Murder Before Midnight (WBKB; 1950-1953)

 

MURDER BEFORE MIDNIGHT 

WBKB-4, Jan. 23, 1950-Aug. 24, 1953; Chicago, Illinois

Host: Drana Badour the Swami (Allen Harvey & Art Hern)

During the dawn of the 1950s, local Chicago television station WBKB-4) was, in all actuality, ahead of its time when it produced and aired a little programmer called Murder Before Midnight. Every week a different movie thriller would be showcased and hosted by an unusual Swami character, who went by the name of Drana Badour. The strange mystic spoke in an eerie voice and wore the appropriate attire and turban. The show's macabre theme music would play as the time grew nearer for the film to begin. Captivated television viewers would then be lured into Drana Badour's crystal ball where the week's mystery or horror thriller would start.

Very little is known about this obscure television gem, but filmmaker and author Donald F. Glut (Dinosaur Valley Girls; The Erotic Rites of Countess Dracula) has stated that the show debuted on January 23, 1950, and he has generously shared knowledge about Murder Before Midnight at the Monster Kid Classic Horror Forum. Likewise, authors Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw have also provided a brief background of the program in their insightful book Chicago TV Horror Movie Shows from Shock Theatre to Svengoolie (2007; Lake Claremont Press; 1893121135). However, Okuda and Yurkiw have erroneously commented that the show ended its run in 1952. Ol' Sicko-Psychotic himself has picked up his shovel and did a little digging of his own, only to discover that Murder Before Midnight continued its run until August 24, 1953, according to the TV listing section in the Illinois newspaper - the Freeport Journal.

Murder Before Midnight was unique in that it not only had a creepy host as the master of ceremonies, the first of his kind in television history, but the show also featured a movie thriller in nightly installments, Monday through Saturday from 11:30 pm - 12:00 midnight. The half hour program would then usually be followed by the Nite Owl Movie, which showcased a random mix of full-length movies from various genres. Beginning on June 17, 1951, however, the WBKB studio began to do something special with Murder. On Monday nights, the local TV station started showing the entire length of the week's feature from 11:30 pm until 1:30 am. On these nights, Murder would be followed by the Ulmer Turner News prior to the station going off the air until later that morning. 

Considering how quickly and frequently shows were cancelled during the golden age of television, it's apparent that Murder Before Midnight had a successful run locally. No doubt that introducing a viewer-participation gimmick added to the show acquiring a loyal following. "After the movie segment was over," Glut has stated, "the Swami would do an over-the-air quiz, phoning people at home and asking questions relating to the movie. Winners got a jackpot prize offered by sponsor Allied Motors." 

Although the Swami Drana Badour hosted such horror titles as The Ape Man (1943), Revenge of the Zombies (1943), The Face of Marble (1946), etc., the majority of the program consisted of mystery and suspense chillers. Similar films found themselves as part of the film repertoire of later TV horror hosts that soon followed in the Swami's footsteps (i.e., Vampira's Lady of Horrors, 1954-1955, KABC and Vampira, 1956, KHJ; Dr. Diablo's Terror! Theatre, 1957, KCOP; Ottola Nesmith's Nightmare!, 1957-1958, KTLA). A couple of the Swami's known mystery and suspense flicks -- Red Dragon (1945) and The Panther's Claw (1942) -- were presented by other horror hosts, such as Vampira and Dr. Diablo, in their own programs. It's very likely that even more of the Swami's films would have appeared in the shows previously mentioned if they would have lasted as long as Murder Before Midnight did. The reason for so many suspense thrillers in these early programs was due to the fact that horror pictures were difficult to acquire and at affordable prices, as Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Vampira) had once pointed out. These were local shows, after all, and they had a modest budget. Sadly, this is still the case in current times, which is why most horror hosts continue to show the same features, usually in public domain, as their colleagues.

Originally, the man behind the turban was WBKB's very own television announcer Allen Harvey (see top pic). Eventually, actor Art Hern took over the role of the mystic Drana Badour. Hern was a former radio actor, best remembered as one of the cast in the 1939-1949 radio program Captain Midnight. After the cancellation of Murder Before Midnight in 1953, Hern was cast as a regular in the television series The Happy Pirates, a children's program which starred Dick Two Ton Baker (see pic on the left). At the time, WBKB changed ownership and was bought by ABC (Channel 7). Over the decades, Art Hern continued to work in various films, such as Simon, King of the Witches (1971) and Transylvania Twist (1989), up until his death at the age of 90.

FILMS SHOWN (Incomplete):

The Accused (1949)

*The Ace of Spades (1935)

*The Ape Man (1943)

*Below the Deadline (1936)

*Blake of Scotland Yard (1937)

*The Case of Charles Peace (1949)

*Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944)

*The Corpse Vanishes (1942)

*Dark Alibi (1946)

*Detective Kitty O'Day (1944)

The Face of Marble (1946)

*Hammer the Toff (1952)

*The Important Witness (1933)

*The Intruder (1933)

* Lord Edgware Dies (1934)

*Meet Sexton Blake (1945)

The Night Comes Too Soon (1947)

*The Night Has Eyes (1942)

*The Panther's Claw (1942)

*Paul Temple's Triumph (1950)

*The Phantom Shot (1947)

Red Dragon (1945)

Return of the Ape Man (1944)

*Revenge of the Zombies (1943)

*Salute the Toff (1952)

Shadows Over Chinatown (1946)

*A Shot in the Dark (1935)

*Someone at the Door (1936)

