How many of our friends attend or have attended Chiller Theatre???

[houseoftheunusual]

Post your favorite pictures or video of the show.http://youtu.be/gShWqlHvp3k and http://youtu.be/-5memKFlOcM...What do you guys like about Chiller or do you prefer Monster Bash?
I AM SORRY FOR SO MUCH MOVEMENT IN THE VIDEO. THE FRIEND WE HAVE FILMING HAD NEVER USED THIS CAMERA.

[Count_Zirock]

I attended every Chiller from 1990-98, except for the April '98 show (that was the weekend my dad passed away). In fact, my Leatherface costume won the very first Chiller costume contest.
I used to do the shows with Femme Fatales magazine, then Dark Muse Publications, and then Horror Biz magazine. The year Chaos Comics hosted Halloween Party, I performed a 5th anniversary wedding vow renewal ceremony for Terry & Tracey West of Dark Muse. The next year, I performed artist Jeff Pitarelli's wedding (and Zacherley gave away the bride).
I moved from NJ to North Carolina after my dad died. I have been hoping to come back to Jersey for a Chiller for awhile now. Sadly, since breaking her hip in 2004, my mother's health has been steadily declining, to the point I couldn't leave her alone to make the trip. Which is why I'm so looking forward to the Mad Monster Party in March 2012. It'll only be 20 minutes away from where I live now, and neighbors can check in on my mother for me the few hours I'll be gone each day. It'll be my first horror con in 13 years!

[Ormsby]

I only got to go Friday of Chiller Theatre this year, but in the spring I want to try and go for Friday and Saturday.  I haven't been to Monster Bash or other shows like this, so I have no frame of reference.  I know they have Saturday Nightmares in NJ in the spring, but I don't know anything about that show.

This year, besides seeing Zacherley again, I mostly waited on line to get Elvira's autograph and then her photo op, so I didn't get all the autographs I wanted or spend as much time in the dealers room as I have in the past.

Here is a link to my Chiller Theatre pictures on my site.  http://www.cinemainsane.com/chilleroct11.asp

[Gasport]

I've been going to Chiller from 1990 to the present, missing 3 or 4 shows along the way. I'll keep going as long as Zacherley is in attendance. Had a wonderful time last weekend there, topped off by getting to accompany the Cool Ghoul during Come with me to Transylvania and the Monster Mash at the Saturday night party... Hard to believe the man is now 93! All's i know is these shows are the equivalent of Tana leaves to the Mummy for Zach. It always seems to rejuvenate him much the same way my getting to see him does the same to me! Here's a video of his performance at the party... 

John Zacherle (Zacherley the Cool Ghoul) at Chiller, Oct. 2011

[typhooforme]

I posted already over at the Shows & Events thread, but just for the sake of completeness--yes, I was at Chiller.  Got there Thurs., left on Mon.  I always do Chiller with Sara Karloff, as a friend and an assistant.  This year we had two Karloff tributes to attend as well, in NYC--first went on Thurs. night to the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts where a short "radio play" performance about Karloff's career was done by a group of actors, after which Sara did a q&a and was presented with a letter from Mayor Bloomberg declaring "Boris Karloff Weekend" in the city.  On Sunday night, we went into Astoria, at the Museum of the Moving Image, where they ran FRANKENSTEIN in the theatre there and then Sara did a q&a for that crowd.  Both were well-attended tributes.  At Chiller the rest of the time, enjoyed the usual stuff--the Halloween costumes are always a hoot.  I don't get away from the Karloff table very often, but did manage to go talk to Richard Kiel and his wife, who I know from other cons, and also talked to Stanley Livingston, Caroline Munro and Veronica Carlson.  Dinner with Louise Fletcher one evening, drinks with Ken Kelly after dinner another evening.  Always a good time--and Ruth's Chris Steak House is always tremendously good--if pricey--food!  My cousin, another Sara--UMA member vpdogjoe--and other UMA friends Rob Tullo (monsterphile), Mike Gilks, Ray Santoleri and Rainer Engel were there, too--always great to talk to fellow UMA'ers!  In spite of the snow and thinner crowds, had a great time.
Sara Karloff and me ready to leave for one of the NYC tributes...

Two UMA guys--Rob Tullo and myself, at the Karloff table...

Another UMA member--sculptor/artist Ray Santoleri, posed in front of Cortlandt Hull's Witch's Dungeon display with the Karloff "Prof. Lampini" he sculpted the head for!  Santa Hull had decorated the place for early Christmas photo-ops!

Two UMA'ers and two potential members--my Cuz Sara and I on the left and right, putting the squeeze on our friends Jon and Lise, who may well join the group one day soon!  Witch's Dungeon in the background again, with the Chaney Sr. Red Death standing watch.

[marsattacks666]

I wish I could this year.

[Gillfan]

I grew up in NJ and used to attend Chiller regularly. In the early days (back when it was at the college in that domed building) I was even a dealer by my love for the show faded for 2 reasons:

1) It became impossible to get a dealer table. I skipped a year and then, for the next 10-12 years couldn't get a table again.
2) It became virtually the same show year after year. Some celebrities, same vendors, same attendees.
3) When the show moved to Cherry Hill it was too far of a trek.

