Posted on the Universal Monsters Army site:
"THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the first horror movie (possibly the first movie of ANY kind) that I can remember seeing, at the Islander Drive-In in Key West when it first came out, sitting in the back seat of the family car by myself. It scared the HELL out of me, but it also fascinated me and initiated a lifelong interest in awesome monsters. I got to spend some time with Ben when I first met him at Monster Bash in 2000. Some friends and I had a table in the same room with him, and we helped him whenever we could over the weekend. I was delighted to find out that the big lovable monster I'd known so long was such a big lovable character inside too. A very warm, friendly, funny, GENUINE guy -- and a little outrageous too! I brought along one of those near-lifesize diecut standees of the Creature that Blockbuster used to advertise the video, and Ben displayed it behind his table all weekend. At the end of the show he inscribed and signed it for me across Blackie's midsection with a big silver marker... and he offered to add an off-color anatomical doodle if I wanted it. I wish now that I'd taken him up on it. This would be a good day to watch THE CREATURE again and revisit the magic and the majesty.
He died 12:15 AM this morning Hawaii time. He had been in the hospital for two days. He had a living will and life support was turned off yesterday. There will be a memorial service at a Catholic Church near the beach, and he will be cremated. He was 79 years old."
Ben Chapman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lXP6Qj_4-w
02-22-2008, 11:23 AM
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