Dead of the Nite

Recommendations

Info

WCAU's Shock Theater debuted on October 7, 1957 with Roland as the horror host. Channel 10 went all out with full set and props. Roland lived in a crypt with his wife "My Dear" (who remained unseen, lying in her coffin), his lab assistant, Igor and son Gasport who hung from a burlap bag. These two characters would remain with him over the next 50 years. In the opening sequence, Zacherle as Roland would descend a long round staircase to the crypt. The producers erred on the side of goriness, showing fake severed heads with Hershey's chocolate syrup used for blood (red blood was not allowed by censors until years later). Roland would cut-in during the movie to do a gag, like riding a tombstone, singing a song or just making fun of the film, while the movie soundtrack kept playing. This was something completely new and thrilled the television audiences. Unlike later horror hosts showing “B” movies, most of the films shown on Shock theater were Universals best horror films including Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman For a lot of kids, this was their first time being exposed to Universal Horror masterpieces. The show ran for 92 broadcasts through 1958 and made Roland a household name. So much so that when the station ran a meet and greet with Roland, they expected maybe 1400 to show, instead 14,000 showed up tying up traffic and causing damage to the station. They never did another meet and greet for Roland again. John‘s role as Roland was not the only avenue of success. As a Philly Disc Jockey, John became good friends with Dick Clark and appeared many time on American Bandstand often filling in for Dick Clark on tours of differnet cities. It was Dick Clark who dubbed Zacherle with the “Cool Ghoul” nickname. In 1958, Dave Appell of Cameo records watched his daughter laughing at Roland on TV. Thus was born a collaboration between Zacherley, Dick Clark and Dave Appell that resulted in “Dinner With Drac” John Zacherle’s hit single. Clark first thought the song too gory for American Bandstand and asked for a toned down version. Eventually both versions would be released on the 45rpm record as part 1 and part 2. A dinner was served for three, At Dracula's house by the sea The hors d'oeuvres were fine, But I choked on my wine When I learned that the main course was me!
With his contract running out at WCAU and through the contacts he made after doing Dinner with Drac, John took a job with WABC in New York. The show featured the same format as WCAU but the set was smaller but more detailed. It was at WABC That Roland was changed to Zacherley (with the Y). My Dear was changed to Isobel and many of the gags centered around Zacherley trying to cure Gasport and Isobel of their ailments. New York brought many more opportunities including guest appearences on the Dave Garraway Show, the Steve Allen Show, the Jack Paar Show, and the Pat Boone Show . Zacherley wa still showing up on American Bandstand especially around Halloween. Zacherley moved from WABC to WOR Channel 9 then to WPIX that started an association with Chiller Theater. In 1965 Zacherley moved to Channel 47 in Newark, NJ to Host Disco- Teen, the format was like American bandstand except Zacherley remained in his costume and makeup often performing funny experiments on the teens in the audience. The show lasted until 1967. Merchandising By the time the mid 60s rolled around Zacherley was no longer a phenomena, he was a legend. Merchandised talked about on his shows like the Zacherley Map of Transylvania sold out in minutes. His Transylvanian Passport (acquired by sending in labels from Strawberry Cocao Marsh Syrup are still rare collectibles today. There were Zacherley life size Posters, masks, trading cards and even his own Aurora Model. The Zach craze was in high gear. I can say that I had Zacherley’s Map of Transylvania
Page 2 and 3: Shameless promotion of our favorite
Page 4: The Merrye Family is cursed with a
Page 8 and 9: That being said, this is one of Cor
Page 10 and 11: He was known as the King of the Gra
Page 12 and 13: Price was also a noted gourmet cook
Page 14 and 15: Price was married three times. Cora
Page 16 and 17: Nine months into the study project,
Page 18 and 19: No one in the scientific community
Page 20 and 21: Please believe me, believe in me, I
Page 23 and 24: When it comes to Scream Queens, the
Page 25 and 26: In keeping with her sense of humor,
Page 27 and 28: As this is our first issue and no o
Page 29 and 30: For attaching the stones I use Liqu
Page 31 and 32: A compilation album brought to you
Page 33: Growing up atop the Watchung Mounta
Page 37: The 1990s found Zacherley back in F

Dead of the Nite

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?