The Helpers' Network GAZETTE - June/July 1994
a monthly newsletter for friends of "Beauty and the Beast"

This is the news roundup from Nan Dibble and Helpers' Network. Call the Central Hotline at 513-961-3317 or the East Hotline at 201-779-6040.

$1.25 per issue x months to 12/94 to Helpers' Network, 379 Amazon Ave., Cincinnati OH 45220-1148; free to other sources of B&B information. Information here can be freely copied or shared. Advertising rates: + page, $5; 1 page $10; 2 full sides, $15.00; classifieds FREE.. E-mail beastfan if you want to place an ad in the classifieds, or if you need addresses for anything mentioned here.

Linda Hamilton
Linda Hamilton was recently in Cannes promoting her upcoming movie, Separate Lives, with Jim Belushi. Thanks to the alertness of helper Laura Hardy, Nan was warned in time to tape a brief interview with Linda that was included in a program entitled "Sex on the Riviera" on the E! Entertainment cable network. Michael Kastner interviewed Linda at a party. Through the noise, Linda described Separate Lives as an "erotic thriller" and commented on the stresses of always having to be "on" when on display at events like the Cannes Film Festival. Through the kindness of helper Darlene Sullivan, Nan saw a promotional photo flyer for the movie. It shows Linda sidling up to Jim in an alley in three shots with the provocative, ambiguous caption She Paid Him To Watch Her.

In July, Linda accompanied James Cameron to the premiere of their friend Arnold Schwarzenegger's new movie, True Lies. Helper Marion Kozlowski caught the report on E! Entertainment and reported that Linda looked very blond and slim. Asked what would be the answer to her deepest, most secret wish, Linda replied that it would be to have gotten the Jamie Lee Curtis role in True Lies. Marion also noted that the July 29th issue of Entertainment Weekly included a substantial article on Cameron which mentioned and had a photo of Linda Hamilton.

The article says, of Cameron's relationship with Linda, about 6 months ago, she moved into her own place with their baby girl, Josephine Archer Cameron. Then Cameron is quoted as saying, "We like it better that way. She's very tough and independent. That's what I like about her. How can I celebrate that and try to change that at the same time? It's a classic dilemma." Cameron mentions that he doesn't see his daughter as often as he'd like and that he's still on good terms with his several ex-wives.

Oops!
An illness (disruptive but not serious, and now over, thanks) and the preparations for and aftermath of TunnelCon prevented Nan from producing the July Gazette. This combined issue covers all the news for those months, and Nan has compensated by adding one month to everyone's subscription. She apologizes for the disruption of the Gazette's schedule and will try her hardest to see it's not repeated.

Roy's Rumor
At theTunnelCon III banquet, Gwen Lord, president of Roy Dotrice's fan club, read from a letter Roy sent her about mid-June. In it, Roy said that what he considers a reliable source reports to him that preproduction has begun on a B&B movie and that the principal actors are being contacted concerning contracts. This announcement was followed by dead silence; then somebody changed the subject. We are apparently not quite so ready to believe unsubstantiated reports as we once were.

Nan started checking. None of the star guests at the convention--neither Edward Albert nor either of the Davids (Schwartz or Greenlee)--apparently knew anything about it. But that, alone, wasn't definitive. So Nan checked with her trusted, long-time source at Ron Perlman's agent's office, who said the same: nothing happening in that direction that he knew about. Lyn Musaccio, of the New England hotline, checked with her contacts at Blockbuster and they said no; also saying no, through a relay by members of the Carousels and Caverns community, reports helper D'vora Pariente, are Steve Kurzfeld of Witt-Thomas; Ron Koslow's office; and Howard Gordon.

So Nan considers that this report has been thoroughly checked out and can say with confidence that Roy was mistaken. However, when calling wolf, remember that the 999th time, there really IS a wolf; so Nan takes each of these reports and rumors most seriously and checks them out, with help, as thoroughly as she can because one of these days, they're going to be true. Just not now.

