first service is at 12:30 pm and the second service at 4:30 pm. A number of people have been invited to speak and present eulogies for Mr. Poe. A list of confirmed speakers is listed below. We are awaiting confirmations from people in the entertainment, stage and literary fields. Not all speakers will be at both services. We are pleased to announce that beloved actor John Astin will officiate over both services. In addition to the speakers appropriate funeral music will be offered by:
- Monte Maxwell, organist for the United States Naval Academy (4:30 service only), who will play the 1889 Johnson organ,
- The Monumental Brass Quintet (12:30 service only),
- Popular soloist Paula McCabe (both services) and
- B.S.O. violinist Ivan Stefanovic (12:30 service only).

The following people are confirmed as speakers at Poe’s Funeral:

The Reverend Rufus Griswold (literary acquaintance)
Sarah Helen Whitman (former fiancée)
George Lippard (devoted friend from Philadelphia)
George Rex Graham (editor, Burton’s Gentlemen’s Magazine)
Nathanial Parker Willis (loyal friend)
Dr. John Moran (Poe physician at the time of his death)
Sir Alfred Hitchcock (legendary film director)
J.T.L. Preston (childhood friend, Virginia Military College)
Charles Bauldelaire (French writer and Poe admirer)
Narrator from The Tell Tale Heart
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes)
H.P. Lovecraft (Weird Tales writer)
Alexander Dumas (writer of The Three Musketeers)

and
John Astin (actor and educator)
Gris Grimly (author and illustrator)
Mark Redfield (actor and filmmaker)
Ellen Datlow (author and editor)
(more to be announced!)

For more info please visit www.poebicentennial.com

October 3, 2009

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL NOW ON DVD!

A new series of DVD's called AMERICA: HER STORIES, HER PEOPLE debuts with the first in the series: THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

Starring Mark Redfield and Michael Mack and produced and directed by Tony Malanowski, BUNKER HILL tells the dramatic story of two fathers and their young sons caught up in the events that lead up to one of the most famous battles of the American Revolution as they volunteer to defend the Heights overlooking Boston Harbor in 1775.

The Battle of Bunker Hill

(l to r) Actors Mark Redfield and Michael Mack in The Battle Of Bunker Hill

Filmed in New Jersey with hundreds of re-enactors for the battle scenes, THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL includes extensive interviews with leading historians and authors, multiple extras that can be used as teaching aids for schools. The dramatic script was written by William Chemerka and the film includes a thrilling adventure music score by William Stromberg and John Morgan.

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL is available now at www.bunkerhilldvd.com

October 2, 2009

THE NEW AND IMPROVED ‘AN ACTOR’S NOTEBOOK’

Mark Redfield’s blog AN ACTOR’S NOTEBOOK has a new home!

Part diary, part investigation into all things related to an actor’s craft and art, new stories are posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tag it, follow it, read it, or ignore it—the new and improved version of the blog can be found here: http://anactorsnotebook.blogspot.com

TAKE 'COME HELL OR HIGH WATER' HOME FOR A BUCK!

The next time you run out to the local supermarket, look for a DVDPlay kiosk near the check-out and rent COME HELL OR HIGH WATER for a dollar!  Now playing (the DVD's change monthly and are available as supplies last), COME HELL OR HIGH WATER is the western directed by Wayne Shipley and starring Mark Redfield, Michael Hagan, Jennifer Rouse and Richard Cutting.  DVDPlay kiosks can be found across the country at the following markets: Safeway, Dominick's, Kroger, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Genuardi's, Pavillions, and Vons. www.dvdplay.com www.comehellorhighwatermovie.com

June 20, 2009

ACTRESS JENNIFER ROUSE FEATURED IN NEW BOOK, "QUEENS OF SCREAM"!

