Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) dir. Joseph Zito,  Paramount Pictures/Georgetown Productions Inc./Sean S. Cunningham Films

You'd think they would know better than to call something 'final' at this point, but I suppose that's why I'm not a producer.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Mr. Lobo

Real name: Erik Lobo
Years active: 2001-present

And now we come to the final horror host of the Golden State. We've had zombies, demons, ghouls, luchadors, but this is out first saint. Yup, Mr. Lobo is the patron saint of horror hosts as deemed by the Church of Ed Wood.

Starting back KXTV Channel 10 in Sacramento, the show was re-titled Cinema Insomnia the following year. Since then he's been broadcast coast to coast from California to Virginia. The character has been described as Rod Serling as being played by an idiot.

Had a chance to interview him, but it seems our schedules never could match. He's one of the longer lasting hosts who is still on the air, so kudos to him.



Cinema Insomnia

Horror Countdown 2015: Night of the Ghouls (1959)

Night of the Ghouls (1959) dir. Ed Wood, Wade Williams Presentation

And now we bring down the curtain on Edward D. Wood Jr.'s last horror film before he began his slow descent into skin flicks and juvenile delinquency scare films.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Balrok and No Name/Miss Misery

Real names: Unknown
Years active: 2012-present

Miss Misery, No Name, and Balrok

And here we have the latest hosts to debut in the Bay Area. Creepy Kofy Movie Time, airing on KOFY Channel 20 in San Fransisco. the cast is certainly one of the larger groups, including the aforementioned Miss Misery. She has has own segment on the show, focusing on shorts, but if Internet scuttlebutt is to believed there are also rumblings of her getting her own separate show. 

Movies, guests, and even some educational content. The show has even inspired some comics and some animated shorts. So far it looks like the next generation of horror hosts is in good hands. 

Website

Miss Misery

Horror Host Retrospective 2015: Spookman Dan

Real name: Dan Turner
Years active: 1982-1985

Funny enough I wasn't even aware of this host until I found an old episode of TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes. Elvira was the guest and they showed a slew of horror hosts who were active around 1982. Spookman Dan made the cut.

Hosting Late Night Fright Theater on KVIQ Channel 6 in Eureka, Spookman managed to be low key in appearance and over the top in manner. He did a brief go as a speakeasy owner a few years ago, but that business seems to have closed. As of 2011 he's back and on Youtube.

Horror Countdown 2015: The Crazies (1973)

The Crazies (1973) dir. George Romero, Pittsburgh Films

George Romero was never one for subtlety. After having zombies and witches with a dose of social commentary, what was next?

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Dita Dirt Nap

Real name: Buried with her
Years active: 1999-present

As we wind down the hosts of the Golden State we find one who lived, died, and lived again in a new market. Dita Dirt Nap, the undead ghoul with the heart of ice played in West Hollywood for a bit before ending the show and moving into the world of the Internet, focusing on horror reviews with none other than Count Gore De Vol. The online world seems to be brewing more hosts that I can track, but with the likes of Dita and the rest, the tradition is in good hands...or bones at least.



Her Facebook

Website

Horror Countdown 2015: Salem's Lot (1979)

Salem's Lot (1979) dir. Tobe Hooper, Warner Bros. Television

Quite a few directors either got their start in television or at least paid the bills with stints at the Big Three. Tobe Hooper was no exception. When George Romero walked away from adapting what would be the first Stephan King miniseries, Hooper was asked to fill his shoes. The end result was a high point for everyone involved.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Terrence

Real name: Russ Coglin
Years active: 1957-1958


We're winding down the countdown and this should be the last lost host. Terrence hosted Nightmare Theater on KRON-TV Channel 4 in San Fransisco. The show started in 1957, but the end is simply a guess.

Russ Coglin, who went on to do voice work for various Jay Ward series, hosted the show.  He was just that, a voice. Terrence existed only in voice over, with no skits or other promotional work to be found. In fact the only notable thing I could find was the riot he caused.

In 1957 he announced "Berkeley believers will  meet at the Big C at midnight", causing a thousand plus fans dressed as vampires to rush the UC at Berkeley's campus, necessitating the arrival of over 30 policemen to break the gathering up. 

