Horror 2026 Countdown: Rope (1948)

Rope (1948), dir. Alfred Hitchcock, Transatlantic Pictures 

The Leopold and Loeb case was one of the most shocking murder trials of the 1920s, so why shouldn't Hitchcock tackle it?

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Great Buddha Arrival (1934)

The Great Buddha Arrival (1934), dir. Yoshiro Edamasa, Giant Buddha Movie Factory

We end our lookback at giant monsters with what may very well be the first giant monster from Japan, or at least the earliest one on record.

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Lost World (1925)

The Lost World (1925), dir. Harry O. Hoyt, First National Pictures 

Geoges Melies may have set the standard for special effects, but Willis O'Brien raised the bar and here we see the results. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Mighty Joe Young (1949)

Mighty Joe Young (1949), dirs. Merian C. Cooper/Ernest B. Schoedsack, RKO Radio Pictures 

The giant monster craze really hadn't kicked off proper yet, at least not in the United States. The old master, Willis O'Brien, was still going but there was a new kid on the stop motion block-Ray Harryhausen. This film would be the only where the two men ever worked together. 

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. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Toulouse Noneck

 Toulouse Noneck

Real name: Rick Felski

Years active: 1980 to 1990

Nearing the end and we have another unique host. Toulouse Noneck, or Tooulouse depending on who you talk to, was the host of Shock Theater on WISN-TV Channel 12 out of Milwaukee.  He hosted that and sometime a double feature until 1985 when he became the host of Shock Rock, a dance party show with the emphasis on music videos. 

He also had a Halloween special and near the end he had the syndicated TooLoose & Company. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Scarlet Claw (1944)

 The Scarlet Claw (1944) dir. Roy William Neill, Universal Pictures 

The Universal Sherlock Holmes series is generally seen as more mystery than horror, but as we move into the historical slasher section, we do have an unusual entry.

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Ferdy II

 Ferdy II

Real name: Carl Ames

Years active: 1967-1968

Yes, Ferdy somehow had a legacy. If you want to get technical, this particular host had no name, but he was still hosting Ferdie's Inferno, so the old name stuck. Sadly there only seems to be a few photos left of this host but no footage. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)

Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025), dir. Mike P. Nelson, Wonderwheel Entertainment 

Huh. Not sure we needed another one, but why not at this point?

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Ferdy

 Ferdy

Real name: Jack Crowley

Years active: 1964 to 1967

We've had mad scientists, vampires, ghouls, and general weirdos, but appliance salesmen?

Ferdie's Inferno ran on WMTV-TV Channel 15 out of Madison, although the show started out as the unhosted Nightshade & Old Lace Theatre. 

The new title came from the station's sponsor, Ferd Mattoli. Crowley was the white faced host until Mattoli opted to leave Wisconsin for health reasons, but there was another... 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Halloween II (1981)

 Halloween II (1981), dir. Rick Rosenthal, Dino De Laurentiis Corporation 

A film that could only be brought about via lawsuit. Seriously, John Carpenter got himself into a spot of trouble. Irwin Yarblans, who produced the first film and had the idea of a psycho stalking babysitters, had a handshake agreement with Carpenter about doing his next picture, which he assumed would be a sequel. When word got back to him that John would focus on some flick about vengeful ghosts, the lawyers were sent for, and this was the resulting agreement. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Mr. Mephisto

 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.

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Lady Vanishes (1979)

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?

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Dr. Destruction

 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. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: To the Devil... a Daughter (1976)

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?

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Dr. Cadaverino

 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. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter (1974)

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.

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Bob Beringer

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. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Tales of Frankenstein (1958)

Tales of Frankenstein (1958), dir. Curt Sidomak, Hammer Film Productions/Screen Gems 

Moving into the Frankenstein tribute, we also start our Hammer Films lookback. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Alexander

 Alexander 

Real name: Al Gutowski

Years active: 1971 to 1973

Apparently the second ever host named Alexander. Soft spoken dude with a beard, Alexander hosted Eerie Street on WBAY-TV Channel 2 in Green Bay. He seemed to be less over the top than other hosts at the time. Sadly, that seems to be all I could find. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

 The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023), dir. Andre Ovredal, Dreamworks Pictures/Reliance Entertainment/Storyworks Productions/Studio Babelsberg/Phoenix Pictures/Wise Owl Media

Moving into the Universal adjacent section, we have the OTHER Dracula film from 2023.

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: The Advisor

The Advisor

Real name: Robert Hersh

Years active: 1958 to 1960

Also called the Adviser, now we're moving into Wisconsin and its various hosts. The Advisor was rather notable as he actually hosted multiple shows at the same time. Since this was before the rise of videotaping, I understand that his shows were all live. 