Tangled Evidence (1934)

There Goes Kelly (1945)

*The Thirteenth Guest (1932)

*Three Witnesses (1935)

*White Zombie (1932)

*Woman in the Shadows (1934)

Drana Badour the Swami (Allen Harvey & Art Hern)

 

DRANA BADOUR (Allen Harvey & Art Hern)

Murder Before Midnight (Jan. 23, 1950-Aug. 24, 1953; WBKB-4; Chicago, Illinois)

During the dawn of the 1950s, local Chicago television station WBKB (Channel 4) was, in all actuality, ahead of its time when it produced and aired a little programmer called Murder Before Midnight. Every week a different movie thriller would be showcased and hosted by an unusual Swami character, who went by the name of Drana Badour. The strange mystic spoke in an eerie voice and wore the appropriate attire and turban. The show's macabre theme music would play as the time grew nearer for the film to begin. Captivated television viewers would then be lured into Drana Badour's crystal ball where the week's mystery or horror thriller would start.

Originally, the man behind the turban was WBKB's very own television announcer Allen Harvey (see top pic). Eventually, actor Art Hern took over the role of the mystic Drana Badour. Hern was a former radio actor, best remembered as one of the cast in the 1939-1949 radio program Captain Midnight. After the cancellation of Murder Before Midnight in 1953, Hern was cast as a regular in the television series The Happy Pirates, a children's program which starred Dick Two Ton Baker. At the time, WBKB changed ownership and was bought by ABC (Channel 7). Over the decades, Art Hern continued to work in various films, such as Simon, King of the Witches (1971), and Transylvania Twist (1989), up until his death at the age of 90.

Terrence Sir (a.k.a. John Barclay)

TERRENCE SIR (John Barclay)

Nightmare Theater (Jan. 29, 1958-1958; KRON-TV; channel 4; San Francisco, California)

Voice actor, TV and radio producer John Barclay took over hosting Nightmare Theater as Terrence's father, Terrence Sir. It aired Wednesday nights at 10:35 pm. "To introduce Nightmare Theater on KRON in San Francisco, John Barclay enters as a two-faced monster from studio mummy's tomb wearing a grotesque mask on the back of his head and speaking in sepulchral tones learned during long years as a Shakespearean actor," is how LIFE magazine (May 26, 1958) described the host and the show. 

The Daily Independent Journal (Feb. 7, 1958) revealed much more information about the new host's debut and take over of Nightmare Theater: "Fans of the 'Nightmare' TV show have been startled the last two weeks to see a new face - and a bearded one at that. It belongs to Terrence Sr., father of Terrence Jr. who has been acting as host of the horror program on KRON. Senior stirred his creaky bones and left the comfortable dampness of his mummy's cage, just to return to life and see how Junior was making out with the television audience. During the course of a chat last Wednesday, Pop learned Son was doing fine, only he was getting a bit tired and and could use a little vacation. Now, you'll be seeing Senior on 'Nightmare' every Wednesday while Junior rests his creaky joints in the family tomb. Oh, yes, Terrence Sr. is really John Barclay of Sausalito, whose mannerisms on the air are faintly reminiscent of Boris Karloff. Barclay has had a long career as an... opera singer, dramatic actor and radio-TV writer [and] producer." The films shown were from the Shock! package.

FILMS SHOWN: The Black Cat (1934); Calling Dr. Death (1943); Chinatown Squad (1935); Dead Man's Eyes (1944); Dracula (1931); Dracula's Daughter (1936); Enemy Agent (1940); Frankenstein (1931); The Frozen Ghost (1945); The Invisible Man (1933); The Mummy (1932); The Mummy's Ghost (1944); The Mummy's Tomb (1942); The Mystery of Marie Roget (1942); Mystery of the White Room (1939); Sealed Lips (1942); The Strange Case of Doctor Rx (1942)

Las Vegas Horror Hosts on The Eerie Late Night Radio Show!

A special thank you to Halloween Jack and Mr. Maniacal for having Las Vegas horror host Vincent Grimmly (Darren T. Knaus) and I, Sicko-Psychotic (Jim Childs), on The Eerie Late Night Radio Show for our first interview.

"Two Las Vegas based Horror Hosts, Vincent Grimmly of Night Chills Theatre and Sicko-Psychotic of The Sicko-Psychotic Show, pay us a visit in the Eerie Late Night to talk Horror, Horror Hosting, Halloween and whatever else pops into our sick little minds. The show starts at midnight eastern time, the very second that Halloween begins."

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.

Elvira's Music Macabre Discography

For quite some time now, ol' Sicko-Psychotic here has been wanting to pay tribute to the Mistress of the Dark. But as I gather information for a Movie Macabre episode guide, I thought I'd generously share my entire Elvira music collection with all you morbid music mongers. Of course, you'd have to BUY your own copies to actually listen to these gore-ific grooves. Tsk, tsk... I'm so wicked. Once you put up your own money, as I had to do, you can try getting your kicks by listening to them as you travel down route 666. Oh, and if you happen to see along the way a handsomely dressed gentleman (with exquisite green skin) hitchhiking, be sure to pick me, er... him... up. He's only trying to get a bite to eat. Heheheh.


"ELVIRA" by the Oak Ridge Boys was a hit country song from their album Fancy Free (MCA-5209), which was released on March 26, 1981. The 45 single (MCA-51084; 1981) was a slightly shorter version and included "A Woman Like You" on the B-side. A year after its release, the catchy tune ("Oom poppa oom poppa mow mow") was featured in a skit on Movie Macabre and became an unofficial theme song for the Mistress of the Dark.

