Penny Dreadful’s Shilling Shockers Season 8 Is Upon Us!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Danielle Gelehrter

As many of you know we simply love horror hosted programs here at Monster Island News and do the best job possible to help spread the word about them. In the past we have embraced many such shows with a west coast flavor, most notably "Cinema Insomnia" (hosted by Mr. Lobo), yet in recent months a couple of programs from America's eastern half have caught our attention.

On such show is "Penny Dreadful's Schilling Shockers" hosted by the buxom witch Penny Dreadful. Like CI Penny's program is a showcase for the best public domain movies and B features that we all love.

Never seen "Shilling Shockers"? Fear not my horror movie fanatics the shows 8th season is upon us!

Here is the press release:





Award-winning cult TV show Penny Dreadful’s Shilling Shockers continues giving monster movie fans an alternative to the drudgery of reality TV and infomercials. Penny Dreadful, the witch hostess, presents classic horror and sci-fi films on over 200 public access channels throughout New England. Shilling Shockers Season 8 hits the TV scare-waves this October and features such classic silent films as The Phantom of the Opera starring Lon Chaney, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde starring John Barrymore, and the Fritz Lang masterpiece, Metropolis.

Producer Danielle Gelehrter asserts, “People often knock public domain films, but some of the greatest motion pictures ever made are in the public domain. Many of them just happen to be silent movies. In Season 8, we’ll showcase some of the most iconic films in the history of horror, fantasy and science fiction.”

Shilling Shockers stands out from other hosted movie programs because of its detailed storyline segments that often complement the film being shown. This season, Penny travels through time with her fiendish friends (Garou the werewolf, Dr. Von Bulow the monster hunter, and madwoman Luna) in an ambitious plot that takes place over the course of several centuries and episodes. As these misadventures unfold, Penny guides viewers through the films with her usual morbid wit.

Of the more ambitious direction the show has taken over the past three years, Shilling Shockers director Rebecca Paiva explains, “We’ve been challenging ourselves more each season. A ‘hosted horror movie’ used to mean a charismatic character offering trivia and amusing anecdotes during breaks in the film. We have been expanding on this idea over the years to develop plots and backstories for our characters, and our shows often include local history, musical numbers, and complex narratives for viewers to enjoy.”

Gelerter adds, “The show now lives up to its namesakes ‘penny dreadfuls’ and ‘shilling shockers’ by featuring story arcs and ongoing chapters in a larger storyline. While we aren’t the first horror host show to attempt ongoing storylines, we have taken it pretty far in terms of merging the horror host formula with the continuing serial format.”

More information can be found at http://www.shillingshockers.com.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT PENNY DREADFUL’S SHILLING SHOCKERS


“Shilling Shockers is no fly-by-night production. Slick and professionally produced, it should be on the Sci-Fi Channel or PBS.”

- David Nahmod, Scary Monsters Magazine

“Horror hostess Penny Dreadful is the one to watch!”

– Dave Fuentes, Terror From Beyond the Daves

“A hot and hilarious host, and two zany sidekicks makes a cult series, and one worthy of the attention. Stop looking for a successor, Elvira; your replacements are right here.”

- Felix Vasquez Jr, Cinema Crazed

“Penny has drop-dead comic timing, and the rare ability to be in character and at the same time stand back and arch an ironic eyebrow at that character. Her low, sexy, husky voice is like Bela Lugosi channeled through Greta Garbo."

- Big Ole Face Full of Monster Magazine

The Shilling Shockers “scream team” are popular guests at horror conventions and frequently appear at Rock & Shock (Worcester, MA), Monster Bash (Pittsburgh, PA), WonderFest (Louisville, KY), and HorrorHound (Indianapolis, IN). Penny Dreadful won the 2007 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Favorite Active Horror Host. She won the award again in 2010, becoming the first and only horror host to win the award twice. Shilling Shockers has also sponsored fundraisers for the “Make a Wish” Foundation and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Where to catch "Penny Dreadful's Shilling Shockers:

