7:30 A.M. - A quick shower and then it was down to the first floor for the continental breakfast.  Ray H.,  Ray B. and Greg Bear were already there in the throws of conversation.  I grabbed a Danish and a cup of coffee and sat in on the discussion.  Much of it surrounded the benefits and woes of modern technology, which allowed both Ray's to go back and talk about their own childhood beginnings and ends.  I began to wish that I had brought a tape recorder with me to record these conversations.  The rest of the morning was spent quietly at the hotel and at noon the events of the day really began.  The Crawford Car Caravan was once again arranged as we headed for the Strategic Air Command Museum.  Bruce took us by the Indian Hills theater to show us that the KONG balloon was now in place on the theater's roof and then it was off to S.A.C. The next hours were spent in a tour of the Museum with a truly informed guide.  There was no memorized speech here.  He spoke with passion and articulation turning the massive inanimate objects into nearly living things.  I was amazed at his frank discussion of Roswell while Ray Harryhausen questioned him about the possibility of flying saucers.  Another monumental event and the Kong premiere hadn't even started.  Now it was back to the hotel and time to don the tuxes for the premiere.  It was about this time that I became aware of a hulking presence and learned that his name was Sam Calvin.  The only excuse I have for not recognizing the name must have been due to the staggering events that had already taken place and were still ahead of us.  It was only while sitting in the lobby when I heard someone mention SFXRH that I realized who he was.  I couldn't see how the event could get any better but then I hadn't been to the theater yet.