I used to attend with 2 of my pals and the last 3-4 years we went lunch became the highlight.

So now we haven't gone for several years and I have no plans to go back. I wish that it had made the leap to being a truly great convention and moved to the Javits but it seems to be shrinking now so I don't see that happening.

[Gasport]

Granted, Chiller has morphed into more of a pop culture event over the years, but one thing it is NOT doing is shrinking. Even with a looming freak snowstorm on the horizon, the Parsippany Hilton sold out of rooms for the entire weekend. In fact, after the snowstorm hit and they started closing major roads in NJ , many attendees who could not get a room, camped out in the hotel lobby for the duration. The only thing i noticed was the usual line of day trippers seemed smaller than usual and this was to be expected, considering the bad weather.

[houseoftheunusual]

Chiller in my view has been getting better over the years. I have attended about 7 years strait and I love it....Have lots of fun with my friends. My wife started going with me and she love buying steam-punk stuff.. I can't leave her home anymore.

[Zombiology]

Chiller sounds like a lot of fun and wish I could check it out but I live out on the west coast.  (Never been past the Mississippi)  We do have a HP Lovecraft film festival every year in Portland that is a lot of fun.  One year Stuart Gordon was there and premiered his latest movie.  That was the same year that Patty Smythe was there as a guest of honor.  (She's a big Lovecraft fan.)  This year, Guilermo Del Torro was a judge.  It's held about a month before Halloween.  They've also started the Zompire Film Festival in the spring which specializes in zombies and vampires but werewolves are welcome too.

[Sean]

I went to Chiller this year in Cherry Hill.

[monsterphile]

As Robert mentioned, I attended Chiller this year, but on Sunday only.  I went to one a long time ago at Fairleigh Dickinson University, I think.  I've gone the last 3 (or is it 4?) years to meet up with Robert and others when possible.  It was great that Cousin Sara made it this time around also.  It really has morphed into a pop culture thing, in addition to the horror thing.  I don't mind that though because it's great to see some of the pop culture people.

A couple of people posted about it moving to/being in Cherry Hill, here in southern NJ.  Chiller is in northern NJ (Parsippany) and it's run by Kevin Clement.  The conventione here in southern NJ (Cherry Hill)   (although it's also done events in CT and MD) is Monster Mania, which is run by Dave Hagan.  Both usually have 2 NJ events a year. 
The Monster Bash (www.creepyclassics.com)outside of Pittsburgh are in PA is closer to the theme of this group as it's focus is on the classics of horror, Sci Fi and fantasy.  It's also a lot more family-friendly.  At this years Chiller, I saw a 6+ ft. drag queen dressed as Elvira with a dress that was slit too high and what appeared to be no underwear.  (I averted my eyes fast enough to avoid traumatizing myself.)

www.ChillerTheatre.com
www.MonsterMania.net

Rob

[Gasport]

Rob,
                                    I was standing right next to Zach at his table when the gigantic drag queen Elvira entered the room. Zach tapped me on the shoulder and said. ''Look at that really tall woman over there!'' When i told him it was a guy he said; ''Noooo...'', rubbed his eyes, slapped his forehead and then laughed so hard i thought he might fall out of his chair! 

[Sean]

A couple of people posted about it moving to/being in Cherry Hill, here in southern NJ.  Chiller is in northern NJ (Parsippany) and it's run by Kevin Clement.  The conventione here in southern NJ (Cherry Hill)   (although it's also done events in CT and MD) is Monster Mania, which is run by Dave Hagan.  Both usually have 2 NJ events a year. 

Rob

Aghh!!  That's right.  Thanks, Rob.  I went to Monster Mania... maybe August 2011?  I need to get to CHILLER one of these days.

[Scatter]

I attended every Chiller from 1990-98, except for the April '98 show (that was the weekend my dad passed away). In fact, my Leatherface costume won the very first Chiller costume contest.
I used to do the shows with Femme Fatales magazine, then Dark Muse Publications, and then Horror Biz magazine. The year Chaos Comics hosted Halloween Party, I performed a 5th anniversary wedding vow renewal ceremony for Terry & Tracey West of Dark Muse. The next year, I performed artist Jeff Pitarelli's wedding (and Zacherley gave away the bride).
I moved from NJ to North Carolina after my dad died. I have been hoping to come back to Jersey for a Chiller for awhile now. Sadly, since breaking her hip in 2004, my mother's health has been steadily declining, to the point I couldn't leave her alone to make the trip. Which is why I'm so looking forward to the Mad Monster Party in March 2012. It'll only be 20 minutes away from where I live now, and neighbors can check in on my mother for me the few hours I'll be gone each day. It'll be my first horror con in 13 years!

Good for you CZ!! I know what it's like being chained to the house that way because someone is ill. You're more than happy to care for them, but it's so very nice to get out and have a little fun too!! God bless your mom, and God bless you for taking such good care of her.