MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, may you get everything you asked for and deserve!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAMPIRA!

Born Maila Elizabeth Syrjäniemi (later changing her name to Maila Nurmi), on December 11th, 1922, Vampira went on to become one of the most famous and most recognizable horror hosts in the history of television. Maila also ventured into film, most prominently featured in Ed Wood Jr.'s Plan 9 From Outer Space. Vampira's signature look, often imitated, especially by the scream queen herself Elvira, was actally borrowed from Charles Addams' famous cartoon The Addams Family's main matriarch Morticia Addams. Vampira went on to become a major horror icon, even becoming the subject of many songs, the most famous being Vampira by horrorpunk legends The Misfits.
Read all about Vampira's career on her Wikipedia page. Happy Birthday to the original Queen of Halloween!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK BAKER!

I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Academy Award winning make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Baker, born December 8, 1950. Inspired by legendary Hollywood make-up artist Jack Pierce, Rick's first major professional make-up work was assisting the famous Dick Smith with the make-up work on The Exorcist. From there, Rick quickly established himself as one of the best horror and special effects make-up artists in the film industry. In 1981, Rick received an Academy Award for his work on An American Werewolf In London, the first ever Award given in this category. In fact, the category for Best Make-up Effects was actually created because of Rick's work on An American Werewolf In London. Read all about Rick's amazing career on his Wikipedia page. Happy Birthday to one of Hollywood's greatest monster makers, Rick Baker!

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO No.31, "CRYPTMAS" SPECIAL 2010!

Hell-o there boils and ghouls!

Seasons Bleedings and Welcome to the

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO "Cryptmas" Special!

That's right kiddies, the Holiday Season is now upon us, time to dust off the Cryptmas ornaments
and carefully hang them on the tree, make sure the stockings are hung by the chimney with care
(be sure to remove the rotting foot!).

This month's spooky little tidbits from Santa Claws are:

CHRISTMAS GHOST - Manic Street Preachers
SANTA AND THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER - Sheb Wooley
THERE AIN'T NO SANITY CLAUSE - The Damned
IT'S A MONSTER'S HOLIDAY - Buck Owens
YOU'RE A MEAN ONE, MR. GRINCH - Thurl Ravenscroft
NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MEDLEY - Haunted Mansion Holiday
AWAY IN A MADHOUSE - Matt Fahey
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS - The Cryptkeeper
MONSTER HOLIDAY - Lon Chaney Jr.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE DEVIL - Spinal Tap
THE BITE BEFORE XMAS - The Cool Ghoul
REGGAE CHRISTMAS EVE IN TRANSYLVANIA - Count Floyd
IT'S THE MOST HORRIBLE TIME OF THE YEAR - J.D. Titan
SHOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN HIM A GUN FOR CHRISTMAS - Wall Of Voodoo
R2-D2 WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS - Meco
SWEENEY TODD THE BARBER - Stanley Hollloway
SPOOK'S HOLIDAY - Joe Liggins
THEME FROM SCROOGED - Danny Elfman
SANTA MEETS THE VAMPIRE - Len Maxwell
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS - Haunted Mansion Holiday


Just click on the image above to get

Monster Spookshow Radio's "Cryptmas" Special 2010!

Enjoy......Season's Bleedings, Happy Holidays and Happy Haunting!

George Van Orsdel

R.I.P. INGRID PITT

Hammer horror actress Ingrid Pitt, best known for starring in cult classics such as Countess Dracula, has died at the age of 73.The Polish-born star died at a hospital in south London after collapsing a few days ago. She was regarded by many fans as the queen of Hammer horror films.

The star's death comes weeks after film-maker Roy Ward Baker, who directed Pitt in The Vampire Lovers, died at the age of 93. Pitt's daughter Stephanie Blake told the BBC News website that her mother's death had come as a "huge surprise". After the actress collapsed recently, doctors had told her was she suffering from heart failure.
"She could be incredibly generous, loving, and she'll be sorely missed," Mrs Blake said. She added that she wanted her mother to be remembered as the Countess Dracula with the "wonderful teeth and the wonderful bosom".
The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy said he had "very good memories" of the actress. "She was a very attractive person in every sense. She was a perfectly good actress but a very decent person as well, not that those two things don't often go together. I'm very sorry to hear she's gone," he added.
Official Hammer historian Marcus Hearn paid tribute to the star, calling her a "talented actress and fine writer. All fans of Hammer and of British horror are going to miss her terribly." He added: "She was partly responsible for ushering in a bold and brazen era of sexually explicit horror films in the 1970s, but that should not denigrate her abilities as an actress." A good friend of the actress, Mr Hearn said she was "gloriously uninhibited" and "great fun to be with".
Although she was not the first female star of a Hammer film, Mr Hearn said she had always been "very proud" of becoming the first prominent female protagonist in a Hammer after her role in The Vampire Lovers. "All fans of Hammer and of British horror are going to miss her terribly," he said.
She began her career with fairly minor roles in several Spanish films in the mid-1960s. But in 1968 she landed a supporting role in war movie Where Eagles Dare, appearing alongside Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton.
The actress got her breakthrough role two years later in the horror thriller The Vampire Lovers, which was a box office success. Several Hammer movies followed, firmly establishing her as one of the key women of British horror of the 1970s. Her other film credits included The Wicker Man (1973), Who Dares Wins (1982), Smiley's People (1982) and Wild Geese II (1985). Pitt made regular appearances at horror conventions and penned several books about her career in the genre. Her talent will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Ingrid.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FORREST J. ACKERMAN!

