Watch American Scary

American Scary is a gripping documentary that explores the history and cultural significance of horror movie hosts on American television. The film is directed by John E. Hudgens and features interviews with a variety of horror hosts, enthusiasts, and experts in the field, including Mike Price, Joseph Fotinos, and George Chastain. The documentary opens with a brief overview of the horror genre, including its origins in literature and its development on film. From there, the film delves into the world of horror hosts, who first emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a way to introduce horror movies to a wider audience.

The film examines various horror hosts from across the country, including Vampira, Ghoulardi, Elvira, and Svengoolie. It looks at their impact on popular culture, and their ability to create a sense of community among viewers who tuned in each week to watch their shows. Many of these hosts had cult followings, with some even becoming household names.

Throughout the film, we see vintage footage of these hosts in action, as well as interviews with some of the hosts themselves. We hear stories about how they got started in the business, their interactions with fans, and the challenges they faced keeping their shows on the air.

The documentary also explores the many ways in which horror hosts have influenced American culture. For example, horror hosts have been credited with popularizing the use of puns and double-entendres in advertising and marketing. They have also been cited as an influence on the punk and goth subcultures.

In addition to examining the history and cultural impact of horror hosts, the film provides insight into the challenges these hosts faced in the face of changing media landscapes. As television programming became more corporate and homogenized, many local horror hosts were forced off the air.

Nonetheless, the film argues that the influence of these hosts can still be seen today in a variety of ways. For example, the rise of YouTube and other online platforms has created new opportunities for independent content creators to reach audiences, and many of these creators are carrying on the tradition of horror hosting.

Overall, American Scary is an engaging and informative documentary that will appeal to fans of horror movies, television, and popular culture. The film provides a fascinating glimpse into a little-known but important corner of American history, and is sure to leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the art of horror hosting.