31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN: BOB WILKINS LIVES! "Watch Horror Films... Keep America Strong!"

Bob began hosting horror in Sacramento on September 10, 1966.

Robert Gene Wilkins (1932-2009) was the antithesis of the traditional horror hosts that haunted television sets around the country; without an affected accent, costume or cape. Bob played himself on screen, he was one of "us", and his dry humor was his calling card. His cigar, a trademark, was picked up from his days working as a foreman in the steel mills of Indiana. But after a stint in the Korean War, the ghoul went west, where he became an ad man for Sacramento television station KRCA-3 in 1963.

Bob quickly became well known for his brilliant wit and sense of humor, and soon became the MC at the station's luncheons, awards shows and retirement ceremonies. On day in 1964, he was asked to fill in for the absentee host of the afternoon movie show, "Valley Playhouse". Station manager Tom Breen felt that they needed to put this kid on the air, and at 11:30 pm on September 10, 1966, they finally did. Bob later retorted, "See why the News comes first," (back then, most viewers turned off their sets at 11:30 pm).

As the late-night host of "Seven Arts Theater", Bob's first movie was Ishiro Honda's Attack of the Mushroom People (1963), and he opened the show by flipping through TV Guide, and telling viewers what their alternatives on the other channels were. The advertisers were pulling their hair out, but when the ratings came in on Monday morning... "Seven Arts Theater" and Wilkins were certified hits, and the station was flooded with phone calls and letters: everyone was throughly mad about Bob, who became an instant celebrity.

His last show on KCRA was broadcast on March 14, 1970, and was back on the air over at Sacramento's premiere UHF station, KTXL-40, with "The Bob Wilkins Double Horror Show" at a much earlier time slot. From May 9, 1970, he held court every on KTXL ever Saturday night (not including the occasional special written and produced by Wilkins) until February 14, 1981. After making the jump to KTXL, and with five years under his horror host belt, Bob was about to make another monstrous step.

Former KCRA manager Tim Breen had made the move to the San Francisco television market at KTVU-2, broadcasting out of Jack London Square in Oakland, California — and he wanted Wilkins. With some local fanfare, and against another local horror host ("Shock-It-To-Me Theater" with Asmodeus on KEMO-20), Bob brought his magic brand of droll humor and weird movies to the Bay Area with the 9:30 pm premiere of "Creature Features" on Saturday, January 9, 1971 with Del Tenny's The Horror of Party Beach (1964).

We were never the same again.

"Creature Features" started off airing before the 11 O'clock News in a 90-minute time slot, but within five months, the show jumped to full two-hours, and then expanded to a double-feature format on August 7, 1971. Introducing Monster From the Ocean Floor (1954), "This film is so bad, it was delivered to Channel 2 in a plain brown wrapper. No return address." On Target Earth (1954), "It's a story about an army of robots from Venus. Of course, Switzerland is known for their watches, and Venus has always been known for their robots."

There were great movies, too, as the show gained popularity KTVU (boasting itself as the Bay Area's Movie Station) went after as many great horror catalogues as they could lay their hands on, even though there was competition from the other local channels. Another asset was that Bob had guests, such as Forrest J Ackerman (Editor-in-Chief of Famous Monsters of Filmland), Sir Christopher Lee, Buster Crabb, Carmine Infantino, and other horror and pop culture celebrities, past and then-present.

By the mid-'70s, KTVU's show was so successful, that it would often beat network programming in the local ratings, such as Saturday Night Live. In 1976, "Creature Features" moved up to 8:00 pm, and then the show added an additional night on Fridays, starting at 11 pm on February 4, 1977. Bob Wilkins was unstoppable. Even Cleveland's mighty sicko, The Ghoul (aired over on KBHK-44), couldn't knock Bob and "Creature Features" off of their mantle. Of course, as rabid Monster Kids, we were in horror movie heaven.

There's a lot more to the story, but I'll save that for another time.