Were you ever curious about what made your favorite Scream Queens tick? Look no further, because NVF Magazine founder David Byron has compiled an impressive list of interviews with some of the hottest ladies in horror.... Among the highly honored special guests are: - Brenna Lee Roth - star of Killer Biker Chicks and producer of Grind House Glory - Scarlet Salem - star of Killer Biker Chicks - Bianca Barnett - star of Albino Farm - Nicole Kruex - aka-Nikki Homicide K - star of Zen: Hunter - Rachel Grubb - star of 13 Hours in a Warehouse - Seregon O'Dassey - star of Ghost Watcher 2 & False Face and Playboy model - Evie Effects - FX artist, model, actress - Heidi Martinuzzi - actress, writer, staff of Pretty Scary.net - April Monique Burril - star of Chainsaw Sally (featuring Jimmy ‘O) - Monique Dupree - star of Bachelor Party in the Bungalow of the Damned - Jennifer Rouse - star and associate producer of Chainsaw Sally, The Death of Poe, and Stingy Jack - A special guest appearance by former Hammer Films scream starlet Ingrid Pitt, whose portrayal of Countess Dracula gave a new meaning to the term Scream Queen long before it became popular for future generations of horror film fans. And much, much more... Just $19.95 + $5 postage Coming in July! Pre-order from BearManor Media: http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com/id427.html

June 15, 2009

MONSTER BASH 2009!

JUNE 26-28, 2009 AT THE DAYS INN CONFERENCE CENTER - BUTLER, PA!

Guests include:


Donnie Dunagan - The Little boy from SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939), TOWER OF LONDON (1939), and the voice of Disney's BAMBI.

Janet Ann Gallow - The Little girl from THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942) with Lon Chaney Jr., and IT AIN'T HAY (1943) with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

Gary Conway - The Teenage Frankenstein monster from I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN and HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER.

Ron Chaney - Lon Chaney Jr.'s grandson who was very close to his "gramps." Ron also starred in a self produced project call CURSE OF THE WOLF MAN.

Butch Patrick - The son of Herman Munster - Eddie in THE MUNSTERS. He also appeared in HAND OF DEATH, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, and much more!

Yvonne Monlaur - Hammer Horror at Monster Bash with Yvonne Monlaur, star of THE BRIDES OF DRACULA, CIRCUS OF HORRORS, and THE TERROR OF THE TONGS.

and more!

Mark Redfield will also be there exhibiting new paintings, drawings, and cartoons!

For more info and directions visit www.monsterbashnews.com/bash.html

Visit www.sag.org for more information on the TV/Theatrical contract referendum, including highlights and a summary of the deal along with a full copy of the tentative agreement. Read the materials and when you get your ballot, vote yes on the TV/Theatrical agreement. Email questions to Contract2009@sag.org. I'll be voting "YES" and I'm encouraging all fellow SAG colleagues to do the same! -Mark Redfield

April 30, 2009

DARK AND STORMY NIGHT Los Angeles Premiere!

This just in from writer-director Larry Blamire: DARK AND STORMY NIGHT, everyone’s soon-to-be-favorite spoof of 1930s old dark house murder mysteries, will have its Los Angeles premiere at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, CA: Friday May 29, 2009 at 7:30pm Ace reporters 8 O’Clock Farraday and Billy Tuesday compete for the scoop at the reading of Old Man Cavinder’s will, but are soon cut off when the storm washes the bridge out, knocks out the phone and greedy relatives start dropping like flies. Secret panels, a mysterious phantom, an escaped lunatic and something in the attic all add to a night of hilarious terror, if terror can be hilarious. And remember…YOU will be NEXT… DARK AND STORMY NIGHT stars Daniel Roebuck (as 8 O'Clock Farraday), Jennifer Blaire (as Billy Tuesday), Dan Conroy (as Happy Codburn), Brian Howe (as Burling Famish, Jr.), Fay Masterson (as Sabasha Fanmoore), Andrew Parks (as Lord Partfine), Jim Beaver (as Jack Tugdon), James Karen (as Seyton Ethelquake), Betty Garrett (as Mrs. Hausentout), Marvin Kaplan (as Gunny), Bruce French (as Jeens), H. M. Wynant (as Dr. Van Von Vandervon), Tom Reese (as Inspector Riley), Larry Blamire (as Ray Vestinhaus), Alison Martin (as Mrs. Cupcupboard), Christine Romeo (as Pristy Famish), Mark Redfield (as Farper Twyly), Bob Burns (as Kogar), Kevin Quinn (as Teak Armbruster), Susan McConnell (as Thessaly), Trish Geiger (as Jane Hovenham), and Robert Deveau (as Archie Folde). Details: Friday, May 29 at 7:30PM The American Cinematheque The Egyptian Theatre 6712 Hollywood Blvd. (2 blocks east of Highland) Hollywood, CA 90028 www.americancinematheque.com

Mark Redfield as "Farper Twyly" in Dark and Stormy Night

The cast of Dark and Stormy Night

Watch the teaser trailer!