Boston, Massachusetts BNN Comcast 23 & RCN 83

Worcester, Massachusetts WCCA 13

Salem, Massachusetts SATV 3

Cambridge, Massachusetts CCTV 10

New Bedford, Massachusetts NBTV 95

Providence, Rhode Island COX 18 & Verizon 39

Warwick, Rhode Island COX 18 & Verizon 31

Portland, Maine CTN 4

Belfast, Maine BCTV 2

Washington County, Maine WASHINGTON COUNTY TV 2

Manchester, New Hampshire MCAM 23

Laconia, New Hampshire LRPA 25

Burlington, Vermont VCAM 15

Montpelier, Vermont ORCA 15

New Haven, Connecticut CTV 27

Stamford, Connecticut CABLEVISION 77

Huntington, West Virginia COMCAST 20

Frankenstein, The Wolfman And The Creature Help Dr Gangrene Keep Nashville Clean

Source: Dr Gangrene

The “Go Green With Dr. Gangrene” has returned for it’s fourth turn with three new public service short films that feature classic movie monsters roaming the streets of Nashville, TN, while resident horror host Dr. Gangrene spreads the word on keeping Music City Clean.

“Go Green With Dr. Gangrene” is a continuing collaboration between Nashville Horror Host Dr. Gangrene (portrayed by Larry Underwood) and film maker Cameron McCasland. The series now in its fourth year has received praise nationally as well as from officials in the State capitol of Tennessee. The shorts have received multiple awards and citations including two Emmy nominations, and a special humanitarian award from the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.

McCasland said of the shorts, “It has been a lot of fun being able to play in the realms of Monsters for the past four years. I am constantly amazed at the outpouring of affection for the Go Green With Dr. Gangrene series. And I love the idea of helping to save the planet with rubber masks and mad science.“

The three new shorts entitled, “Wolfbite”, “Creature Cooler”, and “Heating Up” provide tips on conserving the planet by cutting down on excessive waste, littering, and keeping tabs on pets. All three were filmed in and around Nashville landmarks, and are shot in glorious black & white as a loving nod to the classic monster films of yesteryear.

"Using classic monsters to spread environmental and safety issues is a blast," Larry said, "and I love seeing these PSAs on the air Saturday mornings during kids programming. Monsters in the morning is becoming a Nashville tradition!"

The Public Service shorts will air on the home of Dr. Gangrenes Creature Feature, WNAB CW58 in Nashville. They will simultaneously be screened via drgangrene.com and the Dr. Gangrene Youtube channel youtube.com/drgangrene.

The previous Go Green shorts were recently made available as a special feature on The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special DVD released by Alpha Video. The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special features horror hosts Penny Dreadful, and Dr. Gangrene teaming up to save Halloween. The made for television movie was co-directed by Cameron McCasland and Rebecca Paiva.

Larry Underwood is an award winning writer and television producer. Outside of his role of Dr. Gangrene , he writes a regular column for Scary Monsters Magazine and daily musings in his Tales From The Lab Blog at DrGangrene.com

Cameron McCasland is an Emmy nominated film maker from Edgewood Texas who has called Nashville home since 2001. His work has been seen on MTV, CMT, and film festivals around the globe. His upcoming feature film “The Lashman” is due out later this year.

For more information please visit drgangrene.com, facebook.com/drgangrene, youtube.com/drgangrene or follow on twitter @DrGangrene

For Your Double D Viewing Pleasure Elvira's Movie Macabre: Night of Living Dead / I Eat Your Skin

Sources: Elvira Mistress of the Dark Website / Amazon.com

Like a specter rising from the grave, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is back – providing her signature, unflinching, tongue-in-cheek commentary of some of the “greatest” B-movies of all time! This double feature DVD set includes two all-time classics:

Night of the Living Dead

Just as Elvira’s television career rises once again, so do the ghouls on-screen in George A. Romero’s zombie masterpiece.

I Eat Your Skin

Elvira takes us on a trip to Voo Doo Island and gives us a few culinary tips along the way – bon appetit!

Special Features

Movie Macabre Behind-the-scenes
Photo Shoot with Christopher Ameruso
“Mistress of the Dark” Music Video by Ghoultown
Making the Ghoultown Video
Sneak Peek Previews

ELVIRA MISTRESS OF THE DARK

When you hear the name Elvira only one person comes to mind... Halloween icon and quintessential symbol of all things spooky, the one and only Mistress of the Dark.

Back in 1981, who could have imagined the hostess of a local Hollywood Horror movie show would grow to become a household name? Elvira was the first horror host ever to be syndicated nationally and has emerged as one of the most original and outrageous characters in popular culture today.

