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Horror-Host Era Thing Of The Past

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By WALT BELCHER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2007

For some, Halloween brings back memories of beloved local late-night and Saturday afternoon horror hosts.

Of course, you have to be old enough to remember when characters such as Dr. Paul Bearer and Shock Armstrong were favorites on local television.

An e-mail from John Lee of Tampa asks: 'There can only be one Elvira. But I look forward to seeing those who are going to try to be the next one. Speaking of that, wasn't there supposed to be a revival of the Dr. Paul Bearer show? I really miss those old shows on Saturdays. Actually, I'm old enough to remember 'Shock Theater.''

Lee's reference to Elvira is in response to my recent column about 'The Search for the Next Elvira,' a reality series that crowns a new Mistress of the Dark. That competition continues at 9 p.m. Saturday on the Fox Reality Channel.

Elvira (aka Cassandra Peterson) is the last in a long line of campy TV horror film hosts. Back in the 1950s and '60s, at least one station in every city had one.

Chicago had a ghastly hippie named Svengoolie. New York had Zacherley. Miami had M.T. Graves.

In Tampa, the late Paul Reynolds, a former announcer at WTVT, Channel 13, was Shock Armstrong, host of the station's 'Shock Theater.' He wore a Frankenstein's monster mask and a University of Tampa football jersey (No. 13). See big13.net for information and pictures.

At WTOG, Channel 44, Winter Haven radio executive Dick Bennick moonlighted as Dr. Paul Bearer, host of 'Creature Feature' from 1971 until his death in 1995. This ghoulish undertaker loved puns and signed off with: 'I'll be lurking for you.'

In 2004, some devoted fans attempted to resurrect the concept. Professor Paul Bearer II was played by an unidentified actor from Orlando. WTOG aired the 'Creature Feature' revival over four Saturdays in October, but it didn't cut it.

This valiant effort wasn't as much fun as the original. Those horror hosts belong to a bygone era that isn't coming back. For several years, Bennick's props from 'Creature Feature' were on display every Halloween at a 'haunted mansion' in Mulberry, but the exhibit eventually was discarded.

I have posted interviews and photographs of Dr. Paul Bearer on my blog at TBO.com, keyword: Walt TV. Send your TV questions to wbelcher@tampatrib.com.

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