2013 HORROR HOST HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED!
Hard to believe, but we’re now heading into the final week before the March Horrorhound Weekend in Cincinnati! It’s a bittersweet event for me as this is my fourth straight year attending this event and had always been done so with friends while, this time, I’m the lone Terror Dave. That should not imply that I won’t still have a blast nor be surrounded by friends and I’m looking forward to seeing many of them. Especially my pal, Brian Maze, who will be making regular appearances on this site and I think is one great guy!
Ever since the 2010 Vampira Tribute (covered HERE) it’s been featuring a list of classic hosts to be inducted in Ripley’s Horror Host Hall of Fame. I’m still not exactly sure where that is but, as I said in my Rondo nominated article (that was a shameless plug for you to vote for me btw) in Scary Monsters Magazine #84, “…events such as these do keep horror hosts from a bygone era alive while allowing us fans to all come together, regardless of which one we may have grown up with.” As it so happens, the one that I grew up is being inducted this year. Unlike previous years, none of the inductees will be present and there will be no plaques to go around. The ceremony will be hosted by Count Gore De Vol. This will also mark the last Horror Host Hall of Fame I’ll be attending.
So here are the list of the 2013 honorees…
SVENGOOLIE (Rich Koz) - For a die-hard Sven fan like me this was long overdue.
Svengoolie has the distinction of not only being a classic commercial TV host, but one still operating professionally today. Since 2011, he would expand his reach via
MeTV from Chicago to a national audience. At this date, that expansion continues with him now seen in 90% of the country as well as parts of Canada. In an era where TV stations have little use for a horror host, this is nothing short of a monumental achievement. Last year, David and I inducted the Universal Shock package of films…many of which are now shown via Svengoolie. With David now gone from the site, the Terror Dave Mission Statement has officially changed from “celebrating our horror fandom as an extension of our friendship,” to “I, Dave Fuentes, will follow around, celebrate, and document the exploits of my idol and friend Svengoolie amid my general horror fandom.” Well at least until he obtains a
Restraining Order, that is. Incidentally, I’ve been given the honor of doing Sven’s induction and really hope I can do the man justice.
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SIVAD (Watson Davis) - From 1962 to 1972, Sivad entertained Memphis, Tennessee viewers via his show, Fantastic Features. Dressed as an undertaker and donning vampire make-up, he was very active during his run and often seen in the community. Sivad is slated to be inducted by the gang at Freakhouse Flicks!
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I, ZOMBIE (Hayden Milligan) – Though severely burned as a child, public access host I, Zombie overcame his hardships to do what he loved best; host movies! He died in 2007 but is fondly remembered by his fellow compadres in The Horror Host Underground as well as fans in Lexington, Kentucky. Incidentally, if anyone has a better shot of this host, please shoot me a copy at terrordaves@ymail.com. Sources state that Dr. Gangrene will be doing the induction.
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TOLOUSE NONECK (Rick Felski) – Wisconsin’s ToLouse No-Neck operated on commercial TV from 1979-1985 and entertained his viewers via SHOCK THEATER. He often did parody songs and called his fans “Zombies.” ToLouse will be inducted by one of his most devoted “Zombies,” and fellow Wisconsin host, Dr. Destruction!
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DEADLY EARNEST (Ian Bannerman) – Our first inductee from Australia aired in Sydney from 1966 to 1972 via
Deadly Earnest’s Aweful Movies. The character would be played by four different actors but Bannerman, per
horrornews.net, was “Billed as
The Dead-Pan Ghoul, Bannerman’s Deadly resembled an undead 1960s ‘mod’ complete with sideburns and horn-rimmed glasses.”
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GORGON THE GRUESOME (Bill Camfield) – From Dallas, Texas Gorgon the Gruesome entertained fans from 1957 to 1964. This Shock Package host aired via Nightmare and was clad in a big black cape and large mole on his cheek! He would continue doing appearances in the ’70s and died in 1991.
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COMMANDER USA (James Hendricks) – While most commercial hosts went extinct in the mid ’80s, Commander USA would thrive from 1985-1989 via cable’s USA Network! Looking like a has-been super hero, the host had various powers including Microwave Vision. His show Commander USA’s Groovie Movies was popular and often ran double features.
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MOONA LISA (Lisa Clark) – The space-age beauty, Moona Lisa, aired via San Diego from 1963-1970. Courtesy of Science Fiction Theater, she’d often host from the surface of the moon while inundating fans with her sensuality along with a dose of reptiles and insects!
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COUNT GREGORE (John Ferguson) - From the Count Gregore Facebook Page (which you can “Like” by clicking HERE) Count Gregore first appeared as a local horror host for “Shock Theatre” in 1958 on WKY TV, Oklahoma City. For over 50 years he hosted shows such as Creature Features,Horror Theatre,Sleepwalker’s Matinee, Thriller, and Night-mare.
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SHOCK ARMSTRONG (Paul Reynolds) – Shock Armstrong hosted movies from 1964-1968 via Shock Theater in Tampa, Florida. He was often referred to as “The Great American Ghoul” and one look at his picture says it all!
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CHUCK ACRI (Chuck Acri) - Playing himself, Chuck Acri hosted movies from 1969-1977 via his Creature Features. Campy and fun, Chuck Acri’s Creature Features boasted a talented crew of sidekicks that kept viewers coming back for more!
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BESTOINK DOOLEY ( George Ellis) – Bestoink Dooley’s show The Big Movie Shocker ran in Atlanta, Georgia from the late ’60s to early ’70s. This local hit often aired the Universal classics and was a favorite of school kids.
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“Behind the Screams” (non-host) Awards go to George Chastain from the quintessential host online resource site
E-Gor’s Chamber of Horror Hosts and the late Uncle Lar whom we paid tribute to after his recent passing
HERE.
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Dave Fuentes~
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