Fright Night. KHJ's late night horror show. Starring Larry "Seymour" Vincent

[teddy821]

March 9, is the Anniversary, of Larry Vincent's death. Seymour. Captain Starr (INDIANAPOLIS)

[stevenpricela]

Check out "Seymour, Master of the Macabre" on Facebook!

[danieloco1]

Where's Banjo Billy?

[TheRaivan354]

"Attack of the Mushroom People"! That was so awesome, featuring a live performance (courtesy off Seymour) by "The Four Fungis" (pronounced fun-guys). Long live Seymour!

[pabsbigboy]

Anyone knows the title of the opening theme to Seymour's theme? It's so cool and eerie!

[encinostalgia]

He was great, I loved him!

[niksix69cpl]

I remember " Invasion of the bunny slippers!!!" hilarious

[Jewassicpark1]

Larry Vincent was one of the nicest guys I ever met, and one of the funniest. I miss him!

[enohr]

I saw Seymour at Knotts Berry Farm's Holloween night. He put on a great show. Had everyone in stitches. This was around 1976.

[foxtype1973]

Ah yes-Good 'ol Seymour!

I also have a lot of audio stuff of his shows from Channel 9-Channel 5, and back to Channel 9 somewhere on audio cassette someplace. I'll just have to dig thru the stuff, then try to digitize it, to make it sound--Almost wonderful.

All those times Seymour had to deal with not only the movies that he had to run, but there was 'Pradge' the projectionist, 'Wayne', one of the many voice-overs...

Good times back then.... :)

[Sang1957]

For some information on CHILLER try:

monsterkidclassichorrorforum.y­uku.com/topic/15986/Chiller-ea­rly-70s-Los-Angeles

[mtcamp62]

And in between the horror movies there was "Cal Worthington and his dog spot." with some tiger chewing on ol' Cal. That dude looks the same now as he did back then circa 70'-75'. Love the prices on new cars back then. "Ford Town and Country wagon for only $1800.00." We even finance!

[haitipi]

@mtcamp62

They still use the "Action" shots from Cal's old commercials, but then to the current when talking about the cars. It is funny to see Cal talking about current cars, then he is shown jogging by with his tiger past cars with prices like $1995 or a "Fully Loaded Ford Pick Up Truck" for $2595. That man is amazing.

[mtcamp62]

@haitipi Yeah, still living in SoCal myself. I've seen those retro Cal Worthington clips too. Pretty cool to see ol' Cal still going at it. In his new clips he looks like he hasn't aged hardly at all. Must be that delicious Ca water he's drinking.

[mtcamp62]

What a trip. I remember Seymore "Behind the green slimy wall" on KHJ-9 and KTLA-5 in the early 70's. All us kids would stay up late to watch the cheesy horror fix and enjoyed Seymore popping in with his comments and schtick. Great memories! Moona Lisa, Elvira and the rest couldn't hold a candle to his wit and humor. I also was blessed to see him at the 2nd annual Halloween Haunt at Knott's Berry Farm in 1974. Died of cancer right after that event I seem to remember.

[rgarcia77]

@mtcamp62 "The Slimiest of Wall"

[BadfingerFan]

As a kid growing up in North Hollywood, Fright Night with Seymour was my favorite television program.. I still remember one of his movie clips: A scene where a man gets caught up in an electric fence, and at the same time, Seymour added a music track, the country song, "Don't Fence Me in."

[foxtype1973]

@BadfingerFan-As I remember, the movie was 'The Indestructible Man' starring Lon Chaney Jr. That was on KTLA/Channel 5 at the time.

[stevemartini]

He was the best! I still have my fan club stuff.. He made the weekend worthwhile. Growing up in Van Nuys was a gas back then, but Seymour put the finishing touch on everything. And Monsters were cool back then as well! Somewhere I have cassettes of his show.. need to find them. And don't forget Shrimpenstein!

[emncaity]

Yes, baby, YES...that's the guy. This is why I love the Internet (many reasons to hate it, but this is a reason to love it)--all these years with those vague memories of late nights on the couch in the little house in Lynwood, after my parents had gone to sleep, and me out there watching schlock with Seymour on KTLA...oh, man.

