George A. Romero Films
George A.Romero & Zombies!
Out of many of the conventions that I have been to over the years the 'Weekend of The Dead' convention held in Manchester (UK) is one of the very best. Dedicated to the work & films of George A.Romero it is a treasure trove for fans and enthusiasts of the genre.
I have been to several over the years and have met many of the stars of 'Night of The Living Dead' (1968 & the 1990 remake), 'Dawn of The Dead' (1978) & 'Day of The Dead' (1985).
The stars and people associated with these wonderful films are always keen to chat to you about the films, their memories and the legacy that George left the world of horror.
It really is both surreal and quite wonderful meeting the stars of these films and seeing the legacy that these films have left even all these years later. All together now....
"They're coming to get you Barbra!"....
Above: Russ & I at the 'Weekend of The Dead' convention in Manchester in February 2020
Above: Russ as 'Johnny' in George A Romero's 'Night of The Living Dead' (1968)
Russ Streiner
Russ Streiner is best known for his role as 'Johnny' in what is probably the best zombie movie ever made - 'Night of The Living Dead' (1968).
Always happy to meet fans and chat all things 'zombie' he is also one of the nicest chaps that I have ever met. Having met him originally a few years ago I had the chance to meet him again at the 'Weekend of The Dead' event in Manchester in February 2020.
He told me during our last meeting how his infamous driving gloves from the movie sadly deteriorated some time ago but how a fan and glove maker in Europe actually made him an identical pair which he still takes to conventions with him to this day! Having worked with and been close to George A. Romero all his life he was bequeathed, amongst other possessions, George's sunglasses when George sadly passed away in 2017 (which he also brought with him!).
He also went onto produce the remake of 'Night of The Living Dead' in 1990, an updated version of the original but with the same plot and a lot of the original cast and crew
associated with the film.
Tom Savini
Tom Savini has done it all. ..He is a director, producer, actor, stuntman and 'The Master' of horror special 'FX'.
I've met Tom a few times over the years and I am always a bit in awe when I meet him. He was behind the special effects on such classics as 'Dawn of The Dead' (1978), 'Day of The Dead' (1985) , the remake of 'Night of The Living Dead' (1990) as well as such cult films as 'Creepshow' ( 1982) & 'Creepshow 2' (1987).
Out of all of his work I
think my favourite has to be the 'FX' on 'Day of The Dead' and the 'Creepshow' films. I remember
when I
first watched 'Day of The Dead' trying to figure out how they had done the effects (or if it was real?!) that is testament to the talent of this guy. Savini served as a combat photographer during the Vietnam War. He explained how this set him up for a career in 'FX' - "When I was in Vietnam I was a combat photographer. My job was to shoot images of damage to machines and to people. Through my lens, I saw some hideous stuff. To cope with it, I guess I tried to think of it as special effects. Now, as an artist, I just think of creating the effect within the limitations we have to deal with".
Tom runs the Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen, Pennsylvania.
Right: Tom & I in 2018; Far Right: My signed Blu-ray of 'Creepshow 2' (1987)
John A. Russo
John A. Russo is one of the legends of zombie horror. He was the original writer of two of my favourite 'zombie' films - 'Night of The Living Dead' (1968), where he also played the 'Tyre Iron Zombie' in the same film, and 'The Return of The Living Dead' (1985).
John AMPLAS
John Amplas has starred in several George Romero films from 'Dawn of The Dead' (1978) to 'Day of The Dead' (1985). One of my favourite performances from John was as the zombie 'Nathan' in the first 'Creephsow' film (1982) in the segment 'Father's Day'. I had the opportunity to meet up with John again at the 'Weekend of The Dead' convention in February 2020. He had brought along with him some 'action figures' as himself as the zombie from 'Creepshow' and so naturally I had to have one! He also signed it for me with the tag line "I want my cake!" . I have followed John and kept in touch via Facebook for a few years now and as well as a true icon of horror he is also a rather good painter!
Above Left: John and I at the 'Weekend of The Dead' convention in Manchester, UK in February 2020, Above Centre: John as 'Nathan' the zombie corpse in the segment from 'Creepshow' (1982) 'Father's Day', Above Right: My 'Creepshow' signed figure signed by John Amplas.
Weekend of the dead - 2020
It was quite brilliant to meet other cast members and the people associated with the films of George A. Romero, including his wife,
Christine Romero, who had also worked in some of the films. She added her autograph to my 'Day of The Dead' film book (although she said that she had never seen it before nor had she been sent a
copy!) However, she was impressed at how comprehensive the book was and how much work had gone into it (she also took a photograph of it herself so that she could try and source a
copy from the author!).
It was also great to meet
Terry Alexander who played 'John' in 'Day of The Dead' (1985) and hardly looked any different! However, an absolute 'treat' was to meet
Mark Tierno who was also in full 'Beef Treats' zombie makeup as he appeared in the original 'Day of The Dead' film!
Left: George A, Romero's wife, Christine Romero & I, Centre: From 'Day of The Dead' the wonderful Terry Alexander & I, Right: Mark Tierno in full 'Beef Treats' zombie get up!
Weekend of the dead - 2018
A gallery of the special guests from the world of Romero films that I met at the 'Weekend of The Dead' event in 2018.
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