Svengoolie Fans Gear Towards the Volo Auto Museum!

Posted on by

Unlike last year, I was physically and mentally prepared for Svengoolie’s annual October appearance at the Volo Auto Museum. This involved getting plenty of exercise during the week leading up to it, adequate sleep the night before, and a big bowl of Wheaties the morning of. For those unfamiliar, this is the only Svengoolie appearance that consistently puts him into overtime and I knew I’d be on my feet selling Svengoolie t-shirts, hats, and buttons for the better part of four hours. When I met up with MeTV’s national horror host and his executive producer, Jim Roche, they were as well-rested and ready to go as I was. Svengoolie even danced a sort of jig for Volo’s Marketing Director, Jim Wojdyla, for a video he was working on. It was soon time for him to take on the crowd…

Continue reading →

Elgin’s Nightmare on Chicago Street 2023 with Svengoolie!

Posted on by

It was a brisk, windy Fall day in Elgin, Illinois when I arrived for their annual Nightmare on Chicago Street. Alice Moring from Acme Design graciously invited me to cover their spectacular Halloween spectacle while Jim Roche – Executive Producer of MeTV’s Svengoolie show – asked if I could assist them as well. The zombie “Safe Zone” opened at 6 p.m. with the streets completely cleared for a K-9 bomb sweep from 3:30 – 5. I arrived at 3:15 to get a decent parking space before quickly sequestering myself inside Svengoolie headquarters.

Continue reading →

The Svengoolie Comic Book and the “Innocence of Seduction!”

Posted on by

Last weekend, my daughter and I saw the new play, “Innocence of Seduction” courtesy of the talented folks at City Lit Theater. The story revolves around the rise and fall of Horror and Science Fiction Comics back in the ‘50s and the birth of the Comic Book Code. I’m an enormous fan of EC Comics, having a small shrine of masks and reprinted hardcover editions in my apartment. Since  I’ve already discussed EC Comics in this blog (albeit nine years ago), I won’t delve too deeply into their history but, suffice it to say, when I learned of this play courtesy of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, I knew I had to see it. The timing couldn’t have been better.

Continue reading →

Flashback Weekend 2023 concludes with Dick Warlock!

Posted on by

I had an early start that Sunday morning at Flashback Weekend loading up my car before having breakfast with my friends. The day was to be short and sweet as I’d already accomplished my convention goals save for one…meeting Dick Warlock. As mentioned in my first Flashback post, Warlock would prove something of a hidden gem at this event. Although horror fans knew him best for playing Michael Myers in Halloween II (1981), he proved to be something of a hidden gem with a rich Hollywood history as a stunt double. His resume’ had sent gasps through the audience during his Q&A session with Dick Digilio as well as providing great entertainment for his taped Svengoolie interview on Saturday. Today would be my turn to meet him.

Continue reading →

Flashback Weekend 2023: That Crazy Alan Howarth Concert!

Posted on by

Though the Saturday night Alan Howarth concert at Flashback Weekend was slated for 8:30 p.m., I left my room a half hour earlier in case there was a line. And what a line it would be!  As soon as saw all the fans weaving the circumference of the hotel’s basement I was painfully aware I should have left an hour earlier instead. The concert took place in the same room as the costume contest (see last post) and I heard people in line saying that many had been turned away on account of it being too full. Whether that was true or not, I have no way of knowing. What I can tell you is that once the idea entered my mind, I was thoroughly convinced I was never going to get in. This, coupled with how achy and tired I was from a full day of conventioneering had me damn close to giving up and returning to my room. Somehow, I successfully ignored the voice in my head, and once the doors opened around 9 p.m. the line quickly got moving. I was surprised, I actually found a seat, albeit at the far right of the stage. Although it meant craning my neck to see the video screen, I didn’t mind as I’d have an unobstructed view of Howarth – ideal for taking pictures.

Continue reading →

2023 Flashback Weekend Saturday: Svengoolie & the Colossal Costume Contest!

Posted on by

When Flashback Weekend reconvened in 2021, the number of contestants in its annual costume contest surged. I understood with all the extra time some folks had in lockdown why that year went nuts, but there’s been no letup in the two years that’s followed. In fact, the 2023 event had so many adult contestants they couldn’t fit everyone on stage for judging. In the end, three separate groups were judged before a fourth round would be dedicated to the finalists.

Continue reading →