By Todd Garbarini
Richard Klemensen’s Little
Shoppe of Horrors is one of the genre’s best publications. Like Gary Svehla’s beautiful Midnight Marquee, it is a labor of love
for its publisher and it is currently up to issue twenty-six. Subtitled “The Journal of Classic British
Horror Films†and brimming with images that you probably can’t easily find
elsewhere, each issue runs nearly 100 pages in black and white. The front and rear covers consist of
beautiful and original color artwork depicting such favorites as Peter Cushing
and Christopher Lee, and scenes from such films as Frankenstein Created Woman and Frankenstein
Must be Destroyed. Sandwiched
between these beautiful color images are enthusiastic letters to the editor, reviews
of similar publications, and book reviews to name just a few goodies. Readers can also find in-depth interviews
with actors such as Alan Wheatley (from 1981!), Jane Merrow, Freddie Jones, and
the making of various Hammer Films. A
look at past horror film fanzines such as Photon (remember that?!) provides a
wonderful trip down Memory Lane topped off with personal photos of visits to DC
World Con and the Famous Monsters film conventions.
Past issues contained an in-depth look at the making of THE
BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW starring Linda Hayden and a look at the career of Terence
Fisher.
Little Shoppe of Horrors
has a beautifully designed and easily navigable website
that permits readers to see what’s coming up in the next issue, in addition to
ordering copies of back issues.
All in all, this is a terrific publication, published first
and foremost by the only people who should be publishing it – die-hard fans
with a true love for the subject matter.
An absolute must for horror fans.