THE RETURN OF SVENGOOLIE!
Svengoolie with True Blood’s Janina Gavankar!
It was just after 3pm last Saturday when my friend, Steve Gill, and I began plowing through a juggernaut of fans (and even fans dressed like Marvel’s Juggernaut) in an effort to get to “Table 12.” C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo) is a popular annual/weekend event here in the city and this was clearly their “prime time.” It was little wonder that it took us over ten minutes to navigate a single aisle.
Of course it also didn’t help that I was stopping every few yards to take pictures of costumed fans either but I’ll cover that portion of the event in an upcoming post. Today I’m going to cut right to the chase and focus on my main objective for being there…the return of Svengoolie! And, while conventional wisdom states one should always save the best for last, I have no desire in prolonging what we fans have waited long enough for as it is.
Svengoolie’s New Coffin Knocks Fans Dead!
I was attending a Brookfield Chapter AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers) meeting at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo late last year when the subject of our annual Vital Grounds spaghetti dinner/fundraiser came up. As they’ve been doing this event for several years now, they’ve pretty much got it all down to a science (food, auction items, ticket info, etc).
There was one aspect of the occasion, however, that wasn’t quite so clear…namely the entertainment. For the past several years, Chicago-gone-national horror host, Svengoolie, had been their featured guest which guaranteed a strong turn-out & much-needed funds for the cause. However, with Sven’s health scare in November that was no longer a certainty. Everyone at the table turned and looked at me…
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 9: Horrorhound Girls Gone Wild!
After a long and busy Saturday at Horrorhound Weekend, Brian and I relaxed and ordered dinner in our room. While it’s rarely a positive experience for any Chicagoan to order pizza outside of city limits, this was the perfect food choice when one planned on following it up with copious amounts of alcohol. Saturday nights at Horrorhound were notorious for their raucous all night gatherings…and this year I was determined to join their party! Afterwards, I headed outside for some air and met a guy in the lobby who pulled out a mason jar that looked as if it were half full of motor oil. “Want some moonshine?” he asked.
I smiled but hesitated. It had only been the week before on St. Patrick’s Day when I’d indulged in another home-made concoction with my fellow pod-caster, Jason, resulting in a drunken argument between us. I’m batting a 1,000 with friends these days, folks! Please check out the “Podcast” link at the top of this page to hear our first (and possibly final) eight episodes of Terror on Tequila!
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 8: Tom Savini cracks a smile…
I met Tom Savini for the first time twice during my first Horrorhound Weekend back in 2010. Although it would be my last pre-Terror Dave event, I walked in harboring lots of goals concerning the horror hosts and the celebrities that were attending. Of course the main plan was to have a great time and I was joined by my friend, Jason. I remember us being particularly excited about having the opportunity to meet some of the folks behind one of our favorite zombie films; Dawn of the Dead. Tom Savini, Ken Foree, and the godfather of zombies himself, George Romero, would all be there and we couldn’t wait.
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 7: Robert Patrick wants to know ALL about you!
I no sooner left Michael Madsen (scroll back or click HERE) before an announcement boomed over the loud-speaker that the line to see Robert Patrick was relatively short. Having been hit with the autograph bug, I decided to take their not-so-subtle hint and meet him. Though Patrick was on the main convention floor, he had his own room located down a hall. That may have explained why his line was down as it took me a while to track him.
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 6: Why you should never try and sell Michael Madsen a pair of Sunglasses!
The big celebrity draw at this year’s Horrorhound Weekend were cast members of AMC’s hit show, The Walking Dead. As this program is currently a hot topic for both traditional and non-traditional horror fans alike, it was no wonder the convention had such a gigantic turn-out. It also explained why a lot of guests wore vests with angel wings (showing their support for Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon) as well as a few less rebellious fans opting for the sheriff’s deputy uniform of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).
2013 Horror Host Hall of Fame…a Downright Shame!
Unlike the last few years, 2013′s March Horrorhound Weekend featured only a sparse number of horror hosts which, in many ways, seemed like a “last stand.” After the Vampira Tribute in 2010, Jason Hignite continued the Horrorhound Weekend/Horror Host tradition with a Zacherley Tribute in 2011 along with “inducting” at least ten horror hosts into the Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Horror Host Hall of Fame. The tradition of choosing ten random hosts for induction would continue in 2012 and, despite the lower turn-out, took place again this year.
