'Black Lagoon' star Julie Adams to appear

By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review

With Halloween quickly approaching, enthusiasts are no doubt already conjuring up ways to get into the holiday spirit. Members of the High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club sure are and they have come up with a spook-tacular way to do so through their upcoming Horror Book Fest.

The 2nd annual event is set to take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Courtyard Marriott, 9619 Mariposa Road in Hesperia.

Its main attraction will be an appearance by actress Julie Adams, who starred in the 1950s classic thriller, “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

“I met Julie at a horror festival in Los Angeles last year and talked to her about being a guest at our book festival,” said Michael Raff, author of the books “Shred” and “Seven Tales of Terror.” “We couldn’t be more pleased and excited that she agreed.”

Along with “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” Adams appeared in other vintage films such as “Bend in the River,” “The Private War of Major Benson,” “Mississippi Gambler,” “Bright Victory” and “Slaughter of Tenth Avenue.”

Her famous co-stars include Jimmy Stewart, Tyrone Power, Arthur Kennedy, Rock Hudson, Charlton Heston, Elvis Presley and John Wayne, to name a few. In recent years, Adams guest starred in a recurring role as Eve Simpson on the television series “Murder She Wrote.”

Adams chronicles her Hollywood film career in her memoir, “The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections from the Black Lagoon.” Raff said the 88-year-old actress will share some of those stories and also sign her book at the Horror Book Fest.

“I am thrilled to be sharing some anecdotes from the making of 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' at the Horror Book Fest,” Adams told the Apple Valley Review. “Fans are still fascinated by the 3-D aspect of the filmmaking process and how the underwater scenes were staged and photographed.

“I'll also talk about the iconic white bathing suit and how it was custom-designed for me to wear in the film by the Universal wardrobe department.”

Along with Adams, horror author/television writer E. Van Lowe, aka Sal Conte, will speak about his passion for all things horror-related. Van Lowe, who lives in Beverly Hills, also will read from a few of his best-selling novels, including “The Secrets of Love and Death” and “Never Slow Dance with a Zombie.”

“E. has been nominated for both an Emmy and an Academy Award,” said Raff. “His first paranormal novel, ‘Never Slow Dance with a Zombie,’ was a selection of The Scholastic Book Club and a nominee for an American Library Association Award. He also authored the 1980s horror classics ‘Child’s Play’ and ‘The Power.’

“We’re fortunate to have him at our event.”

Raff said he’s beyond grateful for the success he’s had with his writing career and the opportunities it has brought him, including speaking for the California Writers Club.

“I grew up liking horror and would go to the movies with my older brother and close my eyes at the scary parts,” said Van Lowe, whose resume includes writing numerous episodes of The Cosby Show. “I decided I wanted to write horror novels in college and that’s when I came up with my pseudonym, Sal Conte. I’ve sold lots of books, so I’m very thankful.”

Immediately following Adams and Van Lowe’s presentations, the festival will debut two short horror videos based on Raff’s book “Shred” and writers club member Roberta Smith’s novel “The Accordo.”

In addition, the Horror Book Fest will feature giveaways, prizes and books on sale by several local authors.

Admission to the event is $8. For more information, visit www.horrorbookfest.com or call 760-240-4822.

— L.J. Gambone is a freelance reporter for High Desert Media Group. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victorvalleyhappenings.