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Both this week's HELLNOTES and DARKECHO has reported that noted horror/fantasy author/editor Ray Russell died of a stroke on March 15th (ironically the date of H. P. Lovecraft's death) at the age of 74. He is best remembered as the author of "Sardonicus, which William Castle filmed as MR. SARDONICUS in 1961. He also wrote screenplays for such films as THE PREMATURE BURIAL, ZOTZ!, THE HORROR OF IT ALL and X: THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES. His novel INCUBUS was filmed in 1986 by director John Hough, with John Cassavetes. Maclay and Associates published HAUNTED CASTLES: THE COMPLETE GOTHIC TALES OF RAY RUSSELL in 1985 and then published his last novel (to be published) ABSOLUTE POWERin 1992. He served as an associate editor for PLAYBOY in 1954, and was executive editor from 1955-1960. He remained a contributing editor into the early 70's. In 1991, shortly before illness forced him into early retirement, he received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. Two years later, the Horror Writers Association awarded the Bram Stoker Award also for Life Achievement. His talent will be missed.
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