The Keeper, as he came to be known was a creepy old man character that looked a bit like a cross between Freddy Krueger and Edgar Winter with plastic spiders, flies and rats in his hair.  When the show went on the air in 1984, the Keeper (as he is better known), built his audience by playing into the pop culture of the time, when "Tales from the Darkside," Creepshow, and heavy metal was all the rage.

As the show progressed, the Keeper began to involve his audience more and Rick Clark used to go out to public events with a camera and a mic and see if people knew about the show.  Obviously some did, some did not and some just tried to fake it.

He also began to bring in local folks and involve various businesses in the show, and loved making remarks about area people and places, with Phoebus high on the list.

The most commonly recurring character was "The Chamber Maid," played by Chris Curling, who also aided in writing.  Whereas the Keeper was mildly curmudgeonly, the Chamber Maid, who was based on the Monty Python pepperpot characters, was a squawking harpy (though in a good way).  If the Keeper had a task for her she was likely to scream from off stage, "Not now!  I'm flingin' the cat!" or some other impromptu insanity.

The Keeper's favorite movie was House of Wax, which was shown three times in the two and a half years of the show, and Vincent Price flicks like The Fly were common too.  But as will all horror hosted shows, they were not all gems and the Keeper was more than happy to alert audiences to exactly how bad the movies were, challenging them to stick with it.

A "Keep"sake created for the Keeper by a fan.

Also, since Clark was the station's film editor, he worked frequently with the preceding or forthcoming segments.  And viewers were rewarded with an extensive preview of next week's film complete with sardonic commentary.

The show ran on Friday nights at 11:30 and it ended in 1986 with a Halloween bash--a double bill of Universal's Dracula and Frankenstein with the host segments shot live in a real cemetery.  Interestingly enough, this marked one of several coincidental similarities Clark had with Jerry Sandford's career as Ronald the Ghoul on the same station many years before.  Besides being horror hosts, both had also played clowns on a locally produced kids' shows (Clark was "Sandy" and Sandford was "Bungles") and both had ended their horror hosting stint with a Halloween sendoff.

Rick still lives in the Tidewater area and continues his relationship with WVEC even after retirement.

Rick Clark, Janine Harris and Chris Curling at Fantasmo in Chesapeake in 2008.  Clark  was the Keeper, Harris appeared in a couple of episodes and Curling was a regular as "The Chamber Maid."

Rick Clark, The Keeper, with Jerry Sandford, Ronald the Ghoul.  The two had very similar careers at channel 13.

Who knows why?

Is it the fear of the unknown or why and where an occurrence is happening that questions what our mind is thinking? What is the mystery surrounding the noise behind the door, the shadows, the sullen quiet in the forest or the cry in the night? There must be a logical answer. Hey, what do I know? "My name? You need not know my name. I am the Keeper of the Chamber". Relating, of course, to our tv show, "Chamber Theatre". 

On a good evening my makeup looked like yesterday's oatmeal. It was a horror show from the 1980's on WVEC-TV, Norfolk, Virginia. Exactly '84 - 86' . I had been employed for years at WVEC-TV. Played "Sandy The Clown" in the 70's and hosted a late night show, "Alcoholics Anonymous" for twenty-two years, after the Chamber gig.  No, I am not a recovering alcoholic.  One day in '84, the head of production called me in his office and asked me to host a spook show on late night.  Meyer Davis, whom I shall be forever grateful for the opportunity. Meyer wanted an errie character, possibly one who lived in a lighthouse. This due to our Hampton Roads location encompassed by Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic ocean and mucho rivers.

In days past settlers from England (1607) landed in Hampton and moved to Jamestown, Virginia. The former history lends itself to many ghost stories including the Blackbeard the pirate era. However, the idea occurred to me that my sinister creation would live in the basement of an old castle, a chamber. He would be mysterious, dark lighting and have no friends to speak. For some strange reason someone, aka the tv viewer, would interrupt his Friday evening.

Thus, Keeper would briefly describe what his story (the movie) would contain. "And look for the woman dressed in red, she holds the key to tonight's mysterious adventure." Naturally, there was never a woman in red or anyone else to look for during the movie. A ploy used by Keeper to have  you stay tuned. Interlaced segments always related to a local festival, highlight activities or simply have a theme of sorts. Major metro areas of Phoebus or Pungo, Virginia,  were always hit on in a joking way.

