Ohio, Home of the Horror Hosts?

 

It is time for my annual blog post about Halloween, this year it is limited.  Normally, the whole month is filled with history of Halloween or other tidbits, but this year I am barely able to get this one out.  This is because I am busy after my novel, Legend of the Mystic Knights, have been published.

So, I am going to promote it right here.  If you want a fantasy novel filled with horror, knights and monsters this is it. Go to Amazon or www.warusho.com

Since my personal advertisement is over, lets get back to Horror Hosts.  As many of you know from my previous posts how much I enjoy the Horror Hosts and what they mean to me personally.  They present these movies, sometimes seriously, sometimes with humor, sometimes both. No matter how they do it, they are always entertaining to watch.

In my journey in discovering Horror Hosts, I have discovered a Mecca of sorts for them.  I understand each city, or location in the country had their own, mine was Monster Movie Matinee or Baron Daemon out of Syracuse, NY.   However, from my research Ohio, particularly Cleveland has seemed to be have more than its fair share of Horror Hosts.

Before I get started into the Ohio Horror Hosts, I must recognize The Monster Channel.  This Roku network, and website, has 24/7 Horror movies and Horror Hosts. It is the destination you should begin if you truly enjoy horror movies.

I would be remised if I did not mention Halloween Jack.  He is the one who spends the time and effort keeping the Monster Channel running.  The praise he deserves for doing this should come from someone more eloquent and deserving than myself.  I cannot emphasize what a wonderful job he does for this network, and the others who make it such a great place.

Let’s get into the history of the horror hosts before we examine those in Ohio. In 1957 Screen Gems released for television a bundle of movies feathering the Universal Horror Movies. They named this the Shock collection.  Many local channels called the programs that was shown, Shock Theatre.  In the 1960’s another film collection was release called Creature Features.

Vampira

The local channels decided to have a host to present these movies, they often were dressed in macabre dress or characters, the Horror Host was now born. The majority of these were often workers at the local channels such as sports or weather announcers.  The earliest horror hosts was Vampira, who in fact pre-dated the Shock Collection by several years.

Zacherley was another early host who played movies for the Shock Collection, you can read about the history of the Horror Host here.

We have established the history of the horror host, so let us examine why Ohio has been a popular originator of them.

 Youngstown Ohio had their own “Shock Theater” first hosted by David Allen, a floating head, it was replaced by Alexander & Troggy, a  scientist and his freakish pet.

A black cladded “Mad Daddy” hosted “Shock Theater” for the summer of 1957 in Cleveland.

Cincinnati had its own “Shock Theatre” was hosted by The Bargain City Kid and his sidekick Willie Thall.  Their shows sometimes featured wrestlers to promote the wrestling show on TV.

I wanted to mention the Ohio bases shows above because all that remains of them are still photos, unfortunately there are no tapes of these shows available.  This is a true loss to not only the history of the horror host, but also that of television to.

In 1963 Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson) began hosting Cleveland’s “Shock Theater”. Ghoulardi a hipster kind of guy with a quick wit, fake goatee and a wig changed everything. His show was not only fun but also kid friendly.  Lasting only 3 years, his impact on the field of the Horror Host cannot be understated.  This show also featured a future comedic legend Tim Conway.  His influence was great that there is Ghoulardifest, an annual convention celebrating all things Ghoulardi, but also his successors, and Cleveland TV history.

The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show was the replacement for Ghoulardi.  It featured Big Chuck (Chuck Schodowski), who worked on Shock Theater with Ghoulardi, companied with Hoolihan (Bob Wells) the local weatherman.  This show truly expanded the horror hosts genre, often including lots of humor with a sketch comedy.  This was one of those shows where after you watched the program, you remember their skits but not necessarily the movie they presented.

Big Chuck and Lil John. In 1979 when Hoolihan left the show, and Little John (John Rinaldi) stepped in to co-host.  The combination of these two now became very popular, and in fact the show ran until 2007. Their show featured a lot of guest appearances from famous people. Their skits are legendary, and I recently saw a tape of their wonderful parody of Ray Stevens song "Gitarzan".

Cool Ghoul-1969 Cincinnati got another host by the name of The Cool Ghoul (Dick Von Hoene) with a show called “Scream-In.”

Superhost- A caped hero (Marty Sullivan) with a red nose. This wonderful show filled with skits and humor ran from 1969 to 1989.

The Ghoul-premiered in Cleveland in 1971 would become another icon. The main character the Ghoul (Ron Sweed) was portrayed very similar to that of Ghoulardi.  He often would show a bad movie and add sound effects in an attempt to make it watchable.  He also was notable for blowing up models, food, and other items with firecrackers.

