The Cthulhu Mythos Convention
August 20-22, 1993
Danvers, Massachusetts
At the Sheraton Tara Hotel & Resort

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Guests of Honor

Special Guest of Honor:	Robert Bloch
Artist Guest of Honor:	Gahan Wilson

Convention Committee Members

Sam Gafford, Franklin Hummel, Ron Johnson, Marc A. Michaud, and Joan C. Stanley.

Program Participants

Douglas A. Anderson, Scott David Aniolowski, Steve Behrends, Donald R. Burleson, Peter Cannon, Don D’Ammassa, Stefan Dziemianowicz, Jason Conrad Eckhardt, Ken Faig, Sam Gafford, Norm Gayford, Matt Goodman, Faye Ringel Hazel, Keith Herber, Franklin Hummel, Ron Johnson, S.T. Joshi, J. Todd Kingrea, Robert H. Knox, Allen Koszowski, Steven J. Mariconda, M. Eileen McNamara, Marc A. Michaud, W.H. Mueller, Bob Murch, Will Murray, Robert M. Price, Kevin A. Ross, David E. Schultz, Darrell Schweitzer, Joan Stanley, Gary Sumpter, John Tynes, Hubert Van Calenbergh, and Stanley Wiater.

Commentaries

• NecronomiCon 1st Edition Convention Report by Friday Jones

Programming Schedule

Friday, August 20, 1993

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Dealers’ Room (Camelot and King Edward)

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Art Show (King Richard)

Evening
Time	Longford (A/V Room)	King Henry
7:00 PM	Promos See trailers for the upcoming line-up from Full Moon Entertainment, including their version of The Lurking Fear. Also being shown is a demo/trailer for Necronomicon (the film) which will be released in early 1994 by August Entertainment. 7:15 – The Maze (1953) While not directly inspired by Lovecraft, this fascinating film offers more Lovecraftian mood than many more recent efforts to come from Hollywood.
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
8:30 PM	8:45 – “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper” (originally broadcast 7 January 1943; audio) This rare radio adaptation of Robert Bloch’s classic story was his first introduction to a nationwide audience. Excerpted from The Kate Smith Hour (believe it or not).
9:00 PM	Torture Garden (1967) Screenplay by Robert Bloch based upon four of his stories, and directed by Freddie Francis.
9:30 PM
10:00 PM		Welcome to Arkham Country! An introduction to the fictional towns and locations in the Mythos and their real-life counterparts. [Jason Eckhardt, Kenneth Faig, Faye Ringel Hazel (Moderator), Will Murray]
10:30 PM	10:45 – Re-Animator (1985; unrated) The very popular, and very loose, adaptation of Lovecraft’s “Herbert West—Reanimator.”
11:00 PM		A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Lovecraft A discussion group to introduce the novice on what to look for, and what to pay, when purchasing rare and unusual Lovecraftian items. [Kenneth Faig, Stefan Dziemianowicz (Moderator), Marc A. Michaud]
11:30 PM
12:00 M	12:15 – Bride of Reanimator (1990; unrated) The popular sequel to Reanimator, which follows-up the original film and story.
12:30 AM
1:00 AM
1:30 AM

Saturday, August 21, 1993

9:30 AM to 6:00 PM – Dealers’ Room (Camelot and King Edward)

9:30 AM to 6:00 PM – Art Show (King Richard)

