Virginia Creepers Movie Horror Host Documentary

Welcome to the official Virginia Creepers Horror Host Documentary Website.

Back on on one hot Saturday night in 1958, "Ghoulda" began stirring up a brew of live double feature films on Channel 12 in Richmond, Virginia, thus beginning a tradition of late night horror hosting in the Commonwealth.  Since then, on the airwaves and internet, Virginia's horror hosts have been breaking ground and making things that go bump in the night a little more manageable.  This documentary will go back to the days when local television was king and into the future with the new breed of "Virginia Creepers."  We are digging up old clips, uncovering information about lost shows and bringing together cast members for interviews.  At the same time, we will be working side-by-side with many of Virginia's current hosts.  And most importantly, we are looking for the FANS . . . this is about your experience as much as anything else!

Virginia Creepers Movie Horror Host Documentary

A Clip from the Film!

Here is a clip from the documentary which is now in the last stages of production (well . . . at least we think so).

The clip features Jerry Sandford who played Ronald the Ghoul starting on Friday the 13th in November of 1959.  He and friend Don Sherouse tell the story of the day Ronald's coffin disappeared a few hours before show time--and in those days folks, it was LIVE.

This is the first of several we hope to post before Halloween.  Just click on the YouTube link (and remember, YouTube visual quality does not reflect the film quality.) 

The GHOULDA / HAZEL WITCH MYSTERY

Just when you think you know everything . . . it turns out there is more to the story.  Last weekend at the Chesapeake Monster Fest V, I got to meet another soul powerfully affected by his childhood horror host.  Richard Webb, a Richmond native, told me about Ghoulda, whom he said had a show on Channel 12 beginning in the summer of 1958.  After (wrongly) insisting he had forgotten the correct name, Hazel Witch. 

And then . . . he produced this photo and corroboration from an old friend that indeed, there was a Ghoulda as well as a Hazel Witch in the late 50s on WRVA.  I have spoken to Anna Inge Jump (aka Hazel Witch) and we are trying to work out the details of the time line.

Here, in the meantime, is part of the email I got from Richard:

Anyway, getting to Ghoulda:  She must have appeared during late-summer or early fall 58.  I suspect the News Leader will tell us exactly when, as, unlike the Times Dispatch, the NL greensheet tv listings for the week carried the titles of that Saturdays movies along with 
Ghoulda's picture. My first audio taping of her was Oct 11, hosting Dracula's Daughter and Invisible Man.  Also have tape of her Nov 29, for She Wolf of London and Mummy's Ghost, and the following week, Dec 6, for House of Frankenstein and Mummy's Curse.  Horror Island (Dec 20) once followed, but the tape was lost.  The last I have of her is  for an unknown date (I suspect it's June 20 or 27, 1959) showing The Devil Commands.  Read more here.

What To Do?

NEW RELEASE DATE: 2009

 

Our story has expanded!

For various reasons, we have decided to take more time with this production.  There were exciting developments this summer and we feel we need to tell the whole story--which may require traveling to Tennessee, North Carolina and even California.  Additionally, there are some events we want to cover and we are investigating the possibility of preview showings of the film before release.  Unfortunately, that means delaying the release, but we would rather have this done right. 

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CreatureScape is a monster modeler's dream come true.  You can buy kits, learn how to build them and even have the made for you!  Plus there are articles on horror, sci-fi and horror hosts as well as cool stuff from the world of music and books.  As part of their sponsorship of this website and film, CreatureScape will offer a very special built-up kit in our pre-order give-aways!  More info coming soon . . . 

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