Chamber Theatre contained humor, but you found it to be limited and scattered throughout the show. We had unusual promos for next weeks movie and segments that were questionable. Meaning management might say, "What the hell were you thinking". Never quite over the line, but risking a chance while walking a tight rope. Bottom line: Chamber Theatre was fun, challenging and creative for cast and crew.

The names I recall that made the success of "Chamber Theatre" were the number one writer KathleenYakstis, Kris Curling, David Powers, and George Everette. Directors Greg Brauer, Mike Grandelli, Joe Pitts, Bob Crowder, Xavier Lancaster, and impersonator Tim Beasley, dancer Janeeda, and head engineer John Hinson. Plus the professional WVEC-TV crew who made it all happen.

Success is dependent on many contributions and talented people must always remember you don't climb the ladder alone. The viewers are the bottom line. Without you there is no show.

How do you revive a memory bank in the brain? You really do not. You cast one's  mind back to the early years of a career consisting, in my case, of radio and television. Years ago, in the 50's, there were guidance councilors in high school who thoughtfully planned for students. Unlike today where you are given a worldwide network of communication and inventions unmatched by human technology of the past. It's so fast, the electric air surrounding us can be mesmerizing, should you allow.

My father taught me this: Have a firm handshake, write your name clearly, learn to multiply with the times table, respect all people, have manners and learn, work wise, to do what you enjoy. Mentors are important. Simple enough. A sense of humor will get you through the difficult times. We are here for only a short time. So, in my high school senior year, I performed a comedy routine in a talent show. During intermission. This person was really shy at Roselle Park High School in New Jersey. Graduated, went in the Army, infantry training for sixteen weeks at Ft. Dix, N.J. Continued warfare tactics after three weeks of jump school in the 82nd Airborne, 504th regimental combat team and Third Army Special Services. Jumped into drop zones at Ft. Bragg, N.C. and survived white glove inspections in the 82nd Honor Guard.

Later won a talent contest, entertained in Special Services as an emcee and comedian, home based at Ft. McPherson, Ga. Honorable discharge and G.I. bill lends it's way to broadcasting. First: 1958 WFMC radio (Country music), Goldsboro, N.C. Next WRNB radio (Early rock), New Bern, N.C. and in 1960 opportunity in television. WITN-TV, Washington, N.C. plus time followed at WTVD-TV, Durham, N.C.

In 1966, I settled in when  WVEC-TV, Channel 13, Hampton/Norfolk, Virginia market hired me. Home for 33 years and retirement. In my tv career, I have played the original "Mr. Hobo" on the Funny Page kids show, commercial announcer, host of "Teen Canteen" dance program, telethons (1960-'64) with Channel 7, Washington, N.C. In Durham, N.C. while at WTVD-TV, Channel 11 for a year, played "Happy, The Toy Soldier", commercial announcer, and co-hosted the Channel 11 Morning Show at  6:30 a.m. M-Fridays. Finally, 1/13/66 began employment as overnight deejay, WVEC Radio, Hampton, Va.

Next year, WVEC-TV promoted me to Film Director/Editor, played the puppet "Droopy Dragon" on our local kids show "Bungles the Clown", played brilliantly by Jerry Sandford. Jerry moved on and next I became "Sandy The Clown" from 1972-1980. All while maintaining responsibility as film director. Makeup removed, Sandy disappeared. Until 1984, when I was asked to host a new late night horror show, "Chamber Theatre". Aka: The Keeper". The character was played as mysterious, non-condesending, and totally different toward viewers.I was exactly opposite of me. Creativity blossomed and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by professional, talented people connected with the show. On the air for only two years,

I feel we contributed our share of terror and bits of humor to fans of older horror movies. We were cancelled when WVEC-TV decided not to renew their movie contract. Should you recall "C.T." as a viewer I say "Thanks". If you had the opportunity to be a part of the show, "Chamber Theatre", I thank you for all the creative ideas. We are a rare breed viewers and horror hosts.

 "My name..... You need NOT no my name..... I am the Keeper Of The Chamber?................ Roll theme music and closing credits. See ya later.