Friends 'Til the End

Friends 'Til the End (ABC Studios). Directed by Jack Bender. Featuring Shannen Doherty, Jennifer Blanc, Jason London, Harriet Sansom Harris, Marisol Nichols, Nicole Bilderback, Steven Martini, Jenna Leigh Green, Harry Lennix, Jim Childs, etc. 

Captain Isotope & the Enemy of Space

Captain Isotope & the Enemy of Space (Studio Kaiju, WBXZ-LD, Retro TV, Throwback Television, The Vortexx, The Monster Channel). Directed by Joseph Reboy, Jim Childs. Featuring Erik J. Nielsen, Cheryl Szymczak, Paul McGinnis, Sherri Lyn Litz, Jim Childs, etc.

Heidi Moore's Kill Dolly Kill: Dolly Deadly 2

Wearing an "I LOVE HORROR HOSTS" t-shirt to the event, actor Jim Childs (The Super Shock Show; Space Grandma) attended the Las Vegas premiere of Heidi Moore's Kill Dolly Kill: Dolly Deadly 2... and met the legendary Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films and superhero The Toxic Avenger.

 

Arli$$

 

Arli$$ (HBO). Directed by Timothy Marx. Featuring Robert Wuhl, Jim Turner, Sandra Oh, Michael Boatman, Scott Patterson, Jim Childs, etc.

The Super Shock Show

The Super Shock Show (CMN-TV, WBXZ-TV Throwback TV, Bizarre TV, The Monster Channel, The Vortexx, Sicko-Psychotic Productions). Directed by Jim Childs. Starring Jim Childs, John Dimes, John Benjamin Faust, Bobby Gammonster, Danielle Gelehrter, Alexis Hmielak, Nicole M. King, Darren T. Knaus, Robert Kokai, Stefanie Kokai, Michael Legge, Erik J. Nielsen, Colin Reboy, Judith Reboy, Roberta Solomon, Cheryl Szymczak, etc. 

STUCK from Dwarf Star Films

My return to acting began in 2023 with this psychological drama filmed in Las Vegas. Written by Ricky Gray Jr. and directed by Danielle Patton. Starring Yisrael Dubov, Brad Stein, Jim Childs, and Kelsey Davidson.  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31862587/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_5 

 

Mr. Rhodes

Mr. Rhodes (NBC Studios; Universal Television). Directed by Brian K. Roberts & Patricia Dyer Walden. Featuring Tom Rhodes, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jessica Stone, Wendie Malick, George Wyner, Lindsay Sloane, Jensen Ackles, Vic Polizos, Andy Berman, Jim Childs, etc.

The Haven Falls Horror Fixx

The Haven Falls Horror Fixx (Wil Moth Productions, The Monster Channel). Directed by Frank Wilmoth. Featuring Frank Wilmoth, Darren T. Knaus, Bobby Gammonster, etc. Las Vegas actor Jim Childs has guest starred on 1 episode.

BeetleBorgs

BeetleBorgs (Saban Entertainment, Toei Company, Fox Kids, Buena Vista Television, Disney-ABC Domestic Television, MarVista Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television, UPN - United Paramount Network). Directed by James Mathers. Featuring Billy Forester, Wesley Barker, Terence J. Rotolo, Christopher Cho, etc. Las Vegas actor Jim Childs appeared in 1 episode.

Mansion of Mystery

Mansion of Mystery (Studio Kaiju, WBXZ-TV, Throwback TV). Directed by Joseph Reboy. Featuring Judith Reboy, Colin Reboy, Tina Corcoran, Isaac Fesmire, etc. Las Vegas actor Jim Childs has guest starred on 2 episodes.

 

3rd Rock from the Sun

 

3rd Rock from the Sun (Carsey-Werner Company, BBC, NBC Studios - National Broadcasting Company). Directed by Terry Hughes. Featuring John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jane Curtin, etc. Las Vegas actor Jim Childs appeared in 2 episodes.

The Magic of the Knight

From the looming mountains surrounding a little bustling tourist town affectionately called Sin City, to the vast and varying landscape of the the Nevada desert, it is not surprising that film production studios have taken an interest in the state's unique resources.

However, immersed in the middle of it all are the local creatives who seek an opportunity to give authentic representation and be part of the magic that is often reflected back to them on the screen. 

That is where Kight Studios comes in. Spearheaded by the intelligent, ambitious, and talented Alissa Knight and her wife, Melissa Knight, the studio has given actors, production crew, and others alike an opportunity to establish and secure themselves in the entertainment industry.

