Cover of 1998 program379 viewsThe night before the Marathon, the Grandview staff and I were at the theater decorating until around 3am. I went home, hastily assembled the program (which shows), drove out to Bexley to drop it off at the main office, almost crashed from sleep-deprivation on the way there, and finally snagged a few hours of sleep. (Neff)
Flier for 1998 Marathon489 views*The first SHOCKTOBERFEST was enough of a success to warrant a second go at it the following year. By this time, I had replaced Tim Martin (who had departed for the newly opened Marcus Cinemas Pickerington) as manager of the Drexel Grandview. I subsequently took over the bulk of the organizing and booking with Jeff Frank.
*This was the first Columbus Marathon to be emceed by someone other than Bruce. Yes, the experience was petrifying.
*The print of KUNG-FU CANNIBALS (which we later found out to be the 1982 Cameron Mitchell actioner RAW FORCE) was to emanate from the vaults of Hollywood sleaze maven Johnny Legend. However, at the last minute Johnny could not find the print. Hence, we replaced it with the Ohio Premiere of SIX STRING SAMURAI.
*The lobby theme (and staff costumes) for this year was the Miskatonic University 13th Anniversary Class Reunion.
*This was the first Marathon where I booked THE HUNGER as part of the lineup (it also screened at the 2003 NIGHTMARE AT STUDIO 35.) In subsequent years, a vocal minority has developed that believes I keep booking THE HUNGER out of spite for the audience, and that I spend my weekends watching it and SUSPIRIA back to back in a loop. That supposition is only half correct. (Neff)
