On September 22, 1958, John Zacherley came to New York to host WABC's late-night weekend entry "Shock Theatre." He replaced off-camera host Scott Vincent. Zacherley would wear ghoulish makeup and a long black coat as he performed various scientific experiments in his on-camera laboratory. He became beloved to viewers both young and old and continued his fame by also hosting "Zacherley At Large," the replacement title for Shock Theatre. On October 16th, 1959, Zacherley came to local WOR-TV Channel 9 in New York City, hosting another late-night weekend horror entry, "Zacherley At 12."    

This episode includes the show's opening.                                                                                     

On September 22, 1958, John Zacherley came to New York to host WABC's late-night weekend entry "Shock Theatre." He replaced off-camera host Scott Vincent. Zacherley would wear ghoulish makeup and a long black coat as he performed various scientific experiments in his on-camera laboratory. He became beloved to viewers both young and old and continued his fame by also hosting "Zacherley At Large," the replacement title for Shock Theatre. In 1959, Zacherley came to local WOR-TV Channel 9 in New York City, hosting another late-night weekend horror entry, "Zacherley At 12."    

We hear the opening of the broadcast. Zacherley introduces tonight's film, "Werewolf Of London,"  which Zacherley states is pretty bad!                                         

October 9 - December 25, 1959


A complete episode with Zacherley entitled: "The Cardiff Giant." 

The show opens with Zacherley's signature ghoulish cry, yelling "Let Me Out Of Here." He discusses newspaper reviews, regarding last weeks live performance of the opera "All Quiet On The Balkan Front" by Ben Gross and Brooks Atkinson. Zacherley reminds his transfixed audience that he will be performing the project of the year-a "brain" transplant on the Cardiff Giant. Assembled are 14 brains (13 from men and 1 from a woman). Aided by quips and props, his on camera screen time is chillingly entertaining. There are songs, descriptive lectures and phone calls. This extremely rare soundtrack allows us to revisit "Zacherley at 12:00" and again enjoy what made him so unique on this local New York WOR Ch. 9 television late night series which lasted for only eleven episodes.                                       

October 9, 1959 - December 25, 1959 &
April 8, 1960 - July 1, 1960

John Zacherley, who became famous introducing horror films,and satirizing them on SHOCK THEATER / ZACHERLEY AT LARGE, on WABC TV, found a new home at WOR TV in October of 1959 and hosted "Zacherley at 12:00," a series initially lasting a little more  than two months, totaling 12 broadcasts from October 9 - December 25, 1959, and then returning for another 13 broadcasts in the Spring of 1960.

These WOR TV channel 9 ninety minute programs were presented on Friday Nights at Midnight, re-run (video tape) Saturday at noon, and re-run again, Saturday Night at Midnight, thru November 28, 1959.  

At his new WOR Ch. 9 berth, Zacherley remained a suave ghoulish monster from Cloud Transylvania, adding offbeat crazy humor to old "B" films which were edited to 60 minutes running time. The remaining 30 minutes of broadcast time was pure Zacherley. 

On this classic show Zacherley and the symphonic orchestra and Gypsy Band perform the opera "All Quiet On The Balkan Front." It celebrates the Victory of Transylvania over Bohemia in 1332. In tongue and cheek fashion, Zacherley sings and explains the story as it progresses in six minute segments, between commercials and the showing of the 1944 feature film, "Cry of the Warewolf," presented that evening. Songs include: "Transylvania We Do Or Die," "A Passivist I Will Always Be," "Oh Where Oh Where Has My Hairy Friend Gone?," "I Am A Vampire Now," and "You Are The One Dear For Me Dear." 

No video tapes and only a handful of excerpt kinescope clips from this WOR TV series of 25 programs survive (total of 12 & 1/2 hours of Zacherley 30 minute sketches broadcast), making this audio presentation a very rare retrospective, as well as  other air checks, from this series, preserved in the Archival Television Audio collection.                                                                                                                                 

October 9, 1959 - December 25, 1959 &
April 8, 1960 - July 1, 1960

John Zacherley, who became famous introducing horror films,and satirizing them on SHOCK THEATER / ZACHERLEY AT LARGE, on WABC TV, found a new home at WOR TV in October of 1959 and hosted "Zacherley at 12:00," a series initially lasting a little more  than two months, totaling 12 broadcasts from October 9 - December 25, 1959, and then returning for another 13 broadcasts in the Spring of 1960.

These WOR TV channel 9 ninety minute programs were presented on Friday Nights at Midnight, re-run (video tape) Saturday at noon, and re-run again, Saturday Night at Midnight, thru November 28, 1959.  

At his new WOR Ch. 9 berth, Zacherley remained a suave ghoulish monster from Cloud Transylvania, adding offbeat crazy humor to old "B" films which were edited to 60 minutes running time. The remaining 30 minutes of broadcast time was pure Zacherley. 

"Zacherley Runs For President."

Transylvania has just become the 51st state in the union, and thus motivates, Zacherley to run for the presidency.     Zacherley talks to John F. Kennedy on the phone and Richard Nixon on the phone. There are many "remotes" from the convention. Songs heard include, "Happy Days Are Here Again,"
"Hail, Hail,The Gang's All Here." Zach promotes Zacherley buttons and other campaign articles that viewers can purchase by sending $2.00 to New Jersey box office address.
30 Minutes COMPLETE. Direct line excellent sound quality.

