Mike Bogue’s “Watching the World Die: Nuclear Threat Films of 1980s!”

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The book is set up by year. After a brief introduction, each year from 1980 through 1990 gets a full chapter; with the qualifying films from each year listed. Every film gets a detailed synopsis along with some insightful background information. Bogue’s witty banter and astonishing facts act like the Bonus Features from a Criterion Collection Blu-ray. I can honestly say, I’ve never learned such interesting things about movies I’d never even heard of. I was also shocked to read that The Day After garnered ABC-TV 100 million viewers during its single airing. If ABC earned those kinds of numbers today, they’d quickly get to work on its sequel The Day After the Day After while planning the trilogy’s wrap-up – A Few Days After That. 

I hope you’ll pick up a copy of this book and see how cool it is for yourself. While the subject matter may seem dated, it has become oddly relevant again in today’s world. It’s an engaging book that brings awareness to movies in desperate need of a spotlight. And on that note, I’m gonna go and try hunting down some of those right now…

Svengoolie Fans Gear Towards the Volo Auto Museum!

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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…

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Elgin’s Nightmare on Chicago Street 2023 with Svengoolie!

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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.

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

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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.

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Flashback Weekend 2023: That Crazy Alan Howarth Concert!

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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.

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

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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.

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