On January 2nd, 2015, MEARS completed a private autograph signing with Sci Fi legend Rex Reason. With the help of his beautiful wife Shirley, we were able to successfully complete the project.
Rex Reason (born November 30, 1928, Berlin, Germany) was raised in Los Angeles, California. After high school, he served in the army at age 17 and fought during WW2. He began his stage career in 1948 at the Pasadena Playhouse, performing there for three years before coming to the notice of Hollywood.
A tall (6’2″), handsome, leading man with a distinctive baritone speaking voice, Reason appeared in several films and television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Reason is perhaps best known for his role as stalwart, heroic scientist Dr. Cal Meacham in the science fiction This Island Earth (1955). Reason co-starred as sympathetic scientist Dr. Tom Morgan in the third—and final—installment of Universal International Pictures‘ Creature from the Black Lagoon horror film series in The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).
This Island Earth (1955) centers around scientist Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) as he solves a mysterious puzzle that allows him access to a highly secretive program — led by the mysterious Exeter (Jeff Morrow) — that has assembled the world’s greatest scientific minds in an attempt to quickly learn how to generate and store nuclear power. But with the help of fellow scientists Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue) and Steve Carlson (Russell Johnson), Meacham soon discovers that his host is not what he claims to be. Actually from the planet Metuluna which is soon to be destroyed due to an attack by the Zagon’s, a Mutant creature threatens to kill the scientific team from earth.
The Metulunian Mutant is one of the finest Science Fiction Monsters ever to grace the big screen. With his exposed brain, coursing veins, bug eyes, claw like hands, and shoulders that looks like they are covered with football padding, the “This Island Earth” mutant studio photos and posters make for a world class display piece.
For this signing, we had 16×20 B&W studio photos signed of Rex versus the Mutant. Inspired by the movie poster, we completed a full color piece which nailed the key moments of the film. For collectors of small items, 3×5 cards and trading card sized photos rounded out the offerings. New blue sharpie markers were used and Shirley worked diligently to swap out pens after every 20 or so signatures.
The Creature Walks Among Us (1956), continues with the “Creature from the Black Lagoon” sage. Switching up the theme, due to a surgery performed by Reason’s character Dr. Tom Morgan, the creature’s hidden lungs are modified to breath air, thus allowing him to seek his revenge while walking upright.
Keeping with our traditional concept, a full color 16×20 was produced, again using the original movie poster as our inspiration. Custom trading card sized photos and index cards completed the private signing.
Image Used for Signing
I learned much about Mr. & Mrs. Rex Reason while working with them during this private signing. I made some very special new friends, and am anxious to offer this signed product at a future date.
Regards,
Troy R. Kinunen