April 2, 2009

'COME HELL OR HIGH WATER' NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD AND BLU-RAY!

Starring Mark Redfield, Mike Hagan, Jennifer Rouse, and Richard Cutting. Written and directed by Wayne Shipley. Order your copy today from: www.amazon.com www.northamericanmotionpictures.com Rent it at www.netflix.com! Look for it online and in retail stores on DVD and Blu-Ray!

March 10, 2009

ACTRESS INGRID PITT ON THE LATE ROBERT QUARRY

In her weekly column at The Den of Geek,  Ingrid writes her remembrance:

Ingrid recalls the fine actor once thought to be the successor to Vincent Price...

Published on Mar 3, 2009

Actor Robert Quarry

"It was only a month or so ago that sci-fi legend, Forry Ackerman, died. I thought that was pretty close to home. Now I have just heard that America's answer to Count Dracula, Bob Quarry, died a couple of weeks ago, on 20th February. I think Bob must be one of the most underrated actors of all time. If not, he was terribly unlucky. In spite of the fact that he was friendly with some of the biggest guns of studio-led Hollywood, he never seemed to be able to get the chance at something really substantial. Something that put him up on the Marquee."

You can read the rest HERE at http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/212477/the_ingrid_pitt_column_robert_quarry.html

Actor Kevin G. Shinnick's rememberance of Robert Quarry can be found at http://www.fangoria.com/home/news/15-rip/1448-rip-robert-quarry.html

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March 1, 2009

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #22 ON SALE MARCH 23RD!

Richard Klemenson's fabulous magazine about all things Hammer Films comes out on March 23rd, 2009, with a special issue devoted to DRACULA TODAY! HAMMER'S VAMPIRE IN 1970s LONDON .   Articles include: "Mean, Moody & Murderous: In Search of Hammer NOIR- Part 1" by Denis Meikle, "Cartoon introduction to how Van Helsing and Dracula ended up on the coach at the beginning of DRACULA A.D. 1972" Written by Philip Nutman and illustrated by Mark Maddox. Historic introductions (with comments by Hammer's late managing director Michael Carreras) to that period of 1971-72 at Hammer, written by Denis Meikle. "The Making of DRACULA A.D. 1972 & THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA" by Bruce G. Hallenbeck.  New interviews with Caroline Munro by Mark Redfield, Christopher Neame by Ted Newsom and Don Mingaye by Wayne Kinsey "STONEGROUND UNEARTHED!" History of the AD72 Rock group with interviews with two of the lead singers Tim Barnes and Annie Sampson by Bruce G. Hallenbeck. Interviews with William Franklyn by Jonathan Sothcott, Valerie Van Ost by Jonathan Sothcott.

 "ALAN GIBSON." An affectionate look at the late director, with the cooperation of his two daughters - Jessica and Sarah - and his brother, noted Canadian Author Graeme Gibson, written by Richard Klemensen, and "DRACULA SWINGS" The music of Hammer's Mike Vickers & John Cacavas by David Huckvale.

Interior Artwork by Murad Gumen, Neil Vokes, Shane Ivan Oakley, Dan Gallagher, Mike Schneider, Adrian Salmon, Shana Bilbrey & Bruce Timm.

You can now order LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #22 and #23 on line from www.littleshoppeofhorrors.com . $9.95 PPD.

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February 21, 2009

Robert Quarry and Mark Redfield at Cinema Wasteland in Cleveland Ohio.

My friend Bob Quarry passed away yesterday, on Friday, February 20, 2009. A fine actor. An incredible and delightful storyteller. A passionate and, by turns, curmodgeonly fellow, when he wanted to be. A good friend. I'm really sad about his passing, but glad that he isn't in pain anymore. Last year he moved into the Motion Picture Home and Hospital.The last several months were tough. I'm angry that I couldn't give him some of the things that he wanted--that he wanted to accomplish in these last couple of years. His health constantly thwarted him. He had a burning desire to create, to act. I wish I could have given him more.   -Mark Redfield

February 9, 2009

'COME HELL OR HIGH WATER' AVAILABLE ON DVD AND BLU-RAY MARCH 31, 2009!

