CLASSIC HORROR CAMPAIGN

In my most humble opinion, recently the horror genre has taken a bit of a nose dive where the media is concerned. Well, what was the last great spooky slice of cinema you watched, huh? How many years ago did a silver-screened vampire take a bite out of your day? That's what I'd like to know. And that's what my mate Richard would like to know too. Here, check out this conversation we had only the other night, whilst rubbing ourselves down with garlic and preparing to kick nocturnal ass.

1) What are your own origins Richard? And what inspired you to develop www.classichorrorcampaign.com?   I was born in London, and have lived and worked in the UK, Australia, and the USA. I now live in Brighton -- on the UK's south coast -- and host a regular series of cult film screenings and classic horror film festivals in London, Brighton, and elsewhere in the UK.

The Classic Horror Campaign grew from a sense of frustration at the lack of classic horror, science-fiction, and fantasy films on television -- an entire cultural legacy becoming lost to an entire generation. I first started our online petition, then the website, facebook page, twitter account, and now host a series of regular classic horror double bill screenings at the Roxy Bar & Screen in London.

Recently I also organised the hugely successful Frighten Brighton Classic Horror Film Festival in Brighton co-hosted by Scare Sarah and leading UK scream queen Emily Booth.

2) In your own words how would you describe your website?   A nostalgic delight, celebrating the best in classic horror and bringing the heritage of horror to audiences of ALL ages.

3) If ‘CHC’ was a piece of music or an object, what would it be and why?   It would be the painting of Dorian Gray -- because while it ages in the attic, the classic horror films remain fresh and new on our TV screens, in our movie theatres and on our computer screens.

4) Has your site had any media recognition?   Yes -- in horror magazines and websites, blogs etc. It has also been featured on BBC One's 'Points Of View' television program and mentioned in 'The Guardian' national newspaper.

5) What odor would your campaign omit if it gave off a scent?   Patchouli oil, or perhaps wine & roses.

6) Could you list your top five all time favorite horror movies?   Ouch! That's way too difficult, as there are just so many great horror films, and my opinions wax and wane depending upon my mood. If I were to recommend 5 classic horror films to introduce someone to the genre, I may go for: The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935) - Cat People (1942) - Horror of Dracula (1958) - Tales From The Crypt (1972) - The Exorcist (1973)

7) What was the first horror movie you ever saw? And how do feel about the current horror movie industry?   I can't remember the first horror movie I ever saw. I remember watching creepy British kids TV like 'Sky', 'Shadows' and "Children of the Stones' -- which were all pretty scary as well as the BBC2 Saturday night horror double bills and Sci-Fi movie seasons which screened films like 'Them!', 'Dracula (1931)' and 'The Mummy (1932)'. But no. I can't remember which was the first horror film I ever saw.

8) If your website was a singleton looking for a date, who would this date be, and why would they want to date this person?   Our date would be Caroline Munro, as she epitomises the silver age of classic horror, sci-fi and fantasy (the seventies - our favorite era!) she is still sexy today and is one of the kindest, funniest, and most warm-hearted ladies of horror.

9) What is the most popular section on your site?   The most popular sections tend to be the classic horror movie & TV reviews and the News From The Crypt page.

Now thank you for your time Richard. That was much appreciated mate. I'm sure that my dear readers would sign your petition, check out www.classichorrorcampaign.com, and do the tweet-tweet / face-face thing too. So go on. Click-Click. Or else cinema will be as stale as a soggy zombie singing Sinatra in the Thames.