Roy's Wedding Blues
On June 18, Roy Dotrice's daughter, Karen, got married in Chestnut Hill PA to Edwin Nolle, Executive VP of Universal TV. Among those in attendance was Gwen Lord of Helpers' Network UK and president of the Roy Dotrice fan club. Returning home to Britain, Roy unfortunately became ill and couldn't make TunnelCon III, to everyone's regret. However, Nan is told that as of the end of July, Roy's much better, though vexed that his illness apparently caused him to have to pass on a movie role he'd wanted.

New Tapes from Republic
Many of you may have received a recent mailing from Republic concerning the tapes. When Nan saw the letter, she was disappointed to realize that it was virtually the same letter Republic had been sending out for over a year. However, helper Marilyn Almond subsequently sent Nan a copy of a DIFFERENT letter--not the same one Nan had previously seen--sent to Marilyn by Jim Grace of Republic Pictures Home Video. This letter said, in part, "We are aware of the demand for more [Beauty and the Beast]; however, plans to proceed with a movie version are being taken with great caution. We feel a responsibility to safeguard the enduring quality of this program (as you most certainly understand), and consequently, all of the elements need to be in place before proceeding (producers, script, stars...) with any additional "B&B" plans."

[Editor's Note: the previous stock letter, by contrast, said "Unfortunately there are no plans to produce any additional episodes (for film or television) of this series": a significant change of wording and, presumably, of attitude. Before, they said NO; now, they're saying CAUTIOUS. The new letter continues:] "However, there is some concrete positive news... Republic Pictures Home Video plans to release more "Beauty and the Beast" episodes on video to ring in the New Year (tentative release is January 4, 1995). There may also be more episodes released in February."

So on many fronts, this is a significant change in Republic's attitude and policy. It would seem that they've gotten their act together after the traumas of merger and massive staffing changes, this last year.

Editorial
by Nan Dibble
I'm about to commit my annual (more or less) editorial. As many of you now know, Beth Blighton of the marvelous artwork, wicked sense of humor, X-rated zines, and Lionheart, has decided to retire from fandom at the end of the year. In the most recent issue of Lionheart, she ascribes her decision to the backbiting, divisions, and general decline both in numbers and highmindneess in this fandom. I've received several calls from people seriously dismayed and depressed at the prospect of Beth's unique voice leaving us. And she definitely will be missed, by me as much as anyone. But she's entitled to go: she's certainly paid her dues with nearly five years' love and imagination invested in B&B. However, it's unfortunate that Beth felt she had to publicly do the equivalent of stomping off in a huff, blaming her departure on the fact that the good old days, when everybody was loving and numerous, are now gone.

I'm afraid I have news for Beth and for anybody else who's convinced things are going downhill at a breakneck pace. The good old days are a myth. We've always been a contentious fandom, with deep divisions born of passionate conviction leading us, too often, to declare (usually with our 20 closest friends) that this or that person isn't "really" a fan and that only a certain portion of the series, the part we happen to like, can possibly be acceptable to any right-minded person. There have been dead roses, vituperative letters, personal attacks, people spat on in elevators, conventions sabotaged, and other assorted nastiness I won't depress the new fans among us by listing. And those WERE the good old days.

I've been through it all, I'm here now, and here's what I see. The fandom is changing as all living things do. Some people leave, and we're sorry to see them go and hope sometime they'll come back. Other people come, and we're astonished by the depth of their caring and ingenuity. Like Laura Hardy, who offered the use of her Florida townhouse and a free beach vacation to any fan for the asking. Like Rita Klemp, returned from Africa, taking up her old art, silk-screening, not only to make T-shirts and totes for Helpers' Network but simply, as she put it, to do something for others. Keeping the dream alive. Like Bev Liddell, another new fan, with her late night calls and hearty chuckle at romantic imaginings concerning Vincent. Like the Carousels and Caverns Community in California, putting a new group together from the fragments of an old, disbanded one, taking on the monumental task of staging next year's convention and other ambitious projects. Like Lyn Musaccio, beginning a new hotline and helping to fill the gap left by the departure of Sharon Wells several years ago. Like Lisa Howard, a new fan patiently keyboarding the Gazette and posting it on a computer network long before I knew anything about it. People like David Williams in Canada, checking back in after two years away because his life had changed and he now wanted to get back in touch. David was instrumental in providing the French videos of "In the Forests of the Night," "The Reckoning," and "Legacies" before they were broadcast in the US. So David's back, and much welcomed. Like the fans first discovering the series on the SF channel and calling in to report they thought nobody else could understand how fascinating they've found it and where did the baby come from and what do the lava and roses mean??? Like everybody in this fandom, newcomer or old line, whose phone bills have gone through the roof because they can't resist sharing their lives with a pack of dippy strangers who have suddenly become friends, family...all because of a TV show.

