Halloween Kills (2021), dir. David Gordon Green, Miramax/Blumhouse Productions/Trancas Inernational Films/Rough House Pictures
It is often mentioned that some sequels can surpass the original. It's rare to see a sequel that seems determined to ruin the previous.
Countess Dracula (1971), dir. Peter Sasdy, Hammer Film Productions
We'll be ending our look at Hammer with this one. They made quite a few about Dracula, why not one about Countess Elizabeth Bathory?
Vampire Circus (1972), dir. Robert Young, Hammer Films Productions
A few folks have called this Hammer's finest vampire film.
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970), dir. Val Guest, Hammer Films
Did you know, aside from dinosaurs, cavemen had to deal with a lack of Moon? Yup, seems dinos are older than the MOON. Not sure I can add to that.
Moon Zero Two (1969), dir. Roy Ward Baker, Hammer Films
Hammer's science fiction offerings tend to be a mixed bag. When mixed with fantasy or horror, they are striking and memorable. When they go the 2001 route?
The Lost Continent (1968), dir. Michael Carreras, Hammer Films/Seven Arts Productions
Moving into the Hammer section of our countdown and the late 1960's was an interesting period. The beginning of the end, if you will.
Phantom of the Mall: Erik's Revenge (1989), dir. Richard Friedman, Fries Entertainment
Moving into our homage section, we see a take on Leroux's antihero that somehow is the most 80's thing we'll see this month.
The Invisible Man (2020), dir. Leigh Whannell, Blumhouse Productions/Goalpost Pictures/Nervous Tick Productions
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Ah, the Dark Universe, what wonders it could have shown. Universal opted to farm the individual films out to different companies. Would the end result be better than the last two attempts?
Curucu, Beast of the Amazon (1956), dir. Curt Sidomark, Jewel Productions
Moving into the Universal adjacent section, we open with the other film on the Mole People double feature.
The Land Unknown (1957), dir. Virgil W. Vogel, Univeral International Pictures
Closing out our look at the Universal Pictures section, we end with a solid B picture, but at least it has dinosaurs.
Dr. Scar
Real name: Jack Jacobson
Years active: Late 1960s to 1970s
And thus we end our look back at horror hosts with the last host from Arizona. Dr. Scar hosted Big 9 Chiller on KGUN-TB Channel 9 in Tuscon. I've read he also hosted Science Fiction Theater at roughly the same time.
Like many hosts, Dr. Scar was also the host of the local kid show. Marshall KGUN is an odd name for a cowboy, but what do I know?
Dr. Scar seem to be your typical sardonic host but he sounded like he was having fun with the role.
The Deadly Mantis (1957), dir. Nathan H. Juran, Universal-International
Hey, it was the 1950's. Vampires and werewolves were passe; giant monsters were in so why wouldn't Universal want some of that kaiju pie?
Ghoulina/Ghoulia?
Real name: Shirl Selman
Years active: 1957 to 1958
As we move into the Grand Canyon State of Arizona we have a mystery here folks. Most of my sources say the first host in the state was Ghoulina yet all the main published works talk of a Ghoulia. Misspelling? Mandella Effect?
Ghoulia hosted Classic Nightmares on KOLD-TV Channel 12 in Tuscon. I found more information on the children's show she hosted than anything else and while some tidbits on her station's history were nice, I fear info on the show itself was a bit flat. She seemed to be of the Vampira school of hosting, emerging from a coffin and a set decorated with a large lizard.
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), dir. Jack Arnold, Universal-International Pictures Co., Inc.
We continue our look into the 1950s Universal Sci-Fi with a film I've seen described as both a classic and unbearably corny. Which is it?
Ghost Host
Real name: George Lewis
Years active 1971 to 1985
Host of Ghost Host Theatre on WBFF Channel 45, out of Baltimore, this will end our look back at the hosts of Maryland. The Ghost Host was also Captain Cheapskate during the day.
The show was fairly cheap, with the same footage of the host being used every episode only with new dialogue being dubbed over. He later moved to Pennsylvania, as best as I can tell.
He tried and I suppose that will have to do.
The Mole People (1956), dir. Virgil Vogel, Universal International Pictures
Moving into the Universal section of our countdown and yeah, a lot of 1950's sci-fi is considered boring. This doesn't buck that feeling.
Dr. and Mrs. Lucifer
Real names: Richard and Nancy Lee Dix
Years active: 1957 to 1959
This year we'll start our horror host lookback in the Old Line State, Maryland. Dr. and Mrs. Lucifer (no relation to Nashville's Dr. Lucifer) hosted Shock! at WBAL Channel 11 out of Baltimore.
A mad scientist with a bountiful wife/assistant, Dr. Lucifer was more comedic than his Nashville counterpart. There were running gags and overall the doctor seemed more bumbling than anything else.
The show ended after a short run but Richard Dix went on to a long career in local theater
The Nutty Professor (1963), dir. Jerry Lewis, Jerry Lewis Films
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Kicking off another year and we stat as usual with a pinch of mad science, this time with history's greatest monster.
