A PAGE FROM JACK'S SCRAPBOOK

During his career, Jack kept a scrapbook of just about every bit of information he could find on the films and makeups he worked on. The page exhibited today is from the time he won the Hollywood Filmograph award for most outstanding makeup in 1933 for his exemplary work on The Mummy in 1932. A few years ago, we posted another page from his scrapbook here.

JACK'S WOLFMAN MASK?

It has been well reported that Lon Chaney Jr. was no fan of sitting in Pierce's makeup chair. He complained of the chemicals and adhesives that Jack applied on his face and hands, especially when it came time to remove them after the day's shoot.

A publicity photo of Jack and Lon (see above) during the filming of Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (1943) was meant to be humorous, but there was also no small truth behind Chaney's real feelings about his makeup ordeal.

Pierce applies foundation greasepaint and shadows to Lon Chaney Jr.

According to the description of  Lot 114A listed in a Guernsey's Auction in 2008 of The Pugliese Pop Culture Collection, this full-head latex mask was purported to have been made by Pierce for Chaney to use in "long or obstructed shots" in order to avoid some of the makeup sessions. The inside markings on the mask read: "Chaney, JP, O.U.P.C. #1279", and it appears that this is what authentication was based on.

When Pierce was later asked if he liked working with Chaney, he diplomatically replied: "Yes and no. That's about all I can say."

FAMOUS MONSTERS' TRIBUTE TO JACK PIERCE

After Jack's passing on July 19, 1968, this remembrance of him was published in the May 1969 issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland. It was written by editor Forrest J Ackerman and included a selected filmography by Gary Dorst and Jim Warren.

Ackerman wrote: "He made them [Pierce's makeups] the hard way, the old way, the original way that took half a day of tireless effort..."

Included was an excerpt of Frank Taylor's obituary for Jack from the Los Angeles Times on August 8, 1968.

Ray Bradbury added a poignant comment: "Jack Pierce's creation [of the Frankenstein monster] will be remembered for hundreds of years to come. And so, in a way, Jack Pierce created & signed his own epitaph."