December 16, 2009 CELEBRATE POE’S BIRTHDAY WITH US IN JANUARY 2010!
December 16, 2009 PHOTO GALLERY OF POE’S FUNERAL FROM OCTOBER 2009 NOW ON-LINE!Please visit our Past Celebrations page for our photo coverage of the Poe Bicentennial Event that topped them all! November 8, 2009 THE LAST POE PICTURE SHOWThe POE HOUSE AND MUSEUM with the WESTMINSTER PRESERVATION TRUST, INC. and the UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF LAW present
Join us for our final event celebrating Poe’s Bicentennial in Baltimore and for a frightfully fun evening of films inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe! THE PROGRAM:
FREE POPCORN! Refreshments also available for purchase. ALSO: Do your Poe holiday shopping early! Vendors will be present featuring Poe-related gift items, perfect for the holidays, from t-shirts to DVD’s to Gregory William Manks’s new book “Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff”, signed by the author himself! PROGRAM DETAILS:
November 4, 2009 POE'S FUNERAL COVERED NATIONWIDE BY THE PRESS!Here are some links to just a few of the news stories about Poe's Funeral! NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113724472&sc=emaf November 1, 2009 WE HOPE EVERYONE HAD A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN! |
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| For months prior to the 2009 Poe Funeral in Baltimore, Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum, had promised that there was going to be an “open casket viewing” at the House on Amity Street, and that the public was invited.
But what body? And whose? Speculation and gallows humor ran high. Was a certain local medical college supplying the body? Was an actor going to it? Was it going to be the real remains of Edgar Allan Poe??? Rest assured all of those ideas were never considered, and Poe’s remains shall remain, with respect and dignity, in his tomb at Westminster Hall. Jeff Jerome turned to Baltimore-based special effects and make-up artist Eric Supensky of EFX to create the life-life effigy of Edgar Allan Poe. The task sounded simple; create a realistic head and body that could be seen close up by visitors attending the viewing at the Poe House, and could be discerned from a fair distance in an open coffin during the funeral service planned for Sunday, October 11th. Supensky, with only a couple of weeks before the viewing day, started the process of creating Poe’s head. A suitable living subject was found for a plaster life cast—actor Mark Redfield, who was in Baltimore working with Jerome as one of the organizers of the event. |
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Said Eric Supensky, “I knew Mark very well, and he played Poe and shares certain similar facial characteristics. I thought it would be a good place to start my sculpture with a real face as the under structure.” Redfield volunteered for the sometimes uncomfortable plaster casting process, from which a “positive” bust was created.
With this as the basis, Supensky then sculpted a more accurate bust of Edgar Allan Poe. Using photographs and a marble bust that is at the Poe House, he made the new head out of clay, with the intention of creating the final version in latex rubber.
Jeff Jerome looks at Poe's body - (Photo courtesy of The Baltimore Sun)
Poe's funeral on 10/11/09 - (Photo courtesy of The Baltimore Sun) |
“The first sculpt in clay worked really well”, said Supensky, “but was too lifelike. I realized that Poe looked too ‘alive’, even though I sculpted the face with the eyes closed. Then I knew what the problem was—a corpse in the 1840’s wouldn’t look like a corpse today. The mortician’s art has come a long way. I knew I needed to look at the face in a laying down position, and sculpt the weight and gravitational pull of the neck area and the jaw. It started to look more ‘dead’ then.” Supensky would like to thank Mr. Zannino and Salva Marziale of Zannino’s Funeral Home in Baltimore for their guidance and insight on mortician techniques from the 1800’s. Their help was instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of Poe’s look in death.
And then another thought occurred to Supensky. “Jeff (Jerome) kept talking about all of these (funeral) events as a celebration of Poe. I began to wonder that maybe the figure should be just slightly ‘theatricalized’ to take some of the edge off. So I played with the sculpt with two goals in mind: one, the figure would have to work close-up, but if I made everything slightly, imperceptibly larger, the head could be ‘read’ by the hundred of people that would see him in the coffin when it was brought down the aisle at Westminster Hall.” The other thought that occurred to Supensky was Pirates of the Caribbean—the dark ride at Disneyland. “I remembered the wonderful sculptures of the original pirate figures that were designed by Marc Davis. They were very real, but ever-so-slightly larger than life. Somehow in my gut I knew that was the way to go and it would be acceptable to the audience.” Vintage antique clothing was secured to dress the mannequin, and Denise Cellucci was brought in to help with the hair, eyebrows and mustache. The finished latex head was then given its final paint job to approximate a “corpse look”, and Supensky delivered “the body” to the Poe House on Amity Street the day before the scheduled viewing. |
He set the body up in the coffin, and then brought Jeff Jerome in to see the finished result. Jerome was the first to see “Poe’s body”, and his first reaction was what Supensky had hoped for. “He started to bounce on his heels a little, like a kid. He smiled and said ‘I’m getting chills looking at this’”. The first press then arrived at the Poe House (The Baltimore Sun and The Associated Press) and the first press photos were taken that morning.
The funeral Poe never had took place on October 11th, 2009, and Edgar Allan Poe, through the artistry of Eric Supensky, was there for all to pay tribute to.
For more about Eric Supensky and EFX visit: www.ericfx.com
October 21, 2009
SAVE THE DATE FOR DINNER WITH POE!On November 12, 2009 at 6:30pm, The Admiral Fell Inn is having a Poe inspired dinner event! The evening is presented by executive chef Bryan Sullivan and Harbor Magic Hotels. Details are below: When: Novenber 12, 2009 Cocktails at 6:30pm, followed by a 4-course dinner paired with hand selected wines. Tickets: $75 per person For reservations contact Bryan at 410-649-5317 or bsullivan@harbormagic.com |
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October 18, 2009
2009 EDGAR AWARD WINNERS!
| The Mystery Writer’s of America announced winners of their annual Edgar Awards this spring and the prestigious RAVEN AWARD was given to Jeff Jerome, curator of Baltimore’s Poe House and Museum and Jeff Savoye, of the Poe Society in Baltimore. 2009 EDGAR AWARD winners: For a complete list of recipients, visit: http://www.mysterywriters.org/?q=edgars-winners |
 (photo: Jeff Savoye, Laura Lippman, Jeff Jerome) |
October 13, 2009
NPR SAYS POE FINALLY GETS A FITTING FUNERAL!
Reported by Allison Keyes. Listen here or go to NPR's website for the full transcript and broadcast.
October 12, 2009
POE BICENTENNIAL AND BEYOND!
The 2009 Poe Funeral event was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. Over 700 people attended the services at Westminster Hall in Baltimore.
