Bob Wilkins was a warm and knowledgeable individual, an unassuming horror host who showed products of both the cream-of-the-crop and "misunderstood" variations.
From the Cinema Insomnia/Mr. Lobo site, I just purchased Up Late with Bob Wilkins: A Horror Fan Tribute on DVD, a satisfying documentary written/directed by Bob Wyrsch, which details Wilkins' San Francisco-based Creature Features phenomenon. Under Wilkins' meticulous tutelage, his version of Creature Features ran a prosperous eight years, from 1971 - 1979.
Not only does this affectionate documentary reference the imagi-movies that Wilkins hosted (Night of the Living Dead, Carnival of Souls, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, The Creeping Terror, Horror Express, The Horror of Party Beach, Man with the X-ray Eyes, Target Earth, The Giant Spider Invasion, King Kong vs Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Werewolf of London, Bride of Frankenstein, Lady Frankenstein, et al), but highlights such significant personalities as Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Forrest J Ackerman, Gene Roddenberry, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Bruce Hyde, Bjo Trimble, Buster Crabbe, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Kirk Alyn, Roy Thinnes, Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, George Segal, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Jim Nabors, Gary Owens, Ralph Bakshi, Carmine Infantino, Bob Clampett, Jon Provost, Scott Moon, Eric Yee, Robert Napton, Tom Khamis, Harry Martin, David Bellard, Miss Misery, John Stanley, Steve "Zetro" Sousa, Vincent Van Dahl, Livingston, Tangella and yes, even the grandest of the grand, Mr. Lobo, who as an impressionable youth, learned from one of the iconic best.
Wilkins' calm, cool wit, combined with his displays of viewer gifts, made Creature Features an identifiable commodity for those fortunate enough to have absorbed it. For those who haven't experienced Wilkins' laid-back charm, Wyrsch's salute gives a hearty, feature-length view of the man, his craft and why folks still reminisce upon his splendid, Saturday-night sojourns.
I recommend Up Late with Bob Wilkins to anyone who loves horror hosts, horror movies, or merely has a big, nostalgic heart.
Purchase this archival treat at
https://cinemainsomnia.com/
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