Sunday, March 17, 2024

Tarantula Ghoul

 I was curious if Bing/Co-pilot could find anything.

They could.

"Tarantula Ghoul, whose real name was Suzanne Waldron, was an American actress, television hostess, and musician. She gained fame as the enigmatic host of the cult favorite program House of Horror on the Portland-based television station KPTV between 1957 and 1959. Let me share some intriguing details about her:

"House of Horror: Tarantula Ghoul hosted the late-night program House of Horror, which aired at 10:30 pm on Wednesdays. The show featured campy B-rated horror films, satirical comedic segments, and other spooky elements. Tarantula Ghoul introduced the films, adding her unique flair to the horror genre. The show also included other memorable characters like the grave robber-turned-gardener Milton, a boa constrictor named Baby, and her pet tarantula, Sir Galahad.

"Musical Ventures: Alongside her hosting duties, Tarantula Ghoul recorded music. She collaborated with her backing band, the Gravediggers, and released the single “King Kong” in 1958. Another track, “Graveyard Rock”, became associated with Halloween-themed music and remains popular to this day.

"Inspirations and Legacy: The concept of Tarantula Ghoul’s character drew inspiration from Vampira, portrayed by actress Maila Nurmi. Vampira’s show, The Vampira Show, had been successful in Los Angeles before its cancellation, inspiring stations across the United States to create similar ghoulish-themed programs. Tarantula Ghoul’s persona, with her striking resemblance to the fictional matriarch Morticia Addams, captured the imagination of viewers.

"Life Beyond Tarantula Ghoul: After the cancellation of House of Horror, Suzanne Waldron continued her acting career in the 1960s and 1970s. She occasionally revived her Tarantula Ghoul persona but chose to focus on stage acting and voiceover work. Tragically, she passed away in June 1982 from colon cancer at the age of 50.

"Although no known footage of House of Horror exists today, Tarantula Ghoul’s legacy lives on as a memorable figure in the world of horror television and music."

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