I could go on and on. Examples are endless. People go, but people also come, infusing the fandom with fresh life and enthusiasm. I see this happening, day by day, month by month. As a new fan in Washington, who'd first discovered the series on the SF channel, told me in all seriousness, It's changed her life. By golly. Imagine that. It's changed my life, too. Life is changes. And over this past year, I've seen a whole lot more coming together than falling apart. I think we're more at peace with one another, more united and committed, than we've ever been. Old hurts are healing, as well as old divisions. We are, for the first time and blessedly, becoming one fandom. We all started out as lone maniacs in front of our own TV's, convinced we were the only ones so mesmerized by this amazing series. We now know ourselves to be a worldwide fandom, increasingly united and connected with one another. So when some development, like the resistance to Steven McHattie's appearance at a convention, or someone's decision to withdraw from the fandom, makes you feel depressed and discouraged, that's understandable...but it also should be temporary.

Try to remember the happy, hopeful things that are just as true as the sad ones and should lift our hearts, not make us feel there's no use and we all might as well quit, pull down our Vincent posters, and slouch back to our now-uninteresting lone TV sets again, moaning about the good old days, when everything was rosy. Remember what brought us into the fandom to begin with. Try to be there for one another. Don't worry about what anybody else is doing: contribute what you can to keep the dream alive. Live in shared love and hope, living the best we can--not perfect, but giving help where we can, taking help where we need it: what the series was about--no less true, no less strong, than it was at the beginning. Only the grave is peaceful: as Vincent put it, while we live, we bleed. But we also renew ourselves, and the hurts heal. Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And the reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated. Good-bye, Beth. Be well. We love you. But we'll survive..

TunnelCon III Roundup
The art show was splendid, the guests informative and entertaining, and as a whole it was a delight and a success. It featured our first-ever naming ceremonies (two) for new children of attending fans, and a proposal by one of the better Vincents, Stu Sheff, accepted by another prominent fan, Debbie Martin of Martin Enterprises. This has nothing whatever to do with Stu, in full and splendid Vincent makeup, subsequently appearing on stage in a G-string.... After all, according to the zines, Vincent does that all the time, doesn't he?

The zine awards:
Best misc. item: Rebecca Marcus for "Unspoken Guardians" in the Great Expectations zine Best newsletter: Once Upon a Time is Now edited by Jeanne Cloud & Loreen VanderKraats Best interior illus.: Sandy Chandler Shelton for Dancing Lights GE zine Best zine cover: Sue Glasgow for When the Phoenix Sings Best dramatic story: Rosemarie Hauer for "The Wish" in White Cover ed. by Trish Kehoe Best Humorous story: a tie: Lucy Green "Female of the Species" in Circle of Light Adele Turner "To Dream" in Perchance to Dream Best Poem: Lynette Combs, "Dear Mr. Koslow" in the Great Expectations Zine Best anthology: Perchance to Dream by the DreamSeekers ed. Adele Turner Best digest zine: a tie: Lynette Combs, O Sweetest Song II; Linda Mooney, Lucy Green Old Souls Best zine: Great Expectations, A world of Dancing Lights. ed. by Roxanne Shearer Koogler

The art awards:
Journeyman Division Wearable: Karen Wuattlebaum for a cape; Sandy Shelton, "Wanted"; JoAnn Grant, Crystal Rose Logo. 3D: Sandy Shelton, etched goblet; Jean Tranum, "Together Below"; Renee Long, Vincent's Window B/W: Sandy Shelton, "No Fear"; Sally Perkins, "Contemplation"; Inez Brown, #25 Color: Sally Perkins, "Dreams of Beauty"; Inez Brown, #1; Dragon, "Innocent Eyes"

