HAPPY BIRTHDAY FREDRIC MARCH!

Fredric March, born August 31, 1897, may not have had a career in horror, but he does have the distinction of winning the very first Academy Award for Best Actor in a horror role, that of the title character in MGM's 1931 classic, DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, an honor that wouldn't come to another actor for another 60 years, when Anthony Hopkins won his Oscar for THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Fredric did manage to win yet another Oscar for Leading Male Actor in 1946 for THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. Fredric's roles were mostly always in dramatic films, but he did manage to play "Death" in DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY in 1934. fredric had a very long and successful career in films, spanning 6 decades. Happy Birthday Fredric!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN ANKERS!

(pictured with Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi)

Evelyn Ankers, born August 17, 1918, is definitely a familiar face to the classic horror fans. Known as "the Queen of Screamers", Evelyn starred in many classiC horror films throughout the 1930s-40s, such as THE WOLFMAN, THE MAD GHOUL, THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, SON OF DRACULA and many others. Usually playing the love interest/damsel in distress, Evelyn had a very long career in film and television, starring in horror classics, as well as dramas and comedies. Evelyn sadly passed away on August 29, 1985, from ovarian cancer, but her roles will never be forgotten. Happy Birthday to one of Hollywood's original Scream Queens!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLENN STRANGE!

(pictured here with Lenore Aubert and Bela Lugosi)



Glenn Strange, born August 16, 1899, was one of Hollywood's hardest working character actors, yet many people will always remember him as the man who filled the Frankenstein monster's shoes after Boris Karloff. Although Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. both had their opportunities at portraying the Frankenstein monster after Boris Karloff originated the role, no other actor had the success or recognition than Glenn Strange, who went on to portray the monster in HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, HOUSE OF DRACULA, and the wildly popular and hysterical ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. The bulk of Glenn's career consisted of roles in many Hollywood westerns, always portraying henchmen, gun-slingers and thugs. He mostly played ominous characters, due to his lumbering height of 6'5". He eventually went on to achieve television success on the popluar TV western GUNSMOKE, which starred another Hollywood horror alumni, James Arness. Glenn unfortunately passed away from lung cancer on September 20th, 1973. Of his many roles in Hollywood, Glenn will always be loved by horror fans as the Frankenstein Monster! Happy Birthday Glenn!

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 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.36, SCI-FI SPOOKTACULAR!

Hell-o there boils and ghouls!

Welcome to the 36th installment of

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO...

SCI-FI SPOOKTACULAR!

Strap on your turbo-boosters, check the rocket fuel and prepare to blast off into
deep space with this month's SpookShow Radio...yes kiddies, it's time for another
SCI-FI SPOOKTACULAR Special!

This Month's galactic goodies are:

BLAST OFF! -The Stray Cats
MARS ATTACKS - The Misfits
FLYING SAUCERS OVER VAN NUYS - The Ghastly Ones
SPACE MEN - The Velvetones
FIRST MAN ON MARS - Jackie Fautheree
REDNECK VIXEN FROM OUTER SPACE - Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures
FIREBALL XL-5 - The Dead Elvi
THE OUTER LIMITS THEME - Milton DeLugg
GIRLS IN ORBIT - Messer Chups
I AM ROBOT - The Phenomenauts
WE'RE GOING UFO-ING - Jimmy Durante
CRAZY ALIEN CHICK - King Memphis
CAPTAIN OF THE SPACESHIP - Spike Jones
ALIEN MOVIES - Brigitte Handley and the Dark Shadows
GRAVEROBBERS FROM OUTER SPACE - The Undertaker and his Pals
THEY'RE HERE - Boots Walker
FLYING SAUCERS Pt. 1 - Buchanan and Goodman
TATTOOED ALIENS - The Young Werewolves
PURPLE PEOPLE EATER - Sheb Wooley
GIANT MONSTERS FROM OUTER SPACE - Silent Horror



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

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO SCI-FI SPOOKTACULAR!

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!

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!

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO No. 35!

Hell-o there boils and ghouls!

Welcome to the 35th installment of

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

I'm back with an all-new Monster Spookshow Radio show! Hopefully the summer heat hasn't been
getting you down. If so, then pull the shades down, pour yourself a nice cool glass of O Positive, and
sit back and enjoy the latest installment of
MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

This Month's swelteringly hot hits are:

THROUGH THESE VEINS - The Horrorgans
FRANKENSTOMP - Satan's Pilgrims
ZOMBIES OF THE NIGHT - Knock Galley West
DO THE BLOB - The Zanies
HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES - Rob Zombie
THIS CAN'T BE BLOOD - Sheldon Allman
CREATURE WITHOUT A HEAD - Lenny And The Squigtones
CAN'T BREAK A DEAD GIRL'S HEART - Zombina and The Skeletones
THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB - The Gary 7
MAD WITCH - Dave Gardner
THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN - The Tiki Tones
DRACULA - The Zane Brothers
BLACK NAILS IN MY COFFIN - Subtonix
DINNER WITH DRAC - Zacherley
ZOMBIE STOMP - Elvira
THE GHOULS ARE COMING - Dead Next Door
BLOODBATH LOVERS - Rampires
THE BIRDS - Motivations
DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES - The Vampires Of Dartmoore
GRAVEDIGGERS DANCE - Ragdolls

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

MONSTER SPOOKSHOW RADIO!

Enjoy......Happy Haunting!

George Van Orsdel