Elvira's reign as 'Queen of Halloween' has now spanned twenty-nine years and includes two feature films, an IMAX film and 2 motion control rides. She has appeared in National ad campaigns for Pepsi and Coors, recorded 5 music CDs, published 4 books and licensed over 400 products, including 2 Bally pinball machines, BC Rich guitars, 3 comic book series, Elvira’s ‘Night Brew’ beer, ‘Evil’ perfume and a slot machines from IGT. Elvira also boasts the best selling female costume of all time.

In the last two decades she has given thousands of radio, newspaper and magazine interviews and made hundreds of film, television and live appearances - everything from The Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live, MTV Specials and Monday Night Football to NBC's Today Show, The Tournament of Roses Parade and even a U2 Concert with Bono! She most recently produced and starred in the Fox Reality show “The Search for the Next Elvira”.

As synonymous with Halloween as Santa Claus is with Christmas, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark has carved out a niche in popular American culture that is sure to endure for decades to come.

Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent black-and-white zombie film and cult film directed by George A. Romero. It premiered on October 1, 1968, and was completed on a USD$114,000 budget. After decades of cinematic re-releases, it grossed $12 million domestically and $18 million internationally. Night of the Living Dead was heavily criticized during its release because of its explicit content. However, it eventually received critical acclaim and was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as a film deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

The plot of the film follows Ben (Duane Jones), Barbra (Judith O'Dea), and five others, who are trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania and attempt to survive the night while the house is being attacked by mysteriously reanimated ghouls, otherwise known as zombies. Night of the Living Dead is the origin of six other Living Dead films directed by George A. Romero and became the inspiration for two remakes of the film, a film of the same name directed by Tom Savini, and Night of the Living Dead 3D, which was directed by Jeff Broadstreet and contained a much different storyline.

I Eat Your Skin (Original title: Zombies) is a 1964 horror film directed by Del Tenney.

Writer Tom Harris arrives on a beautiful island in search of material on voodoo legends for his novel. He unfortunately stumbles onto the secret laboratory of a mad scientist who is experimenting on reversing the aging process.

The film was not released until six years after it was made. Film distributor Jerry Gross bought it and paired it on a double bill with I Drink Your Blood and renamed it I Eat Your Skin, although the two have nothing in common. Previous titles of the film include Zombie Bloodbath and Voodoo Blood Bath.

See Also: Elvira Mistress Of The Dark Model Kit / 100 Most Popular (Sexiest) Women In Movies, TV, SciFi And Fantasy #61- #70 /Celluloid Philosophers - Elvira / Now For Your Halloween Viewing Pleasure - Elvira Presents - 'Count Dracula's Great Love' / What Is Elvira Doing For Halloween? / Elvira Haunts Pennsylvania...No, Not Transylvania!...This Halloween / The Witch's Dungeon 40 Years Of Chills An Amazing Tribute To The Golden Age Of Horror /

Mr. Lobo Wants To Return CINEMA INSOMNIA To It's TV Roots

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Source: Mr. Lobo

Way back in 2001 a fledgling horror host by the name of Mr. Lobo launched a little late night movie program called "Cinema Insomnia" on KXTV channel 10 in Sacramento. Since that time Lobo, and CI, have been syndicated all over this great country of ours appearing on TV screens from Cucamonga to Kalamazoo. Lobo has even launched a very successful line of DVDs featuring CI episodes which can be purchased through Amazon.com. All this, including numerous public appearances at movie screenings and conventions, have made this a very eventful decade for Lobo indeed.

Sadly, however, despite all this fame surrounding "Cinema Insomnia" the show has not aired on KXTV since 2002. The local ABC affiliate opted to replace the show after one season with either low grade movies or infomercials.

Now that "Cinema Insomnia" is celebrating it's 10th anniversary with 25 brand new episodes Mr. Lobo and his legions of fans have gone straight to the net to publish an online petition to get the show back on the channel that launched it oh so long ago.

Here is the verbiage from the site:

Local Horror Host, Eric Lobo aka "Mr. Lobo" started Cinema Insomnia on KXTV Channel 10 in Sacramento in 2001 only to have it cancelled later that year. Since then, that 3:05 AM time slot on very late Saturday/early Sundays have been replaced by a hostless movie slot consisting of the same 13 public domain movies. Since this is the 10th Anniversary of Mr. Lobo's debut on KXTV, this petition is encouraging KXTV to bring back Cinema Insomnia & Mr. Lobo to the same time slot. They have nothing to lose but plenty to gain.