Over the next weeks we’ll be posting stories here with photos, videos, interviews and behind-the-scenes stories about this amazing day. Come back often as we look forward to 2010 and beyond, and reveal plans and events as we move from the Bicentennial into the next 100 years of celebrating the life and work of Edgar Allan Poe!
We have thrilling plans for the January Birthday in 2010, so please come back to this site frequently and be the first to get the “inside” scoop!
Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, and all of the organizers of the Poe Funeral Event, thank all of the participants who made everything possible and made the day so memorable and spectacular. It couldn’t happen without you!
HARBOR MAGIC - THE OFFICIAL HOTELS FOR THE EDGAR ALLAN POE BALTIMORE BICENTENNIAL
We are very excited to announce Harbor Magic as the official partner hotels for Baltimore's Edgar Allen Poe Bicentennial!
Harbor Magic Hotels consist of three unique boutique hotels (The Admiral Fell Inn, The Brookshire Suites, and The Pier 5 Hotel) located in and around Baltimore's famous Inner Harbor. Each is delightfully different, yet all three are centered on delivering exceptional personalized visits that let you experience Baltimore as few others can.
Harbor Magic's historic Admiral Fell Inn is the perfect home base for a Poe-filled weekend in Baltimore. Stroll the same cobblestoned streets that Poe did when he was alive. Toast the famous writer in the same Pubs where Poe enjoyed a beverage or two himself. If Poe were alive, we like to think he'd catch the Admiral Fell Inn's Historic Ghost Tour. Explore the twists and turns of the Inn's hallways and hear a few haunted tales of some guests that simply refuse to check out.
The Brookshire Suites and Pier 5 Hotel also offer wonderful accomodations as well as close proximity to many of Baltimore's premiere attractions including the Inner Harbor and Fells Point.
"At Harbor Magic, we're all about celebrating Baltimore's unique treasures and helping visitors to discover them. And certainly, the events and experiences that surround Edgar Allen Poe's relationship with the city are not to be missed.", says Larry Noto of Harbor Magic.
| For the night of OCTOBER 11, 2009, Harbor Magic is offering packages for $119.00 at the Admiral Fell Inn and Brookshire Suites, and $149 at the Pier 5 Hotel which include: * Overnight accommodations at the Harbor Magic Hotel of your
The Discover Weird Package is $149 at the Admiral Fell Inn and Brookshire Suites and $179 at the Pier 5 Hotel. The packages include: * Your own copy of the Discover Weird US book Use Promotional code POEHOUSE |
    
Click on one the banners above to visit the hotel's website. (Opens in new window) |
October 7, 2009
POE FUNERAL--160 YEARS Today (Oct. 7, 1849-Oct.7, 2009)
A replica of the original tombstone for Poe will revealed during the funeral service on October 11, 2009. This is the first time that it has ever been recreated. The original stone was destroyed in the stone cutters yard when a train jumped the tracks and smashed into it.SPEAKER UPDATE!
Ellen Datlow to speak at Poe’s funeral!Award-winning speculative fiction and horror editor/anthologist will appear at the 2009 funeral service for Poe.“When I was a young girl, I adored Poe’s “The Bells,” “Ulalume,” and “Annabel Lee”—I loved recited them. Sure I knew they were sad and even creepy but it was their rhymes that really got to me. Those poems and when I was older, some of his stories, specifically The Pit and the Pendulum, Masque of the Red Death and Fall of the House of Usher—all transformed by Roger Corman into over-the-top grade B horror films in the 60s shoved me into the horror field of literature, where I remain today. Thanks Edgar. I owe it all to you.”—Ellen Datlow Ms. Datlow edited the anthology POE: New Tales Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. For more information about Ms. Datlow, visit www.datlow.com. |
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Mark Redfield returns to Westminster Hall.During the birthday event in January 2009, many were captivated by his paintings of Poe, and he directed the mask and puppet adaptation of Hop-Frog. The star of the film The Death of Poe, actor and filmmaker, Mark Redfield will speak at the funeral service. |
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October 6, 2009
CEDAR HILL FLORIST - THE OFFICIAL FLORIST OF EDGAR ALLAN POE'S BALTIMORE FUNERAL
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Cedar Hill Florist is the official florist of Edgar Allan Poe's Baltimore Funeral events.
They are offering FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS PLACED OVER THE PHONE for the services on October 11, 2009! . Browse the wide variety of floral arrangements online at www.cedarhillflorist.com. For best results type "FUNERAL" in the search block on Cedar Hill's home page. Call in your order to either: Toll Free: 800-340-2574 Ask for Marty! PLEASE NOTE: Make sure delivery is set for Saturday October 10, 2009. |
September 30, 2009
POE'S FUNERAL: SPEAKER UPDATE!
GRIS GRIMLY TO EULOGIZE EDGAR ALLAN POE!
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We are delighted that illustrator and filmmaker Gris Grimly will join the illustrious roster of guests speaking at the Poe Funeral event on October 11th! Said Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, "What a treat to have this talented artist as part of the funeral service. His artwork based on Poe's stories are introducing Poe to a new generation of children who might not otherwise be exposed to him." In accepting the invitation to speak, Grimly said, "Edgar Allan Poe has a presence that lingers to this day. It emanates from every printed copy of his works and seeps into the heads of the readers. The more you read his tales of murder and betrayal, the more he gets inside you. Until one day you find yourself concealing the murdered remains of a loved one within your basement wall. He is a true master of the macabre, and I am honored to be a part of this momentous event." Prior to the funeral event at Westminster Hall on Sunday, October 11th, Gris Grimly will be in Baltimore at the CHILDREN'S BOOKSTORE, located at 737 Deepdene Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, on Saturday the 10th, autographing his new edition of Poe's works, TALES OF DEATH AND DEMENTIA. Please visit www.thecbstore.com for details and signing hours. Gris Grimly's appearance at the Children's Bookstore is through the courtesy of the Edgar Allan Poe House and Harbor Magic. The School Library Journal wrote, "Grimly's deliciously malevolent illustrations are the perfect compliment to Poe's stories." This second installment is a companion to Grimly's EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF MYSTERY AND MADNESS, with more than 100,000 copies of the US editions sold plus four different languages. Grimly has done it again with this new book, with spine-chilling visuals, inviting the reader to open the book...if you dare! |
Also starting on Saturday, October 10th, autographed copies of Gris Grimly's TALES OF DEATH AND DEMENTIA will be available for sale at the Poe House! Visit Gris Grimly's websites: |
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September 25, 2009
POE'S FUNERAL: SPEAKER UPDATE!
JOHN ASTIN RETURNS TO WESTMINSTER HALL!