According to various interviews, testimonials from those who are a part of the Knight world paint a picture of support, creative freedom, and hard work - a place to develop their skills and learn from one another, all in a safe and team-oriented environment.

Moreover, the studio's website (https://www.knightstudios.co/) states it provides a training ground for those seeking a career in film production. That would make it an amazing opportunity for students and other Las Vegas locals to gain hands-on experience with a studio that is ever-evolving and expanding with each new project. 

Because of her professional background in cybersecurity, Alissa Knight has utilized her expertise in telling stories about computer hacking and other cyber crimes as witnessed in Underdog Games, Catastrophe Inc., Heat, Ransom, Dark Ops, Scorched Earth, and the up-and-coming Shadow Unit. 

Like most people when they are busy, sometimes my focus and attention are on the projects I am personally involved in at the time, but regardless of that, word of the studio had been buzzing in my ear because of the awards they have been receiving. It wasn't until recently, however, that I had a chance to learn about the company. I must admit, that, whether it's a fault or a blessing of mine, I tend to geek out when I see people that I've worked with in the past on new productions. In this case, actress Johanna Gordon and actor Andrew Chan, (who I appeared with on Space Grandma back in early 2023) have joined the KS team on the series Dark Ops. And, although the episode that Chan appears in hasn't yet been released, I found myself hooked and binge-watched this past week every title KS has released to the public thus far. As a new viewer, I can safely say that I've been pulled into this world that Alissa Knight and her cast and crew created and I look forward to more. 

Also, check out The Alisa Knight Archives on YouTube.

SIDE NOTE: As you may have noticed this blog is undergoing reconstruction. In the last couple of years, my interests have expanded (some revisited like an old friend) and I have decided to include them to reflect what is important to me alongside TV horror hosting (particularly The Super Shock Show). I thank all of you for your support from the very start of this venture and to those who are discovering the show for the first time. 

The NEW Sin City Horror Club !!!

 

Las Vegas locals who love horror movies have a new platform to network with like-minded fans of the genre and it's called Sin City Horror Club. It's a Facebook group where everyone shares what's what and what's happening in the horror community of Sin City. 

It's run by film director and composer Knik Woods (Clemency Blvd; Shoe Gazer) over at GhostChaser Productions and he's taken the group to another level by hosting the Vintage Horror Screenings (VHS) at the Millennium FANDOM BAR, a wonderous sci-fi/fantasy/horror themed establishment located at 430 Hoover Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101. These events are hosted once a month and it is a great place for group members + friends to meetup and hang out in a casual and friendly environment... must be 18 and over.   

Vintage Horror Screenings was first launched on September 20th, 2023 with a showing of the gore classic "Saw" (2004). All films shown are screened from actual VHS tapes, taking us on a nostalgic trip in time when video stores were often the go-to source for watching all of your favorite movies. As of this post, the other films shown thus far have been An American Werewolf in London, Black Christmas, Candyman, Dawn of the Dead, and a double feature - Child's Play 2 and Bride of Chucky. 

I, and a friend, of mine have been going to VHS since it started and it has been a lot of fun. There is also a trivia session right before the start of the film in which you can win prizes. As you can see in the following pics, I'm goofing off with R2-D2 and showing what I won during trivia. 

You can join the Sin City Horror Club at: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sincityhorrorclub ;

Their Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sincityhorrorclub/ ;

Follow the Millennium Fandom Bar on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/millenniumfandombar 

You can also follow me, Jim Childs, on Instagram at: 

https://www.instagram.com/officialjimchilds/ 

 

Dwarf Star Films Presents STUCK !!!

Wanted to give you all a heads-up on a new film I was involved in called STUCK. It was filmed here in Las Vegas and I got to play a deliciously wicked role in it. Great script by producer/writer Ricky Gray Jr. and directed by local talent Danielle Patton. It also stars Yisrael Dubov and Brad Stein. Currently in post-production, keep your eyes open for this new psychological thriller by Dwarf Star Films. Many thanks to all for casting me and the fun I had working with the cast and crew. 

Jim Childs =  https://www.instagram.com/officialjimchilds/ 

Art Hern: The Early Years Before TV's First Horror Host Character

This vintage publicity photograph from March 24, 1947 was taken inside Chicago's WGN radio station. The shorter, happy-go-lucky chap standing behind the microphone, is none other than Art Hern! During this period, Hern was a member of the cast for the popular radio program Captain Midnight. A few years later, Hern would portray television's first horror host character - the Swami, Drana Badour!

