Mr. Mephisto
Real name: Dick Flanigan
Years active: 1969-1988
Here's another guy from Madison. Hosting Lenny's Inferno on WMTV-TV Channel 15 out of Madison from 1969 to 1982, he came back later in 1988 on WCGV-TV Channel 24 but the new Lenny's Inferno wouldn't last the summer.
He seemed to be a less a mad scientist and more of a general creep. Good makeup job though.
The Lady Vanishes (1979), dir. Anthony Page, Hammer Film Productions
Welp, that is it. By this point, Hammer had pretty much done everything they could do but in the end it just didn't matter. The company would limp into the 80's, albeit in a smaller format, so why not end it by remaking a classic?
Dr. Destruction
Real name: Dale Wamboldt
Years active: 2001 to present
One of the newer hosts, still around as best as I can tell. Dr. Desstruction's Crimson Theatre made its debut on Kenosha Community Television Channel 14 out of Kenosha. In 2002 the show made the move to other community access stations across Wisconsion.
The good doctor is also a hall of fame inductee, so there's that. Honestly seems delightfully old school and that's fine. Glad to see the tradition still going.
To the Devil... a Daughter (1976), dir. Peter Sykes, Hammer Film Productions/Terra Filmkunst
The penultimate Hammer film, both for this year and for real. By this point the lights were being turned off. Could one last roll of the dice save the studio?
Dr. Cadaverino
Real name: Jack DuBlon
Years active: 1964-1980
You can never go wrong with a mad scientist. Hosting Nightmare Theatre on WITI Channel 6 out of Milwaukee from 1964 to 1977, although he swing two specials, a Halloween special and a farewell special, which is a pretty good run.
Jack DuBlon passed away in 1988.
Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter (1974), dir. Brian Clemons, Hammer Film Productions
Nearing the end of Hammer Films but man, this could have been a hell note to end on.
Bob Beringer
Real name: Bob Beringer
Years active: 1963-1982
A long run yet never seen. Seriously, Mr. Beringer acted more as an announcer than a proper on camera character, but he is listed alongside the others.
Working for WUHF Channel 18 out of Milwaukee, Bob served as the station's announcer, and this included the late night movie program. Shock Theater in this case. In 1966, the station switched its call letters to WVTV and the show became a double feature. In 1980, the show became Late Movie 18. All the while Bob was never on camera.
