As I near my 6^th decade on this planet, most of that being an obsessive horror fan, it’s really easy to slip into the grumpy old man mode these days, telling younger horror fans to get off my lawn. Even conventions are nowhere near what they used to be, with more about paying for overpriced autographs and collecting toys than caring about the actual movies themselves.

See how easy that was?

But the other night, I witnessed something that made this grinch of a horror fan’s withered heart grow 3 times in size.

The Music Box Theatre in Chicago is a place I’ve been going to for over 30 years, mainly for midnight screenings but also to some of their film series they’ve done over the years. Back in the ‘90s when I would go to something like a midnight screening of Lucio Fulci’s The Beyond (1981) or Toshiharu Ikeda’s Evil Dead Trap (1988), there’d be maybe 10 people there, and most of them snickering during the screening.

But something has changed with the Chicago horror community over the last two decades, and I really think the Music Box Theatre has had a major role in that change. From when they started their 24-hour marathons, the increase of amazing midnight screenings, unique film series like their January Giallo, and so many other events that I am more than happy to take the 60–90-minute commute into the city for them. They get the horror community. They don’t pander to it or play titles just because they think it will draw, but screen films because they know the importance of horror as a film genre. They treat the films, as well as the fans, with respect, as well as having fun at the same time, building that community. And because of that, to paraphrase a cliché from another genre, if you build it, they will come.

The other night, they did come, a LOT of them, to see a special 2-night screening of William Castle’s House on Haunted Hill (1959). In fact, the first night actually sold out the 700-seat theater! The next night, I believe they were very close to selling out again.

But this wasn’t just an ordinary screening. The film was being screened from a 35mm print and was presented with EMERGO, where the terror from the film comes out into the audience, just like Castle did all those decades ago. The staff of the Music Box pulled out all the stops in giving a big nod to Mr. Castle, one of the greatest ballyhoo showmen ever to work in cinema. Not only did we get the famous EMERGO, but we got all sorts of other little tidbits that made the evening an incredible experience and a lot of fun. Right before the screening, we saw our two hosts, Matt Carr & Morgan Wiercinski, carrying a wrapped corpse down the aisle to the stage. These theatrics carried on throughout the screening. Mr. Castle would have been proud.

The best part for me, beyond the whole experience of seeing this film, was the audience just eating this up. They were cheers, laughter, and just a huge group of people having a blast. Honestly, made this old horror fan damn near tear up since everyone having so much fun with this.

I have to give a special shout-out to my good friend Matt Harding, who I can honestly say this experience would not have happened for me had it not been for him. He was there set up in the lounge with his HUGE collection of William Castle memorabilia. Just amazing at not only what he has, but the extent of it! Made the night even more enjoyable.

Once again, my gratitude to Matt Carr & Morgan Wiercinski for hosting such a wonderful night, Mr. Harding, Will Morris, and the Music Box for making this happen. You made this old fart of a horror fan feel like a little kid again.

Here’s just a few glimpses of Matt Harding’s collection.