Real name: Jim Sullivan
Years active: 1965-1966
We've seen sidekicks take over for a departing host before (see John Stanley and Bob Wilkins), but here might be the first example I can find. Jim Sullivan started on Jeepers Creepers Theater on KCOP-TV Channel 13 with Bob Guy almost at the same time, usually acting as crew or extra.
When Guy finally quite, the show continued on for another year, with another host in charge. When that host left, Sullivan stepped in as the Creeper. He stayed on for another year, but was eventually replaced with another. That will be covered in time.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Horror 2015 Countdown: The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)
The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) dir. Freddie Francis, Hammer Film Productions
The third time out proved an odd but serviceable entry. It was also the first in the Hammer Frankenstein series to utterly disregard the previous films.
The third time out proved an odd but serviceable entry. It was also the first in the Hammer Frankenstein series to utterly disregard the previous films.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Count Smokula
Real name: Robert M. Miles
Years active: 1996-present
Here we find a host of a different color. Count Smokula began as a musician, but it was his public access show in Los Angeles that the world saw the 496 year old accordion playing vampire. From there he found work with another madman, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films. While his show was cancelled, Count Smokula has released music through Troma and emceed everything from pro wrestling to burlesque shows.
His website can be found here
Years active: 1996-present
Here we find a host of a different color. Count Smokula began as a musician, but it was his public access show in Los Angeles that the world saw the 496 year old accordion playing vampire. From there he found work with another madman, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films. While his show was cancelled, Count Smokula has released music through Troma and emceed everything from pro wrestling to burlesque shows.
His website can be found here
Horror Countdown 2015: Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)
Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) dir. Terence Fisher, Hammer Films Productions
Odd how a few years can change things. Christopher Lee's return to the titular role brought a certain amount of class and menace to the part, even if he refused to say any of the lines.
Odd how a few years can change things. Christopher Lee's return to the titular role brought a certain amount of class and menace to the part, even if he refused to say any of the lines.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Cosmosina/Moona Lisa
Real name: Lisa Clark
Years active: 1963-1973
Sometimes replacements don't always work. Cosmosina was host of Science Fiction Theater on KOGO Channel 10 in San Diego, where the focus was on science fiction. The show was popular enough that in 1972 KHJ-TV Channel 9 brought Lisa Clark in to replace Sinister Seymour on Fright Night as the Cosmosina's sister Moona Lisa.
The change was controversial. Despite her fan base, Los Angeles residents wanted Vincent's slouch hat wearer instead. After a few months, she went back to San Diego to host Moona Lisa's Creature Features on KFMB Channel 8. In 1973 she ended her run in St. Louis of all places, hosting Moona's Midnight Madness on KMOX Channel 4.
While there is no footage surviving there are plenty of articles. Moona seemed like a pretty decent host. She borrowed a bit from Zacherley where she would insert herself into the films, even using the footage from the Moon landing in one bit. She also briefly had a house band called the Roaches. They were not very popular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGbOxGap0Ko
"Happy hallucinations honeys"
Years active: 1963-1973
Sometimes replacements don't always work. Cosmosina was host of Science Fiction Theater on KOGO Channel 10 in San Diego, where the focus was on science fiction. The show was popular enough that in 1972 KHJ-TV Channel 9 brought Lisa Clark in to replace Sinister Seymour on Fright Night as the Cosmosina's sister Moona Lisa.
The change was controversial. Despite her fan base, Los Angeles residents wanted Vincent's slouch hat wearer instead. After a few months, she went back to San Diego to host Moona Lisa's Creature Features on KFMB Channel 8. In 1973 she ended her run in St. Louis of all places, hosting Moona's Midnight Madness on KMOX Channel 4.
While there is no footage surviving there are plenty of articles. Moona seemed like a pretty decent host. She borrowed a bit from Zacherley where she would insert herself into the films, even using the footage from the Moon landing in one bit. She also briefly had a house band called the Roaches. They were not very popular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGbOxGap0Ko
"Happy hallucinations honeys"
Horror Countdown 2015: The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)
The Creature Walks Among Us (1956) dir.John Sherwood, Universal-International Pictures
Moving into the 1950's, we find a slightly different tale for the Gill-Man.
In case you missed Revenge of the Creature, don't worry as it had the same ending as Creature from the Black Lagoon. Namely, the Gill-Man was shot full of holes and left floating in the water.
Moving into the 1950's, we find a slightly different tale for the Gill-Man.
In case you missed Revenge of the Creature, don't worry as it had the same ending as Creature from the Black Lagoon. Namely, the Gill-Man was shot full of holes and left floating in the water.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Horror Host 2015 Retrospective: Peaches Christ
Real name: Joshua Grannell
Years active: 1998-2009
One of the more unusual hosts out there today, as Peaches Christ actually started, not on television, but rather in the theater. Hosting the Midnight Mass from the Bridge Theater in San Francisco, the jump to television didn't take too long. Canned Peaches aired every fourth Thursday on CityVision Channel 29 in the Bay Area for a few years, but was eventually cancelled. The character of Peaches Christ is still around, although no longer hosting the Mass. Joshua Grannell, on the other hand, has moved behind the camera. Episodes of Canned Peaches were formerly available at the official website but that no longer appears to be the case.
You can still get copies of Grannell's directorial debut All About Evil at the website store, so there is that.
Years active: 1998-2009
One of the more unusual hosts out there today, as Peaches Christ actually started, not on television, but rather in the theater. Hosting the Midnight Mass from the Bridge Theater in San Francisco, the jump to television didn't take too long. Canned Peaches aired every fourth Thursday on CityVision Channel 29 in the Bay Area for a few years, but was eventually cancelled. The character of Peaches Christ is still around, although no longer hosting the Mass. Joshua Grannell, on the other hand, has moved behind the camera. Episodes of Canned Peaches were formerly available at the official website but that no longer appears to be the case.
You can still get copies of Grannell's directorial debut All About Evil at the website store, so there is that.
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