Real name: Dick Van Hoene
Years active: 1969 to 1972
Technically Zacherly was the first host to call himself 'the Cool Ghoul' but that was more of a nickname. Coming from WXIX Channel 19 out of Cincinnati, the Ghoul hosted Scream-In. He had a mix of the classic and not so classic, from Frankenstein to the Astro-Zombies.
He also toured with a local band, the Crypt-Kickers, and had a good blend of music, comedy and horror.
He passed away in 2004.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) dir. Rob Cohen, Relativity Media/the Sommers Company/Alphaville Films
Real name: Barry Hobert
Years active: 1969 to 2010
One of the longer hosts from Ohio, the titular Dr. Creep didn't actually show up until 1972. Prior to that, Hobert mostly did voice over work for Science Shock Theatre. In 1972 he started hosting Shock Theatre on WKEF-TV Channel 22 in Dayton properly as the white greased painted fellow with the Dutch beard.
In 1980 the show was switched over to Saturday Night Dead, where it played until 1985. Dr. Creep made a return in 1999 but as Shock Theater. From there he continued on the convention circuit and helping with local charities.
His site has gone dark, as the man himself passed in 2011. A shame, as from most accounts he was a cool dude.
Dracula (1979) dir. John Badham, the Mirisch Company
Real name: Marty Sullivan
Years active: 1969 to 1992
Here's something, a host I can actually find information on.
Marty Sullivan played the helpless hero on Saturday Afternoon Mad Theater on WUAB-TV Channel 43 out of Cleveland.
With a customary, 'Soup's on", our hero would host everything from Frankenstein to Godzilla. He also did a shorts program with the Three Stooges and even Laurel & Hardy. From all accounts the man did everything else at the station, even doing the news while still in costume (at least from the waist down).
He was done in by other syndicated shows, including WCW Worldwide of all things. They started shortening the films until they finally cut the whole thing. Seems liked a cool dude, sorry I couldn't meet him.
Sullivan passed in 2020.
House of Horrors (1946) dir. Jean Yarbrough, Universal Pictures
Real names: Hy Ullner and Willie Thall
Years active: 1960s
Moving over to Cincinnati now. If you happened to be in town in the early 60's, you might have caught Shock Theatre on WCPO-TV Channel 9.
Why the Bargain City Kid? Because they were sponsored by Rink's Bargain City. Plus they also hosted wrestling on Saturday night, with the Bargain City Kid getting his arm broken by none other than the Sheik.
A cowboy and a dude in a hat. They had music and wackiness alongside the Universal films. The kind of silliness you could only catch on local late night TV.
