Friday, January 17, 2025

THE SECRET WORLD OF RICHARD SHAVER


"We live in the valley of the blind."
- Richard Sharpe Shaver

One of the most interesting individuals in the annals of the paranormal is Richard Sharpe Shaver (October 8, 1907 – November 5, 1975). In the last months of World War II, he contacted Ray Palmer, then editor of AMAZING STORIES (and later editor of FATE magazine), claiming he had, after hearing "strange sounds" from equipment at the factory he was working at, acquired knowledge of an ancient civilization that lived in underground caverns beneath the earth. Still living, they supposedly frequently raided the surface and kidnapped humans for the purpose of torturing and eating them. The society was comprised of the "good" Teros and the "evil" Deros. He added that he was also able to understand their unique language called "Mantong" and for which he provided a rudimentary lexicon.

Palmer, already a devout UFO-ologist, was intrigued and published Shaver's first writing, "I Remember Lemuria" as a fiction piece in the March 1945 issue. Many more intriguing stories followed for the next several years and readership grew substantially as a result. He continued to write for Palmer when Palmer left AMAZING STORIES to become editor of OTHER WORLDS (and I suspect he wrote uncredited pieces for the Palmer-edited MYSTIC). During this period, Shaver also wrote fiction stories for the pulp magazine, MAMMOTH ADVENTURE

In his later years he devoted his efforts to photographing and painting rocks he claimed contained hidden images that only he was able to discern. Hundreds of these images were recorded and while they can be initially dismissed as simulacra, it is still incredible that he made such a compelling -- and tangentially convincing -- study of it.

Shaver was prolific and his writing is at once dense, verbose and frankly hard to believe, but it doesn't make his generally unbelievable assertions any less engrossing. As with others who delve into the highly controversial topics of the occult and paranormal, the line between sanity and madness is often hard to discern.

The following article is from the June 2005 issue of FATE. Composer, performer and author on Fortean subjects, Doug Skinner provides more background on Shaver and his relevance in contemporary times. Following this are excerpts from Ray Palmer's THE SECRET WORLD, an inventory copy of which I was able to purchase from the magazine many years ago. It is an account of his experiences that includes a large section on Richard Shaver and his "rock books". The book is not hard to find, but now commands prices of $200-$300 or more, depending on condition.

More on Richard Shaver, Ray Palmer and AMAZING STORIES HERE.

More on FATE magazine HERE.

Visit the FATE magazine web site HERE.





















Thursday, January 16, 2025

HALF CLAD -- ALL BAD!


Here's the first batch of exploitation posters for 2025. Plenty more on juvenile delinquents, sexy swingers and pinup sensation Pamela Green in her first nudist film by one of the luckiest photographers who ever lived, the legendary Harrison Marks.




















Wednesday, January 15, 2025

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 51 NOW SHIPPING!


It's ironic to say that this monster 'zine is getting better and better each issue when it will be published just a couple more times. But after 53 years, Dick Klemensen is calling it quits and retiring.

I can't think of anyone else who has promoted Hammer Films more than "The Klem". And LSOH is not just limited to the Bray Studios movies; coverage is also given to other UK and U.S. pictures as well, all with enormous amounts of photographs with a literal novel's length of text in each issue. Don't delay, support this important historical record of many of our favorite films. WORLD OF MONSTERS gives its highest recommendation!

CONTENTS:
  • The Plague of Nosferatu. The Making of a Vampire - 1922 F.W.Murnau by Rolf Giesen
  • It's Doomsday at the Movies! THE DAMNED by Arthur Joseph Lundquist
  • 'Help us! Please help us!...' (suffer the Little Children) - The Making of THE DAMNED by John Hamilton
  • VICTIM OF HIS IMAGINATION - Bram Stoker and an Unmade Hammer Conducted by Jonathan Sothcott
  • Robert Russell Interview (Witchfinder General Conducted by Steve Fenton
  • Hammer's First Horror - The Making of The Mystery of the Mary Celeste by Frank Dello Stritto
  • The Keith Dudley Report: 'Hammer Films and the Plundering of BBC television.'
Order direct from the publisher HERE.