Once Upon a Time... Is Now/Issues 057-060
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Once Upon a Time... Is Now (Out-In, Out/In, Out...In) |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Jeanne Cloud and Joyce DeBoard (issues #1-#27), Jeanne Cloud, Loreen Vanderkrats, and Linda Lakin (issues #27-#33 -- tho perhaps as far as #45), Jeanne Cloud and Loreen Vanderkrats (issues #46-#60 -- tho perhaps as early as #34) |
| Type: | letterzine |
| Date(s): | 1988 to 1996 |
| Frequency: | sometimes monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, at the end much more infrequent |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | digest-sized |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Once Upon a Time... Is Now (Out-In, Out/In, Out...In) is a Beauty and the Beast letterzine. It is digest-sized.
See List of Letterzines for similar fanworks.
Contents
The zine is a collection of letters from fans (titled "From the Helpers") of the show discussing aspects of the show including the actors, characters, stories, and fanfiction. This zine also contains photos (both xeroxed and original), some original artwork, con reports, open letters, and sometimes clippings and interviews.
Some regular features were: "OK Good...OK Fine" (the editorial), "From the Library" (zine listings), and "On the Pipes" (fan clubs).
There were 60 issues published between 1988 to 1996.
Issue 57
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 57 was published in October/November 1995.
Issue 57: Excerpts from the Letters
It's hard to believe another convention has come and gone. As usual, I hada wonderful time, and even though something inevitably goes wrong, it doesn't spoil it for me. I go to enjoy the events that have been scheduled, but most of all to visit with old friends. Seeing my favorite celebrity guests - David Schwartz and Roy Dotrice - is always a highlight. It had been so long since we'd see Roy, and he looked wonderful! And what a wonderful surprise to see Ron Perlman at the masquerade party! All I remember is David Schwartz making a long, mysterious introduction, while the roomful of people slowly began to move forward in a wave toward the stage before he'd even finished his introduction. I heard my friend Roseann muttering, "Oh my God, Oh my God" over and over again as the goose bumps began to rise on my arms. Finally, Ron set foot on stage and everything after that is a blur. I know he was there, because somehow I managed to take a whole roll of film, but don't ask me what he said. Wasn't it great to see Ron Koslow and some guests we've never seen before?
The two executives from Republic Pictures seemed to take it all in, and we can't help but be excited by the news that there may be a four-hour mini-series, possibly more if its well received. I hope it will be on Showtime and not CBS!....
....I guess my point is we all reacted to Beauty and the Beast in different ways and for various reasons, but isn't it wonderful that we all found something in it that affected us deeply? Let's be tolerant of one another. Let's be glad that we've formed lasting friendships, met new people, had lively discussions, and discovered hidden talents because of the show. We couldn't ask for more than that.
Well, here we are in the aftermath of "A Distant Shore" and I have mixed feelings. The convention was great—a little like a Chinese fire drill at times as far as organization was concerned, but great nonetheless. It was wonderful to see all my friends and meet people I've been writing to for years who hadn't made it to other conventions I'd attended. The feeling of family is amazing at the conventions.
It was great, too, to see Ron, Roy, Edward, David Greenlee, and David Schwartz all up on stage at the same time in their own reunion. We have to remember that these guys don't get to see one another very often either, and it was obviously an emotional time for them, as well. (Did anybody catch it when Ron turned to Roy, held out his arms, grinned and said, "Papa!" I did, and it was GREAT!)....
I thought I would add my chorus to the glut of LOC's you are probably receiving now, after a big convention. I am sad to see "OUT...IN" end; but everything changes, and who knows? If we get a mini-series, it could spark something....