ELVIRA AND THE VI-TONES: 3-D TV (THREE DIMENSIONAL) 12" MINI-SINGLE (Rhino Records; RNTI-401). In 1982, Elvira became the first person on TV to appear in 3-D by hosting the first 3-D movie to ever be televised on the boob-tube. The film was the 1954 Vincent Price classic: The Mad Magician. Home viewers had to purchase their 3-D glasses at 7-Eleven stores. I remember them running out of the glasses just before the show aired. This 12" album features the song that Elvira performed on the show and even includes "Elvira's Theme" by Mark Pierson, which was the opening and closing music for the series.

TRACKS:
1. "3-D TV (Three Dimensional)" by Elvira and The Vi-Tones
2. "Elvira's Theme" by Mark Pierson



ELVIRA PRESENTS VINYL MACABRE: OLDIES BUT GHOULIES (VOL. 1) (Rhino Records; RNLP-810). This incredible collection of classic and rare tunes came out in 1983. (Unfortunately, Elvira never released a Vol. 2.) The back cover of this LP even features a welcoming message from the Queen of Camp herself: "All the songs included here are TRULY Classicks, if you catch my drift. Some are moldy oldies but ghoulies, while others are SUCH fresh tracks you'll think they were buried alive!" These, and other words, are followed by a warning: "This album is absolutely Deadly!" Other than including several obscure songs that you wouldn't find in other Halloween record compilations, we also get to hear Elvira speak to us twice on each side of the disc. Track 1 "Elvira's Theme (Intro)" is the Movie Macabre opening theme music, which has Elvira setting the tone for the rest of the album: "Hello, music lovers, and welcome to Elvira's Vinyl Macabre. That's right. It's me... Elvira... DJ of the Dark... that Temptress of the Turntable...." What follows next are six songs by various artists. Beckoning, "come here, Darlin', and turn me over," Elvira playfully urges us over to Side B: "I'll be bringing you more Music Macabre as soon as you flip my disc." Once we do, we are immediately greeted by our favorite hostess: "It's good to see you're back. Now, turn around and let me see the rest of you!" Here, we are treated to five more songs until we finally reach the "Elvira's Theme (Outro)," in which the Mistress of the Dark bids us "unpleasant dreams." Also released on audio cassette.


TRACKS:
1. "Elvira's Theme (Intro)" by Mark Pierson
2. "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
3. "Haunted House" by Jumpin' Gene Simmons
4. "The Munsters" by Comateens
5. "Horror Movies" by The Bollock Brothers
6. "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
7. "It's Halloween" by The Shaggs
8. "(Midtro: Side A)" by Elvira
9. "(Midtro: Side B)" by Elvira
10. "Twilight Zone" by Neil Norman & His Cosmic Orchestra
11. "The Vegas Vampire" by Jim Parker
12. "Out of Limits" by The Challengers
13. "Horror Movies" by Dickie Goodman
14. "Drac's Back" by Red Lipstique
15. "Elvira's Theme (Outro)" by Mark Pierson



"TRICK OR TREAT" was a song performed by Elvira on Movie Macabre and during the 4-hour long TV special Elvira's MTV Halloween Party (1984). Although it was never released to the public on vinyl or audio cassette, the song was aired on the radio during Dr. Demento's Halloween Show.

ELVIRA'S HALLOWEEN PARTY OCTOBER 1987 (1987; MCA Radio Network; 818/777-5775). Three-disc vinyl LP for radio broadcast play. As Schroeder (publisher of Cult Movies Magazine) graciously pointed out in a message, it included an introduction letter, a reply card, and a 3-page program of airplay. Unfortunately, I don't know what the discs' content consisted of.








ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK: FRIGHT SOUND TAPE (1987; Imagineering; 13961). Grunting, gasping, moaning, groaning, panting, and heavy breathing accompanied by the sounds of chains clanking and whips cracking. No, this is NOT a sex tape by the Mistress of the Dark, but a very well-made audio cassette recording filled with frightening sounds for spooky nights and scary events. This audio recording begins with the highly recognizable Elvira Theme music and our horror hostess with the mostest providing the intro: "Greetings, wolf bait." With a friendly warning, she adds: "Beware! This tape will self-destruct your mind in only 60 minutes..." and "This soundtrack was recorded by ogres, spectres, ghouls, and phantoms!" Of course, the inevitable BOOB jokes are included throughout the dialogue. What follows are wickedly delicious sounds of horror: thunderstorms, monstrous creatures, a funeral service, extraterrestrial sounds, ghosts, witches, and people being painfully tortured and sliced-n-diced by sadistic madmen. And if you listen closely, you'll hear some perverse laughter that sounds suspiciously similar to good ol' Breather! Remember him??? Good stuff... good stuff....



ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK: SOUNDTRACK 1988 brought us the first feature-length Elvira movie. Unfortunately, no soundtrack album was officially released. However, one of the songs in the film, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Chako, had been previously issued in 1986 in an LP vinyl format (Polydor; 829062-1 Y-1) and as a 12" single (PRO-407-1). Later, in 2010, Elvira included the song, as well as an alternate version of it, in Elvira's Gravest Hits (Shout! Factory) and was made available for purchase on iTunes. Also included in the compilation album, was the song "Here I Am," which was Elvira's big performance number in the film.



