Chicago’s Music Box Theatre has been hosting these 24-hour marathons since 2005, and I have been at every one of them. There were a few times I was just there as a fan to watch the movies, but usually I’m there as a vendor. When I am set up as a vendor, part of me always regrets not just coming as a fan and being able to enjoy watching the films instead of staying behind my table. Sure, with my wife Dawn there, I could always sneak out to catch a  film or two, but I usually feel bad about leaving her there to watch the table alone. Plus, I always feel I might miss something. We also usually pack and leave somewhere around 2am, figuring sales are usually low or non-existent by then. But this time out, things were a little different.

First of all, this year’s marathon actually sold out, which it hasn’t done in a long time. The line to get in was already forming when we arrived at 9am to get set up. It always thrills me to know there are that many die-hard and dedicated fans that want to come out to watch these films.

I think it’s great when a place really embraces the Halloween and horror season and decorate accordingly. When I first when in to use the bathroom, for a split second, I thought there was a serious problem, but it just showed how “into” this whole horror thing the Music Box was, even decorating their bathrooms with little beasties. A very nice touch!

The other change was that I actually got to watch 4 of the 13 films featured in the lineup. This year, Dawn pressed me to go enjoy some of the movies and I did just that, starting with the very first feature, Goke Bodysnatcher from Hell (1968). It had to be over two decades since I’ve last viewed this movie, not to mention ever thinking I would have the opportunity to see it on the big screen. Such a fun movie and even better seeing it with a packed theater.

After Goke, my viewing thirst was quenched for a bit and I stayed by the table through the next few features. I would pop my head in every now and then and check out what was playing but for the most part stayed behind the table. The one thing that I really love about being a dealer is getting to talk to the different people coming to the table. These are the conversations that make it all worthwhile. Whether it is recommending a book to them, talking about one of their favorites, or maybe even about the film they just watched, it is always a great time. Even when we have a difference of opinion, it is the dialogue that makes it always interesting.

Kevin J. O’Connor was appearing at the event, doing a Q&A after his film Lord of Illusions (1995), as well as the short film Blame it on Toby (2018), which was making it’s Midwest Premiere here at the marathon. I met Kevin a few years ago at one of the many cons we go to and we seemed to keep bumping into each other at different shows, though it has been a few years since our last meeting, so it was great to see him again, even if only for a few minutes. There seemed to be a few fans that wanted to meet him, which he graciously did in the lounge area.

O’Connor is an incredibly talented actor, usually bringing a nice sense of humor to his roles, such as in Deep Rising (1998) or The Mummy (1999). His has this ability to transform himself into different characters, usually unique or eccentric, but always entertaining. His Q&A was very a lot of fun.

There was one film in the lineup that I seen back when it first came out and loved it, but find it pretty dark and honestly hard to watch, which is the 2008 film The Children. Much like Devil Times Five (1974) and Who Can Kill A Child? (1976), when you have children as the killers, it can be pretty unsettling at times, especially when you have to take out one of the little bastards. Director Tom Shankland handles the subject here with style but still making it chill you to the bones. The bits that I watched when I popped into the theater, had the best crowd reaction, which showed how effective the film is. Seek this one out, if you haven’t seen it.

Don Mancini, the man really responsible for not only writing the entire Child’s Play series, but also directing the last three films as well, was also in attendance, for a 30th Anniversary screening of Chucky’s first feature! That’s right, folks…30 years. Usually in a film series, when you’ve gotten to the seventh entry, they are pretty much a waste of time. But I really enjoyed the last two Chucky films, especially the last one, Cult of Chucky, where Mancini showed some pretty amazing cinematography. Mancini came out after the screening for a Q&A which was both funny and informative.

The next film was one title that I wanted to make sure I was able to catch, which was one of my all-time favorites, Dario Argento’s Opera (1987). Once again, Dawn told me to get my butt in there, which is exactly what I did. Not only was this my first time seeing this on the big screen, this was also a very rare Italian language print, that came from Argento’s own personal film vault. Such a treat.

Usually at this point, we would be packing up and heading home, to at least get a little bit of sleep before the sun came up. But there were a couple more features that I really wanted to see on the big screen, Body Melt (1993) and Wicked, Wicked (1973). After Opera, they were screening Freddy vs Jason (2003) and then Sleepaway Camp 2 (1988), which I didn’t care to see. So earlier, while Child’s Play was on, Dawn headed out to the van to catch an hour or so of sleep. Then when Opera started, she came back in so I could go watch it. Then once that was over, I took a little catnap while she stayed behind the table. There were still people mulling about, so it didn’t make sense to pack up just yet.

I was back up in time to watch the last two flicks I wanted to see and it was a hoot. Once again, the idea of being able to see either of these on the big screen is just freaking amazing. Seeing Wicked, Wicked, in the infamous Duo-Vision, on the big screen, was just incredible. So much fun, again with a still crowded theater.

The last feature was Fright Night 2, which I happened to like, but figured it was finally time to break down and get packed up, and head for home.

So another 24-hours of madness was experienced once again. Maybe because I was able to partake in a few of the screenings, but this time out just seemed like a hell of a lot more fun. There was a great crowd of people coming through the theater until the very wee hours of the morning. In the past, once you got past the midnight screening, the lobby was pretty dead, with only a few coming out between each feature. But this time, there seemed to be a lot more activity consistently throughout the night.

I have to give a major shout out to all the staff at the Music Box for putting up with all us crazy horror fans. They did an exceptional job handling the crowds and there was never any stress or issues, other than just not having enough sleep! But this event wouldn’t happen each year without the help of Ryan Oestreich, General Manager of the theater, and William Morris, the crazy film nut who has been programming these marathons for the last 4 years. Each year, Will surprises and amazes me at the choices they come up with. I love the fact that it is a great mix of familiar titles along with some really “holy shit” titles, such as Goke and Wicked, Wicked. Keep up the great work, my friend!

So better get some rest, because we’ll be back there next year to do it all over once again!

Here is the complete list of films screened this year:

• 12:00PM Goke, Bodysnatcher from Hell – Dir. Hajime Satô, 1968, 84mins, 35mm
• 1:40PM The Mafu Cage – Dir. Karen Arthur, 1978, 102mins, 35mm
• 3:40PM Lord of Illusions with Kevin J. O’Connor in person! – Dir. Clive Barker, 1995, 101mins, 35mm
• 6:15PM The Lodger with Live Score by False Gods Trio – Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1927, 91mins, DCP
• 8:15PM Blame it on Toby Midwest Premiere! – Dir. Richard Knight, Jr., 2018, 52mins, DCP
• 9:15PM The Children – Dir. Tom Shankland, 2008, 84mins, DCP
• 11:00PM Child’s Play with Don Mancini in person! – Dir. Tom Holland, 1988, 87mins, 35mm
• 1:15AM Opera Italian Uncut Version | First Time Playing in Chicago! – Dir. Dario Argento, 1987, 107 min, 35mm
• 3:15AM Freddy vs Jason – Dir. Ronny Yu , 2003, 97mins, 35mm
• 5:00AM Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers – Dir. Michael A. Simpson, 1988, 80mins, 35mm
• 6:45AM Body Melt – Dir. Philip Brophy, 1993, 81mins, 35mm
• 8:20AM Wicked, Wicked in Duo-Vision! – Dir. Richard L. Bare, 1973, 95mins, 35mm
• 10:10AM Fright Night Part 2 – Dir. Tommy Lee Wallace, 1988, 104mins, 35mm