Horror Countdown 2015: Stranger in Our House (1978)

Stranger in Our House (1978) dir. Wes Craven, Finnegan Associates/Inter Planetary/Interplanetary Pictures Productions

Wes Craven's career was one of ups and downs. After directing two of the most groundbreaking horror films of the 1970's, how did he finish the decade out? With a made for TV flick staring Linda Blair.

Not to put down made for TV films. The 1970's and 80's saw quite a few films make their debut on the small screen, but working for NBC doesn't have the same prestige as working for one of the bigger studios or the creative freedom of an independent one.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Ottola Nesmith

Real name: Ottloa Nesmith
Years active: 1957-1958

Another first; we've seen vampires and doctors but never an actor. Ottloa Nesmith had been an actor ever since the silent era, mostly in bit parts. When television became a thing, Ottloa became a host of Nightmare! on KTLA Channel 5 in Hollywood back in 1957.

Her character? A dotty old actress. No fangs, fur, or a frazzled lab coat, but shades of Sunset Boulevard which is fairly unique. Ottloa actually got into some hot water when Mae Clarke sued Ottloa, claiming she was passing herself as Clarke during a broadcast of Frankenstein (1931). The whole thing was settled out of court.

She passed away in 1972.

Horror Countdown 2015: The Fog (1980)

The Fog (1980) dir. John Carpenter,  AVCO Embassy/E.D.I./Debra Hill Productions

John Carpenter's Halloween has been called a Argento homage, and this has been considered his tribute to Fulci. Distinctive and keeps the audience on the same page as the characters, it's part ghost story and part zombie thriller.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Nightshadow

Real name: Unknown
Years active: Late 1990's-present

Another first; we've had hosts who were doctors, scientists, witches, ghouls, and zombies. First host I've seen who's a professional wrestler.

The Nightshadow is one of those rare breeds known as an indy wrestler. He claims to be a member of the New World Order...although if that's the wrestling stable or conspiracy theory I've been unable to confirm membership in either.

Horror/Kung Fu Theater is/was broadcast in East Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, although I've yet to see which station airs it. The website has long since died, and unlike the host it isn't coming back.

The show seemed/seems inventive. From on top Castle Shadow, surrounded by scores of undead Shaolin masters and other monsters, sits the Nightshadow. From his castle home he focuses on marital arts and the cheesy horror he could find. 

Horror Countdown 2015: Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) dirs. John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, & George Miller, Warner Bros.

Slightly different approach here, as I've never reviewed an anthology before, but since this was Joe Dante's next major work, I included it.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Ms. Monster

Real name: Classified
Years active: 2004-present

One of the more recent hosts and one that still produces content. Bringing Hel on Ice to San Francisco Public Access Channel 29 and Salem Public Access Channel 3 in Salem (making her one of the few hosts to work in different regions at the same time), Ms. Monster is the undead host with the most haunted pair of melons to haunt the airwaves.

Unlike other hosts, she does more than simply crack wise at public access offerings. Ms. Monster launched a full media assault, including comics and live shows. She even attempted to become the next Elvira, although we're to never mention that again.


Her website

Horror Countdown 2015: Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)

Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957) dir. Roger Corman, Los Altos Productions

Roger Corman is a director that gets a bum rap. Sure, his films were cheap, but the man could churn out a film and still have change left over. It may not be a good movie, but he knew what he was doing. The end results could be uneven and cheaper than you would believe, but he still manged to wring a few scares out of most of the material.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Sal U. Lloyd

Real name: Jay Curtis
Years active: 1980-1981


We have first here, in what might be the first international horror host. Sal U. Lloyd oversaw Disasterpeice Theater on XETV Channel 6 out of Tijuana but the show was also broadcasted in San Diego.

The show was focused on showcasing the worst films ever made. What made Sal U. Lloyd stand out was his treatment of the films. Where as hosts had been splicing themselves into the films since Zacherly, Sal straight up made fun of them. Gag dubbing/subtitles, sometimes even replacing the original soundtrack and the guests ranging from Whoopi Golberg to fake ones like George Mucas. Sal also took a different air than other hosts. Where as most had a campy feel, or at least enthusiasm, Sal acted like he didn't give a damn. He mocked the studio, the movies, and everything else.