ELVIRA PRESENTS HAUNTED HITS This was, perhaps, Elvira's most popular Halloween music album. It was released in 1988 on both CD (R2-71492) and audio cassette (R4-71492) by Rhino Records. The eye-pleasing cover art claims: "The Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Horror Songs Of All Time!" 17 tracks by various artists appear on the CD version: "Monster Mash," "Haunted House," "Ghostbusters," "Out of Limits," "The Blob," "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," "The Purple People Eater," "The Addams Family (Main Title)," "Welcome to My Nightmare," "Twilight Zone," "Dead Man's Party," "Halloween Spooks," "Horror Movie," "I Put a Spell on You," "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," "Voodoo Voodoo," and, finally, the catchy and sexy song "Full Moon" by Elvira herself! The audio cassette release featured these and 6 additional songs performed by Lewis Lee, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, The Tubes, Big "T" Tyler, The Jayhawks, and The Ran-Dells. The album was also released on vinyl (with only 17 songs), but came with an Elvira poster (same as the pic shown at the very top of this page, only without the text).

TRACKS:
1. "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
2. "Haunted House" by Jumpin' Gene Simmons
3. "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.
4. "Out of Limits" by The Marketts
5. "The Blob" by The Five Blobs
6. "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" by Dave Edmunds
7. "The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
8. "The Addams Family (Main Title)" by Vic Mizzy
9. "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" by Lewis Lee
10. "Welcome to My Nightmare" by Alice Cooper
11. "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo
12. "Twilight Zone" by Neil Norman & His Cosmic Orchestra
13. "Little Demon" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
14. "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" by The Tubes
15. "King Kong" by Big "T" Tyler
16. "The Creature" by The Jayhawks
17. "Halloween Spooks" by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
18. "Horror Movie" by The Skyhooks
19. "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
20. "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" by The Cramps
21. "Voodoo Voodoo" by LaVern Baker
22. "Martian Hop" by The Ran-Dells
23. "Full Moon" by Elvira



ELVIRA PRESENTS MONSTER HITS (Rhino Records; R2-71778). Didn't think we heard the last of her, did you? In 1994 Elvira returned with another collection of Halloween songs. Not only did we get tunes from the likes of Alice Cooper, D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and others, we were also treated to two original songs performed by the Mistress of the Dark herself! Also included in the CD were two humorous skits in which the self-proclaimed "Queen of Camp... every trickster's treat" thanks the listener(s) for celebrating Halloween with her and for listening to Elvira's Monster Hits. "HITS. I said HITS! Sheesh. Wash your mind out with soap, will ya?" She scolds us. "There's children listening. That's because adults won't." For those who have forgotten the true meaning of Halloween, Elvira takes on the task of informing us what that is: "The TRUE meaning of Halloween is... uh... is... uh... well, like I said, people have forgotten the true meaning of Halloween." Genius. Why has this woman not written a book? Well, if she does, I hope it includes a lot of pictures! Heheheh. All kidding aside, this is a must-have for all TRUE Elvira fans!!!

TRACKS:
1. "Introduction" by Elvira
2. "Monsta' Rap" by Elvira
3. "Little Demon" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
4. "Feed My Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper (Elvira's voice is edited into the song)
5. "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
6. "A Nightmare on My Street" by D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
7. "The Addams Family" by Joey Gaynor
8. "Here Comes the Bride (The Bride of Frankenstein)" by Elvira
9. "Outro" by Elvira



ELVIRA PRESENTS: REVENGE OF THE MONSTER HITS (1995; Rhino Records; R2-72179). Just in time for the following year's Halloween, "that gal in black who keeps coming back," "every tricker's treat," and self-proclaimed "Madonna of the Macabre," - Elvira, Mistress of the Dark ("batteries not included") returns with yet more holiday greetings and two new songs recorded by our favorite goth gal herself! The additional material included in this CD is five songs performed by Charles Sheffield, Tubes, Warren Zevon, Bobby (Boris) Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers, and Oingo Boingo.

TRACKS:
1. "Introduction" by Elvira
2. "Haunted House" by Elvira
3. "It's Your Voodoo Working" by Charles Sheffield
4. "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" by Tubes
5. "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
6. "Monsters' Holiday" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
7. "Weird Science" by Oingo Boingo
8. "Zombie Stomp" by Elvira
9. "Outro" by Elvira




ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK (2002; Spirit Entertainment Records; UPN: 7-24101-9124-2-9). We Elvira fans love the 1988 film Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, but have always felt a bit cheated that the soundtrack was never officially released. However, we do appreciate that Spirit Entertainment issued the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to Elvira's Haunted Hills. Composed by the talented and versatile Eric Allaman (Legend; Latter Days), the movie's wonderfully engaging score can be heard on 28 tracks from this CD. It's a carnival of delightfully atmospheric, spooky, and, at times, quirky music that makes this ghoul reminisce about those classic Universal monster pictures, stylishly gothic Hammer productions, and enjoyably melodramatic Roger Corman fright flicks. Some whimsical arrangements, such as "Lust" on track 6, bring to mind the music of Pino Donaggio (Carrie; Dressed to Kill). Of course, Elvira's bawdy musical number, "Le Music Hall," by Jerry Jackson, is also included!