 John Astin |
The inimitable John Astin will return to Westminster Hall to preside and introduce the grand collection of fine speakers that have been assembled to pay tribute to Edgar Allan Poe. Mr. Astin delighted audiences back in January at the 200th Poe Birthday Celebration with his readings and toast to Poe. His memorable one-man Poe show, ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT, has enthralled audiences for years, and we are delighted that once again John Astin will bring his wit and insight as host for the funeral event on October 11th, 2009. Tickets are selling fast, so don't forget to download the ticket order form and get it in the mail today! |
September 14, 2009
Poe's Funeral: Speaker Update!
Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist, journalist and humanist, will attend Poe's Funeral for both services.
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Whitman attended the dedication of the Poe Monument in 1875 but was not part of the ceremonies. On Poe, Walt Whitman has been known to have said: On Sunday October 11, 2009 Mr. Whitman will re-visit Baltimore to share his thoughts about Edgar Allan Poe with the audience at Westminster Hall! |
September 11, 2009
| THE MONUMENTAL BRASS QUINTET JOINS THE PERFORMERS FOR POE'S FUNERAL
We are pleased to announce that The Monumental Brass Quintet will be performing at the 12:30pm service of Poe's Funeral on Sunday October 11, 2009! The MBQ has appeared at the KennedyCenter, Smithsonian Institution, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Lisner Auditorium, Strathmore Hall, and the embassies of Austria and France. Additionally, the ensemble has appeared on radio and television and has two recordings. Special appearances by the Monumental Brass include the annual Red Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court and President and Mrs. Bush. "We are much honored to be participating in this historic event of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘true’ funeral. Poe himself was a music lover and even taught his wife Virginia to play both flute and harp. On this 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth it brings the MBQ great pleasure to be providing music for his funeral along with Ivan Stefanovic, organ and soloist Paula McCabe. We're eager to share our music with the people of Baltimore in this celebration of Edgar Allan Poe’s life. " - The MBQ For more information about The Monumental Brass Quintet be sure to visit www.monumentalbrass.org |
 The Monumental Brass Quintet: (left to right) Gregory Freeman (trombone), Nicolas Lowe (french horn), Michael Lowe (trumpet), Michael Parker (tuba), and Patrick Whitehead (trumpet) |
September 4, 2009
| B.S.O. VIOLINIST IVAN STEFANOVIC TO PLAY AT POE'S FUNERAL
Ivan Stefanovic has been in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for over 18 years, where he serves in the position of Assistant Principal Second Violin. He is also Principal Second Violin in the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and plays baroque violin in Pro Musica Rara. He teaches violin and chamber music at the Prepapartory Department of the Peabody Institute of Music. Ivan is honored to be a part of this wonderful event honoring one of his favorite, and the world's best and most mysterious, poets. "Every city should celebrate its heritage, and yes, its claim to fame, and what better way to do so but through beautiful words and music. We should let the country and the world know that we cherish our own in this great city, and attract attention of everyone to its history and richness of arts and culture, in addition to its sport teams, even if they carry such great names as the Ravens!" - Ivan Stefanovic “I’m so pleased to have such talented musicians participate in the funeral services for Eddie. Poe loved music and I can’t think of a better way of honoring him by having music at his funeral. I know he would be very pleased.” - Jeff Jerome |
 Ivan Stefanovic (photo by Christian Colberg) |
September 2, 2009
POE PERFORMANCES AT THE BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL!
September 25-27 2009
600 Block North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
Come meet celebrated authors, listen to free readings, shop thrilling bookstalls! Events for the whole family so bring the kids, too!
VISIT BALTIMORE proudly presents POE PERFORMANCES at the Baltimore Book Festival! Starting Friday September 25, 2009 and all day through-out Saturday and Sunday, SEE and HEAR:
TONY TSENDEAS perform THE TELL-TALE HEART and THE BLACK CAT!
MATTHEW BOWERMAN perform THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO!
STEVE ANDERSON and DAVID KELTZ perform selections of Poe's poetry and prose!
For more info, visit www.baltimorebookfestival.com and www.nevermore2009.com
 David Keltz |
 Tony Tsendeas |
 Matthew Bowerman (r) |
August 20, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY H.P. LOVECRAFT
H.P. Lovecraft (Painted by Mark Redfield 2009) |
Today we're celebrating H. P. Lovecraft's birthday, born August 20th, 1890! Lovecraft, the author of weird fiction (so-called long before genre labels like "horror and "sci-fi" came into being), is the master who bridges the timeless works of Poe of the 19th Century to stellar practicioners of horror and fantasy like Stephen King, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman in the 21st Century. Lovecraft admitted he was influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and in turn, through his stories like RATS IN THE WALLS, THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE, and PICKMAN'S MODEL influenced writers in the 20th century such as Robert E. Howard, August Derleth and Robert Bloch, and so many, many more. The works of H. P. Lovecraft, and Lovecraft himself, have grown in awareness and popularity in recent decades because of the frequent re-prints of his work, and the thrilling film adaptations by directors like Stuart Gordon, who made the 1985 film RE-ANIMATOR (based on "Herbert West, ReAnimator") and television's "Masters of Horror" series entry, DREAMS OF THE WITCH HOUSE (2005). Today, fans new and old keep Lovecraft's work alive. The H. P. Lovecraft Society keeps his vision of Elder Gods and "things un-named and un-namable" vibrant for future generations. Today is Lovecraft's 119th Anniversary. Happy birthday Howard! |
August 13, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR ALFRED HITCHCOCK
Hitchcock and Mother (Painted by Mark Redfield 2009) |
Today we're celebrating the birth, life, and work of the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, born 110 years ago today! If you love Poe you undoubtedly love the mystery and thriller films of Alfred Hitchcock. Classic tales of suspense, littered with characters haunted and deranged, Hitchcock's filmography includes PSYCHO (1960), VERTIGO (1958), REAR WINDOW (1954), and THE BIRDS (1963). He read Edgar Allan Poe avidly as a boy, and said of him, "he told a completely unbelievable story...to the readers with such a spellbinding logic that you get the impression that the same thing could happen to you tomorrow." Before Hitchcock became a filmmaker, launching his career in his native country, England, he worked for a brief time at the Henley Telegraph and Cable Company. His first published writing was a Poe-esque short story called GAS, published in Henley's in-house company magazine, in 1919. |
Hitchcock's film career started a few short years later. His important British films include THE LODGER (1927), BLACKMAIL (1929), THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1934), THE 39 STEPS (1935), and THE LADY VANISHES (1938).