To those of us growing up in Northern California in the 1970s, Bob was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and "Creature Features" was the greatest local show ever made. I was so fortunate to get to know him and work with him while his shows were in their prime at KTVU-2. He was an idol to millions of Northern California kids (and some who got to see him from Honolulu to NYC during KTVU's brief stint as a "Super Station"). He was my hero, my mentor and my friend.

Counting down to Halloween this month, I'll be publishing a different Wilkins post, every day — so stay tuned! And don't forget to visit the official Bob Wilkins website!

Bob Wilkins lives!

CAN YOU FEATURE THAT AWFUL CREATURE? New Book Celebrates Horror Host Bob Wilkins

A creepy cryptful of moldy Bay Area Monster Kid memories!


New book that urges you to watch horror films, keep America strong!

If you grew up in Northern California during the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, chances are high that you were aware of legendary television host, Bob Wilkins, who became best known for hosting horror film packages on KCRA-3, KTXL-40 and most notably in the San Francisco Bay Area on KTVU-2's "Creature Features" — an incredible ratings sensation which became a local institution that routinely beat all the competition in its time slot, including network programming such as "Saturday Night Live." And he meant the world to a whole generation who grew up watching him on television. He was our horror hero!


Bob Wilkins Creature Features Freak Fan Club certificate, circa 1971.

A mild-mannered, but wryly hysterical, character hailing originally from Indiana, Bob found a job in California at Sacramento's KCRA-3, quickly became known for his wit and timing, and would be asked to host company luncheons, and other social functions. Eventually, he was put before the cameras, and by 1966, was the station's own "horror host," who rejected wearing a costume or cape — he just came on the air as himself. Armed with only a cigar, a rocking chair (to mask his stage nerves), and his off-the-cuff humor, Bob would tell viewers, "Tonight's movie is so bad, it was delivered to Channel 2 in a plain brown wrapper. No return address."


Classic TV Guide ad, November 30, 1968. Courtesy of Floyd Perry.

Bob's witticism was also reflected into the humorous and iconic ads featured weekly in the pages of the local "TV Guide" magazines, and fans would clip and save them in scrapbooks, like I did. Of course, over the years, such collections were lost or thrown out, ostensibly, to the sands of time. But, coming to the rescue is Tom Wyrsch's "Bob Wilkins in TV Guide" (Garfield Park, 2014), a terrific, 80-page compendium of ads for many of the horror films Bob hosted from 1966 to 1980. Each tongue-in-cheek ad is presented with the full page from original TV Guides and presented in chronological order (measuring 5.5" x 8.5" to preserve the original magazine size).


Mid-'70s ad, which seems bland until you see the station call letters.

In short, I love it — it's a treasure trove of memories for ads I fondly remember, and others I've completely forgotten, but am happy to see again for the first time in decades (I hope that more of these ads turn up). But, beware — while long-time fans of KTVU-2's immortal horror host and "Creature Features" will find it a must-have — "Bob Wilkins in TV Guide" is a limited-edition publication, so don't sit on your claws too long! Bob was a hero and mentor to me and (for better or worse) pushed me into this business (whatever that is), thus I will always be thankful for who he was and what he did, not only for me, but many others.

Bob Wilkins shall not die! 

Order your copy, now (operators are standing by)...

BOB WILKINS RECEIVES A RONDO! Inducted Into the "Monster Kid Hall of Fame"!

Classic publicity photo of Bob during his KTVU years.

Fellow Bob Wilkins & "Creature Features" Fans, it is my pleasure to proudly announce that our late, and much beloved, horror host, Bob Wilkins, has been inducted by the Rondo Awards this year, into the "Monster Kid Hall of Fame"! Bob joins this year's fellow inductees: Famous Monsters artist Ken Kelly, the late, great Lux Interior of The Cramps, legendary Spanish Horror star Paul Naschy, Jim and Marian Clatterbaugh, publishers of Monsters from the Vault magazine, and the late publisher of Castle of Frankenstein magazine, Calvin Beck.

