Jungle Captive (1944) dir. Harold Young, Universal Pictures
Looking back at the saga of Paula Dupree, one laments the wasted opportunity. There were few female Universal Monsters, and even then they were spin offs of the male characters. Paula was unique, at least in story terms, although the execution was basically another werewolf story.
Real name: Natalie Popovich
Years active: 2002-present day
One of the first hosts on the list who's still active today, Ivonna Cadaver began at first as the sidekick to former child actor Butch Patrick. When Patrick left the show, the show was slightly retooled and now Macabre Theatre lives again.
Making the debut on KHIZ Channel 64, the show has managed to make the jump to satellite. One of the more interesting things about the show is the broadcasting of independent films rather than an endless showing of public domain features.
The Mummy's Tomb (1942) dir. Harold Young, Universal Pictures
The third time out for Universal's Mummy proved to be a charm and a strong follow up to the other two. A few questions about setting come up, as the film makes it clear that it is set in 1942 and thirty years after the previous films...meaning the Mummy's Hand must have taken place in 1912.
Real name:John Stanley
Years active: 1979-1984, Oakland, CA
Spin-offs are not uncommon, although in the world of horror hosts this can still be unusual. John Stanley came into the world of horror in 1979 for KTVU Channel 2's Creature Features, first as a guest then partner for Bob Wilkins. When Wilkins left for greener pastures (working in marketing for some new wonder kid director named George Lucas), Stanley was picked to be his replacement.
Opting to follow Wilkins example but not to simply ape his character, Stanley skipped the costumes and played it straight. For six years he had the movie going public in the palm of his hand, but it would be a changing market that did Creature Features in and nothing else. The station owners also didn't care for the new slew of horror films coming out, coupled with the changed nature of television by this point and Stanley saw Creature Features laid to rest.
The Invisible Woman (1940), dir. A. Edward Sutherland, Universal Pictures
This may have been the first sign of Universal's slow descent into camp. While the Universal Monsters were enjoying a second wind, the Invisible Man series was brought back with the Invisible Man's Return and this in the same year.
One of the most notable hosts to come out of California, Bob Wilkins proved to be so notable that several hosts were outright dropped in favor of his program.
Starting in the late 1960's on KCRA Channel 3 in Stockton, CA, Bob's 7 Arts Theater proved such a ratings smash that Sacramento station KXTL Channel 40 picked him up and gave him the Bob Wilkins Horror Show.
Creature Features, however, would be his main mark. Airing also on KTVU, Channel 2 in Oakland and San Fransisco, Wilkins acted not only as host but also writer and producer. Hosting not as a vampire or mad doctor; although he did don the mantle of Captain Cosmic for another show specializing in Godzilla films, Wilkins was simply himself. Dry, sardonic, and with a good cigar to showcase some great and sometimes not so great films. Very low key, with an emphasis on the film and the guests, Wilkins set the tone for many future hosts.
In 1979, Wilkins added John Stanley as his co-host and eventual replacement, but his is a tale for another day.
Bob Wilkins, from E-Gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts
