Monsters, Music, and Muscles

1. How did Dr. Gangrene come about?

Before I started this show I was publishing comic books. We had been doing this for about 5 years, and I was ready for a creative change. I had a friend who had a public access show and he talked me into starting my own program. The only type of program I was really interested in was a horror host show, like the one I watched growing up, Sir Cecil Creape's Creature Feature. At the time the television show E.R. was really popular, and I was getting stopped out in public at least three or four times a week and told I look "just like that guy from E.R." Well, "that guy" they were referring to was Anthony Edwards, and his character was Dr. Green. So I made a take-off of this name and made it Dr. Gangrene.

2. Who are the other characters are your show?

There have been several, and they tend to rotate: We've had Nurse Deadbody, my zombie nurse: Oogsley, the hunchbacked lab assistant: Barnaby Bones, a disembodied skull who was around briefly for one season: Major Monterey Jack, the resident monster hunter and general goofball: And a few other who have come and gone. Several guest characters too, usually played by friends of mine.

3. How long has chiller cinema been on the air?

Three years as of July 1, 2002.

4. What are your favorite horror movies and why?

Wow, that is a hard question. My favorites tend to change from time to time, and I really appreciate so many types of movies. Curse of the Demon is one of my favorites, because of the mood, direction and lighting. It is one of the best all around horror movies. I really like the Hideous Sun Demon, even though it is hokey and silly. It has a certain charm to it, a sincerity you don't get in a lot of horror movies. Young Frankenstein, too - it's just a perfect tribute and is Mel Brooks' finest film. I think it can stand up to any of the other Frankenstein movies, too, if you really examine it (they even used some of Kenneth Strickfaden's lab equipment from the Universal Frankenstein series to lend that authenticity to the film). Plus it's fun.

5. Who inspired you growing up?

Sir Cecil Creape, most definitely. He was my main inspiration for the show. And there was an un-hosted program on afternoons in Nashville called "The Big Show" that played old monster movies in the afternoons. I used to race home to catch that one. They would have theme weeks, playing a week of Frankenstein movies or Creature from the Black Lagoon week. I loved that show. And then Gilligan's Island - heck, we probably adopted some of our corny flavor from that show too.

6. What kind of advice would you give to any future horror show hosts?

Just get out there and start hosting. Don't wait for the latest and greatest equipment. Use what you have available and get to it. The better equipment will come as you go along. Develop your character and style of hosting.

7. Who are your favorite horror show actors?

Oh, Vincent Price. He is the best. You ever notice how all the classic actors had these wonderful voices? Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Basil Rathbone. They all had a certain quality to their voices you don't hear that often in today's films. And they were so darned good. We need a good horror actor today. I hope Johnny Depp is becoming that. He has made some excellent films in that vein. I hope he continues. And it is really nice to see Christopher Lee making a comeback.

8. What in your opinion makes a great horror movie?

Suspense, lighting (or more appropriately shadows), likeable characters, and above all a good story.

9. What do you think of some of the independent horror movies today?

Well, most are made on little to no budget. I think they're fun, but in most cases could be better if they had taken the time to rewrite the script a couple more times. When you don't have a budget all you really do have is your story, so you had better make it as good as you can.

10. What are Dr. Gangrene's future plans?

Why world domination of course! Bwa-ha-ha!

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