Congrats to the Winners of the 9th Annual Rondos!

Over the course of the past decade, the Rondo Hatton Awards have really become something special online. There's a reason they've been endorsed by the likes of Harry Knowles and Benicio Del Toro--they represent the coming together of fans of classic horror (and let's be honest, of all horror) in an online forum. Fans and media alike, casting their votes for their favorites in virtually every category of art and entertainment. I'm proud to vote each and every year, and also excited that this year's winners have officially been announced!

First of all, I'd be remiss if I didn't state how thrilled I am that Frankensteinia, the blog I endorsed for the Best Blog award, actually took home the Hatton bust in that category! Way to go, Pierre, and I hope this accolade brings even more visitors to your amazing corner of the horror blogosphere.

Best Film and Best TV Presentation went to Black Swan and the pilot of The Walking Dead, respectively, and I most certainly agree with both of those. I'd have to say the same for Best Classic DVD and Best Restoration, both of which went to the amazing Complete Metropolis set that just came out, featuring legendary footage that hadn't been seen in decades.

Book of the Year went to the outstanding new coffee table book, The Art of Hammer--a collection of tons of gorgeous movie posters covering the entire span of that British studio's iconic run. This is a book I happen to own, and am looking very much forward to reviewing here in The Vault in the coming weeks, so it was gratifying to see it getting this kind of recognition. A truly impressive tome, if I do say so myself (and I do.)

Rue Morgue very rightfully took home Best Magazine, but I was a little disappointed to see that their Psycho 50th anniversary cover did not win Best Cover. Still, you really can't go wrong with Basil Gogos, so I'm not going to complain too loudly about the Bela Lugosi Famous Monsters of Filmland cover that did win.

My all-time favorite con, Chiller Theatre, much to my chagrin came up short once again for Best Convention, losing to Horror Hound Weekend. The Captain and I are most certainly going to have to get out there next time and see what all the hubbub is about. I will say I was quite stoked to see that Best Fan Event went to Women in Horror Month--the brainchild of Ax Wound Magazine's Hannah Neurotica that has really taken on a life of its own. Hannah, you should be very proud of your creation!

And finally--will someone get the hint already and release Island of Lost Souls to DVD?? Every single year, it seems to win "Film Most in Need of DVD Release or Restoration". I know I vote for it each and every time. Still cannot believe this film is unavailable--and now that I think about it, The Uninvited (1944) falls into that category as well.

Anyway, enough ranting and opinionizing! If you want to check out the complete roster of winners, as well as the official Rondo press release, go here. Congratulations to all the winners, and a major thank you to the folks at the Classic Horror Film Board, for putting these awards together every year! Good show, people!