Thanks, Lost Memory. No hurry. I already have one in my head.
Thanks, George Tobor, for all the Zacherle data. I will indulge you ANY time. I learned about ABC’s Shock Theater from “BrooklynJim”. It was a bit before my time. I first saw Zacherle hosting a Hercules cartoon (the one with the centaur named Newton) fall 1963. I’m not sure which TV station had it. I last saw Zacherle hosting “Chiller Theater” on WPIX 11 about January 1970, hosting “Killers From Space”, with Peter Graves, and those Marty Feldman-esque cumberbunded zombies in black, sealing Graves' chest with what looked like electric soldering irons. When the outer space zombies showed Graves their equations, there was a cut to Zacherle’s hand holding a slip of paper on which was written “2 + 2 = 5”. Sort of a MST 3000 predecessor.
I also remember Zacherle showing his bare feet on camera, introducing a commercial for the “Bop The Beetle” game, and using a head of cauliflower as a human brain in his lab. As I recall, his appearance was somewhat reminiscent of Lon Chaney in “Phantom Of The Opera”.
Thanks, Lost Memory, but I would be more interested in a list of what was shown on Chiller Theatre from 1961 to 1970. I’m probably remembering most of them correctly, but I’d like to check.
The clips from “Plan 9” (Vampira and Ed Wood’s chiropractor with the cape up around his nose) were scarier in that “Chiller Theater” intro than they were in “Plan 9”, probably because the background music was scarier.
Thanks for your consolation, Lost Memory. That means Chiller Theater ended on WPIX in 1983 or before.
I associate “Tarantula” more with The Big Show (I almost typed “Bug Show”, but that would have been ironically appropriate !) sci fi monster day, 4:30 PM weekdays, WABC Channel 7, fall 1963, than I do with WPIX Chiller Theater.
Viewers can decide what is more horrible, the giant tarantula crawling down Main Street, USA, or Leo G. Carroll’s acromegaly-distorted face.
This film may have been Clint Eastwood’s movie debut, as a jet fighter pilot, assigned to frying the giant bug, or did he debut in TV’s “Rawhide” before “Tarantula” was released ?
Agreed, George Tobor ! How can it be an effective “community center”, if it’s so run-down, and so ugly to look at, looking more like a front for a drug racket, or car chop shop, or money laundering (name your illegal activity) than a public meeting place ?
That’s terrible, Diaphenia. The managers preferred you to risk walking around in wetted pants, rather than be absent for a minute to use the toilet. Reminds me of misinformed Catholic parochial school discipline.
Bway, don’t know if there are any theatre remnants inside. Reads like a job for you !
I remember that six-fingered hand coming up out of the swamp next to that awful-looking dead tree, picking up the letters in “Chiller” one at a time. I also remember the previous, early 1960’s “Chiller Theatre” opening sequence with that god-awful scary music, and the montage of clips from about eight of the films they showed.
Points taken, East Coast Rocker. However, one has to compare 1977 dollars to 2008 dollars and adjust for inflation, using the consumer price index. A 1977 dollar is probably equal to 2 or more 2008 dollars.
Movie theaters stay in business selling popcorn and soda, not movie tickets ? That doesn’t make sense.
Thanks for the details, LuisV. Very unfortunate, indeed. Misery loves company, so let us commiserate about the Trylon, at the risk of being accused of holding a non-productive pity party.
Thanks, Panzer65.
Right on, George !
Is Zacherle still performing for the public ?
No, Diaphenia, it wouldn;t have been easy for them. One loses bladder control as one ages, as I personally have experienced.
I like your handle. Is it based on the Who’s “Quadrophenia”, by any chance ? Or on a character from Greek myth ?
One needs to convert dollars of two different years to dollars of the same year to make a meaningful comparison.
I do not know about the Ridgewood’s projection system as a multiplex of 3 to 5 screens.
Thanks, Lost Memory. No hurry. I already have one in my head.
Thanks, George Tobor, for all the Zacherle data. I will indulge you ANY time. I learned about ABC’s Shock Theater from “BrooklynJim”. It was a bit before my time. I first saw Zacherle hosting a Hercules cartoon (the one with the centaur named Newton) fall 1963. I’m not sure which TV station had it. I last saw Zacherle hosting “Chiller Theater” on WPIX 11 about January 1970, hosting “Killers From Space”, with Peter Graves, and those Marty Feldman-esque cumberbunded zombies in black, sealing Graves' chest with what looked like electric soldering irons. When the outer space zombies showed Graves their equations, there was a cut to Zacherle’s hand holding a slip of paper on which was written “2 + 2 = 5”. Sort of a MST 3000 predecessor.