The show ended with arguments between the creators and the station, who had a nasty habit of taping over previous tapes. The surviving footage was placed on Youtube in 2009.


The show's Myspace can be found here

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Lou Schlock

Real name: Josh Thompson
Years active: 1998-present

Hosting Schlock Theatre in Chino, although I have been unable to find which station, Lou seems to be continuing the tradition of the wacky host. His co-host Timmy the Troll often escape into the films. Haven't seen anything else about him though.

"See you on the TV kids!"

Horror Countdown 2015: The Tingler (1959)

The Tingler (1959) dir. William Castle, Columbia Pictures/William Castle Productions

Moving into the works of William Castle, many have considered the Tingler to be one of his better works. With a good gimmick and Vincent Price at his best, I'm inclined to agree.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Rex Lane

Real name: Rex Lane
Years active: 1999-present

An odd one here. While I've found mentions of the host, I've yet to see a picture or even a mention of anything else.

Playing a suave lounge lizard, Rex Lane would welcome the audience to the Late, Late, Late Show on Public Access Channel 53 in San Francisco along with the unseen Mr. X

The public access channel has no listing of the host or anything related to him, and I've been unable to find anything else with him.

Any readers in the Bay Area want to give us a hand?

Horror Countdown 2015: The 39 Steps (1935)

The 39 Steps (1935) dir. Alfred Hitchcock, Gaumont-British Picture Corporation

Moving into the director's portion of the countdown, we open with the works of Alfred Hitchcock. Granted, many of his films (this included) don't fit the standard mold of horror, but it is a thriller which I've found is mostly horror minus ghosts or vampires.

Horror Countdown 2015: Howling III(1987)

Howling III (1987) dir. Phillipe Mora, Bancannia Holdings Ltd.

Joe Dante's the Howling brought werewolves into the 1980's, so naturally a sequel would be made. Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf was cheaper but still managed to turn a profit, so naturally the director of part 2 was given the job of part 3. It's...unusual I'll say that.

Horror Host 2015 Retospective: Junkyard John

Real name: John Roberts
Years active: 1994-2003

One of the longer running recent hosts, Junkyard John hosted from the local dump with his puppets Stu the Carrot and Alphonso T. Rat on KPAL Channel 38 in Lancaster. Dumpsterpiece Theater featured the standard public domain fare, as well as shorts and cartoons.

The show ended in 2003, but his website is still active.

His website can be found here

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Grimsley

Real name: Robert Foster
Years active: 1976-1979


Sinister Seymour had left KHJ-TV Channel 9 in Los Angles for greener pastures, so another host was needed for Fright Night. In walked Mr. Foster as everyone's favorite head wound sporting undertaker.


The show lasted for a while, but in the end the station decided to go in a different direction...mostly a mistress of horror, that gal with the sass and a great...talent.

Horror Countdown 2015: Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989)

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989) dir. Monte Hellman, Image Entertainment/Quiet Films, Inc.

The Silent Night, Deadly Night series was never a top five franchise, but it did make up for its lack of talent with inventive kills or at least some genuine memorable scenes (cue the "Garbage Day" meme...)

How does part 3 hold up?

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: The Glob

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 1973

The strangest host of all I think. Where as most have been men or women, this host is truly a first in that it was never alive in the first place.

The Glob was a puppet. Not quite a Muppet, more like a rubber fright mask with some luckless stage hand wearing it over his/her hand off camera. For about a year on KBHK Channel 44 in San Fransisco, the Glob proved popular enough to inspire a rare thing: A Slurpee.

Local 7-11's in the Bay advertised a favor inspired by the host, although I have as of yet be unable to find a description of what said flavor would entail. 

Horror Countdown 2015: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982), dir. Tommy Lee Wallace, Dino de Laurentiis Corporation

It's been said before, but John Carpenter didn't intend for the Halloween series to be only about masked killers stalking Jamie Lee Curtis. It was supposed to be an anthology, but the backers wanted more Myers. Halloween III was supposed to be a change in direction and a change to leave Myers and Loomis behind, but the box office said otherwise.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Jeepers Keeper

Real name: Fred Stutham
Years active:1964-1966

And we come to the last host of Jeepers Creeper Theatre, taking over as host for KCOP Channel 13 in LA. He seemed more of a retread of Jeepers and the Creeper, but he did finish up the show. 