Masters' Division
3D: Kerin Houseburg "And Do We Not Live in Dreams?"; Bill Seltzer, necklace, Vincent 'n Roses; Kerin Houseburg, "Father" B/W: Barbara Gipson, "Ozymandius"; Barbara Gipson, "All The Men I've Loved Before"; Dragon "Wishes and Dreams II" Color: Claire Siefert, "Someone to Watch Over Me"; Beth Blighton, "Acquainted with the Night"; Jamie Murray, "Triangle" People's Choice: Claire Siefert, "Someone to Watch Over Me" Honorable Mention: Jamie Murray, "Triangle"; Beth Blighton, "In Truth a Heart of Gold."

There was another award, a surprise, and the first one of its kind that Nan's aware of. A sort of Jean Hersholt award from fandom as represented by the convention committee. At the banquet, a special award was granted to Lyn Musaccio, of the New England B&B Hotline, and to Nan. The wording of the awards differed only slightly, given how long each of the two hotlines has been running. Nan's framed certificate reads, "Certificate of Appreciation for Keeping the Dream Alive awarded to Nan Dibble of the Helpers' Network Hotline In thanks for extraordinary service to the Beauty and the Beast Fandom. In the presence of fans, friends, and stars of Beauty and the Beast, you are commended for faithfully providing weekly information updates since 1991. May your good work continue for many years to come. Presented at TunnelCon III, Las Vegas, Nevada July 9, 1994." Nan was surprised, touched, and gratified at this recognition of what she, and now Lyn, have tried to do in support, praise, and love of this marvelous series and its fandom.

Betty Neiswender reports that $10,000 will be presented to the convention's chosen charity, the "Reach Out" program for Pediatric Aids, for which young Hydia Broadbent was such a charming and eloquent spokesperson.

Vincent's Togs
As Beth Blighton revealed in her last Lionheart, THE COSTUME (the one fans bought at Great Expectations) was indeed duly presented to Ron Perlman this past spring by David Schwartz. It was modeled at the convention by Mike Maloney of the Carousels and Caverns Community (and very nice he looked in it, too). So the story of the Vincent costume has a happy ending, and it will surely show up at conventions to come. See the following article for details.

The Costume Presented(excerpted and slightly adapted from Lionheart by permission)
Beth Blighton interviewed David Schwartz.

BB: When were you able to give Ron the costume?

DS: The presentation of this wonderful gift to Ron was made at my going away party. Friends of ours had an evening, a going away party for me because I was leaving Los Angeles. It was in the back room of some friends' restaurant, and part of the party was spent with Ron. He was on his way out of town to go to work, but he stopped by for an hour or so. And while he was there, I said, "Look, I'm going to pin you down now.... I've got this present that I have wanted to give to you for God knows how long...." Maybe nine months or whatever, and so that's when it [the presentation] was made, there at the party.

BB: And what was Ron's first reaction?

DS: He was truly amazed because, at first, he couldn't really understand what he was looking at. He was, "Where did you get it? Where did they [meaning the fans] get it?" And then, when I sort of whispered the amount of money that was raised by it, he was very flabbergasted and incredibly delighted that in the name of work that he did for Beauty and the Beast, such a charitable and giving experience could have come from it...that 300 or 350 people in a hotel ballroom on a Saturday night last July in Texas would do this.... I think "shocked" or "delighted" were certainly two of the adjectives that I would use to describe his reaction.

BB: Did the costume bring back a lot of memories for the two of you?

DS: Yes. And it was kind of interesting that it would have been finally presented on kind of a special night. It sort of brought a part of our history together to a significant close. It was sort of like saying good-bye to a friend. Because, though we'll be only 45 minutes away by plane, or four hours by car, it's knowing that we're not just 5 minutes away, or it's not going to be, "Hey, you guys want to go down to the beach?" or "We're going to the park today, you want to meet us and bring your frisbee and baseball glove?" So I think the evening, and making the presentation then, sort of really brought home--at least to Ron and myself and a few other people that--wow! Not only has this kind of gone full circle with this costume, but it has gone full circle in our time together as friends and neighbors in the same town.