6:30 - I arrived at the theater to mill about with the other movie guests and patrons who anxiously awaited the arrival of the stretch limousine that would bring the guests of honor.  I was hundreds of miles from my small home-town of Ono, PA and was very comfortable in staying in the background when something totally unexpected happened.  One of the many fans who had turned out for the event came over to me and said "Aren't you Jim Rodkey with the Ray Harryhausen Web Page?"  I was startled and flattered.  I was aware that thousands had trafficked the site but I really hadn't expected Harryhausen fans to have checked out my personal home page and then be able to recognize me in the midst of all of this. He told me that he had travelled here by car with his wife and daughter because he saw the web page that helped announce this event.  We smiled, exchanged email addresses and some small talk and I relocated myself to another part of the theater lobby.  Then it happened again.  During the course of the night I exchanged email addresses with over 20 people.  We talked about favorite Harryhausen films, favorite scenes and foundest memories and experiences on seeing his films.  Each time I witnessed the glimmer of youth dance through their eyes as they talked about these films.  The guests of honor arrived and everyone was ushered into the theater.  All 800 of us. Tim Neal took the microphone to begin the nights event.  Bruce was then introduced and he took the mike to  begin the introduction of the films and the guests of honor for the event.  Greg Bear took the center stage first.  Taking the time to point out that Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury  and Forrest J Ackerman were all Sons of Kong since the movie moved them drastically into their respective fields.  He continued explaining that he too was a Son Of Kong and than spoke of his son Eric, who was also at the event as a member of the newest generation that was also producing Son's Of Kong. He went on to explain that there really were no Grandchildren of Kong only Sons Of Kong.  He was absolutely right.  If you've never seen KING KONG, just getting the information passed on to you isn't enough.  You have to get it from Kong himself.  Forry appeared next, bringing his Willis O'Brien "CROW" up to the lectern with him.  Once again he told his story about the model and it was so much better the second time.  He shared Kong memories and then turned the mike back over to Bruce who began his introduction of Ray Harryhausen.  As Ray rose from his seat to approach the microphone, the audience stood with him and amid a rousing standing ovation I began to feel my throat constrict and my eyes began to tear.  This man had given so much of his own life's blood to make us believe that there really were flying saucers, that skeletons can really come to life and more importantly, never to venture to the Isle of Collossa unless you have a very large crossbow.  Now as he stood before this crowd they were saying thank you with their applause as loudly as their hands would allow them.  Ray spoke of the importance of Kong in his own life and how each of the many giant monster films to follow owed an extreme debt to an 18 inch model who turned into the 8th wonder of the word.  Once again Bruce returned to the microphone to introduce Ray Bradbury and once again the crowd rose to their feet thanking another innovator who moved so many of use to dream even deeper than we ever thought we were capable of.  As Ray B.'s boisterous voice filled the auditorium the audience sparked with the creative genius that stood before them as he spoke of his own childhood and Kong's impact closing with a disparaging remark about the new Godzilla that brought thunderous applause from his captive audience.  Outside the theater it was now dark and the sky was illuminated with search lights drawing attention to the Kong Event.  On the roof the theater the Giant Kong balloon danced in the wind joining the celebration inside.  On the stage, a group of Omaha teens and young men, the Herzog/Newman Dancers had now commandeered the stage.  Each dressed in native costume as another young man played jungle drums and manipulated native instruments. The audience was treated a stunning dance routine that surely caused Sid Graumen to look down from the heavens and send his blessing with a smile down upon the Indian Hills Theater in Omaha Nebraska.  Then the stage was cleared and the curtains opened, and opened and opened revealing the largest screen that I have ever seen.  65+ feet of screen in fact as the theater darkened and the beginnings of Max Steiner's luscious Kong score filled the theater.  The audience applauded as Max Steiner, Willis O'Brien, Merian C. Copper and Ernest B. Scheodsack took their place alongside Sid Grauman and once again a Bruce Crawford event was blessed from the heavens.  The print was beautifully restored and by the time Fay Wray declared "We're Off"  I'd almost forgotten that I'd seen this film over 200 times.   Carried away once again by the magic of King Kong.  All too soon the movie was over and the crowd that was comfortably seated in the theater now began to fill the lobby taking there places across from the table of guests of honors to await and handshake, a smile and an autograph.  Each and everyone were given their requests and once again the guests of honor became servants.  They had already given us so much and were willing to sit and give us their own time, kindness and sheer gracious smiles as one by one the crowd ushered by.  Without complaint these men sat and signed books, laserdiscs, videos, pictures and a beautiful poster created by Mike Hansen for the event.  As this phenomenal King Kong tribute wound down I made my escape back to the hotel to sit down and soak my feet.  I turned on the TV only to discover that TNT and Joe Bob Briggs were delighting audience with WHEN DINOSAUR RULED THE EARTH and PREHISTORIC WOMEN.  Earlier in the day young Eric Bear had worn a T-shirt declaring the Kong had died for our sins.  As I caught the last few minutes of  WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH, I was reminded of Eric's shirt and uttered aloud "WHAT HATH KONG WROUGHT!"  Slipping into a comfortable pair of shorts and sneakers I made my way back down to the lobby and found that everyone had just recently returned.  The gathering quickly broke up as the weary guests returned to their rooms, certain perhaps that the indentation in their finger  from signing autographs might never go away.  I got to speak briefly with Bruce and Mike Beacom again as we recalled the events of the night. In spite of one couple's unjustified complaint, the entire event was an unmitigated success.  By 1:30 I was back in my hotel room in the comfort of the air-conditioning as Martine Beswick filled my TV set with the lustful images of PREHISTORIC WOMEN.  Thinking back on the night's events, it was my turn to smile as I quickly drifted off to sleep.