....As for "A Distant Shore", well my feelings are mixed. Having stars we hadn't seen before, and so many of them, was marvelous, and of course having Ron Perlman show up, even for a cameo, was excellent, and the costume contest was great fun. Seeing the sights on Monday, especially the tunnel and carousel, was like going to Mecca: I can die happy now (wait, not yet, still haven't got Ro Pel's autograph yet. Shuckydarn.) And if their conversations with fans actually results in Republic giving us a movie of any kind, or mini-series, I believe I can forgive a multitude of convention organizers sins....
....When I got home from the Convention, I was disappointed that there were no third season guests, no third season panels, and the zine had no third season stories. But after watching third season again, I saw that we did have third season guests there: all the tunnel people we saw in the first two seasons, were even more frequently seen, and had more significant roles to play, in third season. Edward Albert and Jay Acovone particularly were very significant, their characters had many scenes and were well-developed. Our two "tunnel extra" guests, K.C. and Judy, were seen quite often. Terri Hanauer and Bill Calvert appeared in third season. Perhaps the panels and the zine stories will come, someday, when, as Vincent told Jamie in "To Reign in Hell", "the pain softens". Perhaps the whole range of expressions about this show will someday be acceptable....
First, let me start out by saying how great it was seeing both of you at "A Distant Shore". I always enjoy our little gab sessions. I'm only sorry it's just once a year. Second, I'm keeping my promise by writing and feel terribly guilty that I've been one of the many subscribers out here who have enjoyed "OUT...IN" for so long and have contributed next to nothing. Obviously, for you it just isn't worth the effort anymore, and I guess those out here like me have nobody but ourselves to blame. I just want to thank you for all the hard work you've devoted towards keeping the spirit of "B&B" alive , and to let you know that there just aren't enough words of gratitude to express my feelings. Suffice it to say that losing "OUT...IN" is going to be tragic. You guys have done a remarkable job, and I certainly don't begrudge you your well-deserved retirement. Just don't become strangers!
Now my comments about this year's con, "A Distant Shore" (not that you asked).... ....I could fill another page with the number of guests who attended, but I think we all should applaud the con committee for persuading the Republic Pictures "suits" to attend. Because of that, perhaps the most important thing to happen to fandom in years occurred. They were so impressed with our enthusiasm (and willingness to SPEND MONEY), that now, not only do they intend to put out more tapes, but they're actually talking seriously about doing a mini-series on Showtime in 1997. I suppose there are a few negative people out there who are saying, "But I don't want a TV movie! I want a theatrical movie!" I'd like to remind those people that it is Showtime, not CBS! Personally, I don't care how or where they do it, just DO IT, PLEEEEZE!....
Issue 58/59/60
1996 and contains 72 pages.
The majority of the zine is excerpts from all of the previous letterzines. The letterzine contains handwritten notes from the show's celebrities thanking fans for their support. This issue also has long editorials
From a flyer: "A retrospective look at Beauty and the Beast through the eyes of fandom. Full size 'zine has excerpts from the letters in Issue I to Issue 60 and represent the history of this fandom. Also contains unique photos taken on the set; at conventions, fans, and celebrities, also fan artists Beth, Barbara, Sandy and Rosemarie. This is one of a kind collector's edition. 50 pieces of art."
The editorial by Jeanne:
Dear Readers, "ONCE UPON A TIME..." there was an idea to do a newsletter for Beauty and the Beast. You hold in your hands the "...IS NOW". Nine years ago last May these words began a journey that would scale the heights of ecstasy and plummet to the bottom of despair. It has been a wild ride but one we hope you have enjoyed. All things must end and this will be the last issue of this venerable newsletter. We could go into all the details on why we haven't put out an issue since last October/November but if you are like us you are tired of hearing all the excuses (valid though they may be). Just suffice it to say it has been a tough year for us all. We had hoped to do three more issues, but we just aren't getting any letters and haven't since mid-November of last year -- not one. I think we are called stale mail since so many people are on-line with computers these days. We had considered taking the three letters we did receive last year and throwing in all the pictures and calling it done. But when the retrospective didn't make, Loreen came up with the idea of making our last issue a triple issue and doing a mini-retro. I thought it was a wonderful idea so she worked her buns to the ground this summer going through all of the issues and picking out what she thought was representative of what this newsletter has reflected of fandom. You hold the results in your hands. We hope you like it and agree with us that it is a class way for this multi-award winning publication to go out.