In fact, one of my close friends, who was working at CBS at that time and who has stayed very close to me, was pretty much shaken up by the whole thing emotionally. She just came over and gave me a hug and said, "I love you, I'll see you." And she was just so shaken, I think, by having to say good-bye that night, and having Ron standing there with the vest sort of pressed against him, and realizing that so much emotion and stuff had gone through all of us through the experience of that show, that....

BB: And yet, so much has been done since.

DS: Exactly. And there were people standing there and it was kind of noisy. A lot of people were drinking wine and we were at this big table that my friends had set up at the restaurant. And when they saw that [Ron holding the costume], several people who really hadn't known what it was were suddenly buzzing around the table. It was like, "What's that?" and "Is that...?" And then they sort of understood what was going on and they were kind of bewildered--like, God, to have something like that show up as well...the commitment that fandom has, that that stands for...not only during the process of making the show, but the subsequent 4 or 5 years after it...really sort of amazed a lot of people who weren't really connected to the show.

BB: Ron wasn't tempted to try a little piece of it on to see if it still fit or anything?

DS: Actually, you know, he did sort of hold up the vest. IN fact, I have some photographs [ED: they were displayed at TunnelCon III]. But...I truly don't remember if Ron put the vest on or just held it up to him. But we did have a couple of jokes as to, "Okay, now, I wore this running through on top of underneath...?" We were laughing about where this wonderful Judy Evans creation had gotten worn, and how many times it got cut in without the continuity of it being right from one shot to the next. It was like, "Oh, give us a running shot, or give us a climbing shot." But the costume keeps changing.

BB: Yeah, but that's okay. Maybe he was just changing clothes as he ran.... But do you know what's become of the costume or what Ron plans to do with it?

DS: Well, I know that Ron has it at home and it is in safekeeping. I did, at one point, mention to him about the sort of gatherings that might be interested in seeing it, and of curse I said that he was more than welcome to join me in England or in Las Vegas this year. He could bring the costume and put it on, and I could just tell everybody it's just a friend of mine who wanted to try it on for everybody. He laughed as said, "We'll talk about it later." It's something that I know fandom would like to see.... I know that Ron has it in safekeeping, and I'm pretty sure it is hung in his closet. He has a very interesting closet of memorabilia at home.

BB: Oh, I bet.

DS: So he told me it would be prized and put in "The Beast Cellar."

BB: Was there anything he wanted to say to the fans, or did you want to wait? Was there something he was going to say himself?

DS: Well, not wanting to put words, where Ron would speak so eloquently. But I do know that, again, he was so overjoyed as to how and why it arrived in his hands, and that the gift was given. And what I mean by that is I know he was totally touched by the fact that money was raised to support such a unique and needed cause as the Pediatric AIDS House and Foundation in Austin, and that this tremendous gift that he was given also turned out to be a gift for people who are certainly in greater need than he. I am sure that at some point, Ron will be able to sit down and compose a letter or note of thanks.... But right now, he's been back and forth, and I know right now he's in Paris.

BB: Busy working?

DS: Yeah, busy working, hopping back and forth from Paris to Atlanta to LA and then some. I know he'll be on that schedule from now until August. And that might prevent any sort of printed or public acknowledgment. But I think all fandom should understand and know that he was deeply, deeply touched by their generosity, their love, and their commitment to continue keeping not only the dream alive, but the passion, and more significantly their understanding for helping others. To have kept that alive, I think Ron was greatly thankful for that.

BB: Well, I think everybody is pretty grateful to you, too, for taking the costume out there to him and everything, and taking care of it for the amount of time you had to take care of it. And all that we can say is thank you.

Betty Neiswender reports that a set of 5 photos of this memorable party and presentation are available from her for $6.00. Send (and make check or money order payable) to "The Beast Connection," 4336 Edward Ave., Las Vegas NV 89108. Two dollars of the price of each set of photos goes to "Reach Out."

