NEWS AND NOTES

November, 2003

(Please note I have corrected the attributions for the source material for the Scary Tales program--my apologies to the actual authors--JDM 4-17-04.)

Sammy appeared at two events for Halloween 2003 in Arcadia, Indiana and Indianapolis--pictures and full info in the Image Gallery. He also appeared on the air for the first time in 4 years (aside from brief bits on news programs) in "Sammy Terry Scary Tales". The show featured Sammy introducing documentary segments on Hoosier ghost stories in his inimitable manner. The material used came from Haunted Hoosier Trails: A Guide to Indiana's Famous Folklore Spooky Sites by Wanda Lou Curtis and also from the Haunted Indiana book series by Mark Meriman. It was presented in a similar manner to the Haunted History program on the History Channel. Sammy arose from his coffin as always, using the "new" set built for the 1999 special (a re-creation of the 1980's set). Jerrald Hawkins of SammyTerry.com was on the crew of the project and has a lot of behind the scenes info on his site. Scary Tales was produced by Producers Plus (a local television production company, they produce the Hoosier Lottery show among other things) as a pilot for a proposed new Sammy series and broadcast on WTTV "WB-4" twice in October, both the weekend before Halloween and Halloween night. WB-4 needs your feedback on this show and your desire to see Sammy return to the airwaves on a regular basis--contact them through the webform at wb4.trb.com/about/site/feedback/!

December 15th, 2001

The Indianapolis Star reported that Ray Sparenberg died on Thursday November 1st in Atlanta at the age of 72. Ray was Indianapolis' original horror host, Selwin, on WISH Channel 8 from 1958-63 (for more see The Selwin Family Crypt). Following is the text of the Star obituary dated 11-5-01:

Raymond C, Sparenberg was host of Channel 8 'Fright Night'

Associated Press

ATLANTA -- Raymond C. Sparenberg, one of television's earliest horror movie hosts, died Thursday of renal failure. He was 72.

Sparenberg, who was host of a weekly show called Fright Night, was known to fans as Selwin, the son of Catwoman and Wolfman. Sparenberg appeared on WISH (Channel 8) in Indianapolis from 1958-63, introducing classic horror films from the 1930's and 1940's.

"He was more funny than scary," said his sister, Mary C. Mickler of Decatur, Ill.

Dave Smith, program manager for WISH, described Sparenberg's makeup and outfit as "pasty pallor, upswept eyebrows, sunken cheeks, long sideburns, a black cape, and a broad brimmed cap."

Sparenberg continued as host of Fright Night even after the show changed in 1961 to a jungle format and the next year to space films.

When the show ended in 1963, Sparenberg moved to Atlanta to take a program and sales job at WXIA.

From the late 1960's to the early 1980's, Sparenberg operated an upscale cheese shop called Cheese Villa. After the store closed, he worked as a cab driver. Most recently, he worked in the records department at Piedmont hospital.

A memorial service was (held) Sunday at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta.

I know news of his passing will sadden his many fans and any to whom he gave an entertaining chill or two to way back then. It's certainly interesting and I hope appropriate to note that Ray died the day after Halloween, All Saints Day--JDM.

August, 2001

As many of you may already know, Bob Carter's Family Music, which was located in the shopping center at 46th and Shadeland here in Indianapolis, is now out of business. I'm sure I can speak for his fans in wishing him the best of luck in retirement and all his future endeavors (which we of course all hope will from time to time involve donning green greasepaint and a red cloak). A lengthy article on Bob appeared in the Indianapolis Star last month. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of the article and didn't get the paper--I'm still trying to get a copy of it or at least a scan of the article--if any of you out there has a copy and could scan it for inclusion on the site please let me know!

Oh, by the way I became aware that the fan memories email form isn't working at present--please just email your comments to finvarra@hotmail.com for noiw and I'll get them posted. The memries through February are now posted--sorry about the huge delay but life has kept me pretty busy in the last year. I'll be doing more updates to the site in the coming month--JDM.

October, 2000

My apologies to those who read here that the Sammy re-broadcast on Friday October 27th would begin at 1 AM--I based this on what I found on the Channel 4 website. Apparently it actually began at midnight--and I assume the Saturday broadcast of Night of the Living Dead will also begin at midnight--JDM 10/27/00.

Sorry not to give more notice, but the two Sammy shows from Halloween 1999 will be re-broadcast on WB4 this Friday and Saturday October 26th and 27th. Fright Night shows on Friday night at Midnight and Night of the Living Dead shows on Saturday also at Midnight. A great way to cap off an evening of halloween celebrations. Set your VCRS folks.