Horror Countdown 2015: Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) dir. Chuck Russell, Heron Communications/Smart Egg Pictures

Funny that  I do the third film before the first, but then again dreams don't have to make sense. Wes Craven helped with the script, so we get a film keeping with the spirit of the first film.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Ghoulita

Real name: Lietta Harvey
Years active: 1963-1964

Jeepers(Bob Guy) was eventually replaced, but his first successor was a ghoulish one. Ghoulita stepped in for a year on Jeepers Creeper Theater, but she finally left and left the Creeper in charge.


There is footage surviving, but it seems the owners only want people to see it on Youtube, so feel free to jump over there.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Famous Morris

Real name: Don Sherman
Years active: 1975

A short lived host, as many are, but Don Sherman at least played something different other than a mad doctor or vampire. As Famous Morris, Agent to the Monsters, he schmoozed the audience with his clients like Dracula and the Wolfman.

He was only on the air for one year, but viewers on KCOP Channel 13 had something for a bit.

Horror Countdown 2015: Friday the 13th, Part 3 (1982)

Friday the 13th, Part 3 (1982) dir. Steve Miner, Paramount Pictures/Georgetown Productions/Jason Productions/Sean S. Cunningham Productions

This isn't a Friday or the 13th, but I felt it was time to move past the vampires and mad barons and take a look at the slashers, or the horror icons of the 80's. 

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Duncan Lamond

Real name: Duncan Lamond
Years active: 1965-1966

Another lost host. The only definite thing I could find on him was he was a pirate and on KTTV Channel 11 in Los Angeles.

Even the host's real name and exact years active is just a guess. Sometimes you don't get lucky with every host.

Horror Countdown 2015: Paranoiac (1963)

Paranoiac (1963) dir. Freddie Francis, Hammer Films Productions

Here we see another villainous turn by Oliver Reed, in a film that has everything click.

Horror Host 2015: Dr. Zombie/Dug Graves

Real name: Classified
Years active: 1998-present

The 'present' may not be 100% accurate, as it seems the dear Dr. Zombie website has utterly vanished from the web. He began in the late 1990's on Channel 8 in Modesto and Channel 74 in Sacramento hosting Halloween Theater.

Around 2000, however, the format changed. The name was different (Zombie Resurrection Theatre) but the main thing was the host was pulling double duty. Going under the name Dug Graves, he hosted the KDOA Horror Radio Show, which he is still doing to this day.

Odd that a host goes from genre to another, but points to bringing horror to whole another platform.

His Facebook can be found here

Horror countdown 2015: The Maniac (1963)

The Maniac (1963), dir. Michael Carreras, Hammer Film Productions

More of a thriller than straight horror, the Maniac may be the most Hitchcockian film Hammer ever made.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Uncle Davver

Real name: Wally Wingert
Years active: 2003-present

Technically a California host, as the character of Uncle Davver was based in Hollywood but as of yet never appeared on television. Uncle Davver's Really Scary Movie Show was a pilot developed by noted voice actor Wally Wingert.

The live show appeared to be a lively affair, born of live movie parties hosted by Wingert and various other characters.

As of today, as best as I can figure, Uncle Davver never graced the small screen. A pity, as any horror host that can score Sybil Danning, Weird Al, and Wil Wheaton as guests is alright in my book.

His website can be found here

Horror Countdown 2015: The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)

The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), dir. Terrance Fisher, Hammer Films Productions

Most horror fans would argue that the 1960's were Hammer's golden period of horror, having finally gotten the formula down pat and blessed with the talents of Fisher, Lee, and Cushing. With their horror library including several Dracula and Frankenstein entries, it is odd that that there would be only one werewolf film.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Dr. Von Shlock

Real name: Gene Moss
Years active: 1965-1966

Technically more of a afternoon kid show host than a proper horror host, Dr. Von Shlock and his puppet Shrimpenstein entertained kids on KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles for a while in the mid 1960's. As best as I can tell he hosted more cartoons than movies, but a host is a host.