TunnelCon III Videos
Videotapes of TunnelCon III, including all the special moments, (Stu Sheff in the G-string; the 3rd season commemorative ping-pong ball and water pistol fight; the naming ceremonies; the celebrity Q&A's, and much more!) will be produced, again by the redoubtable Phil Smith of Helpers Above Tulsa and his crew at NovTek, Inc. If you saw the extremely handsome video Phil did for Great Expectations, you'll know why the TunnelCon III video will be an absolute treat for both those who were and weren't able to attend the convention. A three-tape set, to be prepared and shipped this fall, costs $50 plus $4 s/h. OK residents add an additional $4. That's a reasonable price considering how packed these tapes were the last time....and how underpriced. These aren't merely home movies but a three tape video produced and edited by professional videographers...and the difference shows. So send (and make check or money order payable to) NovTek, Inc. Video Productions, 3171-A, S 129 E. Ave., #136, Tulsa OK 74134.

A Distant Shore
D'vora Pariente, one of the organizers of next year's LA convention, A Distant Shore, says that response has been overwhelmingly positive from B&B cast and crew living in the LA area and many of them have promised to show up at least briefly next year. And she also said that registrations are already coming in, in what Nan considers remarkable numbers: in the three years Nan's been running the hotline, she's found that convention organizers say registrations don't really get going until after the first of the year. Clearly, A Distant Shore is off to a running start and promises to be one of the most exciting B&B conventions ever, with half the world who were involved in B&B and living in the LA area promising to drop in if they possibly can. If you register before the first of September, this year, there's a discount: registration costs only $75; it's $85 after the first of September. On the Monday after the convention weekend, they're planning a bus tour package including sites like Catherine's apartment building, a special Shakespeare performance at the Will Geer theater including many members of the B&B cast, and a picnic and mini-tour of Griffith Park (where B&B was filmed) including beloved sites like the carousel and the tunnel culvert. There's a separate charge for this tour: $45, and it's limited to the first 400 people who sign up. So if you're interested in the tour, register and sign up NOW. Room rates at the Doubletree, whose phone number is (310) 216-5858 or 1-800-2223, are only $59 per night, with 2-bedroom suites available at higher cost. Be sure to mention B&B or A Distant Shore to get discounted rates. The convention dates are July 7-9, and you may or may not want to include the Monday, July 10, 1995, when the bus tour is scheduled. For an information form, send to D'vora Pariente, Box 9287, Anaheim CA 92812. Mike Maloney says he expects this to be the biggest B&B convention since Tunnelcon I, and Nan wouldn't be surprised if he's right.

There's a promotional video about the convention, with a lot of additional material including an original song written and performed by Mike and interviews ranging from ten to fifteen minutes with Roy Dotrice, David Greenlee, Armin Shimerman, Tony Jay, Edward Albert, Ellen Geer, Teri Hanaur, and Jay Acovone. Because copyrighted material is included in this video, they're not selling it. To get a copy, send a $30 donation + $3 s/h to Video, Box 9287, Anaheim CA 92812. A shorter version of this video was shown at Tunnelcon III, and I know I'd like to see more. So if you're in funds and can't wait for a foretaste of next year's convention, write and send an appropriate donation. The video's title is "Looking Toward A Distant Shore."

Cinemaker
Updating the Cinemaker news, at the convention Ed Gross sent an explanatory letter that reads, in part, "On both a personal and business level, the past year and a half has been extremely difficult. As some of you may know, my son Teddy underwent open heart surgery and recently had to go back in the hospital. Additionally, my second son, Dennis, was hospitalized for a tie due to a bronchial infection. Then, my wife and I had a third son, Kevin, and if you think it's easy to operate a business from your home with three children around--well, suffice to say, it isn't."

Ed goes on to describe some of the business problems: delays from Republic; his computer's hard drive crashing, delaying the completing of Perlman and the Beast; a Canadian distributor who has failed to pay a huge amount of money--tens of thousands of dollars--they owe him; and other difficulties beyond both his wildest expectations or control. He assures the fandom that more books are coming without any more of the delays and frustrations that have been an unfortunate feature of his holding the B&B license up to this point.

Nan's expecting copies of Bright Spirit Descending in late August or early September. The Guidebook is going to the printer and ought to be out by the end of September or early October. No release date yet for Perlman and the Beast, but it is coming. You can still preorder the Gudebook at the discounted price of $22.45 until it's published, whereupon the price will go up by $5. And Bright Spirit is $11.45, including postage.