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Part 3: The Costume Contest!
It was after 8pm when I walked out of Horrorhound Weekend’s main convention hall during its opening Friday night. While maneuvering past the immense line of patrons (still looking to gain access) I walked across the street to The Crown Plaza hoping to catch a screening of The Profane Exhibit. It’s a new Italian film written and directed by Ruggero Deodato whom I’d met a couple of years back in Massachusetts. As the previous film was still playing, I took a seat in a comfy, lounge chair located outside the room. I was in the process of checking my phone messages when I heard a familiar voice call, “Hey Dave!”
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Part 1: That Crazy Opening Night!
It was around 3pm on Friday, March 22nd when I arrived in Cincinnati for Horrorhound Weekend. Brian Maze from monkeygoatboy.com graciously asked me if I’d like to save expenses and room with him. This was in lieu of the person he was originally supposed to be going with cancelling due to an injury. Brian was staying at the Livinn Hotel which, while across the street from the event’s official hotel, was actually right next door to the Sharonville Convention Center and closer. Rather than seeking out my press pass, Brian saved me a LOT of anguish by also giving me his fallen compadre’s “vendor pass” which was even better. This act of kindness can not be understated as getting inside that convention center was like storming the gates of Mordor.
Svengoolie Items to be Auctioned at Tonight’s AAZK Dinner!
Just a quick note that the new Scary Monsters Magazine/Svengoolie Tribute issue (which has already been sent via pre-orders and has arrived at “Horrorbles” in Berrrr-wyn) will be hitting the stands within a couple of weeks per publisher, Dennis Druktenis.
Terror from Beyond the (now solo) Dave
There’s sure been a lot of upheavals these past few years and, straight out of the gate, 2013 proved to be no exception. The holiday lights had no sooner come down before I became aware that I was not only losing my friend, the other Dave – David Albaugh, but also facing the unwelcome reality of running this blog by myself.
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!
Rare Bowman Body Coffee Mugs Going FAST!
From Documentary filmmaker and Horror Host fa, Sean Kotz…
Hi There Horror Movie Fans! For collectors of horror host memorabilia, this is a once in a life time offer. Richmond, VA’s legendary horror host, The Bowman Body, is immortalized on this limited edition coffee mug. Only 72 mugs will be printed and more than 40 have been pre-ordered in less than two days, so order yours now. This particular mug will never be reissued. Mugs are $12 (or less depending on number ordered) plus S&H. Head over to http://www.bowmanbody.com to get yours before they run out! Copies of the Bowman Body documentary, HI THERE HORROR MOVIE FANS, and the parent documentary, VIRGINIA CREEPERS, as well as limited edition T-shirts are available in the Bowman Body store!
Sean Kotz~
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The Zombie Apocalypse Show!
It’s another episode of Terror on Tequila featuring Terror Dave Fuentes and Jason Lucas…Bartender of the Dead! Today we’ll be doing our first show dedicated to ZOMBIES! Yes, these undead flesh-eaters have contaminated virtually every facet of our popular culture with little sign of slowing down! Today we’ll delve into three zombie films that couldn’t be more different from one another.
SVENGOOLIE: New Coffin Prototype Available for Public Viewing at Upcoming Zoo Fundraiser!
Anybody who knows me, and has followed this blog for any length of time, knows that I have a deep love and commitment to Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo. As an animal lover, I strongly believe in the conservation endeavors that mine and all AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) accredited institutions perform as well as their work in educating and ingratiating the public to nature during their recreational visits. It may seem that nature loving and the horror genre are like “night and day,” interest-wise, but here in Chicago my worlds have been known to collide with the presence of our local-gone-national horror host, Svengoolie!
What’s your Point of View on POV Horror Films Podcast: Featuring PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, CLOVERFIELD…and much more!
Ever since THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, films featuring “lost footage” have been inundating audiences faster than you can say PARANORMAL ACTIVITY! Is this an effective horror genre or yet another example of Hollywood beating a dead horse? Find out in our next Terror on Tequila podcast dedicated to shedding light on the realities of “reality” films!
VOTE FOR SVENGOOLIE!