As an aside, he would finish up his tenure KHJ Channel 9, which would eventually change into KCAL, home to several hosts we've showcased before.

Horror 2015 Countdown: The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)

The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) dir. Vale Guest, Hammer Film Productions

We've seen how Hammer slowly went down in the late sixties and early seventies, but I think it's time we went back a bit and took at one of their earlier hits and one of their first genuinely original characters. Released in the US as the Creeping Unknown in 1956, the strange saga of Professor Bernard Quatermass is the perfect blend of science fiction and horror. In 1953 the BBC staged an adaptation of Nigel Kneale's groundbreaking tale of rockets and monsters on the loose in London. Hammer, looking to release more movies in the American market, took the serial and redid the story with a new cast and a slightly altered script.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Remo D.

Real name: Shane M. Dallman
Years active: 2002-present

Hosting Remo D.'s Manor of Mayhem on Access Monterrey Peninsula, Channel 24 since January 2002, Remo D. is one of the newer hosts prowling the airwaves. Taking the informative and the goofy, sort of a blend of Svengoolie and Bob Wilkins, Remo D. oversees a wacky bunch of co-hosts and showing only the choice Paul Naschy vehicles and other Eurotrash classics.

His Facebook page can be found here.

Horror Countdown 2015: Twins of Evil (1971)

Twins of Evil (1971) dir. John Hough,  the Rank Organization/Hammer Film Productions

Despite the first script for the third Karnstein film being rejected, the pressure to follow up Lust for a Vampire was high and Hammer needed a hit. With a returning Peter Cushing, how did the saga of the Karnstein vampires end?

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Doktor Ghoulfinger

Real name: Michael Monahan
Years active: 2001-present

One of the more classically inspired hosts, Doktor Hieronymus Bullwinkle Ghoulfinger and the Hip Crypt of Doktor Ghoulfinger. made their respective debut on Halloween Night 2001 in Berkley on Berkley Community Media B-TV, Channel 28.

Basing his character on Asmodeus with a pinch of Bob Wilkins, Doktor Ghoullfinger was the grooviest host on the air with skits and reoccurring characters like the Noogins (severed heads who bickered).

His website seems to have been devoured by the dark corridors of the Internets, but he still posts on various forms.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Creepmeister Maximus

Real name: Whitey Gleason
years active: 1990-1994

A host so obscure I couldn't even find any footage on Youtube, Creepmeister Maximus, better known as Whitey Gleason, hosted Frightnite Theater on  KSCH-TV Channel 58 in Rancho Cordova. From what few clips I could find he seemed to take a page from the Bob Wilkins playbook, even having a framed picture of him on set. Despite the name he played it as straight as he could.

The films seemed to be a package deal, like the old Shock Features. Any station that would show the Wraith and They Live does earn some cool points in my book.

I was unable to find anything else on Mr. Gleason, but there is a radio personality in Pacifica with the same name, but I'm not seeing anything definite to link them.



The only footage I could find was here

Horror Countdown 2015: The Mummy's Shroud (1967)

The Mummy's Shroud (1967) dir. John Gilling, Seven Arts Pictures-Hammer Film Productions

By the late 1960's, Hammer was starting to struggle. The increasing reluctance to change the old formula was started to bite. Could their next Mummy film be different?

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: The Creeper

Real name: Jim Sullivan
Years active: 1965-1966


We've seen sidekicks take over for a departing host before (see John Stanley and Bob Wilkins), but here might be the first example I can find. Jim Sullivan started on Jeepers Creepers Theater on KCOP-TV Channel 13 with Bob Guy almost at the same time, usually acting as crew or extra.

When Guy finally quite, the show continued on for another year, with another host in charge. When that host left, Sullivan stepped in as the Creeper. He stayed on for another year,  but was eventually replaced with another. That will be covered in time.