TRACKS:
1. "Overture (Opening Titles)"
2. "Carpathian Gypsy Dance"
3. "The Graveyard"
4. "Elura Remembered"
5. "Le Music Hall" by Jerry Jackson; performed by Elvira
6. "Lust"
7. "The Nightmare"
8. "The Adulterers"
9. "Escape from Destruction"
10. "Closing Titles"
11. "Entombed"
12. "Dr. Bradley's Coach"
13. "Castle Hellsubus"
14. "Portraits/Elura's Theme"
15. "Marseilles"
16. "Elura's Ring"
17. "Elvira's Departure"
18. "Vladimere's Delusions"
19. "Earthquake"
20. "Hypnotized" 
21. "Elura's Ghost/Elura's Coffin"
22. "Roxanna's Wake"
23. "Hellsubus Curse"
24. "The Dungeon"
25. "Adrien to the Rescue"
26. "The Pendulum"
27. "The Sinking of Castle Hellsubus"
28. "Carpathian Night"
29. "Coachride to Hell"



LESLIE HALL: ZOMBIE KILLER (FEATURING ELVIRA) (2008; ARECEE). Elvira just seems to pop out at you from the darndest places (beer, wine, soda pop, perfume, pinball machines, nail polish, comic books, etc.). This time she makes a guest vocal appearance as the narrator for Leslie Hall's 7" remix album Zombie Killer ...and the music video released the same year! Does this gal get around or what? The LP was released in a limited (1000 copies) red vinyl format with a 45 RPM play speed. Although a copy of the actual album is difficult to track down, a digital recording of the song can easily be purchased online and the music video can be seen all over the internet. Just make sure you specifically search for the remix version featuring Elvira or you may just end up with the original 2006 version of the song... which, by the way, is very VERY good too. The label on the disc itself warns us: "In case of zombie outbreak play this record". It's also worth mentioning that SIDE B has a great dance version of the song and ends with a hilarious freestyle spoken word rambling. Classic.

TRACKS:
1. "Zombie Killer: Remix Featuring Elvira" 
2. "Zombie Killer: Z.K. Chastity Pariah Mix Featuring Elvira"



ELVIRA'S HEAVY METAL HALLOWEEN (2009; Compass Productions; 48224). A word of caution on this one: Elvira's name and image is used only to promote this CD album which consists of instrumental music selections. In fact, Cassandra Peterson's (a.k.a. Elvira) name does not appear anywhere on the album's credits as being involved with the production of this project. Only her company, Queen "B" Productions, is credited for providing the Elvira photos used throughout the art cover and disc. This has upset quite a few fans who expected the usual Elvira song and/or intro. It has also disappointed true Heavy Metal aficionados who were expecting a more true-to-the-music genre interpretation of these well-known compositions. All that aside, many people have voiced that they DO indeed like the album regardless of falling short of those two expectations previously mentioned. After getting past the disappointment, Sicko-Psychotic has found himself digging most of the rock variations on here. The musicians featured are Greg Herzenach on guitars, Joe Diaz on drums, and Jeff Victor on bass & keyboards. The album was reissued in 2014 by the Somerset Group as a Limited Pressing edition. Nothing new has been added, however, and Elvira is still missing from the recordings. (Sigh.)

TRACKS:
1. "Exorcist (Main Theme)"
2. "Frankenstein"
3. "Toccata and Fugue"
4. "Hells Bells"
5. "Moonlight Sonata"
6. "Funeral March of a Marionette (Main Theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents)"
7. "Godzilla"
8. "Black Cat"
9. "Phantom of the Opera"
10. "In the Hall of the Mountain King"
11. "Carmina Burana, O Fortuna"
12. "Halloween (Main Theme)"



GHOULTOWN: MISTRESS OF THE DARK (ULTRA SINGLE CD/DVD) (2009; Angry Planet Entertainment/MCP; 7-24101-21632-9). Wow. What can I say? The song and music video rock! When I first came across and viewed the video, I just knew I had to get my grubby little fingers on one of these Limited Edition Collector Sets. Only 2000 copies? Really?! Are you kidding me?!? Well, I DID get mine, although, I had to make a little arrangement with the postman. I arranged a detour and no one's heard from him since. It would have been such a sad affair... if I weren't busy rejoicing over my brand-new copy of this... whatchamacallit! The cover art is groovy. The case folds out to reveal 1 CD, 1 DVD, and a fold-out pamphlet containing the lyrics to the main song and notes on how the band first met the Mistress of the Dark. If you haven't yet seen the music video (highly recommended) you'll be pleasantly surprised to see that the good ol' Macabremobile makes an appearance! Maybe not. I just spoiled it for you. FYI, a single CD version was also released, but it's just not as cool as having this whatchamacallit. Just sayin'.... 

CD TRACKS:
1. "Mistress of the Dark"
2. "Return of the Living Dead"
3. "My Halloween"
4. "Drink with the Living Dead"
5. "Mistress of the Dark (Reanimated Mix)"
6. "Mistress of the Dark (Dance of the Dead Mix)"
DVD FEATURES:
1. "Mistress of the Dark Music Video"
2. "Making of the Video Featurette"
3. "Storyboard to Video Comparison"
4. "Episode of the Har Har Show"



ELVIRA'S GRAVEST HITS (2010; Shout! Factory). One wouldn't expect Elvira's discography to be this large, right? Well, it just goes to show - bigger is better! And to prove that we got a huge HUGE surprise in 2010 with the digital album Elvira's Gravest Hits! Available for download on iTunes, Discogs, and elsewhere, the album features a generous selection of Elvira songs and music, including a long version of "Elvira's Theme" (5:20 minutes!), the never-before-released "Here I Am", and the rare 12" Single version of "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Chacko. With all this macabre goodness being thrown at us, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the soundtrack to Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is finally released. Pretty please, Elvira! With sweet cyanide on top? Hmm? Oh, and while you're at it, give us both versions of "Trick or Treat" (we fans have been wanting that forever), and throw in "Breather", "Rats in My Hair" for good measure, "13 Nights of Halloween", and "2 Big Pumpkins". Preferably on CD, or made available for digital download. Also, I'd like to see... alright, I'll stop.

