Horror Countdown 2017: Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Dawn of the Dead (1978) dir. George Romero, Laurel Group Inc.

And now we reach the end my friends. Horror aplenty this past year, so why not close it out with one good scare?

Sequels can be a tricky thing. Too many and you risk diluting what made the first one good. This one, however, is not one of those. It is bit a odd. Looking at the Universal and even Hammer films, one tends to notice they had sequels out as little as the same year the previous ones, yet Romero waited a full ten years before coming back to the world set up in Night of the Living Dead. 

His exact reasons aren't known, but modern cinema can agree it was good he waited.  

Horror Countdown 2017: Videodrome (1983)

Videodrome (1983) dir. David Cronenberg, Canadian Film Development Corporation

Now this is when things get weird. Cronenberg, never one to shy away from the grotesque, might have created one of the most horrific films made in the 80's. I know the term visionary might be a bit clichéd, but this is one film that can only be described as such.

Horror Countdown 2017: Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist (1982) dir. Tobe Hooper, SLM Production Group/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Taking a look at Tobe Hooper's next film, and wow. In the early 80's if you told me the guy behind the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would do a film with the guy behind E.T., I would have called you crazy. Of course, if one goes by the scuttlebutt around this film, Hooper didn't do anything more taxing than making sure the cameras were turned on and pointed at the actors. After watching it, I'm inclined to believe it. 

Horror Countdown 2017: Swamp Thing (1982)

Swamp Thing (1982) dir. Wes Craven, Swampfilms

Wes Craven had been slumming in made for television flicks for a while, but would DC's Swamp Thing be enough to put him back in the cinema?

Funny aside, this was the first film to made on a DC character that wasn't Superman. The Swamp Thing first showed up in House of Secrets#92 (June-July 1971), with the revamped take Swamp Thing (October-November 1972) published a year later. The scientist mutated into a muck encrusted mockery of a man proved to be fairly popular, but was finally canceled in 1976. The second series, the Saga of the Swamp Thing, came out on the heels of this film. 

Horror Countdown 2017: The Thing (1982)

The Thing (1982) dir. John Carpenter, the Turman-Foster Company

John Carpenter, during the 80's, might have been one of the most underrated directors around. His remake of the Thing, for example, was utterly derided by critics at the time. Now? Considered one of the best horror films of the 80's and easily one of Carpenter's best. 

Horror Countdown 2017: The 'Burbs (1989)

The 'Burbs (1989) dir. Joe Dante, Imagine Entertainment

Joe Dante, by this point in his career, had moved more into comedy and science fiction, but his return to dark comedy would prove to be bit uneven.

Horror Countdown 2017: Rock All Night (1957)

Rock All Night (1957) dir. Roger Corman, Sunset Productions

An interesting one. Is it suspense? Film noir? Rock and roll musical? Why not all three?

Horror Countdown 2017: Homicidal (1961)

Homicidal (1961) dir. William Castle, William Castle Productions

William Castle has been considered the low rent version of Hitchcock, and his film Homicidal has been compared (sometime unfavorably) to Psycho. I never thought that comparison was very fair, and that Castle's effort is easily equal to Hitchcock.

Horror Countdown 2017: Sabotage (1936)

Sabotage (1936) dir. Alfred Hitchcock, Gaumont British Picture Corporation

Moving into the director section of this year's countdown, we take a look at the work of Alfred Hitchcock. The man's work and reputation was growing by this point, churning at least one film a year. 

Horror Countdown 2017: The Phantom of the Opera (1983)

The Phantom of the Opera (1983) dir. Robert Markowitz, Robert Halmi Productions

And here we end our look back at the Phantom. I wasn't even aware of this version until fairly recently, but for a made for television movie it manages to be a fairly decent take on the tale, although there are some problems. 

Horror Countdown 2017: Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) dir. Brian de Palma, Harbor Productions

My first Brian de Palma film. Before Mr. de Palma was obsessed with copying Hitchcock, he was doing some pretty innovative work. Phantom of the Paradise is his take on Phantom of the Opera, and brother, it is a take for sure.