[Bizarronumber4]

Did Seymour ever screen the following movies on his show; The Cyclops,Missile to The Moon,Man Beast,Invasion of The Animal People,or It's Alive (the 1968 Larry Buchanan film)?

[Wotanrocks]

@Bizarronumber4

I remember Missile to the Moon. Pretty sure on The Cyclops. I could name a bunch that I know he aired.

[haitipi]

@Wotanrocks

Definitely on Cyclops!

[Skulldini]

Man Without A Body and The Unearthly Stranger? .. cool titles.

[Skulldini]

During the mid to late 70's ( inbetween this Seymour and Elvira ) on this same station ( khj9 LA ) there was also one named Grimsley. Cant find anything posted of him though.

[mdmeraven]

he had that rubber 'razzberry' noise maker. My sister and I used to 'win' them at the Balboa fun zone - actually, they gave these cheap things to kids who didnt win... it was cooler than winning! "I got a Seymour!!"

Thanks for sharing these files!!

[murraymae]

Larry vincent was a guest speaker at john burroughs jr. high school in los angeles, ca, when I was there in the early 70's. I didnt get go, but I heard from students that did go, that he was very nice. everyone in la watched and enjoyed seymour and I was saddened to learn of his death when it happened. He was the springboard for talents like elvira and the genius crew of mystery science theater in decades to come.

[2lapyap1]

I remeber creature feature on KTTV channel 11 around 1975, it played at noon.

I've looked for any clips to it and to the opening for the KTLA's channel 5 Film for Saturday Evening at 6 pm which contained a montage of old horror and sci-fi movies.

[airjamin8tor]

That's the guy I watched!! before Elvira...I remember the voice but could never remember the name...till now. any footage?

[Wotanrocks]

@airjamin8tor

Still looking for video. KHJ like most stations erased, trashed, etc most of these shows for space and other concerns. Alas, these were the days before vhs and beta.

[Sang1957]

@Wotanrocks There is some audio around. For some reason, I recorded alot of the audio of the shows and listen to them now & then...

[haitipi]

@Wotanrocks

They had video tape. They were three foot reel to reel tapes, but there was video in the 1940s.My Step Dad used to help load the reel's on international flights in the late 40s early 50s. Alas, they were n ot meant for longevity.

[Skulldini]

@airjamin8tor There was also one named Grimsley on KHJ 9 during the middle - late 70's ( in between Seymour and Elvira ).  Remember him ?

[airjamin8tor]

@Skulldini Yes I do! Seymour was the one for me at first....didn't even like Elvira when she first showed up, but she won my heart over...lol. I remember someone that was on for a real short time, they showed the movies and such, and they seem to dance alot with the acid backrounds. one was kinda fat, bald, lotta white face makeup. And I don't remember who the host was....good times though!

[Skulldini]

@airjamin8tor KHJ-9 also had a program titled Nightmare Teater ( I think, .. or something like that ) which featured a skull that spoke in a frightening voice and just introduced the movie at the begining ( that was it, .. no disruptions or interludes during breaks in the feature ).

[artsong2]

@Skulldini I remember Grimsley. He was funny, but Seymour was really the best. My favorite Seymour character was Banjo Billy.He was often inserted into the movie, and was really funny.

[emncaity]

@airjamin8tor

Try here if you haven't already seen it (with the youtube prefix): watch?v=SvS9XAr0uZA&feature=re­lated

[Wotanrocks]

@emncaity Thanks for the heads up. Still can't believe how much classic TV was erased, destroyed, etc. all in the name of cost or storage space!

[tarkushead]

Wow, never thought I'd hear that voice again - growing up in Villa Park, I lived for Friday nights and Fright Night. My Dad really liked him too so we would watch together - great fun! Thanks so much for posting this (not to mention hanging on to your old recordings of the show!)

[Wotanrocks]

@glukme

have you looked for chiller on youtube? they have a new york version. Wonder if it's the same.

[rgarcia77]

Fright Night at the Wiltern Theatre Friday at 12 Midnight. Scream Night Fest

[shelton442]

We had Sivad back in Memphis during this period He was much scarier

[Wotanrocks]

@shelton442

Yeah, Seymour was 100% humor. Not after the scares at all. 