Coming to America in the early 1940's, Hitchcock made films for producer David O. Selznick before becoming his own producer, making a splash on TV hosting ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (1955-1961), and continuing to create timeless and box office smashes until his last two films, FRENZY (1972) and FAMILY PLOT (1976). Hitchcock died in 1980.
As a tribute to Poe on his bicentennial, and Hitchcock's birthday, we present the short story--
GAS
by Alfred Hitchcock
She had never been in this part of Paris before, only reading of it in the novels of Duvain; or seeing it at the Grand Guignol. So this was the Montmartre? That horror where danger lurked under cover of night, where innocent souls perished without warning -- where doom confronted the unwary -- where the Apache reveled.
She moved cautiously in the shadow of the high wall, looking furtively backward for the hidden menace that might be dogging her steps. Suddenly she darted into an alley way, little heeding where it led-groping her way on in the inky blackness, the one thought of eluding the pursuit firmly fixed in her mind -- on she went -- Oh! when would it end? Then a doorway from which a light streamed lent itself to her vision -- In here -- anywhere, she thought.
The door stood at the head of a flight of stairs -- stairs that creaked with age, as she endeavoured to creep down -- then she heard the sound of drunken laughter and shuddered -- surely this was -- No, not that! Anything but that!
She reached the foot of the stairs and saw an evil smelling wine bar, with wrecks of what were once men and women indulging in a drunken orgy -- then they saw her, a vision of affrighted purity. Half a dozen men rushed towards her amid the encouraging shouts of the rest. She was seized. She screamed with terror -- better had she been caught by her pursuer, was her one fleeting thought, as they dragged her roughly across the room. The fiends lost no time in settling her fate. They would share her belongings -- and she -- Why! Was not this the heart of Montmartre? She should go -- the rats should feast. Then they bound her and carried her down the dark passage. Up a flight of stairs to the riverside. The water rats should feast, they said. And then -- then, swinging her bound body to and fro, dropped her with a splash into the dark, swirling waters. Down, she went, down, down; conscious only of a choking sensation, this was death.
-- then --
"It's out Madam," said the dentist. "Half a crown please."
The End
May 29, 2009
TERROR AMONG THE TOMBSTONES! FEATURING "THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER"
SATURDAY JUNE 13TH, 2009 - 6PM at the Westminster Hall Graveyard!
(There are no advance ticket sales for this event. All tickets will be sold at the gates beginning one hour prior to the event)
Visit our Events page for complete details!
May 13, 2009
AirTran - The Official Airline Of The Baltimore Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial! |
The Poe House and Museum is proud to announce that AirTran has been named the Official Air Lines of the Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial in Baltimore. We urge people to use AirTran when visiting Baltimore for the Poe Bicentennial events.
Jeff Jerome said, “We have people from all over the country visiting Baltimore for the Poe events and with service to over 50 cities AirTran makes it easy to celebrate Poe in Baltimore!” AirTran Airways always has low fares to over 50 cities. Book at www.airtran.com, where you’ll always find their lowest fares and no booking fee. Go. There’s nothing stopping you. |
March 26, 2009
Postmark Commemorates Edgar Allan Poe Event
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The Baltimore Post Office will be offering a special pictorial postmark commemorating Edgar Allan Poe at The Cask of Amontillado Wine Event at Westminster Hall, 519 West Fayette Street on Saturday March 28, 2009! A temporary post office, Poe Evermore Station, will be open from 12 PM to 4 PM to offer the postmark, the latest stamp issue, and other collectibles. The postmark will be affixed free of charge to collectibles or any other items bearing first-class ($.42) postage. Attendees may obtain the special cancellation by stopping by the temporary postal station located on the 2nd floor of Westminster Hall. The Edgar Allan Poe postage stamp was unvailed at the January 2009 200th birthday celebration events! |
March 10, 2009
LAURIE FORSTER, THE WINE COACH, TO APPEAR AT AMONTILLADO WINE EVENT!
Laurie Forster, host of the popular weekly radio show SOMETHING TO WINE ABOUT, heard on Baltimore’s WBAL radio, will be speaking early at the Amontillado Wine Event on March 28th, and be on hand all day to answer your questions about wine!
Jeff Jerome, of the Poe House and Museum says, “We are indeed fortunate to have Laurie participate in this unique Poe event. We look forward to her engaging and informative talk on wines. Fortunato would be jealous indeed!”
Laurie Forster - "The Wine Coach"
Laurie Forster began her wine career in Manhattan where she studied with the American Sommelier Association and earned a certificate in Viticulture and Vinification in 2002. Recently she took her first step towards achieving the Master Sommelier title in New York and passed at the top of her class. Concurrently, she trained as a life coach with Coach U, the leading global provider of coach training programs and is presently a member of the International Coaching Federation.
Laurie’s specialty is creating unique corporate keynotes, team building events and group tasting seminars. Witty and entertaining, Laurie has been described as a sparkling presenter, highly skilled at engaging every wine lover—from beginners to wine enthusiasts.
Laurie is a regular contributor to several magazines; a sought after guest expert on radio stations across the country and her weekly radio show entitled Something to Wine About® can be heard each Thursday morning at 6:40 AM on WBAL 1090AM. Her newly released book, The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine, reflects her fresh perspective on wine education and has already received rave reviews. Copies of her book will be available for purchase. A portion of the price will be donated to the Poe House.
For more information on Laurie’s book, visit www.thesippingpoint.com or her speaking services visit www.thewinecoach.com
March 10, 2009
PROGRAM UPDATE: TONY TSENDEAS PERFORMS ‘THE BLACK CAT’!
Tony Tsendeas
Tony Tsendeas thrilling rendition of THE TELL-TALE HEART wowed audiences at the January birthday celebrations, and we are pleased to announce that Tsendeas will be presenting THE BLACK CAT at the Amontillado Wine Tasting Event on March 28th!
THE BLACK CAT is one of Poe’s most popular tales. Observe how Tony assumes the persona of the deranged killer on stage and witness his descent into madness! Brace yourself for a shocking ending! Montressor would be proud of the narrator!
March 2, 2009
OUR NEXT SCHEDULED EVENT!
“For the love of God Montressor you must attend this event!”
WITH YOUR HOSTS MONTRESSOR AND FORTUNATO!
Tickets for the Amontillado Wine Event are $25.00 at the door.
Live entombment not included in the admission.
Since this event doesn’t require reserved seating and it’s an open event there is no need for advance sales.
You must be 21 and be able to prove it to sample the wines. It’s the law!
Doors open at Noon and the event closes at 4 PM.
We are lining up great Poe and wine related entertainment for your enjoyment.