Horror Countdown 2017: The Phantom of Hollywood (1974)

The Phantom of Hollywood (1974) dir. Gene Levitt, MGM Television

Inspired by the films, no doubt, but as the years wore on the tale of the Phantom started to move away from the Paris Opera house. This was one of the first American takes on the story that changed the setting, but the overall theme is similar.

Horror Countdown 2017: Song at Midnight (1937)

Song at Midnight (1937) dir. Ma-Xu Weibang, Xinhua Film Company

Taking a break from the slashers, right now we'll switch the focus to one particular of horror. Last year we focused on Bela Lugosi. This year we'll look at the Phantom of the Opera. 

We covered the first cinematic appearance of Gaston Leroux's most famous creation, as well as Universal's first follow-up and Hammer's remake.

Next we'll look at the second look at the novel, plus the first sound version, China's Song at Midnight.

Horror Countdown 2017: Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991)

Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991) dir. Martin Kitrosser, Still Silent Films Inc.

We started with a crazed Santa, moved to the awe and glory that is Garbage Day, then went pagan. How would the Silent Night series follow that up?

Horror Countdown 2017: Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)

Howling V: The Rebirth (1989) dir. Neal Sundstrom, Allied Vision/Lane Pringle Productions/Mafilm Studios

We started with Joe Dante, to Christopher Lee doing his best...to parts 3 and 4. Surely they could only go up?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Atomic

Real name: Jeremy Savage
Years active: Mid-1980s to 1990


And here we end the look back at horror hosts for another year. This time we look at the first and only host from Connecticut (Madd Frank did host for here for a bit, but he started in North Dakota, so we'll take a look at him when we get out west).

From WHCT Channel 18, Dr. Atomic featured mostly AIP films instead of the usual Universal or public domain flicks. He seemed to be a goofy scientist, although I've yet to find a picture of him.

Horror Countdown 2017: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) dir. Marcus Nipsel, Next Entertainment/Platinum Dunes/Rader Pictures

After the strange mess that was the Next Generation, how would a new generation handle the saga of Leatherface? Although the last two takes had been practically remakes themselves, I suppose someone else deserved the right to screw things up.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Death

Real name: Ted Knight
Years active: Late 1950's


Now here is an interesting example. Most hosts stay hosts, or a channel might hire an actor (see William Shatner), but it rare for the host to move onto other things. Ted Knight, who you might remember as Ted Baxter from the Mary Tyler Moore Show or the announcer of the Superfriends, was the only horror host from Rhode Island, and as near as I can tell was the very first.

Dr. Death, from what few accounts I could find, seemed to be mostly a mummy with a pinch of Dr. Phibes thrown in.


I can't seem to find anything on the show's name, but Knight was employed by WJAR-TV Channel 10 in Providence for most of the late 1950's until he moved onto bigger things, mostly fame on various televisions shows of the 1970's.

He passed away in 1986.

Horror Countdown 2017: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) dir. Dominique Othenin-Giard, Magnum Pictures/Klasky Csupo/Trancas

If you recall the end of part 4, Michael Myers (Don Shanks) was filled full of lead and dumped down a mine shaft and dynamited for good measure. Little Jamie (Danielle Harris) seemed wiling to take up the family business though, as she stabbed her adaptive mother while Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) screamed in horror.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Mongo

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 1991 to 1993


As we continue our look into the hosts of New England, we move into the Ocean State of Rhode Island. The smallest state in the union managed to produce two hosts, of which Dr. Mongo is one.


Like a few previous hosts, Dr. Mongo was given a backstory. Formerly Dr. Montague B. Gourley, the host with the most came into possession of Marcucci Manor; which was quickly renamed into Mongo Manor, upon the passing of his film obsessed grandfather. Mongo swore to show only the finest movies from the massive vaults under the manor, but first he had to show all the crap that was blocking the door. Thus, Dr. Mongo's Midnight Movie was born. Later, the show was moved to Saturday afternoon and renamed Dr. Mongo's Sci-Fi Cinema on Providence's WNAC Fox Chanel 64.

There seemed to be fairly decent sized cast, with Dr. Mongo playing most of the manor's guests and Larry Lechan playing the bucked tooth hunchback assistant Qusio.