The first showing was Shock, airing on WITI Channel 6 out of Milwaukee. The next night one could tune in and watch Double Shock. A year later the shows sort of mutated into the Advisor's Mystery Theater on WXIX Channel 18.

He also had a monkey for a sidekick. 

He passed away in 2006. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Phantom Lover (1995)

The Phantom Lover (1995), dir. Ronny Yu, Mandarian Films Distribution/Mandarian Films/Sil-Metropole Organization 

Moving into the tribute section, we open with a Phantom of the Opera take that borrows from another work.

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Igor

 Igor

Real name: Bob Mills

Years active: 1957-1959

And thus we end our look at Oklahoma with the first host of the state, Igor. A scared man with a sort of caveman sidekick, Igor hosted the local chapter of Shock Theater on KOTV Channel 6 out of Tulsa. 

The show seemed to be your standard Shock package bundled with the Universal flicks. 

Bob Mills passed away in 1998.

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), dir. Alan Rafkin, Universal Pictures 

Ending our Universal lookback with something more comedy than horror but eh, it counts.

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Peter Hardt

 Peter Hardt

Real name: Peter Hardt

Years active: 1963 to 1969

We've had vampires, doctors of all stripes, vamps, and more, but here's a unique one-A German.

Yeah, seems Mr. Hardt brought nothing more than his own accent but it was apparently enough to host Fantastic Theatre on KVOO-TV Channel 2 out of Tulsa. He was apparently a fixture in Tulsa.

He passed away in 2009. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Kitten with a Whip (1964)

Kitten with a Whip (1964), dir. Dougles Heyes, Universal Pictures 

Now this is an odd one. Honestly, I expected something like this from American International or one of the lower tier grindhouse companies, but Universal?

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi

 Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi

Real name: Gailard Sartain

Years active: 1970 to 1973

A sad note that quite a few horror hosts never really escape the character or rise above local TV star. Which is perfectly fine but for the few who do go beyond local TV? Legends

The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting started out on KOTV-Channel 6 out of Tulsa before finishing it's run on KTUL-TV Channel 8 in 1973. Sartain had started out as a station cameraman before going for the late night movie host. Instead of just gadding about in a cape and a few puns, the wizard Dr. Maxeppa Pompazoidi (along with a shockingly young Gary Busey) had skits and focused more on overall humor. 

From there Sartain's star rose, first joining Hee-Haw then moving into motion pictures. If you've seen the Earnest films, you might recall him. 

Sartain passed away in 2025. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Birds (1963)

 The Birds (1963), dir. Alfred Hitchcock, Alfred J, Productions/Universal Pictures 

Moving into the 1960's, the days of the Universal Monsters were offically over but that doesn't mean they were finished with horror. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Dr. Fear

 Dr. Fear

Real name: Brian Young

Years active: 2003-2013

Here we have one of the newer hosts from Oklahoma. The Mysterious Lab of Dr. Fear aired on Pegasys Community Television Channel 11 out of Enid. 

Dr. Ignatious Faust Fear II is your typical mad scientist who oversees a slew of wacky characters and hosting various movies. 

Sadly I can't seem to find too much about the show, but it last 100 episodes and they hosted the return of Count Gregore, so that has to count for something. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Karutha Rathrikal (1967)

Karutha Rathrikal (1967), dir. P. Subramaniam, Neela Productions 

A different take to be sure, but 1967 saw the release of the Indian take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Count Gregore

 Count Gregore

Real name: John Ferguson 

Years active: 1958-2005

Welcoming back all you fright fans and this year we're taking a look back at the hosts of Oklahoma and Wisconsin. 

This time out we look at Count Gregore. The gentleman had quite the tenure. From 1958 to 1960 he hosted the local Shock Theater on WKY-TV Channel 4 out of Oklahoma City. In 1962, the show became Thriller Theater. In 1966 he switched over to KOCO-TV Channel 5 to host Nightmare. I also saw a listing for Sleepwalker's Matinee although the exact dates are unknown to me at the time. In the 1970s he moved yet again to KOKH-TV Channel 25 for Count Gregore Presents. 

He hosted quite a few shows even if I can't find any exact dates. He did have a brief return in 2005 when he made his debut on the Mysterious Lab of Dr. Fear, where it was revealed that he's the uncle of character Trinka. 

He's made the claim that's the longest running horror host in the world and I find myself agreeing with that statement. He's a dapper vamp and just plays it straight. I can respect that certainly. The only issue and this pops up with far too many hosts, is that the vast majority of his work is lost due it being shot live.