Welcome, brave explorers of sound and mystery! Today, we’re plunging into the deep, eerie waters of television and music history to uncover the story of a true legend: John Zacherle, the original “Cool Ghoul.” From his unforgettable role as a horror host to his hit novelty records, Zacherle’s spooky antics have entertained fans for decades. So, fasten your seat belts—or should I say, your crypt lids—and get ready as we unearth the legacy of this master of ghoulish humor!
John Zacherle, affectionately known as “The Cool Ghoul,” was a towering figure in the worlds of horror television and novelty music, bringing a delightful mix of spookiness and humor to fans for decades. Born on September 26, 1918, in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Zacherle had a life as fascinating as the ghoulish characters he portrayed on screen. After earning his degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania and serving in World War II, Zacherle returned to his hometown and embraced a career in acting, which would ultimately lead him down an unexpected yet iconic path.
Zacherle’s journey into entertainment began in Philadelphia, where he joined the repertory theater company Stagecrafters in Chestnut Hill after the war. This marked the start of his transition from a soldier serving in South Africa and Europe to an actor eager to take on the stage and, later, television. In 1954, he earned his first television role at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, taking on various acting gigs before landing what would become his most legendary role.
In October 1957, Zacherle took on the role that would forever cement his place in television history. WCAU-TV hired him to host Shock Theater, a program featuring classic horror films. As the host, Zacherle adopted the persona of “Roland,” a ghoulish undertaker who resided in a crypt with his unseen wife “My Dear” and lab assistant Igor. His macabre sense of humor, dark attire, and spooky persona captivated audiences, making Shock Theater an instant hit.
Zacherle’s close relationship with Philadelphia broadcasting giant Dick Clark further elevated his profile. Clark affectionately gave him the nickname “The Cool Ghoul,” a fitting title for a man who made horror entertaining. He even filled in for Clark on the American Bandstand road tours, showing that Zacherle’s talents extended far beyond the crypt.
The success of Shock Theater soon caught the attention of TV executives in New York, and Zacherle made the move to the Big Apple in 1958, just after CBS purchased WCAU. With this transition, his persona evolved from Roland to Zacherley, though he retained the same signature blend of ghoulish humor. In New York, Zacherle hosted Shock Theater, Zacherley at Large, and Chiller Theatre, delighting fans with his dark, tongue-in-cheek style.
Zacherle even hosted a teen dance party show titled Disc-O-Teen and animated cartoons on WPIX-TV, all while continuing to cultivate his spooky but lovable image. His contributions to television earned him a place in the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2010, a testament to his lasting impact on the world of horror entertainment.
In 1958, with the help of his friend Dick Clark, Zacherle ventured into music, releasing “Dinner with Drac” on Cameo Records. The record was a smashing success, reaching #6 on the Billboard charts. Preceding Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” by four years, Zacherle’s music captured the spirit of the era, blending rock and roll with horror-inspired lyrics. Zacherle’s persona as “The Cool Ghoul” proved to be a perfect fit for the novelty record scene.
One of his standout musical contributions was the album Monster Mash, released in 1964 under the Wyncote label. The album featured tracks such as “Hurry Bury Baby,” “Let’s Twist Again (Mummy Time Is Here),” and “Gravy (With Some Cyanide),” blending humor and horror into a unique listening experience. His dark yet playful take on these songs showcased Zacherle’s ability to bring even the most morbid subject matter to life with a comedic twist.
On the back cover of the Monster Mash album, fans are treated to a fictional interview with Zacherle himself, adding an extra layer of eerie humor to the experience. The interview is a perfect encapsulation of Zacherle’s offbeat wit:
Interviewer: I would like to thank you Mr. Zacherle for granting me this interview.
Zacherle: Speak up boy, I can’t hear you.
Interviewer: Well, sir, if you’d turn off that cement mixer, maybe …
Zacherle: Oh, forgive me, but I’m having quite a large gathering here tonight and I must finish this monster mash hash!
Interviewer: You’re making dinner with a cement mixer?
Zacherle: Oh, yes, my guests have ravenous appetites. H’mmm, delicious-possibly just a touch more of Black Widow Spiders.
