VINNIE VINSON: This is a promo for "Mad Theatre," KCBR's Saturday daytime(!) horror movie. I wrote the quick pun-filled script. I wish I had the version where Count Down tried to make a sandwich of M.T.'s hand. The host was M.T. Graves. His vampire buddy was Count Down. They were played by two Des Moines doctors! M.T. was portrayed by a podiatrist. Count Down was a radiologist in real life.
The M.T. actor/doctor was also host of "Abracadabra," an afternoon kids show. He had a ventriloquist dummy named Joey. Hey did a few store-bought magic tricks in between the cartoons.
All of this work was done for free. There were two sides to the story. The performers claimed they were promised pay if the shows garnered good ratings. Management denied it. Nothing was in writing. Both shows ended at the same time. Each lasted a few months. "Mad Theatre" was then helmed by a couple of staffers. In fact, the woman who did the live scream was one of them. Their version of the show didn't last long. They married, and hopefully, that's still going strong.
Originally, I was slated to be the host. I had just returned from a business trip. It was Sunday afternoon, so I swung by the station. The general manager was there, so we talked over plans. He said we'd need a host for the horror movie. He asked me if I'd like to do it. I accepted. He said I'd need a costume. I asked him why he thought I didn't have one. I had only been on the job for two weeks. I'd just returned from a free trip to Las Vegas where I got to rub elbows with TV stars, and KISS Joyce DeWitt of "Three's Company." Then, I was getting a TV show. No mention was made of extra pay, though.
I went to work, writing down "bits" I wanted to do. I don't recall selecting a name for my character. I know I was influenced by Dr. Igor of "Chiller Theater." That was the WQAD-TV horror show back in Moline, IL. I was a big fan in my teen years.
I was already working late almost every night, plus several of us were working on weekends. There were some overnighters, too. A little time passed. One day, I saw an oddly garbed fellow with makeup sitting in the lobby. He became the horror host. I suppose the general manager forgot offering me the gig. No matter. I had plenty to do.
M.T. Graves and Count Down were growing in popularity. They sent out little plastic bags of "coffin dirt" to fans. One of the owners asked me to find a strategic way to have the actors pay the postage! Remember, they worked for free. The station was constantly losing money. A fourth partner bought a share. He supplied enough cash and credit to allow the station to survive long enough to attract a buyer.
Within the past year, I was playing around on YouTube. I found another M.T. Graves horror show. Apparently, it was done in Florida in the '60s. It also featured a warden. I don't know about a vampire. Mike, the podiatrist (last name forgotten) grew up in Florida. Just sayin'...
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$100 Movie, part twoby planetiowa186 views
@allenhuffman 1983.
planetiowa 1 year ago
WOW. COOL.
I remember this show.!! i even remember this commercial.
i was a BIG FAN and even ordered the "FREE DIRT". "would love to see more"!?
I loved these guys and the show. it was an "AWESOME" saturday daytime Horror Show.
"THANK YOU" so much for the GREAT Memories "VERY COOL"
flea58 1 year ago