The ominous Swami appeared on a local television station program in Chicago, called Murder Before Midnight (1950-1953). For most of its run on WBKB (Channel 4), the half-hour show serialized the films throughout the week.

Art Hern was actually the second person to portray the Swami Drana Badour. A television announcer, named Allen Harvey, originated the role.

Shock!: Screen Gems

In 1948, when Columbia Pictures decided to expand the company and enter the new media realm of television production, they needed a name for their subsidiary company. They chose to use the already-established Screen Gems.

By 1956, after several years of producing successful television programs, they also began to syndicate theatrical films from Columbia's own archives. However, for fans of classic horror movies, August 27, 1957, marks a significant historical point in time when Screen Gems obtained the rights to syndicate, for a duration of ten years, over 550 of Universal-International's motion pictures.

The films were compiled into themed packages in order to entice television stations throughout the United States to purchase them in bundles. Regardless of the number of movies featured in a particular package, it is suspected that television stations were able to barter the quantity of titles and the price. 

One of the most popular packages was called SHOCK! It was such a success, that even today, fans continue to pay tribute to it. The package featured 52 films from Universal-International's vault and consisted, primarily, of their most cherished horror film classics (i.e., Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, etc).

The promotional SHOCK! media book was 11 x 14 inches and was printed on thick, glossy stock paper. The moment you opened the book to the first page, the figure of Frankenstein's Monster would pop up.

The splashy pages that followed attempted to convince television stations of the appeal these films would have on their audience.

The SHOCK! media kit also offered suggestions on how to promote the films as part of a recurring "Shock!" program that would create anticipation, excitement, and lure new viewers.

Conveniently, the book contained a page for each film, which included an image, synopsis, credits, promotional media material, and cast bios, in order to assist television stations in promoting the film they would be airing. Some titles in the SHOCK! package, such as Enemy Agent, The Mystery of Marie Roget, Sealed Lips, and The Spy Ring, were mystery, suspense, and spy flick thrillers, which most TV stations tried to avoid including as part of their horror-themed program. Periodically, however, stations found it necessary to use some of these non-horror titles as fillers when obtaining additional, and affordable, horror films proved difficult to obtain.

For quick reference, all 52 SHOCK! films and their catalog number are listed below:

1. The Black Cat (1934) #693
2. Calling Dr. Death (1943) #694
3. The Cat Creeps (1946) #695
4. Chinatown Squad (1935) #696
5. Danger Woman (1946) #697
6. A Dangerous Game (1941) #698
7. Dead Man's Eyes (1944) #699
8. Destination Unknown (1942) #700
9. Dracula (1931) #701
10. Dracula's Daughter (1936) #702
11. Enemy Agent (1940) #703
12. Frankenstein (1931) #704
13. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) #705
14. The Frozen Ghost (1945) #706
15. The Great Impersonation (1935) #707
16. Horror Island (1941) #708
17. House of Horrors (1946) #709
18. The Invisible Man (1933) #710
19. The Invisible Man Returns (1940) #711
20. The Invisible Ray (1936) #712
21. The Last Warning (1938) #713
22. The Mad Doctor of Market Street (1942) #714
23. The Mad Ghoul (1943) #715
24. Man-Made Monster (1941) #716
25. The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937) #717
26. The Mummy (1932) #718
27. The Mummy's Ghost (1944) #719
28. The Mummy's Hand (1940) #720
29. The Mummy's Tomb (1942) #721
30. Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) #722
31. Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935) #723
32. Mystery of Marie Roget (1942) #724
33. Mystery of the White Room (1939) #725
34. Night Key (1937) #726
35. Nightmare (1942) #727
36. Night Monster (1942) #728
37. Pillow of Death (1945) #729
38. The Raven (1935) #730
39. Reported Missing (1937) #731
40. Sealed Lips (1942) #732
41. Secret of the Blue Room (1933) #733
42. Secret of the Chateau (1934) #734
43. She-Wolf of London (1946) #735
44. Son of Dracula (1943) #736
45. Son of Frankenstein (1939) #737
46. The Spider Woman Strikes Back (1946) #738
47. The Spy Ring (1938) #739
48. The Strange Case of Doctor Rx (1942) #740
49. Weird Woman (1944) #741
50. Werewolf of London (1935) #742
51. The Witness Vanishes (1939) #743
52. The Wolf Man (1941) #744

13 Nights of Elvira (2014)

13 NIGHTS OF ELVIRA

Hulu; Brainstorm Media; 2014
Director: Jim Kunz
Script: John Paragon, Ted Biaselli, Cassandra Peterson

Cast: Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark)

 

Hurrey for Hulu!!!! The online video streaming company managed to snag the Queen of Halloween for their October 2014 Hulluween fright feast... and what a great delight it was to see our favorite horror hostess showcasing a wonderful package of fun and cheesy flicks for our guilty enjoyment.