Horror 2015 Countdown: The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) dir. Freddie Francis, Hammer Film Productions

The third time out proved an odd but serviceable entry. It was also the first in the Hammer Frankenstein series to utterly disregard the previous films.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Count Smokula

Real name: Robert M. Miles
Years active: 1996-present

Here we find a host of a different color. Count Smokula began as a musician, but it was his public access show in Los Angeles that the world saw the 496 year old accordion playing vampire. From there he found work with another madman, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films. While his show was cancelled, Count Smokula has released music through Troma and emceed everything from pro wrestling to burlesque shows.  







His website can be found here

Horror Countdown 2015: Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)

Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) dir. Terence Fisher, Hammer Films Productions

Odd how a few years can change things. Christopher Lee's return to the titular role brought a certain amount of class and menace to the part, even if he refused to say any of the lines.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Cosmosina/Moona Lisa

Real name: Lisa Clark
Years active: 1963-1973

Sometimes replacements don't always work. Cosmosina was host of Science Fiction Theater on KOGO Channel 10 in San Diego, where the focus was on science fiction. The show was popular enough that in 1972 KHJ-TV Channel 9 brought Lisa Clark in to replace Sinister Seymour on Fright Night as the Cosmosina's sister Moona Lisa.

The change was controversial. Despite her fan base, Los Angeles residents wanted Vincent's slouch hat wearer instead. After a few months, she went back to San Diego to host Moona Lisa's Creature Features on KFMB Channel 8. In 1973 she ended her run in St. Louis of all places, hosting Moona's Midnight Madness on KMOX Channel 4.

While there is no footage surviving there are plenty of articles. Moona seemed like a pretty decent host. She borrowed a bit from Zacherley where she would insert herself into the films, even using the footage from the Moon landing in one bit. She also briefly had a house band called the Roaches. They were not very popular. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGbOxGap0Ko



"Happy hallucinations honeys"  

Horror Countdown 2015: The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

The Creature Walks Among Us (1956) dir.John Sherwood, Universal-International Pictures

Moving into the 1950's, we find a slightly different tale for the Gill-Man.

In case you missed Revenge of the Creature, don't worry as it had the same ending as Creature from the Black Lagoon. Namely, the Gill-Man was shot full of holes and left floating in the water.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Peaches Christ

Real name: Joshua Grannell
Years active: 1998-2009

One of the more unusual hosts out there today, as Peaches Christ actually started, not on television, but rather in the theater. Hosting the Midnight Mass from the Bridge Theater in San Francisco, the jump to television didn't take too long. Canned Peaches aired every fourth Thursday on CityVision Channel 29 in the Bay Area for a few years, but was eventually cancelled. The character of Peaches Christ is still around, although no longer hosting the Mass. Joshua Grannell, on the other hand, has moved behind the camera. Episodes of Canned Peaches were formerly available at the official website but that no longer appears to be the case.

You can still get copies of Grannell's directorial debut All About Evil at the website store, so there is that.

Horror Countdown 2015: Jungle Captive (1944)

Jungle Captive (1944) dir. Harold Young, Universal Pictures

Looking back at the saga of Paula Dupree, one laments the wasted opportunity. There were few female Universal Monsters, and even then they were spin offs of the male characters. Paula was unique, at least in story terms, although the execution was basically another werewolf story.

Horror Host 2015 Retorspective: Ivonna Cadaver

Real name: Natalie Popovich
Years active: 2002-present day

One of the first hosts on the list who's still active today, Ivonna Cadaver began at first as the sidekick to former child actor Butch Patrick. When Patrick left the show, the show was slightly retooled and now Macabre Theatre lives again.

Making the debut on KHIZ Channel 64, the show has managed to make the jump to satellite. One of the more interesting things about the show is the broadcasting of independent films rather than an endless showing of public domain features.







Her website can be found here

Horror Countdown 2015: The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

The Mummy's Tomb (1942) dir. Harold Young, Universal Pictures

The third time out for Universal's Mummy proved to be a charm and a strong follow up to the other two. A few questions about setting come up, as the film makes it clear that it is set in 1942 and thirty years after the previous films...meaning the Mummy's Hand must have taken place in 1912.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: John Stanley

Real name:John Stanley
Years active: 1979-1984, Oakland, CA


Spin-offs are not uncommon, although in the world of horror hosts this can still be unusual. John Stanley came into the world of horror in 1979 for KTVU Channel 2's Creature Features, first as a guest then partner for Bob Wilkins. When Wilkins left for greener pastures (working in marketing for some new wonder kid director named George Lucas), Stanley was picked to be his replacement. 





