For those mourning Bill Bowman's passing, there's a lovely documentary available on the man, and his alter-ego, the Bowman Body, which is certain to warm the heart.
Horse Archer Production's Hi There Horror Movie Fans!, written by Sam Kotz, who directed with Chris Valluzzo, is hosted by Cinema Insomnia's Mr. Lobo, who leads viewers on a comprehensive journey through Bowman's career. As such, the presentation is filled with touching interviews and fond footage of the revered, Virginian host in his famous element.
Through archival footage, Bowman explains how he initially desired to be a DJ, and for a couple years in the 1950s, succeeded as such, until entering television in a behind-the-scenes capacity.
Bowman's story then takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles into a Richmond, Virginia-based, horror-host gig, and the rest is history.
The tennis-shoed/band-aid-clad Bowman Body and WXEX's Shock Theatre soon became the beloved, Friday-night norm for avid viewers, and Bowman's fans appear in a queue of segments that tell how the character uplifted them, instilling a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Many of the segments stem from the 1970s and are enhanced by nifty, cartoon strips by Keith Van Allen and Ed Vance, with endearing, Monster Kid inserts, featuring creepy collectibles from the time period. However, Bowman's catchy witticisms; personal appearances; comical clashes with Tom Blalock's Mummy; the Don Harmon/Richard Mann novelty record; and the little, coffin prop, which held Bowman's ukulele, constitute the documentary's sentimental core.
Fans hold Bill Bowman near and dear to their hearts. Hi There Horror Movie Fans! is a love letter to him, and therefore, his fans: a tender tribute to a kind, creative gent who made a special, pop-cultural impact that few could hope to match.
(One can watch Hi There Horror Movie Fans! via Cinema Insomnia with Mr. Lobo, per ROKU on the OSI 74 Channel and on Amazon Fire TV.)
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