On Friday evening, August 8, at 11 pm, PulpFest 2025 and Doc Con XXI will be the place to see Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze. Produced by George Pal and directed by Michael Anderson, the film turns fifty in 2025, just in time for the return of Doc Con.
After returning from his Fortress of Solitude, Doc Savage learns that his father has died under mysterious circumstances while exploring the remote interior of the Central American Republic of Hidalgo. With his “Fabulous Five,” the Man of Bronze heads south where he defeats the bloodthirsty Captain Seas and claims his destiny.
Selecting Ron Ely for the title role, George Pal hoped to make a killing with the Doc Savage film franchise. “After the first one is successful, we’ll make another one, and then we’ll sell the series to television. By that time, every network will fight for it. At least, that’s my conviction.”
Instead, Pal wound up with a film that “demonstrates none of the charm or thrills of classics like The War of the Worlds (1953) or The Time Machine (1960). (Doc) Savage is hampered by budget woes, weak acting, a sluggish script, and some painfully forced attempts at camp.”
Despite its shortcomings, Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze remains part of the legend of Lester Dent’s marvelous creation. And at 50 years old, the film deserves a celebration. That’s why PulpFest and Doc Con will be showing the film not once, but twice!
On Saturday, August 9, at 2:30 pm, we’ll be offering the “fan cut” of the George Pal film — what “could have been” if the studio execs had not been “fearful that a serious depiction of a pulp hero would not play to audiences in the mid-70s.” Preceding our second showing of The Man of Bronze will be a panel exploring Pal’s film and its history.
We hope you’ll join us on Saturday afternoon, August 9, at 1:30 pm as we welcome filmmaker Ron Hill and Chris Kalb to our stage for “Fifty Years of George Pal’s The Man of Bronze.” It’s part of this year’s Doc Con revival, the convention for the “Fans of Bronze.” It’s back following an absence of eight years.
Ever since he could hold a crayon, Ron Hill has been creating images. He began with penciled copies of Charlie Brown and Pogo, then moved on to detailed paintings of heroic subjects like Doc Savage and Star Wars. Professionally, Ron has been providing caricature entertainment for private and corporate events, gift caricature commissions, and illustration services for over four decades. In 2024, Ron released We Are Doc Savage: A Documentary on Fandom, a feature-length documentary, 2 years in production, that explores the history of Doc Savage fandom. It’s now available on DVD.
Chris Kalb is known in pulp circles for his hero pulp websites, like The 86th Floor and The Spider Returns, ventures that have helped to attract people who are new to the pulps. There isn’t anyone out there making better use of new technology while preserving the “oldness” of pulps and early twentieth century popular culture. He has become the person to go to for publishers who want a retro-design for their books or website, including Ed Hulse’s Murania Press. Chris is also the designer for Age of Aces Books, a pulp reprint house specializing in air-war fiction. In 2010, Age of Aces received two National Indie Excellence Awards for Chris’s work on the bestselling The Spider vs. The Empire State. Chris was the designer of PulpFest‘s original website and for many years, put together the convention’s print advertisements. A freelance designer and illustrator, he was also the Art Director of Sci-Fi Magazine for many years.
The general public is welcome to attend our afternoon and evening programming events free of charge. To learn more about our programming, please click the 2025 Schedule button at the top of this page.
For those who also want to enjoy our dealers’ room, you can join PulpFest by clicking the register button at the top of this page. Remember, in addition to your membership in PulpFest 2025, you’ll also be a member of Doc Con XXI, ERBFest 2025, and Farmercon XX. That’s four conventions for one price! You can’t beat that deal.
Don’t forget to book a room. Due to cancellations, our host hotel, the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry has a few rooms left at the convention rate. Click here to make your reservation. You can also reserve a room at our host hotel by calling 1-724-776-6900 or 855-610-8733. To receive the special convention rate of $136 plus tax per night, you must mention that you are a PulpFest attendee or use the code CDT91R. To get the convention rate, you must book your room by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, July 15.
You can click here for nearby hotels if the rooms at the DoubleTree are no longer available.
If you’re looking for a roommate, write to Jack Cullers at his email address below.
If you’re interested in selling at PulpFest, our dealers’ room is full. However, we are adding a limited number of tables in the pre-function hallway outside of the dealers’ room. These tables will cost $125 each and will be guarded by security overnight. If you are interested, please write to Jack Cullers at jack@pulpfest.com to sign up for a spot. Any attendees who are interested in providing security services, please write to Jack Cullers at his email address above.
Visit the PulpFest YouTube Channel to catch the Doc Savage Trailer.
While you’re there, please be sure to subscribe.
Our featured image is a movie still featuring Ron Eli in the role of Doc Savage, the lead character in George Pal’s 1975 film, The Man of Bronze. The same image was adapted by William Lampkin for our PulpFest postcard advertising our showing of Pal’s movie.
Don’t be left in the lurch with a badly worn shirt. Click the link in our top menu and order a PulpFest t-shirt. They’re available in a variety of sizes in black or royal blue with the PulpFest logo across the chest. They’ll also be available for sale at PulpFest 2025.
