Creature Feature (WTOG)
Encyclopedia
For the wrestling manager, see Paul Bearer.
Creature Feature was a TV horror movie series on WTOG
in St. Petersburg, Florida
, from 1971 to 1995. The films were hosted by Dick Bennick Sr. (November 3, 1928 - February 18, 1995) as Dr. Paul Bearer, who hosted a different cheap horror film every Saturday afternoon. Bennick created the character at WGHP
in High Point, North Carolina
for the station's Shock Theater in the mid-to-late 1960s after his previous persona, Count Shockula, proved less than satisfactory.
The humorous Bearer character was a pun-spewing, bad-joke-telling host who spoke in a gravelly voice with a halting speech pattern. His usual attire was a long-tailed vintage tuxedo with his hair parted down the middle and slicked straight down the sides, with heavy mascara and grease paint. His skewed gaze, which Bennick perfected by turning his one artificial eye outward, only contributed to the atmosphere. He also twisted around some words and names to reflect the horror atmosphere—he frequently called the horror films "horrible movies", and the city that WTOG's studios were based in "St. Creaturesburg".
One typical joke started with a close up of a hammer in Paul's hand. He strikes a package of Wrigley's Spearmint
gum several times with the hammer, then looks up at the camera and says "I'm just sitting here, beating my gums." Bearer also aired occasional novelty songs, such as Tom Lehrer
's "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park," to which he would often lip-sync while pretending to accompany himself on a matte-black-painted baby grand piano.
He also participated in the city's annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival
, riding in or on top of a vintage Cadillac
hearse
as part of the station's promotion.
His trademark signoff was "I'll be lurking for you."
The series ended in 1995 following the death of Bennick, after his open heart surgery.
He gained a measure of national notoriety as the longest-running horror host on television,http://www.crazedfanboy.com/spotlight/monstermemories.html http://www.paulbearerproductions.com/IntroPage.htm and in 1993, then-Tampa mayor Sandy Freedman declared October 30 "Dr. Paul Bearer Day".http://www.crazedfanboy.com/spotlight/monstermemories.html
Creature Feature was a TV horror movie series on WTOG
WTOG
WTOG, channel 44, is a television station in St. Petersburg, Florida. Owned by the CBS Corporation, WTOG serves as the Tampa Bay Area station for the co-owned The CW Television Network. Its transmitter is located in Riverview, Florida.-Early years:...
in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, from 1971 to 1995. The films were hosted by Dick Bennick Sr. (November 3, 1928 - February 18, 1995) as Dr. Paul Bearer, who hosted a different cheap horror film every Saturday afternoon. Bennick created the character at WGHP
WGHP
WGHP, channel 8, is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem, North Carolina designated market area...
in High Point, North Carolina
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
for the station's Shock Theater in the mid-to-late 1960s after his previous persona, Count Shockula, proved less than satisfactory.
The humorous Bearer character was a pun-spewing, bad-joke-telling host who spoke in a gravelly voice with a halting speech pattern. His usual attire was a long-tailed vintage tuxedo with his hair parted down the middle and slicked straight down the sides, with heavy mascara and grease paint. His skewed gaze, which Bennick perfected by turning his one artificial eye outward, only contributed to the atmosphere. He also twisted around some words and names to reflect the horror atmosphere—he frequently called the horror films "horrible movies", and the city that WTOG's studios were based in "St. Creaturesburg".
One typical joke started with a close up of a hammer in Paul's hand. He strikes a package of Wrigley's Spearmint
Wrigley's Spearmint
Wrigley's Spearmint is a brand of Wrigley's chewing gum. Wrigley's launched the brand in 1893 and markets the gum as its classic brand, although the company's brand Juicy Fruit has been on the market slightly longer...
gum several times with the hammer, then looks up at the camera and says "I'm just sitting here, beating my gums." Bearer also aired occasional novelty songs, such as Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...
's "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park," to which he would often lip-sync while pretending to accompany himself on a matte-black-painted baby grand piano.
He also participated in the city's annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Tampa, Florida. Held each year in late January and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, it celebrates the apocryphal legend of José Gaspar , supposedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in...
, riding in or on top of a vintage Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
hearse
Hearse
A hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
as part of the station's promotion.
His trademark signoff was "I'll be lurking for you."
The series ended in 1995 following the death of Bennick, after his open heart surgery.
He gained a measure of national notoriety as the longest-running horror host on television,http://www.crazedfanboy.com/spotlight/monstermemories.html http://www.paulbearerproductions.com/IntroPage.htm and in 1993, then-Tampa mayor Sandy Freedman declared October 30 "Dr. Paul Bearer Day".http://www.crazedfanboy.com/spotlight/monstermemories.html