Horror 2023 Countdown: This Island Earth (1955)

 This Island Earth (1955) dirs. Joseph M. Newman/Jack Arnold, Universal-International Pictures 

Having watched Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie, I assure you it is impossible to take this film seriously. 

Horror Host 2023 Retrospective: Count Scary

 Real name: Tom Ryan 

Years active: 1982-1996

Sadly one of the lesser hosts. Starting in 1982, the count was in a series of yearly specials on WDIV in Detroit. 1984 through 1987 saw him hosting a movie marathon, with him dropping the scary part of his name in 1987. 

1996 saw him teaming up with the Ghoul for a final appearance, hosting Night of the Living Dead.  

Kind of shame he didn't get more regular work. 

Horror 2023 Countdown: Cult of the Cobra (1955)

 Cult of the Cobra (1955) dir. Francis D. Lyon, Universal-International Pictures 

One of the lesser offerings in the Universal cannon, even if it did play alongside Revenge of the Creature.

Horror Host 2023 Retrospective: Christopher Coffin

 Real name: Reed Farrell

Years active: 1963 to 1967

Moving back to the 1960s, this time we swing by Flint and WJRT Channel 12 and Theater of Thrills. Coffin, DJ Farrell when he wasn't in the coffin, hosted what looked like a typical selection of early 60's offerings. The show was rather innovative for the day, what with the camera tricks and all. For a local Tv show it looked rather nice plus Coffin was a player in the creepy/cool vibe.  

Horror 2023 Countdown: Revenge of the Creature (1955)

 Revenge of the Creature (1955) dir. Jack Arnold, Universal-International Pictures 

Universal Monsters had been firmly planted into the B side of things for a while, but the previous year's Creature from the Black Lagoon proved to be a big hit, so naturally a sequel must be made. 

The Rita II slowly chugs into the familiar lagoon. Lucas (Nestor Paiva) got a new boat and crew and once again he's back in the place where he lost the previous ones. 

This time out, the scientists are more commercially minded than the previous batch. Ferguson (John Agar) and Hayes (John Bromfield) want the Creature (Ricou Browning underwater/Tom Hennesy on land). Specifically, they want him for Ocean Harbor, a sea park. There will be scientific work, but if they sell some overpriced soda and popcorn? Why not?

So they blast him with enough explosives to knock him out and drag him back to be gawked at by tourists. Grad student Helen Dobson (Lori Nelson) is excited to study him, and Ferguson is excited to study her. The Creature, once awake, is excited by her too, but thankfully that chain at the bottom of the tank is unbreakable, right?

One monster rampage later, Helen is kidnapped. Can the police save her in time?

Bit of a let down. We go from isolated jungle to Jacksonville, Florida. I suppose this makes the Creature a sort of proto-Florida Man but honestly no one's heart seems to be in the production. They even reused the exact same ending shot from the first film. 

Horror Host 2023 Retrospective: Count Zappula

 Real name: Don Melvoin

Years active: 1976-1992 (?)

This year we take a look at the hosts of the Wolverine State. Yup, Michigan is going to kick things off and we have quite a few hosts that hailed. 

First we take a look at Count Zappula. Played by longtime local TV fixture (played Deputy Don for the kid afternoon matinee) Don Melvoin out of Traverse City on WGUTV Channel 29, Don was a vampire. Count Zappula's Horror House ran until 1980, although I've seen where the show was until 1992. 

I've seen where he also played a character Dr. Maniac but I haven't found anything on that.  

Horror 2023 Countdown: My Friend, Dr. Jekyll (1960)

My Friend, Dr. Jekyll (1960) dir. Marino Girolami, CEI Incom/Produzione Cinematografica M.G.

Back for spooks and scares and why not open this season with some Jekyll and Hyde?