The good lookin', bearded gent shown in all of these photos is Sci-Fi and Fantasy fan/author Val Warren.  Back in the 1960s, Val was associate editor, writer and illustrator for the fanzine Kaleidoscope (nicknamed K'SCOPE), a publication devoted to Fantasy in film and literature.  Val's article and illustrations on The Fantastic Worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs in the debut issue created a sell-out for this independent publication.  Val was also thrilled doing the interview with Buster Crabbe, the King of Serials, for the initial issue.

Film historian Raymond Cabana, Jr. was the owner / publisher of Kaleidoscope / K'SCOPE and also was co-editor and writer. Co-editor Don Shay is now the owner and guiding force behind the critically acclaimed special fx magazine CINEFEX. And art director Michael Gross became actively involved in the motion picture industry and was associate producer of such box-office hits as GHOSTBUSTERS, TWINS and LEGAL EAGLES.

In 1964, Val won first place in Famous Monsters of Filmland's National Horror Makeup Contest.  Wearing his award-winning Wolf Man makeup, Val appeared in American International's BIKINI BEACH movie which starred teen idols Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon.  Winning second place in that monster makeup contest was Rick Baker, who became a great special effects and makeup artist, and did the makeup/monster effects in such films as MEN IN BLACK (1997), THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1996), and the BEAUTY AND THE BEAST TV show.

In 1979, Val authored the book Lost Lands, Mythical Kingdoms and Unknown Worlds (Simon and Shuster), an excursion into the realm of cinematic fantasy that featured over 300 rare stills from his personal collection.

Val is currently working on domestic chores, and has some ideas for three screenplays which he would like to author and bring to the silver screen.  He continues to be actively involved in fantasy illustration and is preparing a tome on the musical career of the late Buddy Holly.

Many thanks to Val for sharing these photos with us, which were taken in 1994 at the Bob Burns Museum.

The photos are copyright by, and are the property of, Val Warren.  This simply means that you may save a copy for your personal collection, but you don't have approval to re-use on another website, use in a book or magazine, sell to other collectors, etc.

Enjoy and remember,
Chuck Anderson
October, 1998

Sad to report that Val Warren passed away on July 25, 2011.

(Courtesy of Val Warren) Above is the original model of the rocket ship from the 1950's sci-fi classic ROCKETSHIP X-M which starred Lloyd Bridges.  On the left is Bob Burns, the owner and lucky custodian of this fabulous collection of cinematic history shown in the photos below. You can read more about Bob Burns at the following website which is dedicated to his accomplishments: http://bobburns.mycottage.com/ (Courtesy of Val Warren) Above from L-to-R: Val holding the Arab dagger used in THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL ... the original CAPTAIN MARVEL cape and tunic worn by stuntman Dave Sharpe (who doubled for star Tom Tyler) ... next is the original CAPTAIN AMERICA costume worn by Dick Purcell ... and on the far right, the jersey worn by Buster Crabbe in FLASH GORDON. (Courtesy of Val Warren) Val and the smilin' robot from Gene Autry's PHANTOM EMPIRE serial. (Courtesy of Val Warren) Above from L-to-R: The ROCKY JONES, SPACE RANGER costume ... Val holding an autographed photo of Roy Barcroft with the original costume worn by Barcroft in THE PURPLE MONSTER STRIKES ... and Kane Richmond's original shirt from SPY SMASHER. (Courtesy of Val Warren) Above from L-to-R: Val holding the helmet from Disney's ROCKETEER movie ... the original KING OF THE ROCKETMEN suit ... and the space cadet uniform from TV's ROCKY JONES, SPACE RANGER. (Courtesy of Val Warren) Val with the original KING OF THE ROCKETMEN helmet. (Courtesy of Val Warren) Two pictures above and below ... aaaah, if only we could journey backward or forward in time.  Rod Taylor did in the Hollywood version of H. G. Wells' TIME MACHINE.  Does the following apparatus look familiar ... did Val really journey backward or forward in time ... will we ever know? (Courtesy of Val Warren) Is this the grin of a satisfied time traveler ?