Tours of the ghastly Westminster Catacombs will be offered at scheduled times
throughout the event. Sorry, exploring the crypts is not allowed!
DAVID KELTZ PERFORMS 'CASK OF AMONTILLADO' LIVE!
Click on image for more info about David Keltz!
NEW POE-INSPIRED ARTWORK BY MARK REDFIELD!
TONY TSENDEAS PERFORMS 'TELL-TALE HEART' LIVE!
TOUR THE WESTMINSTER CRYPTS AND POE'S GRAVE!
SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY THE RED DEATH!
Details and the schedule of events will be added as they are finalized.
“We make no bones about it! This will be a fun and learning experience
for the Poe, wine and live entombment enthusiast!”
-Jeff Jerome
Curator, Poe House and Museum
February 9, 2009
POE BICENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN BALTIMORE
REPORT ON THE FINAL WEEKEND AT WESTMINSTER HALL!
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Hundreds of Poe fans flocked to Westminster Hall in Baltimore for the final weekend of events celebrating the great writer's birth. Coming from all over the world, some attending both days so they wouldn’t miss any of the scheduled performances and to make sure they had time to visit other Baltimore attractions, were treated to an array of Poe-related entertainment and events. Here’s a re-cap of what they experienced and what you may have missed on January 31 and February 1, 2009. And, although January 2009 marks the Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth, the Celebration continues in Baltimore with the Amontillado Wine Tasting Festival scheduled for March! Be sure to visit this site weekly for updates, interviews and more news as events and dates are announced! |
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Jeff Jerome (left) and John Astin toasting Poe to a sold out crowd
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Jeff Jerome, the director of Baltimore’s Poe House and Museum, continued to prove that he is “the host with the most” as he teased the audience with news about future Poe Celebration events to be held in Baltimore. The announcement of the Amontillado Wine Tasting Event planned for March got an enthusiastic response, as did the news of the spectacular funeral planned for Poe in October. Promising that it will be the remembrance that Poe never received when he was buried, and that the funeral service will be “the biggest Poe event in the country”, the crowd cheered. With chanteuse Paula McCabe signing “Annabelle Lee”, the evening celebrating the bicentennial was underway!
The audience (some returning for a second time!) were treated to SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY on Saturday night. The comedy (a rarity for Poe!), was adapted and directed by John Spitzer and wonderfully performed by Scott Hicks (Dr. Osgood), Dan Awkward (Dr. Ponds), Ron Ward (Dr. Glidden) and Christopher Moss (as The Mummy).
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Scott Hicks (top) and Ron Ward in "Some Words with A Mummy"
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Christopher Moss as "The Mummy"
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"Some Words With A Mummy"
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HOP FROG, adapted, designed and directed by Mark Redfield, and performed by Steven Lampredi (The Minister), B. Thomas Rinaldi (The King), Eric Ebersole (Hop Frog), Jennifer Rouse (Trippetta) and Pete Karas (The Narrator). A combination of vaudeville and street theater, using actors, masks and puppets, kept the audience laughing in this adaptation of one of Poe’s chilling tales of revenge.
Redfield also displayed paintings and drawings inspired by Poe and his works. The caricatures were created for the Poe Bicentennial website, were they’ll appear through-out the year in a feature called ‘This Week in the Life of Poe”.
 "Hop Frog" (puppeteer Eric Ebersol) and "Tripetta" (puppeteer Jennifer Rouse) |
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 The King forcing Hop Frog to drink wine |
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"The King" (B. Thomas Rinaldi) and his "Minister" (Steven Lampredi)
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THE TELL-TALE HEART, as performed by Tony Tsendeas, electrified audiences when Tsendeas brought the famous story to life on Saturday night.
A costume contest, held on January 31st, brought fans of the poet out in their 19th Century finest. The winners, resplendent in their sumptuous costumes, were Marilee Orr (First Place), Aubry Bennett (Second Place), and Loren Dearborn (Third Place). Congratulations to all!
Actor John Astin added a new treat for the second weekend, adding THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH to his program of readings. Astin, beaming and delighted by the audience’ reaction, seemed tireless after each performance, when he chatted, posed for photographs, and signed autographs after each show. Astin’s warmth and humor, and his clear, infectious love of Poe and his work brought the evening to a close, where he was then joined onstage by soprano Paula McCabe and Jeff Jerome, for the toast to Poe.
Jeff Jerome, as he has done for many years, led the birthday toast, along with John Astin, who read a special tribute this year.The Poe Bicentennial events continue in Baltimore this March, with an Amontillado Wine tasting Festival to be held at Westminster Hall. A performance of The Cask of Amontillado, a wine tasting event, characters from the classic Poe story and a few surprises are planned. Watch for breaking news on this website about the amontillado Wine tasting festival and more events planned through-out 2009!
 (l to r) Jeff Jerome, John Astin, and Mark Redfield |
 Mark Redfield |
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Costume contest winners and contestants (bottom left to bottom right)
Adrienne Kubiak |
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 Harper-Collins Book winner Virginia McInturff and Jeff Jerome |
 Poe cake winner Bonnie Schneider with Jeff Jerome |
January 26, 2009
JUST ADDED! A PERIOD COSTUME CONTEST ON JANUARY 31ST!
A period costume contest will be held for those in attendance that appear in costume. Prizes to be announced at the event.
The contest will be held on Saturday, January 31st only.
(Please no weapons of any kind. The costume must be in good taste and not interfere with the person sitting next to you.)
January 19, 2009
HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY EDGAR ALLAN POE!!!
This past weekend, January 17th and 18th, 2009, at Westminster Hall in downtown Baltimore, where Poe was laid to rest, Baltimore paid tribute to the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe for two sold out nights!
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The crowd eagerly waited outside in frigid cold weather on the evenings of January 17th and 18th for the doors to open and the events of the evening to begin.
After entering, they mingled and browsed the vender tables filled with brand new books about or inspired by Poe from publisher Harper Collins, commemorative t-shirts, copies of the film "The Death Of Poe", paintings and drawings, Ravens Beer and much more! On display upstairs in the balcony of Westminster Hall, Baltimore Poe Society's Jeff Savoye displayed authentic Edgar Allan Poe artifacts such as a lock of Poe's hair and a piece of his coffin. |
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Paintings and drawings by Mark Redfield
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"In The Shadow of the Master"
A collection of tales inspired by Edgar Allan Poe Provided by Harper Collins |
Ravens Beer
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The guests were also entertained by Poe characters such as "The Black Cat Killer" who stalked throughout the hall, frightening the unsuspecting guests, on a mission to find his cat (which was on his back the entire time), and "Madeline Usher", from "The Fall of the House of Usher" who catatonically looked for her brother Roderick.
