Welcome back to Rotten Ink and another of my Horror Host Icon updates that will breakdown a legend in the world of TV Horror Hosting, and to me there is not a too big or too small Horror Host as no matter how long their show ran or where they aired on from TV to the internet, they had a following and meant something to their viewers and for that they deserve to get this update treatment. And for this update we are traveling to England to take a look at their first and only Horror Host who went by two names with Dr. Terror being his most popular! Imagine living in England and not having a Horror Host to guide you through late night movie watching till 1992, and it’s crazy that Dr. Terror does not get more respect and fanfare just for that fact! So if you’re ready to travel to scary old England and pay a visit to the one and only Dr. Terror, we should begin this Horror Host Icon update!
In 1992, the BBC2 aired an All-Night Halloween Marathon that was hosted by Dr. Walpurgis and featured five horror movies that included Creepshow and Curse of the Werewolf alongside mini documentaries and specials based on horror media. This horror marathon was a major hit and helped spark the idea of a full time Horror Host for the BBC. But in 1993, Walpurgis got a name change, and he became Dr. Terror and got his own show called Vault Of Horror that ran for a total of three seasons and chilled the spines of British TV watchers. Dr. Terror himself is a strange demon like man who has a serious sinister side but also has a goofy, silly side that helps mellow his scare factor. His appearance is very monstrous as he has a long face with a big chin as well as very big pointed ears. He also is very fashionable as he is always wearing a very nice suit. He also seems to have a sense of humor and sometimes it’s a little dry. Dr. Terror also seems to be very educated and for the most part is very well spoken showing that he knows his facts about the night’s movie or movies. He also is known for hanging out in a library or at a twisted and haunted amusement park. We as the viewer never do get a clear answer to what Dr. Terror is, or besides the love for Horror Movies, why he hosts movies on the BBC. I want to also really stress that when Dr. Terror originally started he was more straight-laced and grim and by his later years he was more fun loving and filled with bad jokes. Say what you will about Dr. Terror, but if you have seen one of his episodes or even host segments then you know that this guy is a fantastic host and should be in the Horror Host Hall Of Fame!
Guy Henry was the actor who played Dr. Terror, and he is quite the actor in British TV and beyond and is well respected. Guy began his acting career in 1967 on a TV Series called “Look And Read” that lead to him playing the part of Sherlock Holmes in the 1982 TV Show “Young Sherlock: The Mystery Of The Manor House” and with playing Sherlock Holmes opened the door to many more roles in films and shows that include “Another Country” 1984, “Lady Jane” 1986 and “Rumpole Of The Bailey” TV Series from 1987 and this role of becoming Dr. Walpurgis aka Dr. Terror England’s first Horror Host in 1992 hosting spooky Horror Movies in “The Vault Of Horror”. Guy Henry became an in demand actor over the years and some of his biggest roles that I would like to highlight are playing Guy Reynolds on the TV Show “Walking Dead” and nope not the AMC show based on the classic Image Comic Book. In 2005 he played Heyer in the comic book movie “V For Vendetta” and in 2007 he played Cassius in the cable show “Rome”. He would also be casted as Pius Thicknesse in the films “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & 2 from 2010 and 2011 respectively. And in 2016 he stepped in and was the body double for a CGI Peter Cushing in the film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and with this I heard many people compare him to this generations Cushing and really makes me wish Hammer would hire him to star in a Horror Movie. And the last role I will touch on is that in 2017 he played Dean Of Westminster on the TV Show “The Frankenstein Chronicles” showing that this guy should be hired more often in Horror. While Guy Henry is not a household name he is a great character actor who seems to not be slowing down anytime soon.
We are at the point of this Horror Host Icon update where we will take a look at the episodes I have of Dr. Terror who has always captured by attention with his look and style. I want to thank all the Horror Host trade lists for getting me these episodes and making this update possible and mostly Stumpy Disks for having many of these episodes. So let’s take a look at these episodes of Vault Of Horror! Oh and I need to also stress that I am not sure if these episodes are full broadcast versions or if they are fan reproductions. And yep I notice as well that the DVD covers have the wrong name for the show!
