Laraine
Real name: Laraine Newman
Years active: 1986, syndicated
As evidenced here and there, the 1980’s was both the
beginning and the ending of the traditional horror host. With the advent of VCR
(or Betamax if you prefer) technology, it was now possible to record programs
rather than to having to watch them live. With the changing of corporate
landscape, however, more and more hosts were being pushed off the air in favor
of other types of programing.
The syndication market had a few hosts of its own, although
the main issue was when the shows aired. The
Canned Film Festival (sponsored by Dr. Pepper!) aired for a single summer
in 1986. From few people who recall the show, it aired anywhere from directly
across Saturday Night Live to
midnight at the station’s whim.
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| Cast of Canned Film Festival, (L to R): Jack (F. Richards Ford), Doris (Kathryn Rossetter), Chan (Philip Nee), Laraine (Laraine Newman), Becky (Laura Galusha), and Fitzy (Patrick Garner) |
Set in the scenic Limekirk, Texas, the formerly majestic
Ritz Theater was facing hard times. Laraine and her mother, in a desperate
attempt to save the old movie palace decided to broadcast whatever odd films
they could find plus installing washing machines in the lobby.
Showing such classics as the Terror of Tiny Town and Robot
Monster, the films would be intercut with the antics of Laraine and her
rarely glimpsed mother. Every so often the townspeople would act out some
harebrained scheme. Dr. Pepper was the only drink in the entire town.
Similar to Mystery
Science Theater 3000, the Canned Film
Festival had some truly classic B-Movies, although the viewers didn’t agree
and the show vanished from the air.
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