On a personal note, there are many people to whom I owe such a large debt of gratitude. Without you this newsletter either would not have been created or would not have continued to exist. The first is to David Peckinpah who first encouraged me to do this. He felt the show could use a little advertisement. Boy, I bet he wishes he'd hung upon me that day! The second is to my original co-editor, Joyce DeBoard. Those of you who have been with us a long time will remember Joyce's beautiful photos. She was the creative end to this newsletter and did a superb job for the first three plus years. It was not always easy for us to work together on this but our friendship survived. To Linda, who is our current lay-out specialist... your life moved on but you didn't. You stuck with us and kept us lined up and glued together. Thanks girlfriend. We have added another chapter to the growing book o f our long friendship. May it continue until we check out of the Old Trekker's Home feet first. Loreen - what can I say to possibly thank you? There are no words but we usually don't need them anyway. You have always read my heart so well. Know that thank you is not enough and that I love you. There are many other individuals, our staff columnists K.G. and Karen Mitchell, Helpers Above Tulsa, our many talented contributing artists, our sisters in New Jersey, Nan, Stephanie, and Gwen, who have helped us in various ways as well.
I hope at next year's convention that I will be able to thank you personally. The most important thank you is to you, the reader. It's obvious that without you we definitely would not have existed. Thank you for your support all these years. Thank you for the pictures, reports, playbills, phone calls friendship. As I said before it has been a wild ride. I wish you peace, I wish you love, and I wish you happiness always. Remember, Once Upon a Time...is Now.
The editorial by Loreen:
This feels like a good-bye and I never have liked saying that to dear friends. So, please keep in touch even though you won't be sending letters or pictures for publication. Doing this letterzine has enriched and changed my life so incredibly. You have become a wonderful family to me and even though I'll never be able to recapture what was once had through the experience of publishing "OUT...IN", I know I'll still see you once a year at the conventions. There are still many wonderful experiences ahead for "Beauty and the Beast" and I plan to be a part of as many as possible. Thank you so much for the compassion, honesty, excitement, humor and love that you have brought to me. I have appreciated hearing your opinions over the years and laughing or crying with you. I will miss it very much.
Thank you for your support of "OUT...IN" over the years. You have all been great and enthusiastic and without you this grand old lady would not have made it this far. With this retrospective issue we are giving you all a trip down memory lane through the eyes of fandom. I truly hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
It was so difficult to choose which excerpts to print because there were so many great letters. There is at least one excerpt from each issue and it is intended to represent the phases we have gone through the past nine years. If one small paragraph reminds you of a time when you were filled with the excitement o f it all, go back and dig out that old issue and re-read the entire letter. It's a lot of fun and it will bring you joy that you forgot about. I know, I have just finished reading all of them, cover to cover.
I can't close this letter without a couple of personal thank-yous. Rosi Hauer, you are a gem and I miss you. Thanks for all of your lovely artwork. Sandy Shelton, we need to keep in touch my friend. Thank you for your many beautiful contributions. New Jersey, we love ya! Thanks for the inspiration so many times. To all of my local B&B family, thanks for always being there for me. It's time for more field trips! To the rest of my B&B family, I can't wait for the next reunion. Please stay in touch. Jeanne, my soul sister, there is no one else like you in the whole world and your friendship is like a diamond in the rough. Thank you for trusting me with your "baby". I hope I took good care of it for you. Linda, if it weren't for you I wouldn't know about fandom. I don't know whether to hug you or smack you! Just kidding, girlfriend. Thank you for being the unique, special lady that you have always been. I'll be seeing you around even without the paste-up days.