Most strange is that the vast majority of hosts across the nation appeared to adhere to the same template, even though, as late as the 1980s, most local hosts had no idea what was going on in other markets. The most logical explanation for this universality seems to be in the Spook Show circuit of the '40s and '50s. These were traveling stage shows involving magic, monsters and crazy ghost effects, presided over by a magician/host with names like Dr. Evil and XXXXX. Following a raucous program mixing screams and laughs, a cheap movie, like The Ape Man or Mad Monster, would be screened. So these performers were, in effect, the first horror movie hosts.

So most stations felt it was necessary to wrap the horror material with host segments?

DG: [Their reasons were] a combination of creative and practical. Local stations were always keen to create identifiable personalties as spokespeople for the channel. News, variety and kid's show hosts were already established, so it was a natural to extend it to the horror movie host. The other important benefit of the host was filling time. Many of the films in the Universal package ran 60 to 70 minutes long, and needed some padding to fill out a 90 minute time slot.

Which horror hosts have influenced you?

DG: Asmodeus and Bob Wilkins were clearly the biggest influences. I've recently been privileged to do a number of stage and convention appearances with Bob, as well as the second Creature Features host, John Stanley. You want to talk about childhood dreams come true? Wow. At one of these shows, someone told me I reminded them of Asmodeus. Double wow.

My interest in local hosts expanded well outside the Bay Area, and I've really felt the impact of folks like Ghoulardi (Cleveland), Son of Ghoul (Akron), Crematia Mortem (Kansas City), The Host (Witchita), Sammy Terry (Indianapolis), Dr. Paul Bearer (Tampa), and of course [Philadelphia's] Zacherley.

You mentioned that stations were often unaware of what other stations were doing. What are some of the classic bits of local horror show hosting? Were these replicated by stations all over the country?

DG: Probably THE classic bit of hostdom was Zacherley's dissection of the giant amoebae. Zach made his amoebae by wrapping Jell-O in chees cloth, which was pretty effective and cheerfully disgusting. He would pat it, whack at it, and it would jiggle like crazy. But the best was when he would then slice it open with a scalpel and squeeze out the innards. I know Dr Speculo from Florida recreated the bit, giving full credit to Zacherley. And The Ghoul did an uncredited take on it in Detroit, which naturally emphasized the messier aspects of the gag.