Some horror film fans own posters, or lobby cards, or props, and others collect autographs. But few have in their collection anything equal to...
Note: Wes Shank is a horror movie fan and a collector of movie props who has one of the best props imaginable...the actual "Blob" from the 1958 slithering-goo flick The Blob. Wes, who will exhibit "The Blob" at next month's Monster Bash" kindly consented to answer some questions about his prized possession. HORROR-WOOD: First of all, please tell me about yourself. What a nice guy like you doing with a big "Blob" like that? WES SHANK: It was "love at first fright!" I have been a collector of horror, science fiction and fantasy memorabilia since the early 60's. The pages of Famous Monsters of Filmland opened up new and exciting worlds to me. At the time, I was an avid reader of science fiction stories, but Forry Ackerman's fascinating magazine educated me to the world of cinema. Soon afterwards, I began to purchase my first movie posters, and my collection has continued to grow to this day.
HW: How did you begin collecting movie memorabilia, such as props? WS: I was fortunate that a local theater would run a full double feature matinee every Saturday afternoon. Often, the theater would screen horror and science fiction films from the Fifties. It was a great opportunity to view these films on a large screen. I was always the oldest and tallest one in line, but I didn't care. And then, one fateful afternoon in 1965, one of the two features they showed was The Blob. I really enjoyed seeing this unusual monster film, and it was in color, which was rare for a Fifties monster flick. I noticed in the credits that it was made by Valley Forge Films, and since I lived close to Valley Forge, PA, at the time, I wondered if there was any connection. When I got back home from the theater, I dug out the local phone book and looked up Valley Forge Films. To my surprise, it was listed! I soon called and asked if it were at all possible to tour the film studio, and was told yes. I made arrangements to do so soon afterwards.
HW: How did you hear about the availability of "The Blob," and who did you purchase it from? WS: The man who gave me the tour of Valley Forge Films was none other than Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr., the director of The Blob. I was shown the various offices, editing rooms, screening room and so on of the main building. From there, we went outside to several other buildings which were used for sound stages. During the course of this walk, Mr. Yeaworth pointed out a black five-gallon can, seemingly long forgotten in a dark corner. He told me the material used for the Blob was in it. He slowly opened the can, and there it was, in all of its blood red glory, the one and only world famous movie monster. The bucket was not full. It consisted of only about two gallons worth of material. Mr. Yeaworth quickly explained that what made the "Blob" appear so large on screen was the use of miniature sets. HW:. Why did you decide to take custody of "The Blob"--and what did your family and friends think? WS: When I arrived back home after the tour, my head was spinning. It had not only been my first tour of any sort of film making facility, but to see the "Blob" in person was a real thrill. I constantly kept thinking about the "Blob" just sitting there in storage in a dark corner and feared that perhaps one day it would be thrown out. I didn't want that to happen. So after several weeks, I phoned Mr. Yeaworth and asked him if he would consider selling it to me to add to my rapidly growing collection. He hesitated, but eventually we agreed upon a price. It took me several weeks to raise the cash, and in November, 1965, I purchased it. Mr. Yeaworth even included in the deal one of the actual miniature sets and a rare copy of the actual shooting script. Most of my family didn't seem particularly thrilled at the time. I suspect that they thought that I had gone a little crazy to put out big bucks for a bucket of red goop. My film friends were more understanding.
HW: The big question--do you know what "The Blob" is made from? WS: The"Blob" is made of silicone. At the time, silicone was made by Union Carbide. It comes naturally clear, which is the way you first see it in the film when it crashes to earth in a meteor and splits open. It did not begin to turn blood red until it began to absorb the old man who discovered it. HW: Do you have any original production history on "The Blob" to share with us? WS: The film was shot during the summer of 1957. It was Steve McQueen's third feature film, but his first starring role. He was paid about $5,000 for his appearance in a film that he thought would be quickly forgotten. The film was sold to Paramount Pictures, which was looking for a film to release on a double bill with I Married A Monster From Outer Space. The Blob cost about $125,000 to make, and took in nearly eight million dollars. Not bad for 60 cents a ticket. HW: Not bad at all! What's your opinion of the original film "The Blob"? What do you think of the sequels? WS: The original Blob is one of my "guilty pleasures." It holds strong interest for me as it was made in Pennsylvania, and not Hollywood as most people think. It used local people and places, such as The Downingtown Diner in Downingtown, PA, and the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA, for various locations. These "landmarks" still exist and I have had the Blob on public display at these locations several times over the years for various events. The sequels just don't have the same innocent charm of the original movie.
HW: Do you think the world is ready for another "Blob" sequel? WS: I have no doubt that there will be another Blob feature film somewhere down the road. Hollywood is always doing remakes of famous films, trying to cash in on the fame of the original. HW: You're displaying "The Blob" at the Monster Bash in June. Do you have any special plans on displaying it? WS: It will be available for everyone to see it in person and have their picture taken alongside it. I will have have a Polaroid camera available along with specially designed "Blob"-type frames to hold the photos. Color 8x10s will be available of the "Blob" along with several other mementos currently in the works. My wife Judi and I look forward to meeting other Blob fans. Thanks, Wes! We look forward to meeting you and "The Blob" at the Monster Bash. Cheers! Article copyright Joe "Renfield" Meadows. "Blob" photos are the property of Wes Shank. |