Horror Countdown 2017: A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) dir. Stephan Hopkins, Heron Communications/Smart Egg Pictures

When we last left our heroes, Alice (Lisa Wilcox) and her boyfriend Dan (Danny Hassel) were the only survivors of Freddy Kruger (Robert Englund)'s last rampage. Surely everything would be fine by now, right?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Misstress Raven

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 2006 to unknown


And this one almost totally slipped under my radar. Honestly, I wouldn't even have heard of her if I hadn't been looking through the internet one day.

The whole affair seems to be either a student production or maybe a school channel. After Dark with Raven (three episodes as near as I can tell) focused on public domain flicks like White Zombie. Decent acting and the focus was more on the movies.

I'm putting them with the Massachusetts hosts as the production company, Mad Z Productions, seems to be based out of Easthampton.

Mad Z Productions

Horror Countdown 2017: The Nanny (1965)

The Nanny (1965) dir. Seth Holt, Associated British Picture Corporation/Hammer Film Productions-Seven Arts

Here we have another prime example of the psycho-biddy genre. Bette Davis, no longer shackled to Joan Crawford, is given a whole film to chew.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Uncle Death

Real name: ?
Years active: 2011-present

We have a current host, or do we? Uncle Death seems to be the host of the Uncle Death Show, which seems to be aired only on the Fright Channel, which seems to still be in business, although aside from references on Twitter I can't seem to find a listing for the show, although it seems the network seems to have undergone a makeover and now seems to be more internet based than regular television. I did find a listing for the show back on a few years ago, saying it aired in Melrose and Somerville.


Horror Heaven

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) dir. John Carl Buechler, Friday Four Inc./Sean S. Cunningham Films

Given this is Friday the 13th, why not keep the tradition going? We've seen Jason die, come back, and die again. Jason Lives showed Jason chained up under the murky waters of Crystal Lake. How would he come back?

Horror Countdown 2017: Demons of the Mind (1972)

Demons of the Mind (1972) dir. Peter Sykes, Angelo-EMI/Frank Goodwin Productions/Hammer Film Productions.

Moving back into the gothic horror for a bit, the 1970's saw the beginning of the end for Hammer, but they manages to produce some pretty darn interesting films in the meantime.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Simon

Real name: Gary Newton
Years active: 1970-1973

Here's a host who managed to be in two states at the same time. Simon, of Simon's Sanctorum, was aired in both Boston on WCVB Channel 5 and in St. Louis on KPLR Channel 11. He was very much cut in the Edgar Allan Poe mold, often speaking poems to his unseen 'Devoted'. There doesn't seem to be that much footage of the show, but fans remember.  

Horror Countdown 2017: The Phantom of the Opera (1962)

The Phantom of the Opera (1962) dir. Terrence Fisher, Hammer Film Productions

Hammer by this point had a winning formula with their take on the Universal Monsters. They nailed Dracula, charged up Frankenstein...so why not tackle the earliest Universal Monster? With their best director at the helm, how would they do Gaston Leroux's madman of the opera?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Feep

Real name: Ed T. McDonnell
Years active: 1960's

Another first. Feep might have been the first animated host. Ed McDonnell actually played quite a few characters for WNAC-TV Channel 7 out of Boston. He played the space suited Major Mudd for the afternoon cartoon block and Lord Brumblebook for the Saturday afternoon jungle picture features. 

Feep, on the other hand, was a six inch high doll chromo-keyed against a backdrop and usually menaced by giant hands, that is when he didn't stumble into the films themselves. Another odd thing, is that Feep hosted Allied Artist features, rather than the traditional Universal Shock package. 

Ed McDonnell passed away in 1979. 

Horror Countdown 2017: Quartermass II (1957)

Quartermass II (1957) dir. Val Guest, Hammer Film Productions

What with the success of the first Quatermass serial and film, plus the sequel serial airing on the BBC after the first film, author Nigel Kneale found himself with a bit more clout, something Hammer used when they did a film version of the second sequel.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Eddie Frame

Real name: Frank Kane
Years active: Late 1980's


A difficult one to classify. As best as I can tell, his show, Horrible Night at the Movies, was aired in Boston, but it seems it was syndicated out of New York. So would he be a Boston host or a syndicated one?

