Chiller Theatre Convention at Sheraton Parsippany Hotel

David and I went to "Chiller Theatre Convention" which was held this past weekend at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel in Parsippany, N.J. It began as a convention featuring horror and sci-fi stars. Over the years, it has expanded to include classic tv stars, WWE wrestlers, and musicians as well. If you want to see how many stars were this year's event, check out the website: http://www.chillertheatre.com/main.htm

We were very busy. David and I purchased "pre-show" tickets so that we could enter the venue at 10 am -- an hour before its official start. Apparently, so did half of the state of N.J. it seemed. The line was already long for "pre-show" ticketholders when we arrived at about 9:10am. Luckily, the organizers moved the line well and we were already looking for our first stop by 10am.

This is line we were waiting on to get into Chiller Theatre Convention. All those people are ahead of us!

And these are all the people on line behind us!

Where was our first stop? We chose the "Denville Room." There were three guests in this location -- all of whom we wanted to see. Cortlandt Hull was there with several exhibits from "The Witch's Dungeon." Sara Karloff, daughter of Boris, had a table and beautiful licensed memorabilia for sale. I must say she is such a gracious woman. She signed all of the sketch cards David drew of her father for free! In addition, she was paid David an excellent compliment. Sara told him he captured her father's eyes very well. David told her that Boris had distinctive eyes so that it was easy. She told him that he would be surprised how few people get it right. Last, but not least, was David's first crush, Julie Adams. David was so excited to have another opportunity to meet this gracious lady. This past summer, we met Ms. Adams at the "Monster Bash." David purchased the audiobook of her autobiography, The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections from the Black Lagoon. We've already started to listen to it and I have to tell you it's like having Julie Adams tell you her life story in your living room! It is something we will both treasure for years to come.

David with Cortlandt Hull

David with Sara Karloff

David and Julie Adams -- Can you tell how much he's enjoying the moment?

We then went across the hall to the "Dover Room." The line in this room had already formed but David and I were happy to wait. In this room was none other than the "Cool Ghoul" himself -- Zacherley! This man is probably of one of the first and best known horror hosts. Here is the NY/NJ area he hosted "Chiller Theatre." He was also known in the 1950's in the Philadelphia area as "Roland." Zacherley must have fallen in the "Fountain of Youth" because he has tremendous energy for a 94 year old man! As you can see in the photos below, he still looks good too! I am so glad I got to meet this icon.

Zacherley "The Cool Ghoul" still has great energy and enjoys meeting his many fans!

Next, it was down the hall to the "Livingston Room." Here we got the chance to meet Adrienne Barbeau. As David and looked her tables it was amazing to see how many cult classics she starred in. Ms. Barbeau has been in The Fog, Escape from New York, Creepshow, and The Swamp Thing. Not to mention that she was Rizzo in the original Broadway production of Grease and Bea Arthur's daughter Carol on Maude. David and I also love her work as the voice of Catwoman on Batman: The Animated Series. I was struck by her warm and kindness with her fans.

Adrienne Barbeau and David  -- What nice lady!

David and I stopped next door to the "Morristown Room." Here we visited Donna Loren, who we had met last year at the "Batvention." David and I were surprised (and thrilled) that Donna remembered us! We had spent about 10-15 minutes chatting with Donna & her husband Jered last November. She even gave us both a big hug as we were leaving! David purchased a photo of Donna as the "Dr. Pepper Girl." I am posting last year's photo with Donna since David did not take one with her this year. He feels last year's picture was perfect so he didn't need another.

Donna Loren and David at last year's "Batvention."

Our next stop was the "Troy Hills Room." Here we got an opportunity to meet Barbara Steele. Many film fans know her as the most prominent "Scream Queen" of the 1960's. Ms. Steele became a horror icon in 1960 as the star of Black Sunday. My favorite Barbara Steele movie is without a doubt The Pit and the Pendulum. What I find shocking is that Steele was usually dubbed in her films, yet she has a wonderful voice! She is is very stylish and well spoken lady. It's not surprising that her line was primarily made up of men!

David poses with '60's Scream Queen Barbara Steele

We were then off to our last stop, "The Skyland Suite." This was a huge room with a number of celebrities. The first star we vistied here was Lee Meriwether. David and I had met her at last November's "Batvention" too. David had given Ms. Meriwether two 11" by 14" Catwoman sketches last time we met her. This time he gave her a sketch card depicting her as Lily Munster. When he presented her with the card, she remembered him as the artist who presented her with two lovely sketches. She and David chatted for several minutes and he decided to get an autographed photo of Lee as Lily Munster. I can not  think of a woman who better exemplifies inner beauty that glows outward!

This is the sketch card David gave to Lee Meriwether.

We then proceeded to Johnny Crawford's line. I have to say he had a line all day! Obviously, many fans fondly remember Johnny as Mark McCain from The Rifleman. Despite the length of the line, Crawford spent time chatting with each fan. I got an autographed photo for my mom. David purchased Johnny's CD. Apparently, he started collecting music arrangements of classic popular standards for orchestras as a kid. This CD uses many of the arrangements and David is enjoying it very much!

Johnny Crawford takes time out for a photo with David.

Next, we decided to visit 2 "Hammer Girls:" Martine Beswick and Caroline Munro. It was our first time meeting Caroline Munro. I personally think Caroline has drunk from the "Fountain of Youth." She is gorgeous! When David asked her to sign the sketch card he made of her, she was very complimentary. David promised to send her one and she gratefully accepted.

Caroline Munro Sketch Card drawn by David.

Here is David with the real Caroline Munro.

At the table next to Caroline Munro, we met Martine Beswick for the second time this year. Martine was also at "Monster Bash" in June. We were both struck by her postive energy. She didn't disappoint us this time, that love of life was still obvious! David had Martine sign the sketch card he had drawn of her. Martine loved it, so we assured her that David would do another and send it to her. David could not resist taking a photo with the lovely Martine!

Martine Beswick Sketch card by David

David with Martine Beswick

Our last stop was a room within the "Skyland Suite" that had three prominent child stars: Billy Gray, Jimmy Hunt, and Karolyn Grimes. Billy Gray was very down to earth guy. My mom had requested that David get his autograph for her. Since The Day the Earth Stood Still is one of mom's favorite films, we had Gray autograph a photo of him and Michael Renner in a scene from the film. Since my mom also loves Invaders from Mars, we got an autographed photo of Jimmy Hunt in a scene from that movie. He is also a really nice guy who enjoys chatting with fans. The last star we met that day was Karolyn Grimes. Is there anyone out there who doesn't love Zuzu from It's a Wonderful Life? I told her that I really enjoyed her performance in The Bishop's Wife as Loretta Young's daughter. She was very pleased, she said so many people at the conventions don't remember the film. Honestly, I think you can see from the picture below that she is still looks like the little girl Jimmy Stewart held in his arms in the final scene of It's a Wonderful Life.

It's David and Zuzu!

I have to say that it was somewhat overwhelming event. However, it was worth it to meet so many celebrities who are also great people. I have so many memories to last me a lifetime!