North American Motion Pictures, a division of Barnholtz Entertainment, will release "Come Hell or High Water" (original theatrical release titled "One-Eyed Horse") nationwide on March 31, 2009! The new western film stars Mark Redfield, Mike Hagan, Jennifer Rouse, Richard Cutting, and Jason Brown. Written and directed by Wayne Shipley. "an outstanding cast." - The Baltimore Sun "In the vein of BROKEN TRAIL with the shoot em up action of 3:10 TO YUMA" - Independent Film Quarterly Pre-order it now on www.amazon.com! Visit the website! www.comehellorhighwatermovie.com

February 9, 2009

POE BICENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN BALTIMORE

REPORT ON THE FINAL WEEKEND AT WESTMINSTER HALL!

Hundreds of Poe fans flocked to Westminster Hall in Baltimore for the final weekend of events celebrating the great writer's birth. Coming from all over the world, some attending both days so they wouldn’t miss any of the scheduled performances and to make sure they had time to visit other Baltimore attractions, were treated to an array of Poe-related entertainment and events. Here’s a re-cap of what they experienced and what you may have missed on January 31 and February 1, 2009. And, although January 2009 marks the Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth, the Celebration continues in Baltimore with the Amontillado Wine Tasting Festival scheduled for March! Be sure to visit www.poebicentennial.com weekly for updates, interviews and more news as events and dates are announced!

Jeff Jerome (left) and John Astin toasting Poe to a sold out crowd

Jeff Jerome, the director of Baltimore’s Poe House and Museum, continued to prove that he is “the host with the most” as he teased the audience with news about future Poe Celebration events to be held in Baltimore. The announcement of the Amontillado Wine Tasting Event planned for March got an enthusiastic response, as did the news of the spectacular funeral planned for Poe in October. Promising that it will be the remembrance that Poe never received when he was buried, and that the funeral service will be “the biggest Poe event in the country”, the crowd cheered. With chanteuse Paula McCabe signing “Annabelle Lee”, the evening celebrating the bicentennial was underway!

The audience (some returning for a second time!) were treated to SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY on Saturday night. The comedy (a rarity for Poe!), was adapted and directed by John Spitzer and wonderfully performed by Scott Hicks (Dr. Osgood), Dan Awkward (Dr. Ponds), Ron Ward (Dr. Glidden) and Christopher Moss (as The Mummy).

Scott Hicks (top) and Ron Ward in "Some Words with A Mummy"	Christopher Moss as "The Mummy"

"Some Words With A Mummy"

HOP FROG, adapted, designed and directed by Mark Redfield, and performed by Steven Lampredi (The Minister), B. Thomas Rinaldi (The King), Eric Ebersole (Hop Frog), Jennifer Rouse (Trippetta) and Pete Karas (The Narrator). A combination of vaudeville and street theater, using actors, masks and puppets, kept the audience laughing in this adaptation of one of Poe’s chilling tales of revenge.

Redfield also displayed paintings and drawings inspired by Poe and his works. The caricatures were created for the Poe Bicentennial website, were they’ll appear through-out the year in a feature called ‘This Week in the Life of Poe”.

"Hop Frog" (puppeteer Eric Ebersol) and "Tripetta" (puppeteer Jennifer Rouse)		The King forcing Hop Frog to drink wine
	"The King" (B. Thomas Rinaldi) and his "Minister" (Steven Lampredi)

THE TELL-TALE HEART, as performed by Tony Tsendeas, electrified audiences when Tsendeas brought the famous story to life on Saturday night.

A costume contest, held on January 31st, brought fans of the poet out in their 19th Century finest. The winners, resplendent in their sumptuous costumes, were Marilee Orr (First Place), Aubry Bennett (Second Place), and Loren Dearborn (Third Place). Congratulations to all!

Actor John Astin added a new treat for the second weekend, adding THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH to his program of readings. Astin, beaming and delighted by the audience’ reaction, seemed tireless after each performance, when he chatted, posed for photographs, and signed autographs after each show. Astin’s warmth and humor, and his clear, infectious love of Poe and his work brought the evening to a close, where he was then joined onstage by soprano Paula McCabe and Jeff Jerome, for the toast to Poe.