TRACKS:
1. "Elvira's Theme" by Mark Pierson
2. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Lori Chacko
3. "3-D TV (Three Dimensional)" by Elvira and The Vi-Tones
4. "Full Moon" by Elvira
5. "Monsta' Rap" by Elvira
6. "Zombie Stomp" by Elvira
7. "Haunted House" by Elvira
8. "Here Comes the Bride (The Bride of Frankenstein)" by Elvira
9. "Here I Am" by Elvira
10. "Le Music Hall" by Elvira
11. "Zombie Killer: Remix Featuring Elvira" by Leslie Hall and The LYs & Elvira
12. "Mistress of the Dark" by Ghoultown
13. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy (12" Single Version)" by Lori Chacko



ELVIRA'S MOVIE MACABRE THEME SONG: WHAT CAN I DO? - 7" SINGLE (2010; Third Man Records; TMR-062). The instrumental version of the song "What Can I Do?" by The Black Belles was used as the theme song for the new Movie Macabre TV show (2010-2011) and was released as a limited edition 7" vinyl picture disc. A clear plastic sleeve covered the folded, glow-in-the-dark coffin-shaped cardboard sleeve, which contained the disc. Inside, you also find instructions for Elvira's Secret Make-Up Formula! Pretty nifty, huh? A 7" digital download of the vocal version was made available early that year, but contained the song "Lies" on the second track instead of the instrumental heard on the vinyl. In 2012, Third Man Records did a special DVD release of Devil's Night, which was hosted by Elvira and featured live performances by The Black Belles and The Greenhornes. "What Can I Do?" was one of the songs performed. 

TRACKS:
1. "What Can I Do?" by The Black Belles
2. "What Can I Do? (Instrumental)" by The Black Belles



ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK: 2 BIG PUMPKINS / 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN - 7" SINGLE (2013; Third Man Records; TMR-238). Once again, Elvira comes out with another vinyl record, this time, however, the disc is translucent purple. The gimmick is that the cover sleeve is heat sensitive and Elvira materializes whenever the front or back of the cover is warmed. The image of Elvira on the back has her looking like she's been possessed by Captain Howdy. Incidentally, there is a music video for the song "2 Big Pumpkins"! 

TRACKS:
1. "2 Big Pumpkins" by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
2. "13 Nights of Halloween" by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

 

 

Murder Before Midnight (1950-1953)

MURDER BEFORE MIDNIGHT 

WBKB-TV, 1950-1953

Cast: Allen Harvey (Swami Drana Badour), Art Hern (Swami Drana Badour)

During the dawn of the 1950s, local Chicago television station WBKB (Channel 4) was, in all actuality, ahead of its time when it produced and aired a little programmer called Murder Before Midnight. Every week a different movie thriller would be showcased and hosted by an unusual Swami character, who went by the name of Drana Badour. The strange mystic spoke in an eerie voice and wore the appropriate attire and turban. The show's macabre theme music would play as the time grew nearer for the film to begin. Captivated television viewers would then be lured into Drana Badour's crystal ball where the week's mystery or horror thriller would start.

Very little is known about this obscure television gem, but filmmaker and freelance writer Donald F. Glut (Dinosaur Valley Girls; The Erotic Rites of Countess Dracula) has stated that the show debuted on January 23, 1950, and he has generously shared knowledge about Murder Before Midnight at the Monster Kid Classic Horror Forum. Likewise, authors Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw have also provided a brief background of the program in their insightful book Chicago TV Horror Movie Shows from Shock Theatre to Svengoolie (2007; Lake Claremont Press; 1893121135). However, Okuda and Yurkiw have erroneously commented that the show ended its run in 1952. Ol' Sicko-Psychotic himself has picked up his shovel and did a little digging of his own, only to discover that Murder Before Midnight continued its run until August 24, 1953, according to the TV listing section in the Illinois newspaper - the Freeport Journal.

Murder Before Midnight was unique in that it not only had a creepy host as the master of ceremonies, the first of his kind in television history, but the show also featured a movie thriller in nightly installments, Monday through Saturday from 11:30 pm - 12:00 midnight. The half-hour program would then usually be followed by the Nite Owl Movie, which showcased a random mix of full-length movies from various genres. Beginning on June 17, 1951, however, the WBKB studio began to do something special with Murder. On Monday nights, the local TV station started showing the entire length of the week's feature from 11:30 pm until 1:30 am. On these nights, Murder would be followed by the Ulmer Turner News prior to the station going off the air until later that morning.

Considering how quickly and frequently shows were canceled during the golden age of television, it's apparent that Murder Before Midnight had a successful run locally. No doubt that introducing a viewer-participation gimmick added to the show acquiring a loyal following. "After the movie segment was over," Glut has stated, "the Swami would do an over-the-air quiz, phoning people at home and asking questions relating to the movie. Winners got a jackpot prize offered by sponsor Allied Motors."

