When does a successful franchise reach the fail-safe point?  Is it “too” many sequels?  Not enough original members returning to the franchise?  Not any original ideas to support another film?  Doing it just for the money?

It’s an interesting question, huh?  Let’s take a look at some horror franchises … We have the “Frankenstein” monster, “Dracula” and “Mummy”.  We love the serial killers, Norman Bates, Freddie Kruger, Michael Meyers, Leather Faceand Hannibal the Cannibal.  We embrace the grim ripper cycle of Saw, Hostel and Final Destination.  All the source material was first rate.  A great idea, executed to tell a terrifying story.  (FRANKENSTEIN, a man wanting to play god and his downfall.  HALLOWEEN, crazed killer looking to close out the wronged parties in his family history.  SAW, people fighting for their lives by a judge who doesn’t deem them worthy.)  All solid premises.  Strong productions.  Executed right.  Terrific films.

We’re good so far, right?  Now, where does the Fail-Safe point arrive?  Let’s look at the Frankenstein monster.  We first viewed him in 1931.  Very shocking stuff when Karloff walks into door frame (with up-lighting on face.  Wow!)  He resurfaced in 1935 in Bride of Frankenstein (just as good a film as original).  1939 brought us Son of Frankenstein.  A three star gem (with Karloff in his last monster gig).  In 1941, we have Lon Chaney (The Wolf Man) playing the monster in Ghost of Frankenstein.  This was followed by Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943).  House of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945).  In the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s all sorts of rip off monster movies were made.  The question still is the same, why?  Each project became less and less of what the source material was.  Why go on? … Easy answer is, money; built-in audience and a name franchise.

After Karloff stopped being the monster, it lost a lot of its humanity.  Monsters after Karloff were just creatures.  (Chaney, Lugosi, Strange, etc. …) The first two films were directed by the magnificent James Whale, who brought style, mood and a sardonic wit to the projects.   When he stepped down, the franchise became nothing more than a cash cow for Universal.

Fail-Safe points seem to hit Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Psycho, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hostel and Saw.  How outrageous can we be?  How sick and twisted can we be to an audience?  How void of a story can we get away with?  All these elements have crept into these franchises.  When you are putting a film together with no “new” story, it’s a blueprint for crossing over the Fail-Safe point.  Terrific franchise doomed by indifference and greed.  Plus, a lack of respect for “us” fans.  (We love the films!)  Don’t push the Fail-Safe button.

BKW

Who were these people? These crazy, mad bastards who emceed the Friday and Saturday night horror movie shows? What drove them to dress up in those ridiculously campy costumes, write up a series of the worst puns you’ve ever heard, and walk us arm in arm through the old movies? With names like “Vampira”, “Zacherley” “Sir Graves Ghostly” and my own personal favorite, “Dr. Paul Bearer”, did they ever suspect they would become such cultural icons, working the graveyard shift at the local TV studios on shows like “Shock Theater”, and “Creature Feature”?

Looking back on those days, I can scarcely remember the movies. But I can recall the six-pack of cokes (in glass bottles, not plastic, thank you) the bag of Doritos, and Dr. Paul Bearer with his scary wall-eyes and his cigarette holder, sitting up out of the coffin with his trademark “I’ll be lur-KINNNNG for you,” in a flat, raspy monotone. Lip-synching to “Poisoning the Pigeons in the Park” by Tom Lehrer, holding up an eyeball to spook WTOG’s current slogan, “As far as the eye can see…”

Wikipedia tells us that these hosts were frequently the weather men or booth announcers, dressed up and punned down, racing to another part of the soundstage to emcee the evening sampling of old Universal horror films, vivisected for mass consumption. Though there were a couple of national icons, most of them were local. “The impact of these friendly ghouls on their young fans cannot be underestimated,” says the article on horror hosts, although I think they meant to say “overestimated.”

In the era of cable and the demise of the impact of local stations, kids today watch their horror films on the Chiller Channel, host-less and alone. The occasional hosts are national in scope, intentionally rather than accidentally campy, and the kids get all the bad puns without any of the love and innocence that went along with them.

But I remember the era of Zacherley, Vampira and Dr. Paul Bearer, and I know that we are less for their passing. So I raise my chalice of blood and drink a healthy, O Positive toast to the ghosts of the hosts. Long may you be undead in our hearts!

CS

Hey Gang!  I’m about to introduce a new project to the 5minutehorror family.  It’s 1 ½  to 2 minute fright mares called “SCARES“.  They’re a little “Twilight Zone” surprise videos.  Each tale has a gotcha ending.  I’ve written ten (10) so far.  We’ve shot the first four, and they’ll be airing soon.

What I’m looking for is production money to shoot ‘em.  Because the videos are short … I’m planning on a budget of $1,000 for each video.  I’d love to have $4,000 to $5,000 for the project.  (Make-up effects are about $200 to $300 for each video.) The money goes for camera equipment, lights, crew (2-3 people), director and actors.  This price tag is really cheap!  The quality of filmmaking isn’t.

We have a deal with C-Stores (a shopping chain throughout the U.S.A.  Plasma screens in stores, gas stations and at Grand Central Station (NYC).  The money we get for our videos will pay back your investment plus 10%.  You also will get screen credit as producers and a copy of each video, and a 5minutehorror.com t-shirt to impress your friends!  Plus, my undying gratitude!  (smile)

Take a look at what 5minutehorror.com is doing?  You can also go to YouTube, in the search box type … 5minutehorror.com.  This is all our fan friendly stuff.  We’re growing, but we need capital to keep moving forward.  Help us grow our internet business.

Bari K. Willerford & Craig Sabin

Founders