Jeff Jerome, as he has done for many years, led the birthday toast, along with John Astin, who read a special tribute this year.The Poe Bicentennial events continue in Baltimore this March, with an Amontillado Wine tasting Festival to be held at Westminster Hall. A performance of The Cask of Amontillado, a wine tasting event, characters from the classic Poe story and a few surprises are planned. Watch for breaking news on www.poebicentennial.com about the amontillado Wine tasting festival and more events planned through-out 2009!

(l to r) Jeff Jerome, John Astin, and Mark Redfield	Mark Redfield
Costume contest winners and contestants (bottom left to bottom right) Adrienne Kubiak Mary Dotson Aubry Bennett (2nd place) Jenny-Rose White Loren Dearborn (3rd place) Marilee Orr (Winner!) Maggie Masetti Stephanie Pool
Harper-Collins Book winner Virginia McInturff and Jeff Jerome	Poe cake winner Bonnie Schneider with Jeff Jerome

January 19, 2009

HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY EDGAR ALLAN POE!!!

This past weekend, January 17th and 18th, 2009, at Westminster Hall in downtown Baltimore, where Poe was laid to rest, Baltimore paid tribute to the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe for two sold out nights!

The crowd eagerly waited outside in frigid cold weather on the evenings of January 17th and 18th for the doors to open and the events of the evening to begin. After entering, they mingled and browsed the vender tables filled with brand new books about or inspired by Poe from publisher Harper Collins, commemorative t-shirts, copies of the film "The Death Of Poe", paintings and drawings, Ravens Beer and much more! On display upstairs in the balcony of Westminster Hall, Baltimore Poe Society's Jeff Savoy displayed authentic Edgar Allan Poe artifacts such as a lock of Poe's hair and a piece of his coffin.

Paintings and drawings by Mark Redfield	"In The Shadow of the Master" A collection of tales inspired by Edgar Allan Poe Provided by Harper Collins	Ravens Beer

The guests were also entertained by Poe characters such as "The Black Cat Killer" who stalked throughout the hall, frightening the unsuspecting guests, on a mission to find his cat (which was on his back the entire time), and "Madeline Usher", from "The Fall of the House of Usher" who catatonically looked for her brother Roderick.

The Black Cat Killer		Madeline Usher

The lights dimmed and the evening's events began. On Saturday January 17th, opening the ceremony was the unveiling of the new Edgar Allan Poe stamp from the United States Post Office. Followed by Paula McCabe singing "Annabel Lee". Following Paula McCabe was a life-size puppet and mask performance of Poe's story "Hop Frog", adapted and directed by Mark Redfield, about an evil king who is ALSO celebrating a birthday, that taunts a dwarf court jester and his girlfriend Tripetta until the jester decides to give the King a "special" birthday party.

On Sunday January 18th, alternating dates with "Hop Frog", was a performance of Poe's comedy "Some Words with a Mummy", adapted and directed by John Spitzer, about a group of doctors who bring an Egyptian mummy back to life through electricity who then proceeds to spar with the doctors and scientists that resurrected him.

After the plays, was actor Tony Tsendeas performing "The Tell Tale Heart", who was only supposed to perform on Saturday January 17th and Sunday February 1st. But the audience enjoyed it so much that they requested him back for all 4 performances!

The cast of "Hop Frog" waiting backstage

The cast of "Some Words With a Mummy" onstage

Following the intermission, for the second part of the Poe Bicentennial Celebration, was actor John Astin who received a standing ovation after reciting several of Poe's poems and short stories such as "The Facts in The Case of M. Valdemar", and discussed Poe's life as a person and his struggles as an artist. The celebration drew to an end with the traditional toast to Poe, this year lead by Baltimore Poe House Curator Jeff Jerome AND John Astin, who was called back up onstage. To thank him, Jeff Jerome presented John Astin with a fresh-off-the-press copy of 2 volumes of letters written by Edgar Allan Poe! As a special treat this year, a very special birthday cake was raffled off, created by Duff Goldman of the famous "Ace of Cakes", in the shape of the Poe grave monument. The winner was extremely excited and called out "It's me!" after his name was drawn out of a basket by John Astin. Paula McCabe concluded the evening with "Auld Lang Syne".

John Astin

Jeff Jerome (right) presents John Astin with a collection of letters by Edgar Allan Poe	John Astin picks the winner of the Poe Monument cake
The winner of the Poe Monument cake	The winners of the Poe Monument Cake with Jeff Jerome

The Poe Monument cake created by Duff Goldman of "Ace of Cakes"