This comes to me by way of my good friend, Greg Moutafis.
Back in the day before streaming video, torrents, facebook recommendations, mash-ups and such things, the only way to truly experience B-movie horror was on a UHF channel. These films were not presented un-accompanied, however. A guide or ferryman of sorts was always present to lead you to the dark and strange world of dry ice, guys in rubber suits and hubcap spaceships.
American Scary is a remarkable documentary that takes a close look at this odd cultural phenomenon. In almost psychic fashion each host seemed to be on a similar wavelength even though they not only never met but also never even saw each other’s material! It’s a fascinatingly nostalgic trip down memory lane for some and a glimpse into another world sadly no longer with us for others.
Interviews with former hosts such as the legendary Vampira and archivists of the strange and wonderful Forest J Ackerman fill the documentary in addition to vintage footage that is sure to jog viewers’ memories thought long gone. This is a great short film that is a testament to the B-movie world where anything is possible with the right group of gullible friends, some jell-o and an afternoon to get it all on film.
It’s also a loving testimony to the role of storyteller in modern folklore and what it means to our culture. So you have some rubber monsters mixed with literary value.
Trailer