Opting to follow Wilkins example but not to simply ape his character, Stanley skipped the costumes and played it straight. For six years he had the movie going public in the palm of his hand, but it would be a changing market that did Creature Features in and nothing else. The station owners also didn't care for the new slew of horror films coming out, coupled with the changed nature of television by this point and Stanley saw Creature Features laid to rest.





His website can be found here

Horror Countdown 2015: The Invisble Woman (1940)

The Invisible Woman (1940), dir. A. Edward Sutherland, Universal Pictures

This may have been the first sign of Universal's slow descent into camp. While the Universal Monsters were enjoying a second wind, the Invisible Man series was brought back with the Invisible Man's Return and this in the same year.

Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Bob Wilkins

Real name:Bob Wilkins
Years active: 1966-1984

 One of the most notable hosts to come out of California, Bob Wilkins proved to be so notable that several hosts were outright dropped in favor of his program.

 Starting in the late 1960's on KCRA Channel 3 in Stockton, CA, Bob's 7 Arts Theater proved such a ratings smash that Sacramento station KXTL Channel 40 picked him up and gave him the Bob Wilkins Horror Show. 

Creature Features, however, would be his main mark. Airing also on KTVU, Channel 2 in Oakland and San Fransisco, Wilkins acted not only as host but also writer and producer. Hosting not as a vampire or mad doctor; although he did don the mantle of Captain Cosmic for another show specializing in Godzilla films, Wilkins was simply himself. Dry, sardonic, and with a good cigar to showcase some great and sometimes not so great films. Very low key, with an emphasis on the film and the guests, Wilkins set the tone for many future hosts. 

 In 1979, Wilkins added John Stanley as his co-host and eventual replacement, but his is a tale for another day.

Bob Wilkins, from E-Gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts

 Bob Wilkins passed away on January 7th, 2009.

 His website is available here

Horror Countdown 2015: Son of Frankenstein

Son of Frankenstein (1939), dir. Rowland V. Lee, Universal Pictures.

Horror Host 2015 Retorspective: Jeepers/Jeepers Creepers

Real name: Bob Guy
Years active: 1962-1963, Los Angles, CA

Also known as Jeepers Creepers, this was at first going to focus only on Bob Burns, but since he was more of a sidekick I figured the main host should be the focus. The funny thing though, is that without Burns no one would have any images at all, as Burns requested a copy of his episode.

Jeepers

Hosting Jeepers Creepers Theatre, later renamed Theatre 13 on KCOP-TV, Channel 13, Guy and the westward moving Burns, as the Mad Mummy, ran for about a year on LA late Saturday nights before being replaced. In that time though Guy did manage to find the time to work with a young musician named Zappa.  Guy passed away on September 10,1984.

Horror Countdown 2015: Dracula's Daughter (1936)

Dracula's Daughter (1936), dir. Lambert Hillyer, Universal Pictures.

 By 1936 the market for horror had changed. The Great Depression proved that people had enough to scare them without the aid of monsters. Universal gutted their horror budgets in response, which is a pity for Dracula's Daughter. The original script, based on the short story Dracula's Guest, would have featured Bela Lugosi returning as the Count and James Whale directing. We didn't get that version.

 

Horror Host 2015 Retorspective: Asmodeus

Real name: Frank Sheridan
Years active: 1968-1970

Staying with San Fransisco for a bit, we find Asmodeus, the host of Shock Theater on KEMO-TV, Channel 20.

From E-Gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts

Horror Countdown 2015: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) dir. John S. Robertson, Famous Players Lasky/Artcraft Pictures

1920 was a big year for Robert Louis Stevenson's masterpiece, with no less than three versions being filmed.

Horror Countdown 2015: The Invisble Ray (1936)

The Invisible Ray (1936) dir. Lambert Hillyer, Universal Pictures

 An unusual film, and generally considered the last proper horror film of Universal's first wave. It was also one of the few times Bela Lugosi was allowed to play a hero.