Morning
Time	Grand Tara II	King Henry	Longford (A/V Room)	Wexford
9:00 AM			Dimension X: “Almost Human” (originally broadcast 13 May 1950; audio) Original story by Robert Bloch; radio adaptation by George Lefferts.
9:30 AM			Star Trek: “Wolf in the Fold” (originally broadcast 22 December 1967) Original teleplay by Robert Bloch for one of the best science fiction television series.
10:00 AM	The Work of Robert Bloch What did Robert Bloch do before Psycho? And what has he done since? Shower jokes not withstanding. A discussion of the life and works of NecronomiCon’s Special Guest of Honor. [Scott David Aniolowski, Don D’Ammassa (Moderator), Robert Price, Gahan Wilson]	An Introduction to H.P. Lovecraft Exactly who was Howard Phillips Lovecraft? What was he like as an individual? A panel for those who know of Lovecraft’s writings but know little about the man, as well as for those who want to better understand another person’s interest in Lovecraft. [Peter Cannon (Moderator), Kenneth Faig, M. Eileen McNamara]		An Introduction to Call of Cthulhu What is Call of Cthulhu? What is a role-playing game? This panel will attempt to explain for those who do not know—or perhaps are misinformed—as to what exactly happens in a role-playing game, and how a Call of Cthulhu game is a shared story-telling experience. [Keith Herber, Kevin Ross, Gary Sumpter (Moderator)]
10:30 AM			Attack of the Mushroom People (1963) William Hope Hodgson done Japanese style. Also known as Matango.
11:00 AM	The Work of Gahan Wilson Does this man really draw what he sees? A discussion of the artistic and literary creations of NecronomiCon’s Artist Guest of Honor. [Robert Bloch, Darrell Schweitzer (Moderator), Stanley Wiater]	Legitimizing Lovecraftian Scholarship/Legitimizing Call of Cthulhu Are those working to gain respect for Lovecraft in academic circles creating a snobbish attitude toward a popular enjoyment of Lovecraft? Does Call of Cthulhu somehow cheapen Lovecraft and his works? In this panel, both sides explain the positive aspects of their own efforts. [Scott David Aniolowski, Franklin Hummel (Moderator), Kevin Ross, S.T. Joshi, Steven Mariconda]		The Untold Near-Eastern Lore in Lovecraft By means of etymological and linguistic analyses, German author W.H. Mueller will demonstrate the genuineness of the Mythos-pattern in its proto-Mesopotamian and Mesopotamian planes. [W.H. Mueller]
11:30 AM

Afternoon
Time	Essex	Grand Tara II	King Henry	King James	Longford (A/V Room)	Wexford
12:00 N		What Exactly is the “Cthulhu Mythos”? The Cthulhu Mythos? The Derleth Mythos? The Yog-Sothoth Cycle of Myth? The Cthulhu Cycle Deities? The Lovecraft Mythos? And how DO you pronounce ‘Cthulhu’? Is there a Mythos at all? If so, what is it? Hear the experts debate! [Keith Herber, S.T. Joshi, Marc A. Michaud (Moderator), Will Murray, Robert Price]	Drawing the Undescribable Mythos stories often only hint at the ‘cosmic horror’ faced, leaving exact descriptions to the imagination. How can an artist portray these horrors and keep the terror? On this panel several artists explain how they approach creating Mythos-related works. [Jason Eckhardt, Sam Gafford (Moderator), Allen Koszowski, Robert Knox]		Cast a Deadly Spell (1991) The HBO original film about a private eye named Lovecraft, witchcraft, and 1940s Los Angeles.
12:30 PM
1:00 PM
1:30 PM	Painting Call of Cthulhu Miniatures Iä! What colors am I supposed to paint Nyarlathotep (in his form as an enormous monster with clawed appendages and a single, long tentacle in place of a face)? Learn from the sculptor of the official Call of Cthulhu miniatures himself what he suggests you do with his beasties. [Robert Murch]		Humor and the Mythos Is the Mythos funny? This panel will approach this idea in two ways: 1) by discussing satirical and purposely-humorous Mythos works, and 2) a discussion of whether it is possible to still write a Mythos story which is not, whether intentional or otherwise, funny. [Donald Burleson, Peter Cannon, Steven Mariconda, Darrell Schweitzer (Moderator)]		Suspense: “The Dunwich Horror” (originally broadcast 1 November 1945; audio) Only known old-time-radio adaptation of Lovecraft done on one of radio’s finest series.	Clark Ashton Smith A discussion of the literary, poetic, and artistic works of this friend of Lovecraft’s, with a possible additional focus on Smith’s own additions to and interpretations of the Mythos. [Douglas Anderson, Steve Behrends, Stefan Dziemianowicz (Moderator), David Schultz]
2:00 PM		Autograph Session: Bloch and Wilson NecronomiCon’s Guests of Honor, Robert Bloch and Gahan Wilson, sign autographs. (In order not to tire our guests, there is a limit of two items for signing per person per day.) [Robert Bloch, Gahan Wilson]			The Resurrected (1992) One of the more interesting film adaptations of Lovecraft, retelling The Case of Charles Dexter Ward in modern times and through the eyes of a private eye. Underground cavern scenes are outstanding.
2:30 PM
3:00 PM		An Interview With Gahan Wilson A one-on-one interview with Gahan Wilson. [Gahan Wilson, Stanley Wiater (Moderator)]	Lovecraft and Religious Belief Lovecraft was an atheist. Yet many of those who are fascinated and enjoy and even love the man hold deeply religious beliefs themselves. How? And why? Why do those who are religious write stories and criticism about the Mythos? What of its ‘supernatural’ aspects? [Kenneth Faig, J. Todd Kingrea, Robert Price (Moderator)]	Autograph Session: Burleson, Cannon, and Mariconda Donald Burleson, author of Lovecraft: Disturbing the Universe and other critical studies, Peter Cannon, author of Pulptime and other works, and Steven Mariconda, author of nearly 50 essays and reviews on Lovecraftian topics, sign autographs. [Donald Burleson, Peter Cannon, Steven Mariconda]
3:30 PM
4:00 PM		An Interview With Robert Bloch A one-on-one interview with Robert Bloch. [Robert Bloch, Stefan Dziemianowicz (Moderator)]	Lovecraft and History How did Lovecraft use history in his stories? Was his use of history accurate or inaccurate? How was it influenced by his own beliefs and opinions? How did Lovecraft view history, his own time, and the future? [Jason Eckhardt, Norman Gayford, Faye Ringel Hazel (Moderator), Hubert Van Calenbergh]	Autograph Session: Price and Wiater Robert Price, editor of Tales of the Lovecraft Mythos, Crypt of Cthulhu, and other works, and Stanley Wiater, editor of After the Darkness and Night Visions 7, among others, sign autographs. [Robert Price, Stanley Wiater]	Quiet, Please: “The Thing on the Fourble Board” (originally broadcast 9 August 1948; audio) While this radio horror series really has nothing to do with Lovecraft or the mythos, it’s a fine example of radio at its best; from the creator of Lights Out, Willis Cooper.
4:30 PM					Asylum (1972) Original screenplay by Robert Bloch, based on four of his stories.
5:00 PM	The Mythos Small Press There are many small specialty presses which publish Lovecraftian-related material, ranging from the scholarly to gaming. This panel is your chance to learn more about these presses, what they publish, and how you can obtain their publications. [John Tynes, Peter Cannon, Sam Gafford, Marc A. Michaud (Moderator)]		The Mythos in Film, Television, and Video “Edgar Allan Poe’s The Haunted Palace”? What happened to Lovecraft? Lovecraft and the Mythos have long been a source for movies, TV, and, more recently, video. More is coming! Why is the Good Stuff so few in number; why is the Bad stuff so Very Bad? What do we want to see? [J. Todd Kingrea, Robert Knox, Will Murray (Moderator), Stanley Wiater]			Necronomicon: The Book Before it was a convention, it was a book. (Well, sort of.) How has the Necronomicon become so famous? What are its origins? Is it based on other books which do exist? Why are some people convinced it does actually exist? [S.T. Joshi, W.H. Mueller, Joan Stanley (Moderator)]
5:30 PM