Vault Of Horror: Body Parts
Starring – Jeff Fahey & Kim Delaney Rated R 1991
Host: Dr. Terror in this episode is at his haunted amusement park hangout and talks about medical issues of the minds of those who make some of the shows for BBC! He as well introduces us to his “wife” that is really just a long haired, bearded man standing behind a picture cut out of a circus fat woman.
Movie: When Bill Chrashank loses his arm in a car accident, the arm of an executed death row inmate is grafted on in its place. The only problem, as Bill soon discovers, is that the arm is possessed by a force he cannot control.
Note From Matt: This episode seems to be missing its end segment as well as any middle ones if this episode had those.
Vault Of Horror: The Ghoul
Starring – Boris Karloff & Ernest Thesiger Not Rated 1933
Host: In this episode Dr. Terror is hanging out with a laughing clown at the amusement park and talks about the night’s movie (not really) as well as brags about the master actor that is Peter Cushing!
Movie: Aga Ben Dragore, a knife-wielding, enigmatic Egyptian Arab, is seeking a sacred jewel which has been stolen from an ancient tomb. The thief tells him that he sold it to Professor Morlant, a fanatical Egyptologist who fervently believes in the pagan power of the ancient Egyptian gods. Dying from a mysteriously disfiguring ailment, Morlant entrusts his faithful manservant to bandage the jewel in his hand and warns him of dire consequences if his dying wishes aren’t carried out. After his burial in an Egyptian-type tomb on his estate, an anonymous robber steals the precious stone from the corpse. Although the ghastly-looking dead man rises at the next full moon to seek revenge, neither he nor the audience know which member of the household possesses the powerful jewel.
Note From Matt: This episode is clearly a fan edit as the film he talks about in the opening segment is the 1975 film The Ghoul that starred Peter Cushing and the film shown on this DVD is the 1933 film The Ghoul starring Boris Karloff. This episode also has no end or middle hosted segments.
Vault Of Horror: Legend Of The Werewolf
Starring – Peter Cushing & Ron Moody Not Rated 1975
Host: This time Dr. Terror is in front of the Haunted Hotel trying to get people to come see the amazing wolf boy and also talks a little about the night’s film and praises Peter Cushing.
Movie: A travelling circus in 19th century France adopts and showcases a feral “wolf boy”, who grows into adulthood only to kill the one-man band. He runs off to Paris, where he develops a jealous, overprotective crush on a prostitute, leading him to attack her client, incurring a pursuit by a determined police surgeon.
Note From Matt: This episode is clearly a fan edit and only has the opening segment.
Vault Of Horror: The Mummy
Starring – Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee Unrated 1959
Host: Once more at his amusement park hideout, Dr. Terror is riding in a boat traveling down a dark tunnel and chats to us about the Hammer Horror movie The Mummy! But not before telling one of his bad jokes.
Movie: In the 1890s a team of British archaeologists discover the untouched tomb of Princess Ananka but accidentally bring the mummified body of her High Priest back to life. Three years later back in England a follower of the same Egyptian religion unleashes the mummy to exact grisly revenge on the despoilers of the sacred past.
Note From Matt: No ending segment here as well, makes me wonder did he even have an end segment for his show?
Hands down, Dr. Terror is an amazing Horror Host who delivered great scares and a spooky good time to viewers in the U.K. and I am glad that he has gained a small cult following here in America. And to me it’s crazy that he has not been inducted to The Horror Host Hall Of Fame as he is the first host of the U.K and just his shear delivery of being a Horror Host is top notch. I am going to try my best to get him in the class of 2020! So for our next update we are going to leave the world of Horror Hosting behind but still stay in the world of Horror as I will be doing another From Horror Movie To Horror Comic update (or is that From Horror Comic To Horror Movie?) as a part of our countdown to Halloween, and I will be taking a look at the movie Rottentail! So until next time read a Horror Comic or three, watch a Horror Movie or two and as always support your local Horror Host. See you next update for a killer bunny man good time!
Oh and on a side note Dr. Terror is now on the 2020 ballot for the Horror Host Hall Of Fame!
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