MAY 31

8:00 A.M. -  I made my way into the shower, with the previous events taking it's toll.  I was tired,  certainly not from physical exertion but by the sheer emotional drain of the event.  I slipped on a pair of jeans and a polo shirt and went down for Breakfast.  Everyone was seated in a side room and I joined them.  The conversation began about the previous nights events and soon turned to the world events of today.  An in depth discussion broke out and soon the emotional drain that I had felt previously slipped away.  What real Sci-Fi (sorry Harlan but THANK YOU FORRY!!!) doesn't live for the opportunity to get into a discussion that deals with the pathway  to tomorrow?  I had seen the glimmer of sparkle in Greg Bear's eyes a few times over the weekend but not like this morning.  His passion for debate on speculation of the future based on only the information we have at present surfaced.  Being afforded hindsight I realize now that in lesser hands an argument may have followed but he was clearly in control of the session allowing each of us to offer our own speculation and then forcing us to THINK about what we said.  Where in the Hell was this guy when I needed him as a teacher in High school?  I had only read Blood Music by him, which I really enjoyed,  and was aware that he had written other books, but with so many books and so little time I must now apologize and put away my Koontz, King and Barker for a while to forget horror to return to good science speculation. The conversation ended as we learned of the days plans. For now we were free and we formed our own caravan to head to the Borders and Barnes and Nobles bookstores. After checking out the reduced books I made my way back to science fiction section to see Greg Bear autographing his books that were sitting on the shelf and then replacing them.  I picked up DINOSAUR SUMMER (which I highly recommend to any Harryhausen fan since it places him in an alternate universe where THE LOST WORLD was real and dinosaurs have been reduced to circus entertainment-I won't tell you more, you have to read this book to truly enjoy what it offers) and I also picked up SLANT, a book he had already inspired me to read because of the morning's discussion.  It was lunch time now and Forry suggested that we go to Denny's.  I could have hugged him on the spot.  I enjoy going out to eat in an atmospheric surrounding as much as most people, but I love the informal environment of Denny's.  We managed to get our own little room in the restaurant and as we ate, Greg Bear's ability to make us think sprang into the second half of the discussion.  This time it moved to religion, perhaps the most personal topic to debate.  Again, under most circumstances a discussion like this could quickly degenerate into an argument, but it was not the case.  I couldn't remember the last time that I had been so invigorated by discussion.  It was now back to the hotel where we could all relax in preparation for a pizza party at Jeff Peterson's house.  It was during this time that I began to really relate to Sam Calvin.  He had brought his son and daughter to the event and I was thrilled at the way they admired their father's blind passion for movies the likes of CURSE OF THE FACELESS MAN.  He was truly a man after my own heart, or, as he put it-we were cut from the same mold.  I had missed my own children a bit but being confronted by children who understood their father's passion made me miss my own children all the more.

4:00 - We arrived at Jeff Peterson's beautiful home filled with fantastic gargoyles, paintings and atmosphere.  We were instantly made to feel at home.  Their were pictures being taken and laughter filling the rooms and halls as the new MARCO POLO release of the KING KONG score played in the background.  At one point during the evening Forry was sitting on a couch and Rachel, Sam's daughter was sitting on the floor with an angelic look on her face as Forry began to spin is own magic of storytelling.  Sharing of himself to the young girl before him.  For a moment I wished that it had been me at her age sitting before Forry as he recounted memories of Peter Cushing, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre.  Looking back into her eyes I felt certain that she understood who this man really was.  More than just the man who gave the world FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, but a man who allowed his passion for movies to become his life.  An opportunity few are afforded.  After all, isn't Forry the penultimate fan?  And a fan who has been gracious enough to share his love of what he does with the world.  He hasn't come into our world riding on the coat-tails of others, stealing their thunder to shed light on himself.  Instead he has been the one to gather us all together and say-"See what this person has done."  Giving us a glimpse into a world we might otherwise have missed.  Never stopping and proclaiming with Ferry-tale delusion (NO THAT ISN"T A TYPO, MR FERRY)  to be someone he isn't.  The evening seemed to be winding down a bit and then something happened to me that caused my heart to  once again leap into my throat.  Mike Beacom told me that Jeff was on the internet and they were going to logon to THE FANTASTIC FILMS OF RAY HARRYHAUSEN so Ray could experience the site.  My palms were sweaty as I typed in my URL (mis-typing it because I was so nervous).  Suddenly the spotlight was on me.  The page opened and I sensed approval.  He worked his way around the site with the mouse looking at as much as he could.  "Oh, you have some of my sketches here!"  Ray proclaimed as I swallowed hard.  With enthusiasm in his voice I heard Greg Bear say "And anyone, anywhere in the world can go to the site and download these pictures to their own computer!"  I was certain that Ray didn't really fully comprehend the implication at first but he was pleased with the fact that, with the touch of a button he had become accessible to fans all over the world.  I cannot express in words, how this made me feel.  As he scrolled down a page, he caught the link to my Bernard Herrmann Page and opened it.  Lucy was standing behind us and expressed appreciation the I had "taken the time to honor Benny".  I was flattered and embarrassed and wished that I could have expressed to them that this wall all just my own very small contribution and that it was really my way of saying thank you to these people who had filled my nights with so many dreams and a few nightmares-all of which I have been eternally grateful for.  The site was not about what I had done at all, it was about what they had done for me!  The night came to and end and as I rode back to the hotel in the car with Sam and his children our conversation once again turned to our own "guilty pleasures" in the genre and memories of times when you loaded up the car to catch the latest horror flick in the privacy of your own vehicle.  The day could not have ended more perfectly.