Evening
Time	King Henry	Longford (A/V Room)	Wexford
6:00 PM		6:15 – “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper” (originally broadcast 7 January 1943; audio) This rare radio adaptation of Robert Bloch’s classic story was his first introduction to a nationwide audience. Excerpted from The Kate Smith Hour (believe it or not).
6:30 PM		Caltiki, The Immortal Monster (1959) What if Lovecraft had been born in Mexico? Would he have written Mexican horror films?
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
8:00 PM	Writing For Call of Cthulhu There they are in front of you. The people who actually write Call of Cthulhu—the long-time pros, the newcomers. There to tell you How They Do It. There to tell you How You Can Do It. The moment is at hand. You await their words... [Keith Herber, Ron Johnson (Moderator), Kevin Ross, John Tynes]	Promos See trailers for the upcoming line-up from Full Moon Entertainment, including their version of The Lurking Fear. Also being shown is a demo/trailer for Necronomicon (the film) which wil be released in early 1994 by August Entertainment. 8:15 – The Curse (1987) “The Colour Out of Space,” Hollywood-style, with Wil Wheaton and Claude Akins.	A Reading by Peter Cannon A reading by Mr. Cannon of one of his stories. [Peter Cannon]
8:30 PM
9:00 PM	Players’ Suggestions for Call of Cthulhu There they are in front of you. The people who actually write Call of Cthulhu—the long-time pros, the newcomers. They have told you How They Do It. Now you can tell them How They SHOULD Do It! What do you like and dislike about CoC? What do you want to see done? [Scott David Aniolowski, Keith Herber, J. Todd Kingrea, Frank Hummel (Moderator), Kevin Ross, Gary Sumpter, John Tynes]		A Reading by Donald Burleson A reading by Mr. Burleson of one of his stories. [Donald Burleson]
9:30 PM		9:45 – The Haunted Palace (1963) The earlier Hollywood attempt at bringing The Case of Charles Dexter Ward to the screen.
10:00 PM	A Slideshow by Robert Knox A presentation by artist Robert Knox of his more unusual, or seldom-seen, artwork. [Robert Knox]		A Reading by Darrell Schweitzer A reading by Mr. Schweitzer of one of his stories. [Darrell Schweitzer]
10:30 PM
11:00 PM		11:15 – From Beyond (1986) Some say it’s better than Reanimator; others say it’s not. Decide for yourself.
11:30 PM
12:00 M
12:30 AM		12:45 – Die, Monster, Die! (1965) First film version of “The Colour Out of Space.”
1:00 AM
1:30 AM