Although the Swami Drana Badour hosted such horror titles as The Ape Man (1943), Revenge of the Zombies (1943), The Face of Marble (1946), etc., the majority of the program consisted of mystery and suspense chillers. Similar films found themselves as part of the film repertoire of later TV horror hosts that soon followed in the Swami's footsteps (i.e., Vampira's Lady of Horrors, 1954-1955, KABC and Vampira, 1956, KHJ; Dr. Diablo's Terror! Theatre, 1957, KCOP; Ottola Nesmith's Nightmare!, 1957-1958, KTLA). A couple of the Swami's known mystery and suspense flicks -- Red Dragon (1945) and The Panther's Claw (1942) -- were presented by other horror hosts, such as Vampira and Dr. Diablo, in their own programs. It's very likely that even more of the Swami's films would have appeared in the shows previously mentioned if they would have lasted as long as Murder Before Midnight did. The reason for so many suspense thrillers in these early programs was due to the fact that horror pictures were difficult to acquire and at affordable prices, as Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Vampira) had once pointed out. These were local shows, after all, and they had a modest budget. Sadly, this is still the case in current times, which is why most horror hosts continue to show the same features, usually in public domain, as their colleagues.

Originally, the man behind the turban was WBKB's very own television announcer Allen Harvey (see top pic). Eventually, actor Art Hern took over the role of the mystic Drana Badour. Hern was a former radio actor, best remembered as one of the cast in the 1939-1949 radio program Captain Midnight. After the cancellation of Murder Before Midnight in 1953, Hern was cast as a regular in the television series The Happy Pirates, a children's program which starred Dick Two Ton Baker (see pic on the left). At the time, WBKB changed ownership and was bought by ABC (Channel 7). Over the decades, Art Hern continued to work in various films, such as Simon, King of the Witches (1971) and Transylvania Twist (1989), up until his death at the age of 90.

The following is an incomplete listing of the films shown on Murder Before Midnight, as mentioned by Donald F. Glut, Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw. Perhaps sometime in the near future, we will learn more about this intriguing show and its fascinating hosts.

The Accused (1949) -- College professor Dr. Wilma Tuttle (Loretta Young) kills one of her own students (Douglas Dick) when he attempts to sexually assault her. Fear of discovery consumes her as Homicide Lt. Ted Dorgan (Wendell Corey) investigates, and complications arise when she becomes romantically involved with the student's guardian (Robert Cummings).

The Ace of Spades (1935) -- Based on a novel by John Crawford Fraser, blackmail and murder are featured in this crime drama. Starring Michael Hogan, Dorothy Boyd, and Geraldine Fitzgerald.

The Ape Man (1943) -- The mentally unsound Dr. James Brewster (Bela Lugosi) conducts radical experiments that transform him into a half-ape humanoid. With the aid of a gorilla, Brewster seeks out human victims in hopes of finding a cure using their spinal fluid. Also starring Louise Currie, Wallace Ford, and Henry Hall.

Bandits of Chinatown (19??) -- Okuda and Yurkiw mention this title in their book, but I have not come across any information on a film containing this title. They probably meant Shadows Over Chinatown (1946). See entry below.

 

Below the Deadline (19??) -- Unknown if it was the 1936 or the 1946 version that was shown on Murder Before Midnight. Both are crime dramas.

Blake of Scotland Yard (1937) -- Feature version of serial, has Sir James Blake (Herbert Rawlinson) up against a criminal mastermind known only as The Scorpion. The villain is after an invention of Blake's niece Hope Mason (Joan Barclay) and her friend Jerry Sheehan (Ralph Byrd), who had hoped to donate it to the League of Nations.

 

The Case of Charles Peace (1949) -- Respectable businessman by day, the terror of Manchester, England by night. Charles Peace (Michael Martin-Harvey) is a clever thief, who will even resort to murder to make his escape. With Chili Bouchier, Valentine Dyall, and Bruce Belfrage.

Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944) -- Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) and his children Iris (Marianne Quon) and Tommy (Benson Fong) investigate the murder of a scientist who had invented a defense weapon. Featuring Mantan Moreland, Arthur Loft, and Gwen Kenyon.

The Corpse Vanishes (1942) -- Mad scientist Dr. George Lorenz (Bela Lugosi) murders virgin maidens for their body fluids in order to keep his elderly wife (Elizabeth Russell) young and alive. Aiding him in his diabolical endeavors are a wicked crone and her two vile offspring. Also starring Luana Walters, Tris Coffin, and Minerva Urecal.

Dark Alibi (1946) -- Three men are framed for robbing a bank and committing murder. Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) is summoned to investigate the truth before the convicted men are executed. Starring Mantan Moreland, Ben Carter, and Benson Fong.

Detective Kitty O'Day (1944) -- Feisty secretary Kitty O'Day (Jean Parker) and her boyfriend Johnny Jones (Peter Cookson) are knee-high in trouble when they become suspects in the murder of O'Day's boss. Wanting to clear their names, the young couple attempts to unveil the real killer. Also featuring Tim Ryan, Veda Ann Borg, and Ed Gargan. 

The Face of Marble (1946) -- A mad scientist (John Carradine) and his assistant (Robert Shayne) invent electric machine to bring back the dead. With Claudia Drake, Maris Wrixon, and Willie Best.

Hammer the Toff (1952) -- Lost British film that was based on a novel by John Creasey. Detective Richard "The Toff" Rollison (John Bentley) investigates the theft of a metal formula. Featuring Patricia Dainton, Valentine Dyall, and John Robinson.

The Important Witness (1933) -- A young woman witnesses a murder and is taken hostage. The lady in peril makes an attempt to escape, but is quickly pursued by the ruthless killers. Starring Noel Francis, Donald Dillaway, and Dorothy Burgess.

