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JOURNAL OF MODERN MYTHOLOGY AND POP CULTURE INTRODUCTION PAGE 71
Another form of the Reinstatement of Myth and Pop Culture as a central focus of modern life begins in the late 1950s with Forrest J Ackerman and the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Monster craze.
Left: Forrest J Ackerman. Right: Forrest J Ackerman, Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury, and Julie Schwartz; photo by Dave Truesdale; see MidAmerican Fan Photo Archive.
Born on November 24, 1916 in Los Angeles, California, Forrest J Ackerman (who used no period on the middle initial) was the legendary collector of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy memorabilia, and editor/co-writer of the renowned magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. 'Forry,' or '4SJ,' or '4E,' not only inspired the science fiction, horror, and fantasy fandom movement, but also led the cultural acknowledgement of these genres as respectable. An author, literary agent, actor, and producer, he helped found the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, and the National Fantasy Fan Federation. In the introduction to Forrest J Ackerman, Famous Monster of Filmland, Vincent Price remarks, "In his kingdom of the bizarre, weird and wonderful he is supreme ruler, keeper of the keys to monster immortality."
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