Sunday, August 22, 1993

9:30 AM to 2:00 PM – Art Show (King Richard)

9:30 AM to 3:00 PM – Dealers’ Room (Camelot and King Edward)

Morning and Afternoon
10:00 AM to 12:00 N – Cthulhu Prayer Breakfast (Grand Tara I) Reverend Robert Price will give a ‘sermon’ on the Great Old Ones. The Lovecraft Society of New England, organizers of NecronomiCon, will also present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Bloch. (Admission to the Breakfast is by advance ticket-purchase only.) [Robert Bloch, Robert Price, Gahan Wilson]
Time	King Henry	King James	Longford (A/V Room)	Wexford
9:00 AM			The Dunwich Horror (1970) Film title says it all. And hey, how about that Sandra Dee?
9:30 AM
10:00 AM				The Style and Imagery of Lovecraft H.P. Lovecraft’s writing style is certainly the most controversial aspect of his work. It has been the target of both great praise and great criticism. Some believe his style was terrible; others believe it was wonderful. This panel will focus on Lovecraft’s style and use of imagery. [S.T. Joshi, Steven Mariconda (Moderator), David Schultz]
10:30 AM			The Columbia Workshop: “A Night at an Inn” (originally broadcast on 23 May 1937; audio) Early radio performance of one of Lord Dunsany’s more famous works. The Columbia Workshop was one of the most experimental series on radio, and this episode is a good example of its high standards.
11:00 AM	Lovecraft’s Worst Stories We admire Lovecraft’s writings, both fiction and non-fiction. He is considered, and well-deserves to be, one of the great horror authors. However, not all of his stories are necessarily good. The panelists will give their opinions which ones might be badly done, why, and why Lovecraft wrote them. [Don D’Ammassa, Jason Eckhardt (Moderator), Steven Mariconda, Will Murray]		Star Trek: “Catspaw” (originally broadcast on 27 October 1967) Original teleplay by Robert Bloch.	Writing Lovecraft’s Biography A discussion by Mr. Joshi, one of the world’s leading Lovecraftian scholars, on his biography-in-progress of H.P. Lovecraft. [S.T. Joshi]
11:30 AM
12:00 N	The Future of Call of Cthulhu What are Call of Cthulhu writers working on now? What new products can we expect to see from Chaosium, Pagan Publishing, and RAFM? What is the outlook for CoC’s future, as a game, and more? [Scott David Aniolowski, Keith Herber (Moderator), Robert Murch, Kevin Ross, Gary Sumpter]	Autograph Session: Gahan Wilson NecronomiCon’s Artist Guest of Honor, Gahan Wilson, signs autographs. (In order not to tire our guest, there is a limit of two items for signing per person per day.) [Gahan Wilson]	Night Gallery Fun and excitement with adaptations of Lovecraft’s “Pickman’s Model” and “Cool Air,” Clark Ashton Smith’s “The Return of the Sorcerer,” and “Professor Peabody’s Last Lecture.”	Leonard Cline and the Lovecraft Circle Lovecraft greatly praised the novel The Dark Chamber in his Supernatural Horror in Literature. Who was its author? This solo talk will deal with the fascinating and interesting life of Leonard Cline. [Douglas Anderson]
12:30 PM
1:00 PM	Next Time, Ramsey Campbell British author Ramsey Campbell has agreed to be the Guest of Honor for NecronomiCon, 2nd Edition (August 1995). Here is a look at this important author of horror, as a writer and a person, and his own contributions to the Mythos. [Scott David Aniolowski, Stefan Dziemianowicz (Moderator), Hubert Van Calenbergh]	Autograph Session: Robert Bloch NecronomiCon’s Special Guest of Honor, Robert Bloch, signs autographs. (In order not to tire our guest, there is a limit of two items for signing per person per day.) [Robert Bloch]
1:30 PM			The Maze (1953) While not directly inspired by Lovecraft, this fascinating film offers more Lovecraftian mood than many more recent efforts to come from Hollywood.
2:00 PM
2:30 PM