Interviewer: According to my records, Mr. Zacherle, you were born 150 years ago in …
Zacherle: No, it was 200 years ago and I wasn’t born—let’s say, I was belched forth from the graveyard.
Interviewer: All right, you were belched forth 200 years ago in Transylvania. In school you excelled in all the “Black Arts” …
Zacherle: Yes, I made Phi Beta Draca in my 3rd year at “Ghoulege”. Would you hand me that jar of gravestone chippings. Hmm, and hand me that hand, it looks delicious.
Interviewer: Sir, that’s my hand! Can we please get on with the interview?
Zacherle: After I received my “monsters degree”, I made my way into the mortal world.
Interviewer: Is that when show biz beckoned you?
Zacherle: Yes, I had my own TV shows and also made many network appearances.
Interviewer: And soon you became America’s number one “spook” spokesman. Now, about this new “Monster Mash” smash record album of yours… how did that come about?
Zacherle: Well, the “twist” may be new to mortals, but it’s old to ghouls. My fiendish friends have been doing a pretty wild twist since time began. Great Goblins, I’m running short of blood. Count Dracula will burst a blood vessel! I hope it isn’t mine.
Interviewer: Gee, what a natural or should I say supernatural, to have Zacherle, himself, record the weird versions of the big hits made famous by the real live teenage artists of our day. Well, Mr. Zacherle, thank you very much for this interview.
Zacherle: Going so soon, I was planning on you for dinner.
Interviewer: No thanks, I’ve eaten already.
Zacherle: But my friends haven’t eaten yet.
Interviewer: Please sir, put me down. No, no-don’t throw me into that cement mix …
Zacherle: That’s show biz!
This playful, spooky dialogue, filled with Zacherle’s signature dark humor, invites listeners into his world where even the macabre is just another excuse for a good laugh.
Zacherle’s influence extended far beyond television and music. His pioneering blend of humor, horror, and hosting has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, particularly in the realm of late-night horror and sci-fi programming. Zacherle’s style paved the way for an entire generation of horror hosts who would take up the mantle of campy, spooky fun. Icons like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, with her sultry, sarcastic humor, and Svengoolie, who continues the tradition of tongue-in-cheek commentary, are direct spiritual successors to Zacherle’s “Cool Ghoul” persona.
Count Gore De Vol, another beloved figure in horror hosting, adopted Zacherle’s knack for engaging with viewers in a playful yet macabre way, while shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) borrowed from Zacherle’s tradition of riffing on classic horror and sci-fi films with biting humor. His influence is still felt in countless horror hosts who continue to bring old-school spookiness with a modern twist to audiences late at night.
Though John Zacherle passed away on October 27, 2016, his legacy remains strong. From his ghoulish antics on TV to his novelty records and memorable appearances, Zacherle remains a cherished icon of American pop culture, especially in the realm of horror and Halloween. His work reminds us all that even the scariest things in life can be approached with a little humor and a lot of heart, inspiring generations of hosts to keep the “spooky fun” alive.
And so, our journey through the chilling, yet hilarious world of John Zacherle comes to an end. Whether he was sending shivers down our spines on late-night TV or giving us a good laugh with his eerie records, Zacherle’s influence is undeniable. His work lives on in the spooky shows and hosts we still enjoy today. Thanks for joining me as we dove deep into the life of this horror legend. Until our next adventure, keep those ears sharp and your curiosity alive—there’s always more to discover in the world of sound!
Sources:
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Cracked Rear Viewer. “Television Archives: Page 4.” Cracked Rear Viewer, crackedrearviewer.wordpress.com/category/television/page/4/.
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Norman, Dalton. “10 Most Influential TV Horror Hosts of All Time.” Screen Rant, 21 Mar. 2022, screenrant.com/most-influential-tv-horror-hosts-all-time/.
Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
LIFE Magazine, vol. 44, no. 21, 26 May 1958, pp. 63-64, 68.
“John Zacherle – Monster Mash.” Discogs, www.discogs.com/release/15176700-John-Zacherle-Monster-Mash.
Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
