A Kiss is Still a Kiss- Unless It’s the “Kiss of the Vampire”- Tonight!

Tonight-it’s yet another of our most requested offerings from the “Video Vault”- we hang some out-of-season mistletoe over your television set for the “Kiss of the Vampire”! In this smooching scare from the British Hammer studios, we open on a burial that is interrupted by a gentleman who appears to be operating in true Van Helsing mode. Then- a young newly-married couple traveling through a remote European forest, run into some car trouble with an empty gas tank (yes, they had cars during this era- but obviously not ones with well-filled tanks !) The nearest place to stay while they try to get their car refueled is an inn- with no one else staying in it, other than a fine layer of dust. It isn’t very reassuring when the innkeeper’s wife bluntly admits “nobody comes here anymore”! However, the area isn’t completely without inhabitants- a local powerful aristocrat is well aware of the young couple’s presence, and invites them to dine with his family at their palatial chateau- and, as the night progresses, his family members watch the couple carefully, ply them with somewhat suspicious drinks, and entertain them with some strangely hypnotic music. It all has an effect on the young bride, almost putting her into a trance! Though their host, the aristocratic Dr. Ravna, generously can arrange for an emergency shipment of petrol to refill their car’s tank, before it can arrive- the young groom is sent into a mad world of denial, as Ravna sets his sights on the bride- as the newest recruit for his army of- vampires! Can a mysterious vampire hunter step in to help the distraught young man save his fair newlywed wife from becoming one of the undead? You know if it’s a Hammer vampire film, there’ll be lurid color, including red blood-and dark sinister action. This 1963 film, also known as “Kiss of Evil”, was another attempt by Hammer to do a vampire film without Dracula- Christopher Lee- much like “Brides of Dracula”. The cast does include Clifford Evans, who will appear again on our show in a couple of weeks in “Curse of the Werewolf”- another Hammer horror- and we’ll have information on him and other cast members, along with some Sven segments we always get requests for- including certain faux feathered friend who made it to the “As Seen on TV” shelves pretty quickly, and another edition of a parody of a certain bearded family from down south who would probably try to shoot the previously mentioned winged wonder. “Kiss of the Vampire” plants one on you at 10 pm eastern and pacific, 9 pm central, and check local listings for when it airs in your area. In Chicago, viewers will get one more look at Lon Chaney Jr as “Son of Dracula” at 11 am on our sister station WCIU, the U. We are just one week away from all the fun of Flashback Weekend- remember, I’ll be there TWO days this year- with the special family day on Sunday, with me hosting “Mad Monster Party” and having some audience participation fun that you could be a part of- and, of course , my usual Saturday agenda of signing autographs- make sure you get in line early, so you won’t get there when the line has to be cut-followed by me m.c.ing the always outstanding costume contest. Find all the info on our site under “appearances”. Later this month, my alter ego Rich Koz again helps m.c. a joint Lincoln Park Zoo/ Brookfield Zoo event- Bowling for Rhinos! The actual bowling option may already be sold out, but you can still come and watch, with a donation to the cause, and meet me, enter the raffles for all sorts of great merchandise- and- very possibly meet the appropriately named pro wrestler Rhyno! We’ll post information soon!

Just a quick salute to Rowdy Roddy Piper who just passed away,another victim of cardiac arrest,sadly.Rod survived cancer and other obstacles,which makes his passing even sadder.He was always very kind to me, including sending me a motivating message after,ironically,my last heart attack.He was a wrestling icon,an actor,and a quick wit- but most of all a good guy and a loving family man.

Join us tonight on MeTV for some vampiric canoodling- let's hope the participants can kiss- and ( live to )tell about it later!