Just in time and decidedly appropriate for Halloween
viewing, here’s a new DVD celebrating the unique career of Northern California
Horror Host Bob Wilkins.
Beginning in 1966 and appearing on three different stations
over a span of 15 years, Wilkins logged over 1200 shows, screening some 1800
movies. No ghoul makeup here, no undertaker costumes, no Lugosi accent, Wilkins
came on as himself, in a suit and tie, sitting in a rocking chair, wielding a
cigar. Sometimes, with deadpan humor, he’d open with a list of what was playing
on competing stations, urging viewers to switch over and spare themselves the
grade-Z shocker he’d booked that evening. Ratings showed that fans stuck with
Wilkins, abiding by the show’s motto: “Watch Horror Films… Keep America
Strong!”
Strephon Taylor’s The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature
Features is a scrapbook film, a rapid-fire
smorgasbord of clips, intros and interviews from the shows, movie trailers and
vintage commercials. The format makes for a very busy picture, split-screened
throughout, clips competing for attention with a continuous supply of classic
posters, and there’s even a crawl at the bottom listing every movie shown on
Creature Features. The barrage of images can be a little overwhelming but,
still, Wilkins’ personality, his easy charm and humor shine through.
For all the visual razzle-dazzle, clips of Wilkins’ guests
will make you sit up and focus. There’s an encounter with John Belushi, a
conversation with the irrepressible John Carradine, an interview with Blacula star William Marshall, and a fascinating exchange
with Christopher Lee at a time when the actor had very publicly walked away
from his Dracula and gothic horror parts and upgraded to a new Hollywood
career. Best of all, there’s a wonderful 20-second clip of Boris Karloff doing
a good-humored promotion for the show. The elderly Boris looks fit but, sadly,
this may have been his last public appearance. He would pass away within a few
short weeks.
The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Feature is a rare and welcome glimpse at early TV, live and
off the cuff, and a revealing portrait of a truly unique and engaging Horror
Host. It’s pretty much essential fare for Monster Kids. Nicely packaged, the
DVD is available — and only $15 — from November Fire.
1 comment:
This looks Fantastic! Thanks for the heads-up!
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