Mostly chosen from Full Moon Entertainment's feature film archive, 13 Nights of Elvira delivered one horror or sci-fi movie per night. Launching the whole freak festival was the cult-comedy classic Amazon Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989), starring scream queen Adrienne Barbeau (Someone's Watching Me!; Creepshow) and a very young Bill Maher from Politically Incorrect (1993-2002) TV fame.

We're all familiar with Elvira's snickering remarks during her skits, and the traditional gimmick of showing snippets of characters from the film responding back to her, but this time we get so much more from the Mistress of the Dark as she tweets humorous commentary during the movie. Hulu viewers also get to see Elvira appearing in some of the scenes and becoming part of the action on the screen!

According to Cassandra Peterson (who portrays the horror icon), it took a considerable amount of time to acquire the films and the rights to bring us 13 Nights of Elvira. Impressive is the great job that was done, considering the limited time allowed to film Elvira's segments and edit each episode.

On board to help pull it off was scriptwriter and long-time friend, John Paragon (The Pee-wee Herman Show; Elvira's Haunted Hills), who has been teaming up with Peterson since 1981 when he was writing for her first television series Movie Macabre on KHJ-TV and guest starred as her personal obscene phone caller, The Breather.

Additional written material for 13 Nights of Elvira was provided by Peterson, herself, and Ted Biaselli, who served as writer in 2007 for the reality TV program The Search for the Next Elvira and in 2010-2011 for the cable TV show Elvira's Movie Macabre.

After a parade of demonic toys, living heads and mutant fetuses, cannibal women, homicidal puppets, villains and creatures from other worlds, a killer cookie, and a deadly bong, 13 Nights of Elvira wraps up the festivities with flesh-eating zombies from the 1968 George A. Romero classic, Night of the Living Dead!

The following episode guide includes individual synopsis from Hulu's website. Following the asterisk symbol (*) is a brief commentary by Sicko-Psychotic about the episode.

1. Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989) Holy Guacamole, this movie is the pits! Elvira is no stranger to "man-eating women", but she may have bit off more than she can chew in this indigestible entree, staring Adrienne Barbeau, Shannon Tweed, and a young Bill Maher. *Elvira introduces herself as, "that value meal that's always super-sized," and points out the entertaining attributes of the film - BOOBS! Lots and lots of BOOBS! Also, Elvira jokes about Tweed, movie titles, and, of course, cannibalism. In a clever skit, Elvira skims over a take-out Men-U containing such entrées as: gluten-free man-icotti, man-darin Chinese, creamy sea-men chowder, spaghetti and meatballs ("Have them hold the balls"), hot dog on a bun ("'Cept you never know who's wiener you're gonna get or who's buns"), etc. Moreover, our hottie hostess gives us a friendly warning, "If you're gonna stuff yourself with sausage, make sure ya have a condom-ent." 10/19/2014

2. Puppetmaster (1989) This cult classic gets the hook when Elvira's pulling the strings. There's more Punch than Judy in this cinematrocity. *During the Intro, we catch Elvira fooling around with a look-alike marionette, "Oh, hello, darlings. I was just... playing with myself until you got here." Later, Elvira has a dream within a dream within a dream of each puppet from the movie trying to attack her. 10/20/2014

3. Demonic Toys (1992) No one likes playthings more than the Mistress of the Dark. But these toys are straight out of Hell's toybox. Playtime is over! *In this episode, Elvira takes a quick poll from the viewers about sex and reveals, "I like my toys to make the bvvrrrr sound," and, "I've played with Tickle-Me-Elmo more than I care to mention. Elmo, if you're out there watching, call me." By the program's end, Elvira admits, "I slept through this entire movie twice and... I still don't get it." 10/21/2014

4. Hobgoblins (1988) Elvira's couch is infested with pesky little critters who are clearly Gremlin rejects. The only way she's gonna get rid of them is to endure this flick. *"Are you happy to see me back," Elvira asks Hulu viewers. "Yeah, I know you're happy to see my front. Well, I'm happy to see you little dickens... and, especially, you BIG dickens." Later, the Mistress of the Dark presents the "Elvi Award" to Hobgoblins 2. Some of Elvira's best lines during her skits also include, "I just love playing a crowd of people sitting alone at home in their underwear," and "I am pumped up and ready to blow you... (cough) away!" 10/22/2014

