TARANTULA GHOUL – Actress Suzanne Waldron’s performance on stage in Macbeth captured the attention of the bosses at Portland, Oregon’s KPTV. They hired her to host House of Horror, their late-night B-Movie show, in a similar style to Vampira down in Los Angeles.
Waldron adopted the character Tarantula Ghoul, whose look was patterned after cartoonist Charles Addams’ Morticia in order to stand out from Vampira. Suzanne often emerged from a coffin in her hostess persona.
Tarantula Ghoul took Portland and vicinity by storm and could have been a phenomenon if not for the way KPTV made the idiotic decision to air House of Horror in the bizarre timeslot of Wednesday nights at 10:30pm (sometimes 10pm).
Most of the classic Bad Movie shows aired on Friday or Saturday nights, which were ideal for audiences to stay up late watching the movie and the host’s antics. Trapped in the mire of a late-night middle of the week timeslot, the brilliant Tarantula Ghoul’s show sadly lasted from just October 9th, 1957 to November 26th, 1958.
Still, during her brief run hosting House of Horror, the talented Suzanne Waldron managed several cultural milestones amid her schtick.
*** A TV Star Parade article about her stated “Tarantula Ghoul pokes morbid fun at everything within range of Portland’s KPTV” and referred to her “witty but acid tongue.” The article described her as a cross between “the Charles Addams woman and a road company Tallulah Bankhead.” Continue reading
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It was an all-CIAA title tilt as the VIRGINIA STATE TROJANS did battle with the BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES. Bluefield State dominated the opening Half and led 36-28 going into the locker room. From there the Trojans roared back, ultimately winning the game 69-66. Jacob Cooper led Virginia State with 29 points. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON EAGLES played the TRINITY (CT) COLLEGE BANTAMS in this game. The favored Bantams were on top 37-26 at the Half, but after the break UMW made their move. In the end the Eagles triumphed over Trinity 64-61 led by 21 points from Kye Robinson. 
ZERO TO SIXTY (1978) – Want to see Darren McGavin of all people bare his butt for the camera in two separate scenes? Want to see Darren McGavin getting his bare butt spanked by the Hudson Brothers in one of those scenes? Want to see Darren McGavin in sex scenes with Joan Collins at her smoking hot best? 
THE ADVENTURES OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (1955-1956) – British television series based on Baroness Emma Orczy’s 1903 play and 1905 novel (and series) about Sir Percy Blakeney (Marius Goring), who puts on a foppish and dim-witted air to disguise the fact that he is secretly the Scarlet Pimpernel. 
JESUS: A PASSION PLAY FOR AMERICANS (1969) – For Easter Week here’s a look at an experimental take on the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, all accompanied by music. 
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS played the UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS (TX) CELTS. The defenses ruled at first and come Halftime the score was knotted up at a mere 22-22. After the break, CNU managed enough separation to upset the Celts by a score of 63-59. Toa Hollenbeck led the Captains with his 25 points. 
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Up next, the TRINITY (CT) COLLEGE BANTAMS did battle with the TUFTS UNIVERSITY JUMBOS. The Bantams held a tight 29-27 edge at the Half. From there competition remained intense but Trinity College downed the Jumbos 69-66. Sixteen points from Henry Vetter led the way for the Bantams. 
JANUARY 28th – 
Balladeer's Blog 