Letters

Dear KISS, This is the Phantom of the Ville, Senior Editor at www.louisvillehalloween.com with sad news of the passing of film director, Gordon Hessler, who directed KISS in their first motion picture. "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" in 1978. Hessler started his career directing episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" before directing Vincent Price in horror classics like "The Oblong Box," "Scream and Scream Again" and "Cry of the Banshee." He is probably best remembered for directing, "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" (1973), which featured the amazing special effects of Dynamation master, Ray Harryhausen. My friend and Fangoria writer, Justin Beahm, who wrote about "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" for Fangoria's "KISS: Monster" special edition magazine has recently spoken with Hessler's wife and confirmed his passing last week. The passing of this talented director has failed to generate much mainstream news, and in fact I can't find a single article written about this loss of talent out there at this time. However, I think the KISS Army will want to know about it and the broader KISS family will wish to pay their respects. The Phantom of the Ville Senior Editor, Louisville Halloween