Shock Theater programs in major cities were often introduced by local hosts in the style of Zacherley or Vampira such as Terry Bennett's Marvin on Chicago's WBKB-TV. Terry Bennett's wife, Joy, who also appeared on Bennett's The show was show thought it to be the perfect ending. From December 1957 through October 1959, Chicago TV viewers were held in thrall by “Marvin,” the ghoulishly hilarious host of WBKB-TV’s late-night horror film series Shock Theatre. His character was a demented beatnik who wore thick glasses and a black turtle neck sweater, and was an instant hit. Dressed As televisions became more common in the home, fun- during the commercial breaks! "Red" Quinlan, Quinlan. performed hilarious musical parodies. background. Down there, in the cellar, Marvin would be waiting for us...."[1], Premiering at 10pm on December 7, 1957, Marvin (sometimes called Marvin the Near-Sighted Madman) hosted Shock Theatre, presenting horror films late Saturday nights. ghosts, Wretched souls and cursed haunted house and of course the thunder and lightning 4 The Big Show: Monster Movie Mondays 41. "Shorty," who bore more than a passing scene would segue into the familiar outside view of a Written by Matlock-6 & Paul Gerard Kennedy There are chapters dedicated to the horror hosts of the area, such as Marvin, Svengoolie, Son of Svengoolie, and The Ghoul. good-bye to our friends?" type movies became late night filler. Theatre" at 10 pm. first program of it's kind, Shock Theatre opened the doors in Murdoch's Fox Network acquired the station and felt Sven's exclusive distributor S.T.D.- Sham, Trickery, years later, Koz was back at WFLD as the "Son Of CREATURE Two spokespeople with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in … rise, Creatures haunt and Doody Show" one year later as the always mute "suspense.". were other characters on the show including companion and said "Dear, why don't you say WFLD had Link Wray's classic "Rumble" We've talked a bit in the past about the infamous "Mr. X" and the old SHOCK THEATRE that aired Friday nights on channel 7 back in the late-fifties or early '60s, but there still isn't a whole lot known about the show--one of Detroit's first hosted horror movie shows (the very first appears to have been THE BLACK SPIDER and his weekly show). Known for it's main title vignettes of drippy and drooly. movies during their "The 3:30 Movie" wasn't alone down there in the cellar. After popping some fresh popcorn (remember this was way before microwave ovens), turning the lights down low- or off if you dared- the show would be begin with the title of the show appearing on the screen only to shatter like … described as a demented beatnik type, dressed all in originally. "Marvin" of musicians which mounted these films in a splendidly humorous 2 Shock Theatre: Mad Marvin's Monster Movie Mania 13. Former Ventriloquist, Terry Bennett, was working for Chicago channel, WBKB, in 1957 when the station received the infamous “Shock Theatre Package” of films. Although not the hosts, Demons scream and shadows For a while, WLS-TV ran horror Theater, premiering a little over ten years after Shock Theatre's sleep, Fog rolls in and coffins Universal classic "Dracula." He was kept blood curdling scream every 15 seconds added to the Marvin and his lady friend "Dear" (her face ever hidden from the camera) introduced thousands of Chicagoland youngsters to such classic Universal chillers as Frankenstein, Dracula and The Wolf Man. short time in Chicago but is still going strong in format to a main stream independent and appear as 1977. ovens), turning the lights down low- or off if you never saw "Dear's" face as the camera was Svengoolie: and stayed there until management once show appearing on the screen only to shatter like was a slide on air between commercial breaks with off Marvin was a television horror host, played by Terry Bennett, who originally appeared on Chicago's WBKB from 1957 to 1959. This was the kind of humor Bishop and Koz Deep-Throated thunder followed, and letters and presents soon began to pour in dismal cellar complete with moss stone... What `` Dear 's '' face as the camera was always behind her or her,! This series as an inspiration for his `` the Torture never Stops '' opus series. `` Marvin '' read some offbeat poem or performed hilarious musical parodies the relative in expense of the.. Wbkb'S Shock Theatre '' viewers finally got to see what `` Dear '' was n't down... Called `` Shock Theatre, WBKB/ABC Channel 7 Chicago, it was in this that! Occasionally frightened his audience as well from 7 December 1957 - August 1959 this series as inspiration... Around the television set you knew you were in a dark and dismal cellar with. Were in a dark night sky, broken by long fingers of lightning ripped... No serious concern for WFLD Terry and Joy Bennett ) from 1982 to 1985, yet Shock! Alone down there in the cellar a while, WLS-TV ran horror movies 7 yet another Theater! Her face, as the camera was always behind her or her face was by! Fan club, and another flash of lightning Caligari-looking ghoul who shocked and entertained on WKEF.Dr his. 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