HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALFRED HITCHCOCK!

Born on August 13, 1899, Alfred Hitchcock went on to become one of Hollywood's greatest directors, earning the title of "Master of Suspense". With such classics as "NORTH BY NORTHWEST", "The BIRDS", "STRANGERS ON A TRAIN" and of course my all-time favorite Hitchcock film "PSYCHO", his films went on to become some of Hollywood's best-loved and highly regarded films. Check out Hitchcock's filmography, as well as his very popular "Alfred Hitchcock Presents..." TV show (all available on DVD). Hitchcock sadly passed away April 29th, 1980, but his film legacy will live on forever! Happy Birthday to the Master Of Suspense!

Happy FRIDAY The 13th!!

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Friday the 13th, or a not so happy one for all you superstitious folks out there!! look out for black cats!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN LANDIS!

JOHN LANDIS, born August 3, 1950, may be well-known as a director of famous Hollywood comedies such as ANIMAL HOUSE and TRADING PLACES, but to me he will always be the director of my all-time favorite werewolf movie, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. John has had his share of horror in his career, starting with the low-budget horror satire SCHLOCK, then of course with An American Werewolf In London. John also delved into the music video business by creating possibly one of the best music videos in history, Michael Jackson's THRILLER! John Landis later went on to direct the horror/comedy INNOCENT BLOOD, and let's not forget his entries into the Masters Of Horror series, DEER WOMAN and FAMILY. John is currently filming BURKE AND HARE, a film about the 2 most famous body snatchers in history. John has an incredible knack for mixing horror with comedy, something many have attempted but have failed miserably at. I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with John Landis last year and Spooky Empire's Weekend Of Horror in Orlando, Florida. He was an absolute riot! He was incredibly friendly and funny, and was definitely a high point for me. In fact, he saw my son Zachary and absolutely fell in love with him, snatched him from me and wouldn't give him back! (check out the pics below, also pictured with Paul Davis, director of the amazing AWIL documentary BEWARE THE MOON). Happy Birthday to one of Hollywood's best, John Landis!


(here I am pictured with John Landis and Paul Davis)


(Here's John threatening to keep Zachary)


(John cooing over Zachary)


(John finally hands Zachary back over to me!)

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO No.27!

Hell-o there boils and ghouls!

Welcome to the latest installment of

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

The summer heat has been blaring down, and what better way to cool
off than with a nice blast of bloody beats!

This month's screamin' sizzlers are:

KILLER CREATURE DOUBLE FEATURE - Mr. Underhill
MONSTER IN A DRAGSTER - The Braineaters
MUNSTERS THEME - The Escalators
FULL MOON HOP - Memphis Morticians
FRANKENSTEIN'S DEN - The Hollywood Flames
HAUNTED CASTLE - The Kingsmen
I'M YOUR ZOMBIE - The Spectres
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
REDNECK ZOMBIES - PsychoCharger
MY MAN'S AN UNDERTAKER - Dinah Washington
WEREWOLF - Five Man Electrical Band
VAMPIRE GIRL - Devil's Brigade
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - The Who
MONSTER SQUAD - Coffin Caddies
AIN'T IT GRAND TO BE BLOOMING WELL DEAD - Blarmy Brothers
THE LURCH - Ted Cassidy
DATE WITH A VAMPIRE - The Screaming Tribesmen
MONSTERS LEAD SUCH INTERESTING LIVES - Mel Torme'
OLD BORIS - Bela La Goldstein
VAMPIRE IN THE SUN - Johnny Nightmare



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

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

Enjoy......Happy Haunting!

George Van Orsdel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES WHALE!

James Whale, born July 22, 1889, and went on to become one of classic horror's legendary directors. James Whale has a long list of films he directed, from westerns to musicals, but he will always be remembered as the man who brought us the classics FRANKENSTEIN (1931), its sequel THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935), THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933) and THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932). James Whale died at the age of 67, but his work will never be forgotten....often mimicked but never duplicated! Happy Birthday James!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS!

Considered by many (including myself) to be the Godfather of Shock Rock, Jalacy Hawkins was born July 18, 1929. Going by the stage name of "Screamin' Jay Hawkins", he was well trained in classical piano, and also played guitar. His most successful record to date is "I Put A Spell On You". With it's bluesy riff and Jay's wild screams and moans, it quickly became a staple of horror novelty songs. Jay went on to have minor success with some other songs, "Feast Of The Mau Mau", "Frenzy" and "Constipation Blues". Alot of Jay's music was rooted in blues, but was never able to shake the label of a novelty performer, with his macabre stage antics. Jay is also considered to be a huge influence on many artists, ranging from The Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper, to Black Sabbath and Marilyn Manson. Sadly, Jay passed away on February 12, 2000. Happy Birthday to the original Wild Man!

America For Me - Vincent Price

Ok, so I obviously missed the boat on this one, but in my defense I completely forgot I had this. I'm a week late for the 4th of July, but I suppose it's still relevant. Here is Vincent Price reading the poem "America For Me" written by Henry Van Dyke. Just click on the image of the U.S. Flag above to listen to the wonderful voice of Vincent Price as he reads "America For Me". ENJOY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRED GWYNNE!

Born July 10, 1929, Frederick Hubbard Gwynne went on to become one of America's most lovable characters, Herman Munster! Fred unfortunately passed away a week shy of his birthday, on July 2, 1993. Happy Birthday Mr. Munster!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

I Just want to wish everyone a very safe and Happy 4th of July!

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO No. 26!

Hell-o there boils and ghouls!

Welcome to the latest installment of

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

The year is half over already, and we're one month closer to Halloween! Just 3 short months away!
In the meantime, I hope my little musical treats will do the trick!

This month's spine-tinglers are:

MONSTER RADIO - The Dead Vampires
GHOST RIDES TO WEST - Messer Chups
SHE'S A HUNCHBACK - The Dickies
THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT - The Ghouls
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LEATHER LAGOON - The Cramps
GRAVEYARD TREE - The Koffin Kats
WITH HER HEAD TUCKED UNDERNEATH HER ARM - Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees
EERIE BEACH - The Munsters
MONSTER IN BLACK TIGHTS - Screaming Lord Sutch
PUMPKINHEAD - Groovie Ghoulies
GRAVEYARD BOOGIE - Buster Doss and his Arkansas Playboys
SURFIN' ZOMBIE - The Zombie Surfers
GRAVES - Lugosi's Morphine
21st CENTURY FRANKENSTEIN - The Hangmen
LAUGHING OVER MY GRAVE - Ray Stevens
A FISTFUL OF TERROR - The Bomboras
FRANK AND DRAC ARE BACK - Zacherle
LUST FOR A VAMPIRE - The Quintessentials
MORTAL MONSTER MAN - The Savoys
TAKE A TRIP TO MY GRAVE - Gutter Demons


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

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

Enjoy......Happy Haunting!

George Van Orsdel