I also remember Zacherle showing his bare feet on camera, introducing a commercial for the “Bop The Beetle” game, and using a head of cauliflower as a human brain in his lab. As I recall, his appearance was somewhat reminiscent of Lon Chaney in “Phantom Of The Opera”.
Thanks, Lost Memory, but I would be more interested in a list of what was shown on Chiller Theatre from 1961 to 1970. I’m probably remembering most of them correctly, but I’d like to check.
The clips from “Plan 9” (Vampira and Ed Wood’s chiropractor with the cape up around his nose) were scarier in that “Chiller Theater” intro than they were in “Plan 9”, probably because the background music was scarier.
I think you would be welcome there, Panzer65 !
The prize is upped to photos of the inside of what’s left of the RKO Madison Theatre !
You got it !
Can we wear Warren masks for Halloween ?
That’s ONE of them, Panzer. Can you name the rest ?
And can you name them before Warren makes a comment on this thread about OT posting ?
View link
Thanks so much, Mikey8052 ! One good Chiller Theatre intro deserves another !
Now, who can name all the movies, clips from which are included in the above linked older intro ?
Bonus question : a clip from what film was included in the ALTERNATE version of this older b & w intro ?
First prize : One stick of gum !
Bway, maybe it’s time for some of us CT'ers to go “undercover” to solve the “murder” of the Trylon !
Right on, Bway. Thanks !
Thanks, Lost Memory !
Thanks for your consolation, Lost Memory. That means Chiller Theater ended on WPIX in 1983 or before.
I associate “Tarantula” more with The Big Show (I almost typed “Bug Show”, but that would have been ironically appropriate !) sci fi monster day, 4:30 PM weekdays, WABC Channel 7, fall 1963, than I do with WPIX Chiller Theater.
Viewers can decide what is more horrible, the giant tarantula crawling down Main Street, USA, or Leo G. Carroll’s acromegaly-distorted face.
This film may have been Clint Eastwood’s movie debut, as a jet fighter pilot, assigned to frying the giant bug, or did he debut in TV’s “Rawhide” before “Tarantula” was released ?
Hello again, Ed. Congrats on your newborn !
Agreed, George Tobor ! How can it be an effective “community center”, if it’s so run-down, and so ugly to look at, looking more like a front for a drug racket, or car chop shop, or money laundering (name your illegal activity) than a public meeting place ?
That’s terrible, Diaphenia. The managers preferred you to risk walking around in wetted pants, rather than be absent for a minute to use the toilet. Reminds me of misinformed Catholic parochial school discipline.
Bway, don’t know if there are any theatre remnants inside. Reads like a job for you !
No. What TV channel was it on, and at what time ?
I remember that six-fingered hand coming up out of the swamp next to that awful-looking dead tree, picking up the letters in “Chiller” one at a time. I also remember the previous, early 1960’s “Chiller Theatre” opening sequence with that god-awful scary music, and the montage of clips from about eight of the films they showed.
Points taken, East Coast Rocker. However, one has to compare 1977 dollars to 2008 dollars and adjust for inflation, using the consumer price index. A 1977 dollar is probably equal to 2 or more 2008 dollars.
Movie theaters stay in business selling popcorn and soda, not movie tickets ? That doesn’t make sense.
I know what you mean, mrbillyc.
Is the movie industry dying because of VCRs, Cable DVR and DVD’s ? The stadium-seat multiplex cinemas still seem to be doing quite well, financially.
For me, the old movie houses are very much a reality in my mind, and in actuality, such as the Ziegfeld in midtown Manhattan.
Thanks for the details, LuisV. Very unfortunate, indeed. Misery loves company, so let us commiserate about the Trylon, at the risk of being accused of holding a non-productive pity party.
You’re welcome, Lost Memory.
Good explanation, Life’s too short. Thanks.
I think that’s Uzbekistan, Lost Memory.
Indeed it was. The scene was reminiscent of the end of “Carrie”, when Carrie’s hand suddenly shot out of the ground to grab Sue Snell (Amy Irving).