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The Black Cat Killer
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Madeline Usher
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| The lights dimmed and the evening's events began.
On Saturday January 17th, opening the ceremony was the unveiling of the new Edgar Allan Poe stamp from the United States Post Office by Postmaster Bill Ridenour, followed by Paula McCabe singing "Annabel Lee". Following Paula McCabe was a life-size puppet and mask performance of Poe's story "Hop Frog", adapted and directed by Mark Redfield, about an evil king who is ALSO celebrating a birthday, that taunts a dwarf court jester and his girlfriend Tripetta until the jester decides to give the King a "special" birthday party. |
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On Sunday January 18th, alternating dates with "Hop Frog", was a performance of Poe's comedy "Some Words with a Mummy", adapted and directed by John Spitzer, about a group of doctors who bring an Egyptian mummy back to life through electricity who then proceeds to spar with the doctors and scientists that resurrected him.
After the plays, was actor Tony Tsendeas performing "The Tell Tale Heart", who was only supposed to perform on Saturday January 17th and Sunday February 1st. But the audience enjoyed it so much that they requested him back for more! Tony also performed on Sunday January 18th and will be performing as scheduled on February 1st.
The cast of "Hop Frog" waiting backstage |
The cast of "Some Words With a Mummy" onstage |
| Following the intermission, for the second part of the Poe Bicentennial Celebration, was actor John Astin who received a standing ovation after reciting several of Poe's poems and short stories such as "The Facts in The Case of M. Valdemar", and discussed Poe's life as a person and his struggles as an artist.
The celebration drew to an end with the traditional toast to Poe, this year lead by Baltimore Poe House Curator Jeff Jerome AND John Astin, who was called back up onstage. To thank him, Jeff Jerome presented John Astin with a fresh-off-the-press copy of 2 volumes of letters written by Edgar Allan Poe! As a special treat this year, a very special birthday cake was raffled off, created by Duff Goldman of the famous "Ace of Cakes", in the shape of the Poe grave monument. The winner, Thomas McIlroy III, was extremely excited and called out "It's me!" after his name was drawn out of a basket by John Astin. Paula McCabe concluded the evening with "Auld Lang Syne". |
John Astin |
Jeff Jerome (right) presents John Astin with a collection of letters by Edgar Allan Poe |
John Astin picks the winner of the Poe Monument cake |
The winner of the Poe Monument cake, Thomas McIlroy III |
The winners of the Poe Monument Cake with Jeff Jerome |
The Poe Monument cake created by Duff Goldman of "Ace of Cakes"
We'd like to thank everyone who attended and performed at the Baltimore Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial Birthday Celebration on January 17th and 18th, 2009! Tickets are still available for the next 2 shows on Saturday January 31st and Sunday February 1st if you would like to come celebrate!
And finally, we'd like to wish Edgar Allan Poe a Happy 200th Birthday from all of us and from his fans throughout the world!
January 15, 2009
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Poe Stamp to be Presented at Poe's Birthday Celebration!
Due to illness, Michael Deas, the artist who created the image for the new Poe stamp had to cancel his appearance this weekend, but we will still have a presentation of the new U.S. Postal Service Edgar Allan Poe stamp. This stamp honors Edgar Allan Poe, one of the leading figures in American literary history, on the 200th anniversary of his birth. More details as they become available! |
January 10, 2009
Special Opening of the Poe House and Museum
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The Poe House and Museum will be open on Saturday, January 31st, from 11 am till 3 pm and on Sunday, February 1st from 11 am till 3 pm to allow our friends and attendees of the Poe Bicentennial Birthday Celebration to view Eddie’s home.
The Poe House is officially closed for renovations until March. Admission is $4 for adults and children age 12 and under free. The Poe House is located at 203 North Amity Street, Baltimore, MD 21223. |
January 7, 2009
THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF POE, a weekly series of blogs written by Mark Redfield, will begin on JANUARY 19th (Poe's Birthday!) here on poebicentennial.com! The blogs will feature and discuss events that happened during each particular week in the life of Edgar Allan Poe!
December 19, 2008
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Poe Stamp Artist Michael Deas to be at Poe's Birthday Celebration!
Late breaking news! Michael Deas, the artist who created the image for the new Poe stamp will be at the Poe Bicentennial Birthday Celebration! This stamp honors Edgar Allan Poe, one of the leading figures in American literary history, on the 200th anniversary of his birth. More details as they become available! |
December 15, 2008
PUBLISHER HARPER COLLINS TO GIVE AWAY BOOKS AT POE CELEBRATION!
The Poe House is pleased to announce that in cooperation with Harper Collins book Publishers three new Poe titles will be given away during the birthday celebration to members of the audience on all four birthday celebration dates.
Curator Jeff Jerome says, “I’m very pleased to announce that Harper Collins Publishers has chosen the Baltimore Bicentennial Birthday Celebration for this exciting promotion. These are great books and I’m sure the people who receive them will be pleased. This is another reason why Baltimore is the place to be to celebrate Poe’s birthday!”
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EDGAR A POE by Kenneth Silverman
A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year, this award-winning biography of Edgar Allen Poe uncovers the mysterious persona behind the much-celebrated works that continue to enchant, terrify, and thrill fans nearly a century and a half after Poe’s death. In this definitive and critically acclaimed biography, Silverman illuminates the dark and intimate details of Poe’s tormented life, now featuring a striking new cover to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth |
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IN THE SHADOW OF THE MASTER by Michael Connelly Few have crafted stories as haunting as those by Edgar Allan Poe. Collected here to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Poe's birth are sixteen of his best tales accompanied by twenty essays from beloved authors, including T. Jefferson Parker, Lawrence Block, Sara Paretsky, and Joseph Wambaugh, among others, on how Poe has changed their life and work. |
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ON A RAVEN'S WING New Tales in Honor of Edgar Allan Poe ed. by Stuart Kaminsky Although written almost two centuries ago, Edgar Allan Poe’s tales of mystery and murder still have an uncanny ability to curdle our blood and set our necks tingling. His stories have worked their sinister magic perhaps most of all on other writers of stories of suspense and terror, authors whose own work makes readers squirm in their seats and check the locks. Collected here to honor the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth are tales that take their inspiration from the thriller master himself. With contributions by Mary Higgins Clark, Stuart Kaminsky, and Edward D. Hoch, this anthology is a fitting tribute to the harrowing work of a beloved literary genius. |
November 15, 2008
Mystery Writers of America to Honor Edgar Allan Poe Society, The Poe House at 2009 Edgar® Awards
The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has chosen the Edgar Allan Poe Society and The Poe House in Baltimore, Maryland, as the 2009 recipients of the organization's prestigious Raven Award.