Also, everyone please note Channel 4 is officially marketing the Sammy Terry Night of the Living Dead broadcast from 1999 through their website: http://www.wb4.com/. I definitely recommend you purchase a copy from them than some hack on Ebay, if you're not able to record this weekend--JDM 10/26/00

According to Evan Finch Sammy will appear at Cummins' Bookstore in Columbus, In on October 21st. Contact the bookstore for times--JDM.

September, 2000

SAMMY HEARD ON LOCAL RADIO
ADVERTISING FOR LOCAL HALLOWEEN ATTRACTION

Sammy Terry can currently be heard in radio spots promoting the Necropolis "City of the Dead". The radio spot was heard on WFBQ-FM "Q-95". By the way, if you want to see pictures of Sammy at last year's WGLD Gold-104.5 Monster Mash Bash as well as pics of other hoosier celebs and such (Cowboy Bob, The Watson's Girl, etc) visit the station's website at http://www.gold1045.com/. Just go to the "Cool Pictures and Stuff" area--JM 9/26/00

Summer, 2000

SAMMY APPEARS AT
INCONJUNCTION 2000

Bob "Sammy Terry" Carter showed up at InConjunction, Indiana's premiere science fiction convention, on July 1st, 2000 at the Marriot Inn on 21st Street just east of Shadeland Avenue, Indianapolis. The show began at 4:30 PM.

Sammy Terry information page at the InConjunction Website

The following report on Sammy's appearance was submitted by Barry Slinker, who was Mr. Carter's bodyguard for the convention:

My being a bodyguard for Sammy Terry was so cool. His stage show at the Marriot Covention was at 4:30pm and he was on stage til 5:30. Autograph sessions was at 7pm. So for 90 min a few of us sat in a hotel room with Sammy and talked about anything and everything. It was pretty cool just "shooting the breeze" with Sammy. I stepped up to the plate and asked the ALL mighty important question. "Are there really not any old material of Sammy Terry out there?" He unfortunately answered "no". He said he was never a fan of reruns. He did not like them. So therefore all his material on tv was fresh, never a repeat (except the movies). So he asked them never to tape him, since he didn't want repeats of himself, so they never taped him. But he said now with the popularity of Sammy still going he wished they had taped him. The only thing available is the WB4 recording of Sammy's "Night of the Living Dead" which he said you can still purchase at WB4 for $20.

Barry Slinker

Barry's Pics of Sammy from the Convention (click thumbnails for larger picture):

October, 1999

SAMMY MAKES HALLOWEEN APPEARANCES
BOTH LIVE AND ON T.V.

Sammy Terry fans in Indianapolis got a couple of spooky treats this Halloween Eve as their favorite ghoul appeared both on WTTV "WB" Channel 4 in a Halloween "Scare-a-Thon" and live at the Indiana State Fairgrounds West Pavillion at the WGLD-FM Monster Mash Bash. The WTTV Special, in which Sammy hosted two movies, Fright Night 2 starring the late great Roddy McDowell, and the original 1968 Night of the Living Dead. The show featured a loving recreation of Sammy's set from the 1980's, complete with coffin, "rocking chair" (both props which date to Sammy's earliest days) and the witch's castle in window (one can only hope this set will be stored and saved for further specials!). Sammy was led in by the "Ghost Girl" intro of the '80's and accompanied by his perennial sidekick, George the Spider. The humor was classic Sammy, the script being written by Sammy's alter-ego, Bob Carter. The first film ran from 8 to 10 PM, a half hour WRTV-6 newscast (WTTV no longer has their own news programming) was shown from 10 PM t0 10:30, and the second film was broadcast from 10:30 to 12:30. The newscast included a feature on the live appearance of Sammy at the Fairgrounds that evening. Sammy was part of the festivities at the Monster Mash Bash, a Halloween party being thrown by WGLD-FM, "Gold 104.5". The party was sponsored by the Matress gallery and also featured Mark Lindsey, former lead singer of 60's rock group Paul Revere and the Raiders, along with other entertainers. Part of Sammy's appearance included an autograph signing.

WGLD featured a promo with Sammy for the Monster Mash Bash during the weeks leading up to the event. Here's a sound file of that promo:

SAMMYWGLD.WAV (1,190 KB)

Visit WGLD's website at http://www.gold1045.com/.

Channel 4 is offering a limited edition VHS tape of the second half of the Sammy Scare-a-Thon, Sammy hosting Night of the Living Dead (the film is a t.v. edit). The video can be obtained by sending a check or money order for $19.95 to "WTTV Sammy Terry Video, 3490 Bluff Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217". You should include your name, address, and phone # with your order (this website receives no remuneration for including this information, I simply include it for those Sammy Fans who are interested). The t.v. ads made it clear that the video is a limited dition, so get your orders in quick!

Sammy also appeared at the Fall Foliage Festival on October 10th in Martinsville, IN. Read Rich Roger's recounting of his experience getting an autograph from the ghoul in the Fan Memories section.

