- Vegas Vampire
Vegas Vampire was a
fictional character invented and portrayed byentertainer Jim Parker as thehorror host of late night "Shock Theater" at KHBV/KVVU , Channel 5, in Henderson,Nevada , and broadcast to the greater Las Vegas,Nevada area from the late 1960s through the 1970s.The Vegas Vampire's show featured grade-“B”
horror film s,monster films , andscience fiction film s. The show was aired on Saturday nights at 11 p.m.PST .Show format
The character of the Vampire appeared at the start of each show and at commerical break interruptions. Like other horror hosts, he would critique and ridicule the film being aired. One of his early trademark routines was to stick pins in Voodoo dolls of politicians, civic leaders, and celebrities while needling them verbally. [http://www.davesdesign.net/ebay/vv16.htm] The character became popular enough that nationally known celebrities would sometimes appear on the show while performing in Vegas: including
Red Buttons [ [http://www.lvrj.com] Viewer's Guide by Linda Hersey, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Saturday, April 18, 1970.] andFrank Sinatra Jr. The Vampire delighted regular viewers by reading some of their letters on the air and then burning them.
The host's then wife, Paula (P.J.) Parker (now P.J. Housman), played the part of "Satana" on the show in its later years.
The Vegas Vampire's show ran into the 1970s. In 1977, when Variety and syndicated columnist Forrest Duke reported plans to do a road show version. [ [http://www.lvrj.com] "The Duke of Las Vegas" column, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Friday October 21, 1977.]
Other appearances
Parker's Vegas Vampire was a popular local celebrity. He traveled the streets of Las Vegas and Henderson in a trademark Hearse, and appeared at many local businesss openings. For many years he hosted the local segments of the
Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon , and participated in local shows and charity events like the St. Jude's "Nite of Stars" show, and the Clark County Talent Guild's "Stars of Tomorrow" show. [On & Off The Record, Joe Delaney, Las Vegas Sun, November 22, 1970.] So popular was the character that at one point Parker was appointed director of publicity and public relations for TV-5. [http://www.davesdesign.net/ebay/vv16.htm]Novelty song
The Vegas Vampire is also the title of a
novelty song about the character. Written and produced by Parker and Bruce Popka, the recording has been played on theDr. Demento radio program's 1984 Halloween Show [http://universalhorrorsounds.blogspot.com/2007/10/halloween-countdown-13-dr-demento-1984.html] and appeared on the album Elvira: Vinyl Macabre Oldies (But Ghoulies) (Vol. 1) [http://stevexs.tripod.com/comedy/rece/elv.html.]References
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