A different character at least, if we go by the opening crawl. It seems young Eddie Frame was your typical square-headed youth growing up in 1950's Eisenhower era America. Utterly typical, save for his love of bad movies. When his best gal dumps him, Eddie revs his motorcycle and drives towards a CGI computer screen, plunging himself through time and space.

From there he hosts the old and the weird with a showgal and a gorilla in a dress. Because you need a gorilla. Also, Commander USA did the writing.

Horror Countdown 2017: Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) dir. Terrence Fischer, Hammer Film Productions

As this was made at the height of Hammer's power with their best director and one of their best stars, a review would almost be superfluous.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Rabies

Real name: Arthur DeLuca
Years active: 2002 to ?


Yet another lost host, this time we look at the host of Dr. Rabies' Mad Movies Experimentorium, namely Dr. Rabies.

I'd like to have a full picture and video clip, but so far I've found nothing. As best as I can tell he hosted his show out of Medford, Malden, and Melrose on Comcast Channel 3, but his website seems to be deader than the subjects of his films. He looked like a had a decent sized cast of characters, but again no photos.

Horror Countdown 2017: Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)

Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) dir. Peter Sasdy, Hammer Film Productions

Now we're moving into the world of Hammer, and specifically the early 70's. Taste the Blood of Dracula really seemed determined to fix the problems that Dracula Has Risen from the Grave. Does it succeed?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Two Fat Ghouls

Real names: Ray Tracy, Victor Tracy
Years active: 2003 to present (?)

Otherwise known as Scruffy McGhoul and Chester the Werewolf, these two guys (brothers as best as I can tell), hosted Two Fat Ghouls on Comcast Public Access Channel 15 out of Westfield, again hosting public domain flicks. Unfortunately that seems to be all I can find, as their website has long since gone silent.

Horror Countdown 2017: Strange Confessions (1945)

Strange Confessions (1945) dir. John Hoffman, Universal Pictures

And now we end the Universal portion of the month with the next to last Inner Sanctum Mystery. Based on the film the Man Who Reclaimed His Head, how would Lon Chaney handle this version?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: The Debaser and Cherry Payne

Real name: Matt Sanborn and Cherry Payne
Years active: 2004 to present (?)


This is an odd one. According to the handful of sites I was able to find, the Midnight Hour staring the Debaser and Cherry Payne aired (airs?) on Public Access Channel 22 in Haverhill and that's about it. I honestly would never have even heard of the show if I hadn't skimmed through Vampira and Her Daugthers by Robert Cotter.

In fact the only info I could actually find was on a Cherry Payne, who's a wrestler from the same state. Is she the same? Is there another wrestling horror host besides the Night Shadow? You got me folks, no idea. Any Haverhill residents remember this show?

Horror Countdown 2017: The Invisble Man's Revenge (1944)

The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944) dir. Ford Beebe, Universal Pictures

And here would be the last serious Invisible Man film Universal made, but this was a fine effort before chucking the monster alongside comedians.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Dreck

Real name: Michael Legge
Years active: 2004 to present

Now, here's a different one. Still in the Massachusetts area, but the difference here is that the dear doctor is still active.

The Dungeon of Dr. Dreck aired on ABMI Channel 8 in Bellingham and the surrounding areas. The dear doctor and his zombie cheerleader Moaner Johnson treat their audience to only the finest in public domain films, alongside a rather decent sized cast of kooky characters. The doctor also seems to be fairly active online, so feel free to drop him a line.

His Facebook

Horror Countdown 2017: The Mummy's Curse (1944)

The Mummy's Curse (1944) dir. Leslie Goodwins, Universal Pictures

By this point, the Mummy series was solidly in the B side of things. If you recall the end of the Mummy's Ghost, Aminia was the reborn soul of Princess Ananka and Kharis the Mummy (Lon Chaney) finally got ahold of his lost love and dragged her aging body into the swamps of New England. How did they come back for this penultimate round?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: The Ghoul

Real name: Ernie Boch, Jr.
Years active: 2006 to present (?)