On a less fortunate note for Indy horror-host fans, The Son of Selwyn did not put an appearance this year, apparently bringing an end to his reign as the annual Halloween celebrant on WTBU.

September, 1999

LATE SUMMER BRINGS FLOOD OF WTTV MEMORIES

This August and September 1999 Channel 4, as part of their 50th Anniversary celebration, held two special events to gladden the hearts of the young and young at heart in central Indiana. The first was a stage show held on August 15th which included Cowboy Bob, Janie and the one and only Sammy Terry. Then on Sunday September 5th (Labor Day Weekend) Channel 4 broadcast a 6 hour retrospective looking back over their past fifty years of broadcasting in Central Indiana. The show ran from noon to 6 P.M., and include interviews and plenty of taped footage from yesteryear. The finale was an out-of-makeup interview with Bob "Sammy Terry" Carter (likely the first time he'd appeared out-of-makeup to discuss his horror movie host career). I'll have much more on the stage show (for now see pics in the gallery section) and the interview coming up. Hope everyone was able to catch this once in a lifetime program (and had your VCR's revved up). Sammy Terry will have a double feature special this Halloween, or rather the day before, October 30th, 1999--don't miss it!!--JDM 9-9-99.

August, 1999

SAMMY TERRY TO APPEAR AT 1999 INDIANA STATE FAIR

Don't miss your chance to see Sammy Terry Sunday, August 15th, at the Indiana State Fair. Sammy will appear as well as Janie and Cowboy Bob--autographs will be available! The appearances will help kick off WTTV's 50th Anniversary celebration. Autograph session to begin at 2 pm at the Lincoln Theater. Sammy will also be part of the State Fair Parade, which WB4 will broadcast live--so set your VCR's. Find out more at the WB4 website.

August, 1999

As part of their lead up to the station's 50th Anniversary the Channel 4 website now has an interactive trivia question list on Sammy--go to check it out!

April, 1999

WTTV CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCES 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW TO BE PRODUCED!

WTTV "WB4" Channel 4 Indianapolis has announced that they will be producing a 50th anniversary show! They're currently asking fans of Sammy, Janie, Cowboy Bob and other shows from the heyday of local t.v. on Channel 4 to send them their memories--so after you leave your Sammy memory at this site (in the Memories Section of course) be sure to go over to theirs and do the same! Or write them at:

WTTV Channel 4
3490 Bluff Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46217

October, 1998

SAMMY AND SELWYN CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS

Both Sammy Terry and the Son of Selwyn celebrated their birthdays October 31st, 1998. Ages undisclosed. For the second year Sammy appeared in Halloween advertisements promoting free Halloween trick or treat bags. The Son made his second series of Halloween season appearance on WTBU Channel 69 Butler University television. This time Selwyn was accompanied by his niece, the lovely Vulnavia (namesake of Dr. Anton Phibe's one time left hand girl). Stay tuned to this website for more info and images from the WTBU 1998 Halloween Fun Drive!

August, 1998

THE SON OF SELWYN TO RETURN TO WTBU BUTLER UNIVERSITY TELEVISION PUBLIC OR THEIR OCTOBER, 1998 FUN DRIVE

Allen Deck, Director of Marketing and Promotion at WTBU and the creator of The Son of Selwyn, informs me that The Son will be back for a return engagement this coming Halloween: "Alas, I've lost Amy (Amy Ulrich, the former WTBU Classic Cinema hostess who was The Son's kidnap victim last Halloween), she's back in Hollywood and shooting a film called Tarantulas and Other Conveniences. Although Alex (McBean, The Son's alter ego) graduated in May, I've scheduled him to re-create The Son of Selwyn again this Halloween with another pair of double features and the marathon Halloween night. He should be on the air 9-12 Friday nights October 16 and 23 and then Halloween 6-12. Planned features include:

Carnival of Souls
The Ghoul
Strangler of the Swamp
Tormented
Murder By the Clock
The Man Who Changed his Mind,
They Drive By Night
Condemned To Live
J'accuse

. . .and more!"

A great line-up and a great cause! What dastardly deeds will The Son of Selwyn be commiting this Halloween? If you're in the Indianapolis area this October, tune in and find out! If you'd like to make a contribution to the station even before that I suggest you visit their website at:

http://www.butler.edu/www/telecom/wtbu.html

Winter, 1997

1998 SAMMY PERSONAL AND T.V. APPEARANCES

Sammy Terry appeared at Fountain Square's Theatre of Fear at 1111 Prospect St. on three Friday evenings in October, the 10th, 17th, and 24th .

Sammy also appeared on a WTTV Channel 4 commercial spot letting kids know they could pick up a free Halloween bag at participating Hardee's Restaurants and Shoe Carnival stores (see the image gallery for vidcaps of this commericial, courtesy Thomas Rude').

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