Unexpectedly, Nan has about 20 hardback copies each of the first two novels, her Beyond Words, Beyond Silence and Lost Yesterdays, Impossible Tomorrows by Kim Prosser and Lisa Swope. Nan will sign her book if you ask. If you wanted a hardback but couldn't get one, send right away: they'll be gone soon, and the supplies are very limited. These hardbacks are $18.45 each, including postage. Send to Helpers' Network, 379 Amazon Ave., Cincinnati OH 45220-1148.

Still in Our Hearts....
Some sad news relayed by Margaret Davis of Mountain Rose Press. A member of the first fandom has died. Dianne Hellerling, 39, died the evening of the 16th of July of an unsuspected brain tumor. Dianne, Janet Orashan, and Nancy Cramer met at the St. Louis B&B Convention in 1988 and formed the core of what became J. N. D. Supporters of Beauty and the Beast, now known simply as "The Colorado Group." Dianne wrote early zine stories as Dianne Mann. Of Dianne, Margaret spoke of Dianne's kindness and for her willingness to give of herself, of her time, to explain to a newcomer. Margaret had only discovered the show 6 months earlier, and Dianne let he call and ask her endless questions. Margaret added, and I quote, "She was the glue that really pulled us together, to be a family." The Colorado group, and all Dianne's many friends within fandom, will miss her very much. In further sad news, Holly Reidel's husband Jerry died July 7th, following a semi-tractor trailer accident on June 30th. Jerry was in the rig but wasn't driving. He leaves widow Holly and a 12 year old daughter Sarah. Many fans know Holly as a gifted fan artist who's contributed to many zines over the years.

1995 CALENDARS...And a Diary
There are 4 1995 B&B calendars available, 2 each from two people. Calendars one and two are Classic calendars from poet Pat Leslie and award winning artist Sandra C. Shelton. Calendar one, titled "Like Magic," is G rated; calendar two, titled "Chamber Music," is R rated (Nan, having seen it, would describe it as PG-13...backal nudity, no intimate body parts shown...but the publisher says otherwise). Each has over 14 illustrations and poetry from Pat Leslie. Each costs $17 US, $18 CAN, $20 EUR in US funds. Order from Pat Leslie, 1649 Wimbledon Dr., Walled Lake MI 48390.

Well-known Austrian fan artist Rosemarie Hauer is again offering two calendars, one Vincent/Catherine, one Vincent/Diana, both G rated and lovely. Specify which one you want. Each is $15 for US/CAN including postage. From EUR, ATS 140.00 or 8.00 or $12.00 or DM 20.00. Order from Rosemarie Hauer, Muhlgasse 20/5, A-2560 Berndorf, Austria.

From Australian fans (and don't confuse Australia with Austria!) again comes an extremely handsome 1995 diary with stories and poetry by Glenys Walker, Sandra Elliott and Janet Southam, and splendid artwork by Kathy Fidge and Sandra Elliot, full of memorable B&B dates, birthdays of cast members, musings, factoids, et al., and lots of space for you to write in. It's thick digest sized, spiral bound, over 100 pages, and a bargain at $14.00. Send cash only; or you can get an International Money order or American Express Money Order in Australian funds, in which case the price is $18.50 Australian. Send to Janet Southam, 13 Kitto Crescent, Aldinga Beach, S.A., Australia 4173. This is the second year for this diary, and Nan assures you they're beautifully made and a real keepsake. Sightings

Helper Vivian Liebgold reports that Double Exposure (a R-rated thriller about a detective's involvement with a jealous husband who suspects his wife of infidelity, which Ron Perlman made last year and stars in--TOP BILLING!) is now showing on cable Pay-Per-View channels. It's also out on video in some parts of the country, as John McClusky reported a month or so ago. For those who can't get hold of it that way, Nan has, through Vivian's kindness, a copyable copy of this movie. Copies cost $8.50 each.