[frightfan1]

From the glorious days when weekends on TV were horror hosts and wall to wall monster movies. Today, most TV is less interesting than an old test pattern.

[SMOKINAMISH]

Thanks for posting. Anyone know where to get the theme music?

[SMOKINAMISH]

I loved this show in the San Fernando Valley. Used to watch it every Saturday night. Anyone know where I can get the theme music?

[kerouac69]

Ah, I remember this well.

In case anyone's interested, Thomas Pynchon mentions Seymour in his latest novel, Inherent Vice.

[emncaity]

So we're all about a million years old now. Didn't seem like it'd be that way back in '69 or '71, watching Friday night schlock and slamming Chicken in a Biskit, thinking 4th-grade thoughts and keeping the light on...

[Wotanrocks]

Chickin in a Biskit. Man I see those on the store shelves - haven't bought them yhet. Just might have to. Did get some Quisp cereal. Glad you enjoyed. I am still looking for the elusive video.

[emncaity]

Quisp! Killer. More or less Cap'n Crunch in a different shape, but still.

Friggin Chicken IAB, I found out later, gets about 80 or 90 percent of its calories from fat. As in, that sh$% is REALLY bad for you. Nice to have had a big head start on clogged arteries, courtesy of whichever corporation put it out and put the crack in it...

[mtcamp62]

@Wotanrocks Quisp cereal. Love the memories! Remember there was another cereal introduced at the same time called "Quake cereal?" Had like a big lumber jack dude on the front of the box. Hey thanks Woton for the Seymore fix. See my comments from this date. I love the people who help keep my childhood alive through Youtube and place like this. Thanks man!

[laffpro1]

Seymour was a Hero and Inspiration to me...I met him once at a personal appearance he was doing;he was just as funny in person as he was on tv...I still have some of his fan club stuff.....thanks for posting this !!!

[benthemiester]

Larry Vincent was the man. This was called, fly by the seat of your pants, broadcasting.

[MWMTalent]

I can't believe I'm seeing and hearing this again. Four Olympics back, a skating team used the theme for "Fright Night" in their routine. This long-time "Fringy" has waited impatiently to learn the name of that music. Please help!

[MWMTalent]

Disregard. Found a Seymour page that gave the answer. Isadora by Paul Mariat

[rapskallion]

As a lad in West Covina, I always looked forward to Larry's show. I was lucky enough to attend a horror show matinee at a local theater with 'Seymour' performing his master of ceremonies act. He did a funny introduction and during the film they would stop the show for his interjections. The place was packed with all us little hoodlums and we had a raucous time!

[foxtype1973]

I followed Seymour from the days on KHJ to KTLA & back to KHJ. Does anyone remember that for awhile he did a announcing stand-in on radio station KDAY? :)

Now if only we can find out where some of the videotape masters have gone to-or if someone out there has any dubs? Those were the days of both one inch and 3/4 inch video...

I was a 'Fringy', and still proud to say it.... :>

"Bad Evening...." (toots the razzer...)

[tinkerbruzer]

I remember Larry played Seymour very well and dad & I would tune into the show every weekend. I had a chance to met Larry just by happen-stance across from our movie house at the gas station filling up his VW-Vanagin that was painted like his shows slimy-wall. Gas was 34-cents at times a gas-war came along driving the price down to 26-28 cents a gallon then & I was driving a 66-GTO. What a great guy & very funny; I talked with him as we filled our tanks, I can't believe it was that long ago.

[RCWorks]

Larry is missed very much here,

I wish that the powers that be could release dvds of the movies with his spots inserted in the proper places as he was put in like a commercial from my understanding.

I believe his work may be lost forever, our kids have missed out on something great.

R.I.P. Larry, It was a sad day on your last show and sadder when we learned why. (stomach cancer)

Maybe is Seyour's shows could be remade Moona Lisa's could be done as well.

[braindead891]

It's so nice to hear Seymour again.Thank you for posting this.