Indeed, there would seem to be a lot for KXTV to gain by once again airing CI, namely keeping all the fans of the show from marching on the station with lit torches and pitchforks in hand.

True ... it would have to be a night time assault for the torches to have effect ....

Wait ... I'm off topic.

With a little help from YOU Mr. Lobo hopes to "peacefully" persuade KXTV to return CI to it's TV roots.

Please follow this link to let your voice be heard - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/mrlobokxtv/

Mr. Lobo Hams It Up On The Set Of PLAN 9

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Photos By: Dixie Dellamorto

I ask you, what could be scarier than a horror host with an axe?

Well ..... probably a lot of things, but America's number one horror host took full advantage of some free tine on the set of "Plan 9" to ham it up in front of the camera.

What? ...... no not Elvira? Why would you think this was about her?

No, I'm talking about Mr. Lobo from the nationally televised late-night horror movie showcase "Cinema Insomnia", who plays a major role in the remake of the Ed Wood classic (?) "Plan 9 From Outer Space".

Yes, as I mentioned last week, John Johnson of Darkstone Entertainment is knee-deep in working on the film which also stars Brian Krause, Matthew Ewald, James Rolfe, Caitlin Hill, Matt Sloan & Aaron Yonda.

As for Lobo, well he has landed the coveted role of The Amazing Criswell. Who is Criswell you may ask? Well he was a well-known psychic from the 1950s who was featured in the intro to the original "Plan 9". This time around Lobo's Criswell will do more than just introduce the film, as these photos illustrate, he will be one mean, bad-ass, zombie-killing machine.

Step aside Shaun, move to the rear Ash, Lobo's in town!

Elvira .... pfft, what does she have that Lobo doesn't? Besides those! Hmm some people prefer substance over gazongas ..... well some.

Here are the pics from the set:






See Also: New Images From PLAN 9 / PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE Remake (Finally) Moving Forward / "The Show Will Go On!" CINEMA INSOMNIA'S 10th Season Fully Funded! / Mr Lobo Goes IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS - Celebrating 10 Years Of Cinema Insomnia / Mr. Lobo Is Set To Begin Production On The Tenth Season Of CINEMA INSOMNIA / Zoinks! Mr. Lobo Makes A Guest Appearance On SCOOBY DOO?/ Bigfoot Pummels Both Peter Graves And Mr Lobo / Mr Lobo Invades Los Angeles To Host American Scary Tonight! / Lobotronic Film Show 7 To Feature The Best In Indie Horror / It's A Two Night Cinema Insomnia Loboween Spectacular! / Virginia Creepers: The Horror Host Tradition Of The Old Dominion - Following Virginia’s Rich Horror Hosting History / What Are Celebrities Doing For Halloween? - Part 1 / Plan 9 Remake Gets A Bigger Budget - Trailer On The Way / Mr. Lobo Is Going To Have A Very Busy Weekend! / Mr Lobo Hosts Nonstop Movie Party Zombies / Mr Lobo And Cinema Insomnia Triumphantly Return To The National Spotlight / Mr. Lobo Enters The 3rd Dimension For Virtual Fan Gathering / Mr Lobo Interviews Monsters From The ID Director David Gargani / Mr Lobo Continues To Be The Busiest Man In Showbiz Announcing New Appearences And DVDs / Plan 9 From Outer Space Strikes Again / A Public Memorial To Bob Wilkins In Sacramento / Is There Something Bold And Creative Brewing In Sacramento? / Support Your Local Horror Host....Or In This Case Mr Lobo / Bob Wilkins 1932-2009 The Passing Of A Bay Area Icon / Merry Christmas From Monster Island / Mr Lobo Composes A New Halloween Song / Silicon Presents The Lobotronix Film Show / Mr Lobo And Conrad Brooks Cast In Plan 9 From Outer Space Remake

The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special Gets Distribution Deal Through Alpha Video

Source: Larry Underwood / Creature Features

Alpha Video has announced that it has obtained U.S. home video distribution rights to the 2010 made for television movie ‘The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special’. After winning rave reviews following its broadcast last Halloween, the film will be released on DVD April 26, 2011 .

