This was big. This was huge! After declining invitations to the 25th Anniversary Convention (2003) and 30 Years of Terror (2008), fans wondered if it would ever happen. In 2012, there was the gasp heard around the globe - Jamie Lee Curtis, The Scream Queen, the most sought after guest for a Halloween convention, announced she was making her first (and only) appearance at HorrorHound Weekend. The closest I had gotten to her previously was waiting in the crowd at The 1999 Golden Globe Awards. How she wasn't nominated for Halloween: H20 is beyond me...
I bought some Elmer's glue and lathered my computer chair with it the day tickets went on sale. I was not going to miss this opportunity. Taking place in Indianapolis at The Marriott, fans were able to get two items signed and an optional photo op with Jamie Lee Curtis with all proceeds would be donated to LA's Children's Hospital. Just her presence was enough, but other guests were soon announced from all of The Scream Queens' horror movies - Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween: H20 (1998), Terror Train, Prom Night and The Fog (1980). A Q&A would follow a day of signing...
Saturday, for me, was the main event. After months of agonizing over what to get signed, I decided on my Halloween and The Fog script cover pages...
Fans were called in groups based on their ticket numbers and played musical chairs until reaching the stage. It took hours, like a dental record positive ID, but was totally worth it. And there was some nice reading material while you waited...
I was tongue tied as I finally reached her. It all went by so quickly. I stared in awe as she signed my stuff. She noticed my Debra Hill autograph and made sad face. She smiled at me and I exited stage left. If I smoked, I would've had a cigarette. Major bucket list item checked off...
If that wasn't enough, it was time for my close up with The Scream Queen...
After a long day of signing, rumors circulated that the Q&A would not be happening since things ran way over. But Jamie Lee Curtis did not disappoint and gave a speech and answered some questions...
The organizers behind HorrorHound went above and beyond and made a dream come true for hundreds of fans. It was truly a once in a lifetime event. For those who couldn't make it, an amazing documentary appeared the following year on the 35th Anniversary DVD for Halloween. And speaking of 35th Anniversaries, fans started to wonder if another convention was on the horizon...
Related Locations:
Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween III: Season of The Witch (1982), Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998), Halloween (2007), Halloween II (2009), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), Halloween Ends (2022), Halloween: 25 Years of Terror Convention (2003), Halloween: 30 Years of Terror (2008), Halloween: 35 Years of Terror (2013), Halloween: 40 Years of Terror (2018), Halloween: 45 Years of Terror Convention (2023)
Brian, I've been at most of these events. H30, JLC HorrorHound, and Friday the 13th. Are you going to H40?
ReplyDeleteHi Haywood. Yes, I will be at H40!
DeleteAwesome! I hope to see you there! Did you get VIP?
ReplyDelete