[XEvolutionist]

Oh, it's nice to hear those voices again! Seymore's announcer used to host a Saturday afternoon movie show. I wrote him a fan letter, and I got a letter back. he drew a picture of Igor. You never saw him. It was just fog, with voices. X

[MrMusicman488]

I grew up in Westminster Ca. in the very early seventies and watched this guy all the time. What great memories. Thanks for posting!

[pickledpigsfeet]

thank you, thank you, and thank you for posting this!

[halbie71]

Used to watch this every Friday Night!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frakshaw44]

my brother would watch those scary movies when i was 5, if it wasn't for symour bustin' on how corny the movies were during his break, I would have been warped, scared to death.

[QYB555]

Another FRINGIE here -- one of the funniest bits was during "Attack of the Mushroom People", it was revealed that it was mushrooms that turned people into Mushroom People-- they then cut to a commercial for pizza -- with MUSHROOMS!

[whisky2roxy]

I remember that vaguely. Was it a real pizza commercial, or one of Seymour's schticks where Pizza Man delivered it from behind the wall?

[QYB555]

As far as I remember, it was a regular commercials -- one of the usual sponsors (delivery -- something like Domino's).

[misterwhitefolkz]

Staying up till midnight at the grandparent's house watching Seymour is one of my best memories....he was so good. Loved the goofy humor, and him popping in on the screen during the film. As Seymour himself would probably say-TV today sucks!!!!

[flmlvr]

Larry Vincent was the best, and that's all there was too it. I loved Seymour. And no words can describe how bad I still miss him to this day. It's been 34 years and I remember him as vividly as if it were yesterday. Thanks Wotanrocks for posting this - you're my hero for that reason. Hehehehe

[librarianeric]

God, I remember watching Seymour with my dad late at night.

Sounds pathetic, I know, but this was when TV was actually good.

[Bixfan78]

Does anyone know the name of his theme? It was a slow, haunting waltz, in a minor key, played on something that sounded like a theremin. You can hear it at the very start of this clip.

[whisky2roxy]

Theme from Isadora Duncan

[whisky2roxy]

Little Shop of Horrors, Attack of the Mushroom People, Castle of the Living Dead, are not the same without Seymour as host!

[reinruof66]

I remember going to the dairy and getting chocolate milk and staying up late to watch seymore and on sundays watch chiller and creature features the good old dazes

[RCWorks]

Channel 9 ruled back then.

[ImJoeToo]

I loved Seymour. I was 11, and I tuned in every Friday Night to watch him. I was so sorry when he died. :(

[KicksCarter]

There's a great chapter on Seymour in Elena Watson's 1991 book Television Horror Hosts: 68 Vampires, Mad Scientists and Other Denizens Of The Late Night Airwaves. If you like those shows she covers almost everybody who ever did one even ones that were fairly recent to then like Stella on Saturday Night Dead.

[elliott021]

I can remember watching Seymour when I was 13 years old. My parents liked him too. And those movies were great. They don't show those movies on late might TV anymore ever! I really miss them.

[highjinxwillie62]

Seymour...good times, good times indeed

[tappan48]

My girl friend and I used to make out while watching in 1971

[spookyben]

Seymour came to Whittier College once for a midnight showing of 'Night Of The Living Dead' - his commentary during the film was as hilarious as the film was scary - great times!

I remember near the beginning someone yelled 'more volume!' and he answered 'take it from me, people walking on grass sounds the same with the volume up or down'.

[ImJoeToo]

I was a fringee! I hated Wayne! I preferred Herkermer Uginski!

[ercjncpr]

Somewhere SOMEONE must have an old video tape of this. I have not given uo hope that there will be a video clip of old Seeeeyyymoooouuurr someday!

[Sang1957]

Saturday night..watching Seymour and those awful movies! I was smart and recorded the audio from many of these shows and enjoy them from time to time.

[Wotanrocks]

You are correct. He did indeed play Banjo Billy.

Glad you enjoyed.

[ron91335]

I remember watching him Saturday nights on channel 9 when I was living in the Lincoln Heights area of L.A. If I remember correctly, he also did video inserts during the film of a character named "Banjo Billy".

Many thanks for posting this . . . man, this really takes me back to a fun goofy time!