JUNE 1

I slept in late today, missing the Harryhausen's departure.  I never heard the alarm clock.  I got dressed, packed up my things to get ready for my own departure and then went down to the lobby.  It was quite this morning as I guess we all were aware that the physicality of the event was almost over, but there were the memories.  Sam and I agreed to meet at the MONSTER BASH later in June.  Forry and Lucy had to leave for the airport and I, once again, had the opportunity to tag along.  I had spoken to him about the Monster Bash, and when it was time to leave him we shook hands and said that he would see me there.  I felt my knees buckle.  I said my goodbye to Lucy as well.  For some reason that perhaps only the gods themselves will understand, she had profoundly affected me.  Even now as I type this simply remembering saying goodbye I am affected emotionally.  If there is a god who allows angels to touch our souls, that god allowed her to touch mind.  She is truly a remarkable lady. By 6:00 I was at the airport with Bruce.  We grabbed Burgers at the airport Burger King and I thanked him for allowing me the privledge of witnessing this event that he so beautifully managed to put together.  Since I've never seen the other film events first hand that Bruce put together I had no reference to compare it against, only my own experience.  I had never seen anything like this.  He had allowed me the privilege of going behind the scenes and seeing the event behind the event.  And whether he realized or not, he gave me a glimpse into his own soul as he allowed his passion for these events to pour out on others, physically draining him more and more as each day passed.  Now I stood before a very tired man.  Bruce obviously does this because he loves it.  And because he truly loves this, it isn't about what it does for him as far as personal recognition or status in his community.  Like Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, Forry Ackerman and Greg Bear, he loves this so much that he has to share it with everyone.  He simply has no choice, for to turn his back on these events, he would have to deny who he really is.  For me, it was all over now with the exception of the return flight.  Or so I thought,  my plane arrived in Baltimore at 12:46 and by 1:00 Tuesday morning I was on my way back to a little town called Ono in Pennsylvania.  At 3:45 I walked through the door of my own home and collapsed into my recliner.  But, being the internet obsessed fool that I am, I sat down in front of my computer and logged on to the internet to catch up on my email.  Over the 4 days I was in Omaha 37 messages had stockpiled in my internet email, there were more but thanks to a spam filter I don't have to bother with most of those.  10 of the 37 messages were from people who had attended the event and they all read pretty much the same.  A total appreciation for what Bruce has done.  Perhaps the message I got from Bob Coates, a program director of a public radio station in Omaha, sums it all up:

To see Mr. Harryhausen's "Gorilla of My Dreams" on the huge Cinerama
screen at Omaha's Indian Hills Theatre has to be a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. As a lot of people I talked to Saturday night were saying,
"Bruce has done it again!"

I really enjoyed and appreciated your website. The only thing left to
say is "What is Bruce going to do next?"

If you've managed to read through this entire page, you deserve pictures of the event.  Click here to go to the pictures!!!

A video documentary of the Kong Event has been prepared.  For more info, CLICK HERE.

There are a few Commemorative Art posters for the event still available.  Click here for more information.

Click Here to go to THE OFFICIAL OMAHA FILM EVENT site.

| Profile | Image Gallery | Filmography | Text Archive | Misc. | King Kong Event|

---

Please e-mail and let me know what you think. I'm open to any comments or suggestion that you think would help this page.
send email to Jim Rodkey.

---