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To be presented at Mystery Writers of America's 63rd Annual Edgar® Awards Banquet at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on April 30, 2009, the Raven Award is bestowed by MWA's Board of Directors for outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing. Among past recipients of the award are the Library of Congress, Center for the Book, and two United States Presidents – Bill Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt. According to MWA's President Harlan Coben, the dual choice of the Poe Society and the Edgar Allan Poe House is doubly appropriate: "Not only does 2009 mark the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday, but Mystery Writers of America has long-considered Poe a patron saint. In fact, the Raven Award, itself, is named after Poe's famous poem, and our Edgar® Awards -- or 'Edgars,' as they're more popularly known -- are awarded annually to authors of distinguished work." |
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Formed in 1923, the Edgar Allan Poe Society organized an annual series of public programs that included musical settings of Poe's poems, readings from his works, exhibitions of information and memorabilia, and lectures about his life and writings. In 1938, the Poe Society led efforts to save a house in Baltimore where Poe lived from 1833 to 1835. The efforts were successful and a bronze plaque was erected at The Poe House to commemorate the location in 1940. A full restoration of the home began in 1947, proceeding as funds and ingenuity permitted.
The Poe Society provided tours of The Poe House from 1950 until 1977, when responsibility for the museum was assumed by the City of Baltimore. Since 1977, the Poe Society has returned its focus to annual commemorative lectures and associated publications. They continue to maintain a website and respond to as many inquires about Poe's life and works as possible. Each year, the society receives letters from around the world, particularly from school children seeking general guidance for reports and other projects on Poe. The Edgar Allan Poe Society is a non-profit organization with no paid employees, relying purely on voluntary efforts.
"The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore is especially proud to receive the honor of the Raven Award during the bicentennial of Poe's birth," says Jeffrey Savoye, secretary/treasurer of the Poe Society. "Generally, we have been quietly carrying out our mission since 1923, promoting the best information available about Poe's life and works. It is gratifying to find that, occasionally, our efforts do not go unrecognized."
The Poe House is now under the control of Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) and continues to provide tours and education at the site.
“I’m honored beyond words to be chosen for such a prestigious award," says Jeff Jerome, curator of Poe House. "For 30 years I’ve been aggressively promoting the life and works of Eddie and this award has validated these efforts. The first thing I’m planning to do after receiving this award is to visit the Poe Grave and share it with Eddie.”
November 14, 2008
TONY TSENDEAS TO PERFORM 'THE TELL-TALE HEART' AT POE BICENTENNIAL!
Actor Tony Tsendeas has been added to the line-up of performances for the Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial events in January 2009!
Tsendeas will perform a 15 to 20 minute version Poe's classic tale of madness, "The Tell-Tale Heart" on SATURDAY JANUARY 17, 2009 and SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2009.
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Tony Tsendeas is an artistic associate of the Baltimore Shakespeare Company where he has directed the company's acclaimed productions of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Othello, Julius Caesar and the parody The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), as well as Kimberley Lynn's Love for Words. Roles for the company include Caliban in The Tempest, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, The Player in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and most recently Paroles in All's Well That Ends Well. Mr. Tsendeas has also performed at a variety of theaters regionally including Roundhouse Theater, Theater J, Woolly Mammoth, Everyman Theater and Center Stage. Film and video work includes the role of "Neilson Poe" in the Redfield Arts film "The Death Of Poe", HBO's The Wire, NBC's Homicide: Life In the Streets, and appearances and voice over work for The Family Channel, The Learning Channel and Discovery. |
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From 1992 until 2000, Mr. Tsendeas was the artistic director of Baltimore's internationally recognized Action Theater. The company was in residence at the Baltimore Theatre Project and toured Northern Europe and Great Britain with its production BeckettLand, a collection of short dramatic pieces by Samuel Beckett, set in a Ghost Carnival or Bemusement Park. Tony Tsendeas is currently a member of the theater faculty of The Baltimore School for the Arts.
October 31, 2008
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Starting in January 2009 Mark Redfield will begin a weekly series of blogs here on poebicentennial.com about events that happened each particular week in the life of Edgar Allan Poe!
October 30, 2009
BALTIMORE CITY KICKS OFF YEAR-LONG POE PARTY!
In a press conference held in the Poe Room of the Enoch Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore on Thursday October 30th, Mayor Sheila Dixon officially opened "Nevermore 2009", the bicentennial birthday of Edgar Allan Poe!
The year-long celebration will consist of many events including dramatic performances of Poe's stories, a concert of "The Raven" (composer Leonard Slatkin's tribute to Poe) performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, wine tasting's, a "poe"ster contest, a funeral service for Poe and much more!
Other key speakers at the conference included Carla Hayden (the CEO of The Enoch Pratt Library), and Tom Noonan (the President and CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitor's Association). The gathering concluded with an explosion of purple confetti immedialtely followed by an appearance by Mr. Poe himself (actor and Poe impersonator David Keltz) reciting an excerpt from "The Raven"!
Below are several photos provided by photographer Mark Dennis that were taken at the press conference. Click on the thumbnails to see a larger version of the image.
You can also watch the conference in it's entirety by clicking on the videos below the photos!
Be sure to keep watching for announcements about fun Poe themed events!
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| Nevermore 2009 Press Conference Part 1 |
| Nevermore 2009 Press Conference Part 2 |
October 16, 2008
EDGAR ALLAN POE STAMP FROM USPS IN 2009!
Word around the campfire is that the United States Postal Service will be releasing an Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial Commemorative stamp in 2009! There will be an unveiling of the stamp in Richmond, VA at The Library of Virginia on January 16, 2009. The stamp is rumored to be officially released in March of 2009.
October 15, 2008
POE IN FILM:
KEVIN G. SHINNICK on THE CONQUEROR WORM/WITCHFINDER GENERAL
Out- out are the lights- out all!
And, over each quivering form,
The curtain, a funeral pall,
Comes down with the rush of a storm,
While the angels, all pallid and wan,
Uprising, unveiling, affirm
That the play is the tragedy, "Man,"
And its hero the Conqueror Worm.-E.A. POE, The Conqueror Worm (1843)
By having Vincent Price read a few lines from Poe’s Poe-m to bookend the film, A.I.P. was able to promote the British made WITCHFINDER GENERAL as THE CONQUEROR WORM and as one of its highly successful Poe films. The film, which dealt with guilt, madness, torture, the complexity of good and evil, is one, I am sure, would have met with the writer’s approval.