 

The Intruder (1933) -- A murderer is aboard a cruise ship that gets caught in a violent storm. The survivors wash up on a mysterious jungle island, and become targets of the unidentified killer and wild gorilla. Featuring Monte Blue, Lila Lee, and William B. Davidson.

Lord Edgware Dies (1934) -- Agatha Christie's beloved Investigator Hercule Poirot (Austin Trevor) appears in this early murder mystery. Also with Jane Carr, Richard Cooper, and John Turnbull.

Meet Sexton Blake (1945) -- The famous Detective Sexton Blake (David Farrar) and his pal Tinker (John Varley) must solve the murder of a man with a severed hand and retrieve stolen documents wanted by the War Office. Also starring Manning Whiley, Dennis Arundell, and Betty Huntley-Wright.

 

The Night Comes Too Soon (1947) -- a.k.a. The Ghost of Rashmon Hall. Based on a short story by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton. A newlywed couple moves into a haunted house, in which a murder was once committed. Desperate for help they turn to Dr. George Clinton (Valentine Dyall), a friend who happens to have knowledge in dealing with the paranormal. Anne Howard, Alec Faversham, and Howard Douglas are also featured. 

The Night Has Eyes (1942) -- a.k.a. Terror House. An attractive school teacher named Marian Ives (Joyce Howard) and girlfriend Doris (Tucker McGuire) visit the Yorkshire moors where a friend had disappeared a year ago. Caught in a storm the two women take refuge in a strange cottage inhabited by a disturbed man named Stephen Deremid (James Mason). Also featuring Wilfrid Lawson, Mary Clare, and John Fernald. 

  

The Panther's Claw (1942) -- Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt (Sidney Blackmer) tries to solve weird blackmail case. With Rick Vallin and Lynn Starr.

Paul Temple's Triumph (1950) --  Third entry in the series about an aspiring novelist named Paul Temple (John Bentley) and his wife Steve Temple (Dinah Sheridan) in search of an abducted scientist who has invented a dangerous formula that could be used as an atomic weapon in the wrong hands. Barbara Couper, Hugh Dempster, and Dino Galvani also star.

 

The Phantom Shot (1947) -- Interesting take on a murder investigation that allows viewers into the thoughts of Inspector Webb (John Stuart) as he interrogates several witnesses. Featuring Olga Lindo, Howard Marion-Crawford, and John Varley.

Red Dragon (1945) -- Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler), with the aid of his son Tommy (Benson Fong) and his chauffeur Chattanooga (Willie Best) searches for a stolen atomic bomb formula in Mexico. With Fortunio Bonanova, Robert E. Keane, and Carol Hughes.

Return of the Ape Man (1944) -- Scientists Professor Dexter (Bela Lugosi) and Professor John Gilmore (John Carradine) discover a prehistoric caveman frozen in the Arctic. Dexter, however, turns homicidal and decides to use people for his experiments on the Neanderthal. Also starring George Zucco, Frank Moran, and Teala Loring.

Revenge of the Zombies (1943) -- Scott Warrington (Mauritz Hugo) and a hired detective (Robert Lowery) investigate the mysterious death of Scott's sister Lila (Veda Ann Borg) and discover that she and many others have been turned into zombies by a mad scientist (John Carradine) working for the Third Reich. The zombies, however, seek revenge against their creator.

Salute the Toff (1952) -- a.k.a. Brighthaven Express. Based on author John Creasey's 6th "The Toff" novel. Detective Richard "The Toff" Rollison (John Bentley) investigates a missing person. Carol Marsh, Valentine Dyall, and Shelagh Fraser are also featured. This British motion picture is now considered lost. 

Shadows Over Chinatown (1946) -- During a murder investigation, Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) uncovers a criminal gang's scheme of collecting the life insurance of their victims. Starring Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, and Tanis Chandler.

A Shot in the Dark (19??) -- Unknown if the 1933, 1935, or the 1941 version was aired. All three are murder mysteries with a killer on the loose.

Someone at the Door (19??) -- Unknown if it was the 1936, 1939, or the 1950 version that was shown. All are crime thrillers based on a play by Campbell and Dorothy Christie.

Tangled Evidence (1934) -- A man with an interest in the occult is murdered. Now Inspector Drayton (Sam Livesey) must prove the man's niece innocent of of the crime. With Joan Marion, Michael Hogan, and Michael Shepley.

There Goes Kelly (1945) -- Two young page boys working at a radio station try to solve the murder of a singer. Starring Jackie Moran, Wanda McKay, and Sidney Miller.

Three Witnesses (1935) -- Based on the novel by S. Fowler Wright. This rare crime thriller remains unavailable to the public. However, the Library of Congress seems to have the only known existing copy of this film. Henry Kendall, Eve Gray, Richard Cooper, and Geraldine Fitzgerald star in this British picture.

White Zombie (1932) -- Neil Parker (John Harron) and Madeleine Short (Madge Bellamy) are a young couple engaged to be married in Haiti. Their journey takes them to a rural and ominous region steeped in macabre rituals and deeply rooted beliefs in the power of voodoo. Unfortunately for them, a wicked voodoo master named Murder Legendre (Bela Lugosi), intends to turn Madeleine into one of his zombie slaves.

Woman in the Shadows (1934) -- John Bradley (Ralph Bellamy) and Louise Loring (Fay Wray) are a couple of desperate people on the run from the law. Melvyn Douglas, Roscoe Ates, and Ruth Gillette also star.