Horror 2026 Countdown: Son of Kong (1933)

Son of Kong (1933), dir. Ernest B. Schoedsack, RKO Radio Pictures 

A cash in? A quickly rushed into production sequel? Why not both?

Horror 2026 Countdown: King Kong (1933)

King Kong (1933), dirs. Merian C. Cooper/Ernest B. Schoedsack, RKO Radio Pictures

Still with Fay Wray, but we're also transitioning to another feature, that of the kaiju or giant monster. This wasn't the first but brother did it set the standard for the next twenty years.

Horror 2026 Countdown: Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)

Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933), dir. Michael Curtiz, Warner Bros. Vitaphone

Fay Wray's career was still going along and this point she was pretty much the de facto scream queen of Hollywood, even if the term wasn't used yet.

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

The Most Dangerous Game (1932), dir. Ernest B. Schoedsack/Irving Pichel, RKO Radio Pictures 

RKO already had the sets for King Kong built, so why not shoot another film at the same time? And why not use Richard Connell's short story?

Horror 2026 Countdown: Doctor X (1932)

Doctor X (1932), dir. Michael Curtiz, First National Pictures

Bit of a transition phase right now, as while we're still looking at slashers, we're also looking a special focus. In the past we've looked back at particular performers or characters, and this is no exception. This year we look back at the career of Fay Wray, one of the premier Scream Queens. 

2026 Horror Host Retrospective: Ned the Dead

Ned the Dead

Real name: Steve Brenzel

Years active: 1984-2010

This is the last one for the year, so let's make it count. Ned the Dead, that skull faced fellow, burst into the scene as the host of Chiller Theater on WLUX-TV Channel 11 out of Green Bay, which ran until 1999. That fall he moved over to WACY Channel 32 and hosting Ned the Dead's Demented Drive-In until 2001.

2002 saw him move again over to Northeast Wisconsin TV and the return of Chiller Theater but 2005 saw him return back to WACY. 2009 saw him in his final form, the Ned the Dead Show.

A classic host with a wacky group of sidekicks. Honestly just an old fashioned host and that's ok. He sticks with you. 

 

Horror 2026 Countdown: And Then There Were None (1945)

And Then There Were None (1945) dir. Rene Clair, Rene Clair Productions 

Agatha Christie has been venerated by quite a few people, and I fear this will be a continuation. She knew how to spin a good mystery yarn. So good that people have been dipping from this well for decades and will likely to continue.