Well we made it through The Oscars but, for monster fans like myself, the REAL Awards have just kicked off! Of course I’m referring to The Rondo Hatton Awards with the 2012 nominees announced shortly after the interminable Academy Awards ceremony ended this past week.
Last year we won for Best Horror Blog 2011 and were completely dumbfounded. I’d been voting for Rondo winners pretty much since they’d began eleven years ago and I’m sure I speak for the other Dave too when I say we never imagined one day being nominated, let alone winning, one of our own.
WARM BODIES: Zombie “Chick Flick” Inevitable!
Well, it was bound to happen…
Unearthed and Untold: The Path to PET SEMATARY!
I remember back in the ’80s, when I was in my mid-teens and horror novelist, Stephen King was at the height of his popularity. After reading his amazing book, IT, I became an immediate fan and had no sooner finished it before heading out to the book store intent on grabbing all of his previous works. While I enjoyed them all (and in many cases, re-read and enjoyed them again) I was particularly enamored with PET SEMATARY.
MY BLOODY VALENTINE…with Vodka!
It’s another edition of our podcast “Terror on Tequila” and we’re gonna cut right to the HEART of holiday slashers with our special BLOODY VALENTINE SHOW! Bartender, Jason Lucas, whips up some special Valentine Vodka with cranberries while joining Terror Dave Fuentes in a discussion revolving around February 14th Frights! You’re guaranteed to fall in love with our banter on MY BLOODY VALENTINE (1981), MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D (2009), and VALENTINE (2001)!
Rest in Peace Good ole Uncle Lars…
It was the evening of Saturday March 27th, 2010, the peak of the 2010 Horrorhound Convention in Indianapolis, when I first met “Uncle Lar.” My friend and I had just eaten dinner at a terrible nearby Mexican restaurant (which has since been condemned) with our heads swimming in a pool of Margaritas. While stumbling into the Marriott, I bumped into a man wearing a Colonial hat and holding a handful of DVD’s. Needless to say, the DVD’s loosened from his grip and became a scattered mess on the pavement below. I immediately apologized and helped him gather them back up before noticing familiar names on the discs such as The Bone Jangler, Jebediah Buzzard, and Monster Madhouse. “Oh, I see you’re a fan of horror hosts!” I said. It would was a gross understatement.
DARK KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS
Terror from Beyond the Daves would like to welcome guest blogger, Jason Lucas, who will be sharing his fan fervor for a Chicago-area band that blends horror and rock n’ roll! And, when you think about it, the two do seem to often go hand in hand. For more information on Mr. Lucas, please check out our Terror on Tequila story HERE.
It was a dark and stormy night…I braved the snow and bitter chill to go check out a recent gig by an amazing theatrical doom-metal band from the Chicago area called WITCHCROSS, playing at J.J. Kelley’s rock club in Lansing, Illinois. Hailing from the south suburbs of the Windy City, these guys have rocked for two decades now and still draw new fans to their shows with their unique brand of musical horror.
The Birthplace of Svengoolie’s NEW Coffin! The Secrets of ACME DESIGN revealed!
During last October’s amazing “Nightmare on Chicago Street” event (see first of several blogs detailing that experience HERE), I was introduced to the great Elizabeth Haney via our mutual pal, Rich Koz/Svengoolie. Since that time, Elizabeth and I have become good friends and she is a genuinely wonderful person who also has a knack for working at the coolest places. I’d first seen her years before working at “Horrorbles” in Berrrr-wyn, though we’d never actually spoken during that time. She’s now employed with Acme Design inc. a.k.a. the talented folks responsible for creating Svengoolie’s new coffin! The prototype for this new slice of Horror Host History was unveiled at the aforementioned event.
HANSEL AND GRETEL…Tasted Like Crap!
I just returned from a screening of HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS which I thought at first were code names for an elite duo of monster hunters. You know, sort of like a co-ed version of “Supernatural?” Well, I was dead wrong as it turned out to be the actual Hansel & Gretel from the popular story; complete with an intro for those less savvy on Fairy Tales. Apparently, the excitement didn’t end there as this brother/sister team remained as close as “The Carpenters” while becoming professional bounty hunters with a penchant for murdering witches. And when I say “witches” I’m not talking about the Mother Earth loving herbalists we see today. No, these are the less PC veiny/scaly variety complete with broomsticks!
