LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS NO. 24

LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS
No. 24
Editor: Richard Klemensen
Publication Date: May 2010
Publisher: Elmer Valo Appreciation Society
Color covers/B&W interior
100 ppg. (including covers)
Cover price: $8.95
Subscription rates: None (back issues only)

Richard Klemensen continues to overwhelm me with his bi-annual equivalent to a novel-length monster ‘zine. Jam packed into the 100 pages that makes up LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #24 is a full pot of Tana leaf tea’s worth of Hammer’s Mummy movies. What you get for your money’s worth here is the full, in-depth lowdown on the making of THE MUMMY, THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY’S TOMB, THE MUMMY’S SHROUD, and BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB. There is Susan Cowie’s “Hammer’s Historical Mummy” a fascinating article on the set design and decorations used in THE MUMMY wherein we learn that attention to historical detail was a purposeful goal during the film’s production. There are excerpts from “Peter Cushing’s Hollywood Diary”, that provide an intimate look at Cushing’s first trip to Hollywood from England and how he landed on his feet and found friends among some of Hollywood’s most prominent personalities of the day. Dennis Meikle’s “Remembering 1959” uses conversations with Hammer front man Michael Carreras to put into perspective the studio’s activity during this pivotal production year.

Then there’s the material on the Hammer Mummy movies. Each one is filled with absorbing information and packed with production stills, illustrations and more. And, not lost on Mr. Klemensen is one of Hammer’s trademark features, as he offers up plenty of “Hammer Glamour” as well. "Filling out" the issue are numerous pics of the ladies, including a number of great shots of the lovely Valerie Leon. But wait, there's more! Included are a few pages of letters (which are worth reading in their own right) and a couple pages of magazine, book, and DVD reviews to top it all off.

If I had any criticism it would be the microscopic font size and some of the stills deserve larger space, too. But that would mean that Dick would have to probably double the magazine’s size and most likely charge twice the price as well. I, for one, wouldn’t have a bit of a problem paying for such a magazine considering it only comes out about twice a year. But I fully understand the realities of private publishing and am just damn happy that LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS continues on its lengthy run. In closing, I might add that issue #25, the special BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW issue, has recently become available -- so get thee hence to the website and order both!

No matter how you “slice” it, MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD gives LSOH its highest recommendation!