Chicago TV Horror Movie Shows

From Shock Theatre to Svengoolie

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by Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw

Type: Stories
Subject: Genre > Horror
Keywords: horror, television
Publishing date: 2016
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 270 pages
6 x 9 inches (15.5 x 23 cm)

ISBN

978-0-8093-3538-1

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Book Presentation:
Although the motion picture industry initially disparaged and feared television, by the late 1950s, studios saw the medium as a convenient dumping ground for thousands of films that had long been gathering dust in their vaults. As these films found their way to local TV stations, enterprising distributors grouped the titles by genre so programmers could showcase them accordingly. It was in this spirit that Chicago’s tradition of TV horror movie shows was born. Chicago TV Horror Movie Shows is the first comprehensive look at Chicago’s horror movie programs, from their inception in 1957 to the present.

About the authors:
Ted Okuda is a Chicago-based film historian whose previous books include The Columbia Comedy Shorts and The Jerry Lewis Films (as coauthor). His articles and interviews have appeared in a variety of media-themed publications. Mark Yurkiw is a journalist for the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark newspaper; his articles have also appeared in Suburban Life, Wednesday Journal, and Forest Park Review.

Press Reviews:
"A lovingly chronicled history of spine-chilling local programming."—Chicago Tribune

"A fun read . . . answers a lot of the 'frequently asked questions' viewers usually ask of me!"—Rich Koz, Svengoolie

"The writing is warm, lively, and energetic--not to mention, often, very funny. . . . This book is an absolute delight."—Mark Clark, author, Smirk, Sneer and Scream: Great Acting in Horror Cinema

"For true Chicago television fans, there's no better gift than a splendid new book about a programming craze that combined screams with laughter. . . . Lavishly illustrated with rare photographs and ads, the book also features several helpful guides, including detailed listings of monster movies and contacts for obtaining them on DVD." —Robert Feder, Chicago Sun-Times

"An unexpected surprise . . . I was taken in by the book's buoyancy and verve, not to mention the great firsthand insights. This is a unique report that shouldn't be missed."—Classic Images

"All the childhood memories of TV in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s come crashing back. . . . Authors Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw have hit the nerve that electrifies an era of our pop culture. This book takes you back with fun writing from people who are passionate, wonderful TV listing ads, rare photographs, the theatre promotions, and insight into Chicago's versions of it all. A true monster treat for The Monster Boomer Generation!"—Ron Adams, director, International Monster Bash Classic Movie Conference and editor, Monster Bash

"Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw explore the ways a generation's collective memory was formed by these shows. . . . will appeal to horror fans who didn't grow up in the greater Chicago area."—Kevin Maher, Monster Fest, AMCTV.com

"Two scholars reanimate the gory days of Chicago television's monster hits . . . rich with lively anecdotes . . . sure to amuse even the casual fan."—Time Out Chicago

See the publisher website: Southern Illinois University Press

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