Home > The Rites of Shocktoberfest (1997-1998)

Most viewed - The Rites of Shocktoberfest (1997-1998)
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Interior of 1998 program502 views
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A classic Drexel Grandview crew profile501 views(From L to R) Joe Neff (as Zombie Pimp), Tim Martin, Maya Frank (now Sayre), Julie Beegan, Julie's then-boyfriend Chris (don't remember his last name, as we always called him Orange.)
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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)
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Back of flier for 1998 Marathon465 views
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The Ladies of the Drexel Grandview461 views(From L to R) Julie Beegan, Maya Frank (now Sayre), Sarah McKinney. You may remember Julie from the ticket table at several of the Studio 35 Marathons. Maya played the infamous Head Nurse at the beginning of the 1998 Bride of Shocktoberfest Marathon. (Neff)
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Flier for 1997 Marathon435 views*In the fall of 1997, Jeff Frank approached Tim Martin (who was managing the Drexel Grandview at the time) with an idea: he wanted to screen TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 4 that October and subsequently asked Tim to throw together a double feature with it and another film. Tim approached Marc Heuck (then employed at the Drexel and still several years away from BEAT THE GEEKS stardom) and I for help, and naturally, we collectively expanded the idea to a mini-all nighter.
*I stole the event's title from a 1992 HOOT article (which is located in that Horror Marathon's section) which referred to it being "Shock-tober" at the Drexel North. Thanks Irv.
*At the last minute, we found out the print of RE-ANIMATOR was lost in Europe, so we ended up screening ARMY OF DARKNESS instead. We'd make up for it the following year.
*Bruce emceed the event for us.
*We had two major gimmicks as part of this event. During the appropriate moment in THE TINGLER, several plants in the audience pulled the old "snake in a nut can" prank, and another few members "fainted" and had to be carried out. During TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 4, we posted Tim Martin's nephew outside the exit door near the Grandview's screen. At a dull moment in the film (I know, who woulda thunk it?) he ran up the aisle with a running chainsaw (sans chain for safety reasons.) It definitely gave the audience a jolt, and ranks as one of the best gimmicks in Marathon history.
*Incidentally, during this Marathon I told all my friends that after co-organizing one real life Marathon, I was done with the behind the scenes work and would be permanently returning to my role as audience member. HA! (Neff)
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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)
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BRIDE OF SHOCKTOBERFEST ticket378 views
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Tim Martin (then-Grandview manager) as the world's scariest M&M341 views
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Back cover of 1998 program303 views
   
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