Also new out on video is Running Delilah, the unsold pilot Ron Koslow made a couple of years ago. You may want to check it out. We believe that Lee Holdridge did the music for what's now a video movie, a crime story featuring a female cyborg. Also out on video and on pay-per-view is Lance Henriksen's thriller, Man's Best Friend, about an experimental super watchdog gone amok, and Steven McHattie's The Dark, a tidy, well scripted and well acted Canadian-made monster thriller. Nan also has available copies of The Dark at $8.50. Locals, the non-picked up pilot in which Jay Acovone and John Ratzenberger starred, was aired in July. If you missed it and regret that, copies from Nan at $8.50. Romeo is Bleeding, a movie that got mixed reviews, in which Ron Perlman has a smallish part as the main character's lawyer, is now out on video.

Thanks to helper Roz Levinson for news that John McMartin, Charles Chandler, is going to play Captain Andy in a blond wig for a Broadway revival of Showboat this summer. For video freaks, Disney B&B is out as a video game from Nintendo; "Belle's Quest" from Sunsoft, for Genesis, reportedly a more interesting version.

Spotters have reported that Teri Hanaur is surprised by unexpected guests at the beginning of a current beef commercial and Karen Morgia saw Teri in an American Express commercial. Darlene Sullivan identified the rich voice of Tony Jay, Paracelsus, in an Infiniti car commercial. Jack Nicholson's Wolf makeup is created by Rick Baker, who designed the Vincent makeup for B&B.

NOTICES & FACTOIDS
Helper Darlene Sullivan reports that Armin Shimerman has been in Vancouver, Canada filming on a movie called Dream Man. Other actors involved are Patsy Kensit, Andrew McCarthy, Denise Crosby (of Tasha Yar fame) and Bruce Greenwood. Whether or not Armin plays the titular character is so far unknown. The movie, interestingly enough, is to be distributed by Republic.

Old Zines, Anyone?
The Intergalactic Trading Company was cleaning out their basement and came upon a whole bunch of B&B zines, many out of print and much loved. Among the things they have copies of are Acquainted with the Night 1&2, Destiny 3, Heartsounds, much of the Vina Vina series, and many more. They're offering them at $10 each or 3 for $25; if you let them pick, you can get four for $25. However, be warned that several of them are digest-sized zines, chiefly McWombat press items, still in print and selling for $8 each from the publishers, so though they're all fine zines, the digest zines are no bargain at $10. If you're in doubt, the Q-fer will give you information on the in-print ones. For a free catalog, write to the Intergalactic Trading Co., PO Box 1516, Longwood FL 32752.

Lee Holdridge (composer of the B&B theme) had a new composition evocative of, and devoted to, Thomas Jefferson premiered at the 4th of July festivities telecast by PBS. In the manner of Copeland's "A Lincoln Portrait," it consists of music and readings about and by that renowned American.

The Summer issue of the Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review (Q-fer) is now available, including reviews of the many new zines that premiered at TunnelCon. The full Q-fer, completely updated and containing all listings, is $8; the update, containing the new/changed information, is $5 to Helpers' Network. Notice: Beginning next year, the Q-fer will be published twice a year: in February (Winter) and August (Summer). The Summer and Fall 1994 issues, however, are being published as scheduled. Due to the new publication dates, the Q-fer's name has been changed to the Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review, which seems appropriate, given that it's an evaluative publication, reviewing and rating zines in terms of overall quality.

CLASSIFIED
Free classified ads available for anything you can write on a standard 3x5 card. Send to Helpers' Network by/before the middle of the month. (or e-mail beastfan). Ads run once unless renewed.

Now available: Phoenix 5, a 4th season zine edited by Nan Dibble. Contributors include Nan, Janet Kilbourne, Ann R. Brown, Jena Snyder, Rhonda Collins, Ron Holla, Jackie Kapke, Roxanne Koogler, Maxine Mayer, Sandie Dapoz, Melissa Cook Baird, Rita Klemp; art by Rosie Hauer, Sandy C. Shelton, Marsha Young, Jan Durr, Rita Klemp, Dragon, Sandy Tew. PG-13, 156 p (small typeset, some in columns). Discover the romance of Vincent and Diana! $20 US, $22 CAN, $25 ELSE to Therion Press, 379 Amazon Ave., Cincinnati OH 45220-1148.

The End.