The Son Of Ghoul, played by Keven Scarpino out of Akron, Oh. Ron Sweed sued Scarpino, alleging that Scarpino stole Sweed's character. The lawsuit was dismissed on the grounds that the character similarities (e.g. their ghoulish appearance and hosting style) were too broad to be protected.

Dr. Creep- Not o be outdone by other Ohio cities, Dayton had Dr Creep (Barry Lee Hobart). First, he was a frightening vampire-like ghoul named Dr. Death, but very quickly his character and name changed to a goofy ghoul named Dr. Creep.

Fritz The Nite Owl- beginning in 1974 he was the city of Columbus’s first local horror host.  This character appeared in a DC comic book where he helped Superman and Captain Marvel.

“Moana’s Place” in Columbus beginning 1983 was inspired by Elvira. Wearing a tight black dress and being very attractive, she (Kim Norris) soon became very popular in that market.

I know the above is only a partial list of Horror Hosts from Ohio.  Even though a partial list, it is a list of those who have had an impact on others becoming horror hosts.

Now, I want to bring you a list of current hosts from Ohio.  These are those which I have been particularly exposed to and have gotten to know personally.  I might add again, that many of these I have been introduced to by The Monster Channel, either on ROKU or their website.

Frank and Drac Show-out of Cleveland showing movies on Saturday morning during the late 1980's.

Transylvania Tonight-Drac (from Frank and Drac Show) moved on to appear with Countess Carita (and other great cast members) on this wonderful show.  There are numerous funny skits, but also some of the best prints of older movies I have seen.  The music selection added to the silent black and white movies are some of the best you will ever hear on any movie.

Baron Von Porkchop Terrifying Tales of the Macabre- Out of Dayton, Ohio. An 18th century ghoul (and his friends) on his adventures in the modern world, and also watches B movies.

The Midnight Movie -A motley cast of characters based out of Cleveland.  They watch different shows each week, and sometimes have some heated discussions about these movies. They will regale you with some experiences they had personally with classic horror hosts from the past, or events they have attended.

The Big Bad B-Movie Show -starring Leopold and Lenora  (Zachariah Durr, and Laura Wimbels) trapped in a vault and can only view horror movies and share them with their audience.

The Mummy and the Monkey- basically what the title says;  a mummy and a monkey watching b movies.  This show is on Facebook (Harry ScaryHangout), and then an after hours show on YouTube (Harry Scary Hang Over).  Picking up from other shows I mentioned above, they add sound effects to try make them more entertaining.  They put on some wonderful skits, but my favorite is Stasha from the Old Country. They truly take the time and effort to have interactions with their audience, and they should be commended just for that point alone.  They also have a huge respect for those hosts who have come before them, you can see interviews with some of these legends on their website.

Don’s Breakfast Serial- Puts on some old serials such as Batman, Flash Gordon, or the Phantom and others that were once part of a Saturday movie.  Was once part of the crew of the Midnight Movie.

Dr. Multo’s Morbid Mansion- Out of Huber Heights, Oh. A character looking like death, delivering some horror movies.

Horror Hotel- Staring Lamia, Queen of the Dark.  Ok, full disclosure, this is my favorite show.  The lovely vampire Lamia (accompanied by others such as Lil Zombie, Lupo and the rest) and a wonderful crew put on one of the best shows out there. She has entertaining skits, but also gives the viewers some great history about the movie and the actors in them.  I am so impressed with this show that recently I bought advertising on the show for Legend of the Mystic Knights. There is also the Horror Hotel Convention every June, and I am planning to attend this next year. My limited lexicon cannot come close to describe what a great show this is.

Here is a list of some of the Horror Hosts from Ohio which I have little knowledge of. Some are still broadcasting, but some, like many horror hosts are no longer around.

(Akron) SATURDAY NIGHT FRIGHT

 

(Centreville) GOREVISION 

 

(Cincinnati) MEET CLEAVER THEATRE

 

(Toledo) DR. SHOCK'S X-RAY CHILLER CINEMA

 

(Dayton) BARON VON WOLFSTEIN

 

(Defiance) THE DR. MOR B.S. SHOW

 

(Dayton) CULT THEATRE

 

(Dayton) SHOCK THEATRE

 

(Dayton) THE GHASTLEE MOVIE SHOW

 

(Liberty Center ) TARR & FEATHER'S PSYCHO CINEMA

I know there are so many more, and I truly apologize to the Horror Hosts from Ohio which I may have missed.

I encourage you to seek out your local Horror Host and find out more about them.  I will suggest again that you begin with The Monster Channel.

I hope everyone enjoyed our trip to Ohio to see Horror Hosts.

W.A.Rusho is an author, historian and pro wrestler.  You can read more about him on his website.

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