The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special pairs TV horror hosts Penny Dreadful & Dr. Gangrene together. The duo finds themselves readying for the upcoming Halloween season when suddenly all things go awry. It’s up to the physician of fright, Dr. Gangrene, and the eerie enchantress, Penny Dreadful, to set things right and save Halloween for everyone in this half hour special. Narrated by Washington DC’s legendary horror host Count Gore De Vol, this Halloween treat is packed with fright.

The DVD retails at $7.99 and will include the extended cut of the film with footage not aired in the original half hour broadcast version. In addition to ‘The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special’ the DVD will include an all new half hour special entitled ‘Trailer Terror’ hosted by Penny Dreadful & Dr. Gangrene, which has the hosts introducing some of their favorite classic horror film trailers.

Dr. Gangrene said "It is a privilege to work with Alpha Video, a favorite of mine for a very long time, so I was glad we could make this happen. We can now reach a larger audience with the Dreadful HallowGreen Special at an affordable price for our fans."

DVD bonus features include a gallery of artwork, trailers, bios, shorts, bloopers and outtakes. In addition the dvd will contain rarely seen Penny Dreadful footage from her live Holiday Specials and eight public service short films from the Emmy nominated series “Go Green With Dr. Gangrene”.

The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special is a co-production of Shackle Island Studios and Peculiar Productions. Cast and crew members from Dr. Gangrenes Creature Feature, and Penny Dreadful’s Shilling Shockers produced segments in both Massachusetts and Tennessee, as well as California and Washington D.C.. The film was co-directed by Cameron McCasland and Rebecca Paiva.

In celebration of the DVD release ‘The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special’ will be making a special big screen appearance at this years Wonderfest during the Saturday Night Chiller Cinema Live Event hosted live by Dr. Gangrene and Penny Dreadful on May 15th 2011.

Alpha Video is an entertainment company based near Philadelphia, PA specializing in the release of Classic Hollywood films from the Golden age, as well as interesting and unusual contemporary motion pictures and television productions. For more information please visit www.Oldies.com


Wonderfest will be held may 14-15th 2011 in Louisville, KY. Wonderfest is an international hobby event now in its 22nd year that celebrates the art of movie monster artists, and model makers. For more information please visit www.wonderfest.com


Penny Dreadful’s Shilling Shockers, set to premiere it’s 8th season, is based in New England and airs in over 150 cities. Penny Dreadful is portrayed by Danielle Gelehrter, two time recipient of the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Favorite Horror Host.

Dr. Gangrene’s Creature Feature airs on its home station WNAB CW58 in Nashville TN. Dr. Gangrene is portrayed by Larry Underwood. The Good Doctor has been shocking the Scare-waves since 1999. His programs have won countless praise and have been nominated for two Emmy Awards for Public Service.



For more information on Dr Gangrene or Penny Dreadful please visit www.drgangrene.com and www.shillingshockers.com



See Also: Elvira Mistress Of The Dark Model Kit / Zoinks! Mr. Lobo Makes A Guest Appearance On SCOOBY DOO? / What Is Elvira Doing For Halloween? / Virginia Creepers: The Horror Host Tradition Of The Old Dominion - Following Virginia’s Rich Horror Hosting History / Support Your Local Horror Host....Or In This Case Mr Lobo

Elvira Mistress Of The Dark Model Kit

Source: Entertainment Earth

Order Yours For Only $34.99 Here!

Elvira Mistress of the Dark Model Kit

• Your favorite TV hostess and sexy seductress!
• Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
• Model kit includes a sofa, base, and accessories!

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. What more needs to be said? Your favorite TV hostess, Cassandra Peterson, is here to entertain you in this 1/8 scale model kit that includes a sofa, base, and accessories! The sexy seductress needs paint and glue for final assembly.

See Also: 100 Most Popular (Sexiest) Women In Movies, TV, SciFi And Fantasy #61- #70 / Celluloid Philosophers - Elvira / Now For Your Halloween Viewing Pleasure - Elvira Presents - 'Count Dracula's Great Love' / What Is Elvira Doing For Halloween? / Elvira Haunts Pennsylvania...No, Not Transylvania!...This Halloween / The Witch's Dungeon 40 Years Of Chills An Amazing Tribute To The Golden Age Of Horror /