When I was a little boy, I remember going to the newsstand with my dad. There, among the typical magazines was tucked away a magazine, whose cover I could barely see, but I plucked it off the newsstand, and lo and behold my life would change forever, it was Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, the creation of the ultimate fanboy, Forrest J. Ackerman! Forrest J. Ackerman, also known as Mr. Science Fiction, 4SJ, Uncle Forry, Dr. Ackula, the Ackermonster, among many others, was born November 24th, 1916, and went on to create possibly the most influential and often copied monster magazine the world has even known. I was the ultimate Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine fan (still owning a nice collection of back issues), and in turn becoming a fan of Uncle Forry himself. I eventually grew to admire Forrest for his passion for monster and sci-fi movies. In fact, Forrest is actually credited as coining the phrase "sci-fi". Forrest J. Ackerman and Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine went on to be one of the single most influential sources to many a filmmaker, including, but not limited to, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Landis, Rick Baker, among many others. Forrest sadly passed away last December 8th, but he will forever live in the hearts of monster movie fans. Read all about Forrest's life on his Wikipedia page. Happy Birthday Forrest, you will forever be loved and missed!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BORIS KARLOFF!

Born William Henry Pratt, on November 23rd, 1887, Boris Karloff went on to become the most famous and recognized actors in the horror genre, earning the title "King of Monsters". Although he has performed in over 80 films before starring in the movie that made him a star, Frankenstein (1931), Boris Karloff went on to become a massive success, not only in films, but radio, stage and eventually on television. Boris went on to play such fantastic characters as the Frankenstein monster, The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and many many more. I credit Boris Karloff on a personal level as being the reason I got into horror to begin with. As a small child I watched Frankenstein and it forever changed me into the horror fanatic I am today (check out my Boris tattoo in the picture below!). Boris had a magnificent career, which has had a lasting influence on many actors and filmmakers. To read more about Boris' incredible life and career, check out his Wikipedia page. Happy Birthday Boris!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAUDE RAINS!

Born William Claude Rains on November 10th, 1889, we first saw (or should I say didn't see) Claude in his first starring role as The Invisible Man, directed by James Whale. Claude started his acting career on the London stage, but soon made the transition to film. After The Invisible Man, Claude started building up quite a hefty resumé of film, starring in such classics as The Adventures of Robin Hood, with Errol Flynn, Casablanca, co-starring Humphrey Bogart, and in Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious. Claude also established himself in the horror genre, starting of course with The Invisible Man, then starring as another classic monster, The Phantom Of The Opera. We also know Claude as Larry Talbot's concerned father in Universal Studio's classic The Wolf Man. Read more about Claude's amazing career on his Wikipedia page.
Happy Birthday Claude!

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO No. 30!

Hell-o there boils and ghouls!

Welcome to the 30th installment of

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

I hope you all had a very Happy Halloween, full of frights and fun! We're wrapping things up for
the Fall season, so you better start preparing for the dead of Winter!


This month's morbidly musical morsels are:

FULL MOON ARISE - The Independents
VOO DOO JUICE - The Ghouls
DIG THAT GRAVE! - Hipbone Slim & The Kneetremblers
SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET - Alice Cooper
KING KONG - Gene Moss
SWAMP THING - Dave Vanian and The Phantom Chords
GAMMERA - The Moons
LIVING NIGHTMARE - Johnny B. Morbid
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON - Lord Melody
THE MAN WITH THE HEX - The Atomic Fireballs
HAUNTED HOUSE - Elvira
MORTICIAN'S STOMP - The Undertakers
TOMBSTONE - Suzanne Vega
I DIG YOU BABY - Bob McFadden and Dor
SLEEPING WITH A VAMPYRE - Brigitte Handley & The Dark Shadows
DEAD OR ALIVE - Oingo Boingo
FRANKIE FRANKENSTEIN - Ivan
GO ZOMBIE - Zombie Girl
I DON'T STAND A CHANCE WITH A GHOST LIKE YOU - Sheldon Allman
TOMBSTONE TAILS - The Tombstones


Just click on the image above to get the latest installment of


Enjoy......Happy Haunting!

