I just read that NYC's Channel 11 (WPIX) is going to resurrect their old "Chiller Theater" program later this month with one of the original hosts. This was a regular program where they showed horror/monster films and had a creepy host introduce the movies. It was very scary for me as a young child of the 60's, now it's just nostalgic because I've learned to love "Zacherle."

ABC Family should hire John Zacherle to do promos/intros for the "13 Nights" promotion. He's not getting any younger and he really is a halloween treasure. Search the internet for his name; he's also been a radio DJ who played creepy/off-beat songs and parodies. Cousin Brucie used to hook up with him annually before the local oldies station changed programming. (It's back!)

From the WPIX website:

"CHILLER THEATRE RETURNS TO WPIX With A Special airing of “Tarantula” on October 25th

CHILLLLLLER THEATRE RETURNS FROM THE DEAD! For the first time in over 25 years, Chiller Theatre is back on WPIX with the presentation of the 1955 pulp horror classic Tarantula at 8 pm on Saturday, October 25th.

Zacherley “The Cool Ghoul” (John Zacherle) and former host of Chiller Theatre in New York on WPIX (1963) will resurrect his alter-ego and host WPIX’s October 25 special. Plus, the original opens: “The Six-Fingered Hand” and the “Monster Montage” along with Tarantula trivia will run as interstitials.

In the 1955 film, a lab experiment gone awry creates a massive 100-ft. spider that menaces a small Arizona desert town and satiates its bloodlust with cattle -- before moving on to human beings! Tarantula features an uncredited cameo by Clint Eastwood in one of his first ever on-screen appearances. Directed by Jack Arnold (“It Came From Outer Space,” “The Incredible Shrinking Man”) Tarantula is considered by many to be one of the best of its genre and even inspired composer Richard O'Brien to immortalize it in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. (From Science Fiction Double Feature: "I knew Leo G. Carroll, was over a barrel, when Tarantula took to the hills…")

“After our successful 60th anniversary celebration in June, WPIX received hundreds of requests for the return of Chiller Theatre. We are extremely excited to resurrect Chiller for our viewers with the special airing of “Tarantula,” said Betty Ellen Berlamino, WPIX/CW11 President and General Manager.

The original Chiller Theatre aired in all of its ghoulish glory on WPIX in 1961-1978 and again from 1980-1982. CHILLLLLLER THEATRE RETURNS FROM THE DEAD! For the first time in over 25 years, Chiller Theatre is back on WPIX with the presentation of the 1955 pulp horror classic Tarantula at 8 pm on Saturday, October 25th. "

I remember their creepy Lurch-like commercial blip that had the deep-voiced announcer growl "Chiiiiillllllleeeeerrrrrr." *shudders*