Bit of a late entrant here, and one I didn't know about until fairly recently. It seems local car dealer Ernie Boch, Jr. brought back Creature Feature Double Feature (and on the same channel no less), with himself acting as the Ghoul. I found information on four shows, airing in 2006

From Autonews

That seems to be it, as the show doesn't seem to have a website. Any current viewers care to drop a review?

Horror Countdown 2017: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) dir. Roy William Neil, Universal Pictures

Now here is a genuine first. The very first monster crossover. Before Godzilla threw down with King Kong, before the Aliens ran around with the Predators, we had Frankenstein meeting the Wolf Man.

If you recall the ending of their previous films, the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney) was beaten to death with a silver tipped cane wielded by his father, while the monster (Bela Lugosi) had the brain of Ygor put in his skull, went blind, and was then trapped in the burning remains of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. How do they come back?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Uncle Dale

Real name: Dale Dorman
Years active: 1972-1983


The next Boston host we look at is Uncle Dale, or Dale Dorman. His career was fairly long, but he was better known for his radio and other TV work. He hosted Creature Feature and Creature Double Feature for WLVI-Channel 56, but my understanding he did mostly voice-over work and didn't show up in a costume.

The man had a remarkable career and is rightly considered a legend in Boston radio. The horror host aspect is only a small part of his lengthy body of work, but it is still worth consideration.


He passed away in 2014.

Horror Countdown 2017: The Mystery of Marie Roget (1942)

The Mystery of Marie Roget (1942) dir. Phil Rosen, Universal Pictures

Moving into more mystery and suspense, we take a look at another adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe tale. Inspired by an unsolved murder that plagued New York City in 1838, the mystery brought Poe's detective Dupin back for another round.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Cecil

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 1970s


We've seen Maine and Vermont, so now let us move further south towards Massachusetts. Cecil ran on Channel 56 in Boston sometime in the 1970s and that's about all I managed to find. From a few reviews I managed to dig up suggested he was pretty similar to Simon, another host active around that time and who'll be the focus on another profile.

Horror Countdown 2017: Black Friday (1940)

Black Friday (1940) dir. Arthur Lubin, Universal Pictures

While we are staying with the mad scientist for a bit longer, this one is a genuinely new take on the concept, namely the brain transplant. Plus Karloff and Lugosi, so that's a bonus.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Davey Horror

Real name: David A. Parietti
Years active: 1996-2006 (?)



Having finished Maine, I figured we would move south towards New Hampshire, but sadly that state has never had a horror host. So we head west and find Davey Horror, the first and to date only horror host from Vermont.

Airing on Public Access Chanel 15 in Burlington, Davey Horror sat on his ornate throne and hosted thirty minute versions of classic and not so classic films, ranging from the Giant Claw to the Return of Doctor X. The Davey Horror Show certainly looked cool, although the most recent thing I can find was dated 2006. He also did the nearly forgotten art of the spook show (live performances, music, etc.) called Spookarama, although I was unable to find any footage of that.

His main website seems to have gone dark, but a brief archive of his work is included below.





His website

Horror Countdown 2017: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), dir. Rouben Mamoulien, Paramount Pictures

Going back to the well again, this time with the first proper sound version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story was well told by this point, but with sound Paramount set the stage for all future versions.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Eddie Driscoll

Real name: Eddie Driscoll
Years active: 1962 to 1980's

Kicking off 2017, we take a look at the horror hosts of New England, and who better represents the hard working Northeasterners than the host of a million faces Eddie Driscoll?

Perhaps I exaggerated a bit, but while it is not uncommon for hosts to change names (Count Gore de Vol would change into a spaceman for his kids show) or just change the name but keep the costume (see Roland's transformation into Zachlery), Driscoll would go all out.

Uncle Gory was a one eyed hunchback who hosted horror films, but when the film screening on WLBZ Channel 2 in Bangor was a sci-fi production, viewers would be treated to KRANDALL the MARTIAN! A three eyed alien who joked around from his spaceship.

Weird, and later Weird II would focus on the Universal monster films, as well as a few Mexican treats too, that is when Driscoll wasn't also hosting Dialing for Dollars. 

The man had a thirty year run as a host, which is darn impressing no matter where you are. 

Sadly Eddie Driscoll passed away in 2006.