George Van Orsdel

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 31: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL YOU BOILS AND GHOULS! Make sure you celebrate tonight with lots of candy and goodies, and be sure to watch John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN, definitely one of my Halloween night traditions! Also, if you plan on having a Halloween party, be sure to crank up Monster Spookshow Radio's Halloween Spooktacular!





Also, check out the John Carpenter Q&A panel which I had the pleasure of hosting at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend!

JOHN CARPENTER Q&A part one

JOHN CARPENTER Q&A part two

JOHN CARPENTER Q&A part three

JOHN CARPENTER Q&A part four

JOHN CARPENTER Q&A part five

HAPPY HALLOWEEN....AND HAPPY HAUNTING!

George Van Orsdel

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 30: It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Yep, that's right, the classic Peanuts cartoon, you better make sure you play this cartoon this Halloween season, or you'll end up just like Charlie Brown in this famous clip from It's The Great Pumkpin Charlie Brown!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEN Day 29: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN CHAPMAN!

Ben Chapman, pictured with co-star Julie Adams, in a Halloween newspaper article from Oct. 24, 1953, promoting "The Creature From The Black Lagoon".

Ben Chapman, born October 29, 1928, was best known for playing the out-of-water Creature in the original Universal Studios classic The Creature From The Black Lagoon. Due to his large stature (Ben was 6'5" tall) he was the ideal size for playing the Creature in the land and out of water scenes, leaving all the underwater scenes to be played by Ricou Browning, an experienced underwater diver and stunt man. Ben sadly passed away shortly after midnight on February 21, 2008, from heart problems. Althouh Ben is gone, his Creature will live on forever in our hearts! Happy Birthday Ben!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 28: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELSA LANCHESTER!

Elsa Sullivan Lanchester, was born October 28, 1902, and went on to become a very accomplished and successful actress of theatre, film and television. Her most popular and endearing character, The Bride Of Frankenstein, will live on forever in film and horror history, with the iconic image of the Bride with her hair standing on end and the white stripe on the sides, as well as the woman who created her, Mary Shelley (also portrayed by Elsa in the same film.). Elsa had a very long and diverse film career, starring in over 66 films. Elsa passed away on December 26, 1986 of pneumonia at the age of 84. Happy Birthday to the original Bride!

Check out this cool video of clips from The Bride Of Frankenstein, set to Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 27: Universal Monsters

Here's a pretty cool video montage of some of Universal Studios legendary Monsters!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 26: Fangoria 2010 time machine

These guys in England really did a great job building a Time Machine/Haunted House attraction in their garage! A throwback to the H.G. Wells vision of a time machine, with elements of The First Men In The Moon craft, these guys really did a great job!! Check it out for yourselves!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 25: Milton The Monster

Here is an episode from the animated series Milton The Monster, which ran on ABC during the mid-sixties. Milton, who was a Frankenstein-type monster, would get into all kinds of wacky hijinks. Check out more episodes on YouTube if you enjoy this one!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 24: Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters

Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters was released by Rankin/Bass Studios in 1972, as an unofficial sequel to Mad Monster Party, featuring most of the same characters featured in Mad Monster Party, using traditional animation, as opposed to the stop-motion style used before. This was an entertaining cartoon, with fun characters and silly jokes. I hope you enjoy it!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 23: Bobby "Boris" Pickett - The Monster Mash

A cool little fan-made video for Bobby "Boris" Pickett's famous hit The Monster Mash,and the video truly is a Monster Mash! Enjoy!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 22: Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You

One of the greatest, wildest entertainers, singing his biggest hit! Long live Screamin' Jay Hawkins!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN day 21: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUX INTERIOR - The Cramps - I Was A Teenage Werewolf

In honor of Lux Interior's birthday today (sadly Lux passed away on February 4, 2009 of aortic dissection), I am presenting to you a video of The Cramps performing "I Was A Teenage Werewolf" live in concert. Lux may be gone but his music will never die. Considered by many to be the forefather of Psychobilly music, Lux and The Cramps built themselves quite a fan base and have been associated with garage rock as well as horror since they first burst onto the music scene in 1976. I hope you enjoy this video!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 20: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELA LUGOSI!

a portrait of Bela, by the brilliant Basil Gogos


me with the Bela Lugosi as Dracula wax figure at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, NYC

Born Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó on October 20, 1882, Bela Lugosi went on to become one of the most famous horror film actors in history. Bursting onto the screen as Dracula, Bela was an immediate star. Starring in over 100+ films, Bela has left a legacy behind for future generations to enjoy! As a treat I am posting a very nice fan-made tribute to Bela Lugosi. Happy Birthday Bela!!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 19: Trick R' Treat

I know I posted about this movie last Halloween season, but I honestly can't get enough of it. It is now my second favorite Halloween-themed movie, second only to John Carpenter's Halloween of course! A great movie, featuring cleverly written stories that are woven together by our little friend Sam Hain. Starring Anna Paquin (Miss Sookie Stackhouse herself), Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, and Quinn Lord as little Sam. If you've never seen it, treat yourself to a great film,...if you have seen it, don't deny yourself the pleasure of watching it again!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 18: Invasion of the Zombie Pumpkins!