No video tapes and only a handful of excerpt kinescope clips from this WOR TV series of 25 programs survive (total of 12 & 1/2 hours of Zacherley 30 minute sketches broadcast), making this audio presentation a very rare retrospective, as well as  other air checks, from this series, preserved in the Archival Television Audio collection.                                                                                                                                                           

Zacherley is seen live Friday at midnight. The taped show is then repeated at noon, on Saturday and on Saturday evening at midnight. 

This evening's episode is titled "Mummy From Egypt."

Zacherley has just returned with a 6,000-year-old mummy. He conducts a TV auction and calls are taken by Zacherley from Yonkers High School, the Chairman of the National Committee, The Postmaster General, Mayor of N.Y.C. Robert Wagner, and the Board of Health. In hilarious fashion Zacherley displays articles brought back from his epic Egyptian pilgrimage. He sings "I'll Never See Cairo Again," introduces his wife through sound effects and details his plan to activate the mummy and let him loose in Times Square. A last song is sung by Zacherley, "Floating Down The Nile" ending with Zacherley's memorable howl "Let Me Out Of Here."                          

October 9, 1959 - December 25, 1959 &
April 8, 1960 - July 1, 1960

"Club Budapest."
The Summary and details of this broadcast needs to be monitored.

John Zacherley, who became famous introducing horror films,and satirizing them on SHOCK THEATER / ZACHERLEY AT LARGE, on WABC TV, found a new home at WOR TV in October of 1959 and hosted "Zacherley at 12:00," a series initially lasting a little more  than two months, totaling 12 broadcasts from October 9 - December 25, 1959, and then returning for another 13 broadcasts in the Spring of 1960.

These WOR TV channel 9 ninety minute programs were presented on Friday Nights at Midnight, re-run (video tape) Saturday at noon, and re-run again, Saturday Night at Midnight, thru November 28, 1959.  

At his new WOR Ch. 9 berth, Zacherley remained a suave ghoulish monster from Cloud Transylvania, adding offbeat crazy humor to old "B" films which were edited to 60 minutes running time. The remaining 30 minutes of broadcast time was pure Zacherley. 

 

No video tapes and only a handful of excerpt kinescope clips from this WOR TV series of 25 programs survive (total of 12 & 1/2 hours of Zacherley 30 minute sketches broadcast), making this audio presentation a very rare retrospective, as well as  other air checks, from this series, preserved in the Archival Television Audio collection.                                                                                                                                              

October 9, 1959 - December 25, 1959 &
April 8, 1960 - July 1, 1960

Title of this episode is "Weather Balloon."
Summary and details of this broadcast needs to be monitored.

John Zacherley, who became famous introducing horror films,and satirizing them on SHOCK THEATER / ZACHERLEY AT LARGE, on WABC TV, found a new home at WOR TV in October of 1959 and hosted "Zacherley at 12:00," a series initially lasting a little more  than two months, totaling 12 broadcasts from October 9 - December 25, 1959, and then returning for another 13 broadcasts in the Spring of 1960.

These WOR TV channel 9 ninety minute programs were presented on Friday Nights at Midnight, re-run (video tape) Saturday at noon, and re-run again, Saturday Night at Midnight, thru November 28, 1959.  

At his new WOR Ch. 9 berth, Zacherley remained a suave ghoulish monster from Cloud Transylvania, adding offbeat crazy humor to old "B" films which were edited to 60 minutes running time. The remaining 30 minutes of broadcast time was pure Zacherley. 

No video tapes and only a handful of excerpt kinescope clips from this WOR TV series of 25 programs survive (total of 12 & 1/2 hours of Zacherley 30 minute sketches broadcast), making this audio presentation a very rare retrospective, as well as  other air checks, from this series, preserved in the Archival Television Audio collection.                                                                                                                                              

September 1st, 1963-May 1st, 1966 (WPIX-TV)

John Zacherle (Zacherley) was the host of the Mighty Hercules cartoon that aired on WPIX-TV Channel 11 weekdays in New York City. Canadian born actor Jimmy Tapp provided the voice of Hercules. Other voices heard were Gerry Bascombe and Helene Nickerson.

Host: John Zacherle 

NOTE: No episodes of this series are known to exist.                                   

September 1st, 1963-May 1st, 1966 (WPIX-TV)

John Zacherle (Zacherley) was the host of the Mighty Hercules cartoon that aired on WPIX-TV Channel 11 weekdays in New York City. Canadian born actor Jimmy Tapp provided the voice of Hercules. Other voices heard were Gerry Bascombe and Helene Nickerson.

Host: John Zacherle 

NOTE: No episodes of this series are known to exist.                                                

September 1st, 1963-May 1st, 1966 (WPIX-TV)

John Zacherle (Zacherley) was the host of the Mighty Hercules cartoon that aired on WPIX-TV Channel 11 weekdays in New York City. Canadian born actor Jimmy Tapp provided the voice of Hercules. Other voices heard were Gerry Bascombe and Helene Nickerson.

Host: John Zacherle 

NOTE: No episodes of this series are known to exist.