Back in the 1950s, producer Tony Tenser was making what could have been generously been called soft-core skin flicks while distributing foreign action films. A long time horror fan, he found success producing THE BLACK TORMENT (1964) before he joined the international market by producing Polanski’s REPULSION(1965) and the Sherlock Holmes film A STUDY IN TERROR (1965) . He continued to alternate his low budget girly films (SECRETS OF A WINDMILL GIRL (66)) with art-house (CUL-DE-SAC (66)) and horror (THE SORCERORS (1968).
One day, he received an unsolicited book galley for an upcoming novel called ‘Witch finder General “ by Ronald Bassett(who sometimes published his historical novels under the pseudonym “William Clive”).In the book, he posited that real life Witch finder Matthew Hopkins ,who in just some 14 months(1645-1646), with his henchman and fellow ‘Witch-Pricker’ John Sterne, was responsible for the condemnations and executions of some 230 alleged witches( more than all the other witch-hunters during the 160-year peak of the England’s witchcraft hysteria) was more evil and exploitive than the witches he supposedly pursued.
Tenser saw what could be his next film for director wunderkind MICHAEL REEVES, who had just made THE SORCERORS starring Boris Karloff. The budget, however, was beyond what Tenser could afford on his own, so he partnered with AIP. Luckily, AIP was establishing a British production arm, and was in need of product, so a deal and budget was quickly established. However, there was to be some compromises that would add friction to the production.
Reeves wanted actor Donald Pleasance to portray Hopkins, but the studio forced their horror star Vincent Price upon the production. The director and star at first clashed upon how to portray the Witch finder, but when early rushes began to come in, Price realized that the young man had a definite vision and style.
Against the backdrop of the Civil War between Cromwell’s Roundheads against the Loyalists of King Charles I, religious mania and persecutions of all types were rampant throughout the countryside. .The film begins with the hanging of a screaming woman found guilty of witchcraft. Using the superstitions of the country folk, Hopkins (Price) and his partner John Stearne (Robert Russell) roam the countryside taking payment for “ridding” the villages of witches.
Meanwhile , young Captain Richard Marshal (Ian Ogilvy)saves his commander from a Loyalist attack, and returns on a brief leave to visit his fiancé, Sarah (Hillary heath),who lives with her uncle(Rupert Davies), the parish priest of Brandeston .
The uncle begs for Marshal to take Sarah away with him, but the officer sees no danger in a town so isolated.
When Captain Marshall goes back to his unit, however, he has an encounter along the way with Hopkins & Stearne, unaware that the village the lawyer and his lackey are bound for is the one the soldier has just left. Once in Brandeston, the villainous duo begins to torture the uncle under suspicion that he has been "worshipping Satan and calling him lord".
Hopkins promises to spare the Uncle if Sarah submits to his advances, which she unwillingly does. However, when Hopkins is called away from the Village briefly, Stearne rapes the poor girl. Hearing of this, Hopkins wants nothing more to do with the girl, and has the uncle and two other unfortunates put to the test of dunking. One woman drowns, proving she was “innocent” but the others die even more horribly.
Marshall returns and finds the shame-filled Sarah, and before the desecrated altar of the church, he swears his eternal love to her as well as his vow of vengeance against the evil witch finder and his crony. Now love & death are truly interwoven into their lives. Captain Marshall returns reluctantly to his brigade, leaving Sarah in a town of Lavenham where he hopes now she will be safe from harm
At an Inn, he catches up with a drunken Stearne in mid-debauch, but Stearne escapes to warn Hopkins. Soldiers overtake the pair, but Hopkins leaves Stearne behind and flees. Stearne escapes and vows vengeance on his former partner.
Hopkins arrives in the small village of Lavenham, which shows that no where is safe for poor Sarah. Hopkins realizes the harm she could do, and has her taken in as a witch. Stearne arrives, but is wooed back to siding with Hopkins in torturing Sarah.
Hearing that Hopkins had been sighted in Lavenham, Captain Marshall deserts accompanied by a few of his fellow soldiers. Stearne is dispatched gorily before Marshall begins to hack repeatedly at Hopkins with an axe. One of his fellow soldiers, viewing the horrific scene, mercifully shoots Hopkins, putting him out of his misery *.
Enraged, Marshall howls repeatedly
"You took him from me... You took him from me... You took him from me..." as Sarah screams in horror at all she has seen and endured.
The film was released in England as WITCHFINDER GENERAL where the historical events were better known, while in the U.S. the Poe connection was made and several shots of topless tavern wenches were excised. .
The motion picture drew some very positive reviews as well as attacks by critics for its perceived Sadism. It did decent box office and is highly regarded to this day by film scholars and by fans of Vincent Price in particular.
Sadly, its 25 year old director, who suffered from depression, died shortly thereafter in 1969 from either an accidental or purposeful overdose of sleeping pills combined with alcohol (ironically only 9 days after Boris Karloff died). How much like a Poe character, or even Poe himself! He had been in discussion to direct THE OBLONG BOX (which Price did for director Gordon Hessler) and “Implosion” by Richard Matheson (which was never made, though was probably the genesis for Cy Enfield’s DeSADE).
When the film was released onto VHS BY ORION (who had purchased the AIP library), it and several other AIP films had their scores replaced by synthesizer scores by Kendall Schmidt**. While not a bad score in and of itself, it was wrong for WITCHFINDER GENERAL, lacking the power of Paul Ferris’ orchestral masterwork, and the synth sound made the film seem somehow cheap. Luckily, the score has been restored, along with several cut nude bits, when in 2003 Metrodome released a special edition in the U.K. (now out of print).
The print was supposedly still not complete, but MGM(now the owners of the film) has a fully restored master available (along with an uncut print of the other classic Tigon witch finder classic, BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW). That said, with MGM being sold and resold, at this point there is no set date when if ever these titles will be released. Hopefully, MGM will keep the extras from the METRODOME print, which included a Theatrical Trailer (2:27), a featurette on director Reeves, a still gallery, and a music video by the heavy metal group Cathedral called “Matthew Hopkins” which features clips from the film.
*- In real life, Hopkins, after being denounced, retired and died comfortably in his bed.
**-Some of the others to suffer music editing by were DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN ,which, to avoid paying for the royalties of OVER THE RAINBOW, replaced it with another section of music from the film, ruining the final gag ,and the film SCREAM & SCREAM AGAIN lost it’s title song played during a discotechque scene.!).Luckily all have been restored.
-KEVIN G SHINNICK
(Kevin G. Shinnick is a writer (Scarlett Magazine) and an actor (The Death of Poe))
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