Can't decide what your Jack-O-Lantern is going to be this year? Have no fear boils and ghouls, here is a website that offers AMAZING pumpkin carving patterns! The have THE COOLEST patterns I have ever seen!! Just click the image above and check out what Invasion Of The Zombie Pumpkins has to offer!!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 17: The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

Here is one of my personal favorite Halloween time cartoons to watch. It's the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, from Disney's 1949 film The Adventures Of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. This is Disney at it's spooky best!!! The embedding is disabled on these videos but click the links below and it will take you to the youtube pages.

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW - PART ONE

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW - PART TWO

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW - PART THREE

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW - PART FOUR

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 16: Happy Days - The Evil Eye

Here is another great Happy Days Halloween episode titled "The Evil Eye", which aired on October 31, 1978 (Halloween night!). In this one, Al is cowering in terror at the curse he believes he has received from an old lady, so on the suggestion of Fonzie, Richie, Ralph and Potsie arrange a mock 'exorcism' to banish Al's demons. Enjoy!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 15: Ghoultown - Mistress Of The Dark music video

Here is the video for Ghoultown's song "Mistress Of The Dark", featuring the Mistress herself, ELVIRA! The video was directed by Gris Grimly. Enjoy!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 14: Spook Show advertisements

In keeping with the theme of Spookshows, here are some vintage ads for some Midnite Spook Shows and Horror Shows. This is the kind of stuff I live for, too bad theaters don't do this kind of stuff anymore, I personally think they would go over great!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 13: Trick Or Treat (1952)

This classic Walt Disney cartoon features Donald Duck in his usual cranky mode, refusing to give treats to his nephews, instead playing tricks on them, until a friendly witch decides to show him a thing or two. One of my favorite Disney shorts. I hope you like it!

COUTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 12: Betty Boop's Hallowe'en Party (1933)

Today's treat is a little cartoon from 1933 from the Fleischer Studios, featuring Betty Boop. A gatecrashing gorilla tries to ruin Betty's Hallowe'en party, but Betty and her friends ruin his plans. I hope you like it!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 11: The Three Stooges - "The Ghost Talks" (1949)

Moe, Larry and Shemp are moving men assigned to the haunted Smorgasbord Castle. All goes well until a clanking suit of armor inhabited by the ghost of Peeping Tom (voiced by Phil Arnold) instructs the Stooges to leave him be. Shemp, Larry and Moe all take turns trying to move Tom but he spooks the Stooges away. After finally gaining their trust, Tom tells the trio the story of how he is waiting for Lady Godiva. Enjoy!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 10: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED WOOD, JR.!

Ed Wood, Jr., born on October 10, 1924, is no doubt the king of the terribly awful but classic B-Movie. With cult classics such as Plan 9 From Outer Space, Bride Of The Monster and Night Of The Ghouls, Ed has become a legend. Today I offer you the trailer for his most famous film, Plan 9 From Outer Space. If you've never seen it, watch it, it's definitely worth a laugh!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 9: The Creature From The Black Lagoon

I figured today's treat would be a post of the original trailer for The Creature From The Black Lagoon, in honor of the Q&A I will be hosting today at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend. I have the privilege of hosting a Q&A panel with the one and only Ricou Browning, the actor who portrayed The Creature (in all the underwater scenes) not only in the original film, but it both of the sequels as well. If you've never seen this film (shame on you!), you owe it to yourself to watch it, it's definitely a treat for monster movie fans! And if you have seen it, treat yourself to it again! Check out the fantastic scene where the Creature swims unknowingly below Julie Adams in the famous scene, which clearly influenced Steven Spielberg when he filmed the opening scene from JAWS. Enjoy!!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 8: SPOOKY EMPIRE'S ULTIMATE HORROR WEEKEND BEGINS TONIGHT!

DON'T MISS IT!

For a complete list of guests and events, visit WWW.SPOOKYEMPIRE.COM

See ya there!!

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN Day 7: Vintage Halloween Greeting Cards

I hope you enjoy this blast from the past with these vintage Halloween Greeting Cards!