For those who aren't familiar with him, Bob hosted horror films on KRCA-3 and KTXL-40 in Sacramento, and also in Oakland/San Francisco on KTVU-2 for more than twenty years, combined. Even though he left the airwaves more than twenty five years ago, he remains a legend to legions of fans in Northern California (including George Lucas and Tom Hanks), who grew up watching this mild-mannered, cigar-smoking host, introduce turkeys like The Vulture and Horror of Party Beach, as well as classics such as The Curse of Frankenstein and Kwaidan, with a sly, dry wit, and a wink to the viewer.

Bob was an inspiration to many, and helped those with whom he felt had talent—which doesn't explain me—but as someone who personally knew him during his peak years as a guest on his various shows, he not only gave me moral and financial support in producing some events (and my "Godzilla Fan Club"), but also inspired me that I could do anything. My story isn't special, really, because Bob showed that side of himself to many, many others. Most of whom, have gone on to successful careers in television, motion pictures, and other mediums—because Bob opened doors for them. He loved to give talent a boost, and for that, I thank him.

And now, I'd like to thank all of Bob's fans who lobbied for him to be recognized with this year's Rondo—and remember, "Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong"!


For a complete list of this year's recipients of the 2008 "Rondo Hatton Award for Excellence in Classic Horror", please visit their official website at Rondo Awards.

For more on Bob Wilkins, and a fan celebration taking place this weekend in Sacramento, please visit the Official Bob Wilkins Website.

BOB WILKINS (1932-2009) Popular Host of KTVU's "Creature Features"

Bob on the set of "Creature Features" at KTVU TV-2, circa 1971.

Bob Wilkins, the legendary and beloved host of KTVU's "Creature Features" has been suffering from advanced Alzheimer's for several years and saddled with rapidly declining health. Now, I am afraid to report that only four hours after I received word that his wife Sally, and Bob’s doctors, said that we should prepare for his passing, Robert Gene Wilkins, has left us. He's gone.

This is indeed sad, but inevitable news... His state was advanced and there was no hope to save him. Bob means a lot to me, not only as a legendary horror host I grew up with, but as a mentor. Man, Bob Wilkins was our hero — everyone at school talked about "Creature Features"! It was the greatest thing at the time — it's hard to explain the impact the show had on Bay Area viewers in the '70s. Especially the impact the show and its host, had on me — he was a personal friend, and like a father to me.

As a kid, I met Bob in the early '70s, and a few years later, was invited to be on his show to talk about Godzilla... I was only a kid, but Bob treated me like an adult, which was unlike most grown-ups. In fact, as nervous as I was (my leg was shaking the entire time), Bob asked me to come back to the show, to provide information on Japanese monster movies for "Creature Features." What a thrill, it seems so surreal now. In fact, I think it felt surreal back then, too. This too, is similarly, surreal.

When Bob launched the "Captain Cosmic" show in 1977, he invited me to come on the show to talk about THE SPACE GIANTS, and asked — a clueless teenager — for suggestions for other programs to run on "Cosmic." This was the kind of guy that Bob was. After the death of my Mom in early 1979 (my Dad was already deceased), Bob became like a surrogate family member, kept me in his thoughts, called me when he found opportunities for me, and put up the money to launch my short-lived "Godzilla Fan Club."

Bob phoned me one day, and told me to call a woman at Bill Graham Presents, who was looking for recordings of "monster sounds" to play before a Day on the Green concert. "The Monsters of Rock" (featuring AC/DC and Ted Nugent). So, I dubbed some sound effects from a couple of Japanese LPs, and was paid in cash and four backstage passes. Bob also offered an interview at KTVU to intern for a Cameraman position — which I turned down for fear of somehow blowing it and disappointing him.