5. The Gingerdead Man (2005) Elvira's holiday gift to you is this awful lump of coal, straight off the naughty list. Gary Busey stars as the voice of this creepy cookie made from the ashes of a serial killer and a few drops of blood - a recipe for disaster. *Elvira sizzles during this episode as she instructs us how sweet it is to be "Cooking with Evil". 10/23/2014

6. Dollman (1991) Elvira is playing with a guy who's got 13 inches!!! No, that's all he's got. He's 13 inches high! Tim Thomerson stars in this knee-high nightmare. *In this sci-fi episode, Elvira reveals her secret(s) to staying young. 10/24/2014

7. Trancers (1984) Elvira sets off for the far-off future, and 1985, in this high-tech chase for the minds of killers! *Because she is always being asked if her boobs are real, Elvira shares with us her usual response to such a question, "Of course they're real. The only thing about me that's fake is... my sincerity. And I mean that, sincerely." She also warns us that thinking causes wrinkles. During her final skit, Elvira imagines winning an Academy Award - beating out Helen Hunt, who plays the female lead in this sci-fi movie. 10/25/2014

8. Oblivion (1994) Fly the 'fiendish' skies with Elvira as your host on a devilish trip to Oblivion. It's Cowboys and Aliens, as a bizarre gang of futuristic desperadoes attempt to turn this tumbleweed town into their own private playground. *Elvira plays airline stewardess, prompting passengers with a lot of baggage to leave them at the gate, "because I don't need no drama," and informing them that exits can be used as entrances, "depending on what you're into." During this fun skit, enormous bras are used as airbags, passengers are instructed to use Elvira as a floating device, and the origin and meaning of the word 'Oblivion' is explained, "I have no frickin' idea where I am or who the Hell I just woke up with!" By the end of the episode, Elvira gets liquored up and we discover that she is allergic to pixie dust. 10/26/2014

9. Shrunken Heads (1994) Elvira is put through the wringer, and hung out to dry, after sitting through this movie. She should have quit while she was a-head! *Another hot cooking tip from Elvira in a skit called "Cooking with Evil" has our nocturnal hostess dishing up a Haitian recipe from a voodoo master. Later, Elvira presents "Cooking with Kids" but can she decide on brat-wurst, children chow mein, small fries, children con carne, toddler tartare, etc.; or, such delicious deserts as praline pre-teen ice cream, chocolate covered children, boysenberry pie (made with real boys), etc.? 10/27/2014

10. Hideous! (1997) Elvira always says, when you can't say something nice about a movie, come sit by her. And with this movie, she has plenty to say! *Elvira informs us that she had to go dumpster diving to find this flick. 10/28/2014

11. Evil Bong (2006) Potheads Beware: you could enjoy this trip so much, you'll DIE! Join Elvira as she gets a Whiff of this "High Art" and gets high with a little help from her friend Tommy Chong. *Not sure what movie she's going to show next, Elvira digs through her box of "Evil" DVD titles that the Devil Emporium has sent her. During the program, Elvira keeps a score of how many times actor Tommy Chong says "man" on the screen. 10/29/2014

12. Seedpeople (1992) Elvira is often mistaken for someone else, but this time, even the creatures crawling out from inside don't want to be mistaken for her. *While tweeting on her E-Pad, Elvira informs us that she considers herself a social lubricant, "I like my conversations like I like my clothes - short and easy to get out of." She also tells us that she is often scolded for exploiting her body. Her response? "Opportunity only gives you knockers once." Before the night comes to an end, Elvira announces another winner(???) of the "Elvi Awards." "The Elvi Award goes to the actor whose performance made me GAG with emotion and CHOKE on my own tears like I was being waterboarded." Being the concerned gal that she is, Elvira implores us to, "participate in our Canned Laughter Drive for 'Kids with No Sense of Humor Syndrome.'" 10/30/2014

13. Night of the Living Dead (1968) Elvira resurrects the original zombie classic, and devours it with raw energy! Elvira loves George A. Romero's masterpiece so much, she's takin' it to the grave! *Greeting us in glorious black and white, Elvira introduces herself and comments, "Hello, darling. Yes, it's me. That piece that everyone's dying to rest in - Elvira, Mistress of the Dark." At the end of the program, Elvira shows her support for movie sequels by singing a song about it. 10/31/2014

Watch "13 NIGHTS OF ELVIRA" Promo