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The Video TapeWorm is a syndicated
video-release feature of the Louisville Eccentric Observer. LEO is not
responsible for the content of this site. |
|
| On October 19, 2002, The Video TapeWorm presented its first ever Cinema Event, the Swingin' Seventies Satan-A-Thon; an old-time movie double feature at the Baxter Avenue Theaters in Louisville, Ky., featuring the works of Louisville's own William Girdler. Our friend, John McDonald, began the evening with a few words about the history of The Worm and its impact in the affairs of 20th-century man. After waking the crowd, Demon Dave Conover wrestled the mike away and introduced the first of the evening's guests, Girdler biographer Patty Breen. Her moment of glory was cut short, however, by the arrival of Wild Bill Raker, dressed as the evening's designated sacrificial virgin, trying to get someone to zip up his dress. Lost in chaos, Patty introduced the evening's special guest, "Abby" star Carol Speed and entertainment ensued. First on the bill was a rare showing of "Abby," not seen in Louisville since its premier in 1976. The print, despite being scratched and faded, was riotously received by the enthusiastic crowd, many of them seeing the infamous blaxploitation "Exorcist" rip-off for the first time on the big screen. During a momentary break to change reels, VHS copies of the movie were given away, and the viewing concluded with a standing ovation for Carol Speed. A brief intermission followed, with Carol and Patty signing autographs and hocking merchandise in the lobby, while guests and attendees reminisced and a souvenier Satan-A-Thon t-shirt was accidentally purchased (a small number of them are still available elsewhere on this site). The former Mrs. William Girdler and son, William Girdler Jr., graciously offered stories of the late filmmeister to the myriad well-wishers assembled, including "Asylum of Satan" co-star Claude Wayne Fulkerson and a handful of bit-players who had come, hoping for freebies. Standing guard over a table of priceless Girdler posters and other paraphenalia, Demon Dave regailed the fans with humorous anectdotes, some of them true. Meanwhile, inside the darkened theater, Wild Bill annoyed the crowd while a reel of '70s trailers ran, including some for such Girdler classics as "Day of the Animals" and "Grizzly." Finally, after a beer-induced technical glitch, the final event of the evening began: an extremely rare 30-year old 35mm print of "Asylum of Satan", Girdler's first film. The crowd laughted at each badly-done special effect, choked on each morsel of bad acting, and danced to each burst of '70s whackatta-guitar licks until midnight, when the film's climactic Black Mass unfolded. But then, just as the credits began to roll, a cloud of sulphurous smoke heralded the arrival of Satan, Himself! Sacrificial virgin Bill searched for the exit as a red spotlight caught the wooly-coated Evil One jumping from out of the screen into the packed theater! Only two things saved the crowd: The Official Soul Protectors printed on the back of each program, and the Devil's well-known fondness for sophmoric guitar music. Caught up in the frenzy of disco-like rythums and cries of terror from blond-bewigged Bill, The Devil boogied his way back down to the stage, ending in a blasphemous buck-and-wing with Bill -- only to be revealed as none other than Demon Dave, himself, in a rubber mask. A good time was had by all. 
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