Looking back on it now, Bob Wilkins was more than a surrogate family member, like an uncle, he was more like a father (well, a cool Step Dad, really). He means the world to me, and always will. Not for the shows he did, or being my favorite Horror Host of all time, but for the kind and generous man that he was, and will continue to be in my heart, for as long as I live.

Bob also meant a lot to so many others, more that you can imagine. So, if you were a fan of Bob Wikins and grew up with "Creature Features" and "Captain Cosmic" or were lucky enough to know him as a friend, please send your respects at his Official MySpace page or at the Official Bob Wilkins website — thank you.

Rest in Peace, Bob!
August Ragone
Your #1 Fan

Here's a classic Bob Wilkins Creature Features clip from the mid-'70s.

BOB WILKINS UPDATES: OBITUARIES & TRIBUTES

UPDATES (01/25/2008): The memorial service for Bob Wilkins on Saturday, January 24th at the Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland was very touching and also filled with much laugher and warm remembrances of Bob. One of them was that he begrudgingly attended Sunday Services with his wife and kids, and every week, he would fill out one of the comment cards found on the pews with "Get me out of here!" Another was that Bob would clip out interesting stories from the newspaper for his kids, and add his own one-line commentaries on them; one was a crime report about a Piedmont woman whose house was egged two nights in a row. Below the story, Bob wrote, "I guess Piedmont isn't all what it's cracked up to be."

Bob's children, Nancy and Rob, gave touching and funny eulogies, as did his widow, Sally. Nancy also sang "Unforgettable" with Rob on trumpet, and there was an excellent slideshow, sprinkled with video clips, representing a slice of Bob's truly wonderful life, which Sally described as being like Bob Clark's A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983). Some family and friends — and a couple of fans — were also invited to stand up and share some memories of Bob. Sure, there was reflection, sorrow, and tears. But, there was far more laugher that day, and I'm sure that's the way Bob would have wanted it, because he always wanted to see people happy, and he always wanted to make people laugh.

But, this is certainly not the end by any means. As John Stanley opened his eulogy at the memorial, "Bob Wilkins is not dead; he's alive in all of us!" And to underline this, "Creature Features" archivist Tom Wrysch announced that were will be two public extravaganzas to celebrate Bob Wilkins, one in Sacramento and the other in San Francisco, which will be large enough to accept the throngs of Bob Wilkins fans, and will be staged in the following months. The exact dates and venues to be announced — stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, a recently-completed documentary, WATCH HORROR FILMS: KEEP AMERICA STRONG, will be screened at WonderCon taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on February 27th—March 1st, with special guests participating and sharing their memories of the late, great Bob Wilkins. This event will also double as the DVD release of WATCH HORROR FILMS, which includes hours of extras, and copies of the documentary will be available for purchase at WonderCon.

The current issue of the San Jose Metro has published a lengthy and comprehensive feature on Bob Wilkins, which is required reading for fans and those who might not know who the "Creature Features" host was, and what made him tick. The Sacramento Bee published a wonderful piece, while other Nor Cal newspapers followed suit. January 9th's San Francisco Chronicle published a long and moving tribute, while Pat Craig's piece ran in several Bay Area papers, including The San Jose Mercury News and The Contra Costa Times.

There are also stories on several Nor Cal television station websites, including KTVU-2, KTXL-40 and KXTV-10 — please check them out for rare photos and clips. What I find amazing about these news stories, are the hundreds of responses on these respective websites, an outpouring of love for our host, which is a small indication of how popular and beloved Bob Wilkins remains — 28 years after he retired from television.

The first pair on online radio tributes for Bob Wilkins took place on Saturday evening, January 10th on the Rondo-Award winning Cult Radio A Go-Go with myself, John Stanley, Mr. Lobo, and Bob's webmaster, Scott Moon. You can download and listen to the show, here: CRAGG Bob Wilkins Tribute. On Monday evening, January 12th the The Joe Flynn Show dedicated their entire show to Bob Wilkins with clips and live chat.

For more information please visit the Official Bob Wilkins website.