2023 was one crazy year. A lot of things changed, had some amazing travel adventures, another year on the convention circuit, movie screenings and marathons, and more than a few visits to the drive-ins. Plenty of be grateful for really. That should be the first thing to mention because it is one that we only bring up on certain holidays, when it should be celebrated each and every day. It is a time to not only look at the upcoming year, but also to look back on your accomplishments from 2023. Sometimes, just getting through the year is something to be proud of, because we know that that alone can be difficult. So don’t think you have to list off a dozen or so things that you did. Just be proud of what you did. But we can always make those lists of what we want to do in 2024. I don’t like to use the word resolution because that seems to come and go with the holiday. Write it down. Make a list. Set a goal. And then work your way there. Doesn’t have to be a huge one either. Could be just to watch all the Hammer Frankenstein films. Then on to the next thing. Most importantly, remember why you put it on your list in the first place. Have fun with it.

My website hit the 25 anniversary this year. Still hard to believe, but honestly, when you know how stubborn I can be, it makes perfect sense. The Krypt has helped keep my passion alive and well, as well as thriving. It is the one place I can go and spout my views and opinions to those that are always checking in with what this slightly obsessive horror fan has to say. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone’s continued support. So, thank you!

2023 was also the 20^th anniversary of my little Turkey Day Marathons, which now has spread across the states! The first two years, I sat there by myself watching some of the “finer” entries in the horror/sci-fi genre, which I’m not sure I would recommend! But then my partner-in-crime Aaron Christensen joined in, and it just expanded from there. Now we usually have about 15 to 20 people joining in the madness, and it really has become a staple here at the Krypt. About a decade ago, my Discover the Horror co-host Damien Glonek started to do his own Turkey Day, and now our friend Scott Bradley has started his on the West Coast, with more to be popping up soon! My wife and friend Don England created our own little official Turkey Day patch, depending on what state you’re in! How cool is that? If that is the only thing on my tombstone is that I started Turkey Day, then I’m more than happy about that!

Another milestone in 2023 is that the Discover the Horror podcast that Damien Glonek, Aaron AuBuchon, and myself have created was nominated for a Rondo. Not bad for one that is relatively new compared to some of these other shows out there. Granted we didn’t win, but it was nice to be nominated. Plus, as they say, there is always next year. We celebrated our 60^th show this year, hit over 20,000 downloads according to our Libsyn site, as well as did a live show that I think went pretty well, especially since it was the first time we’d done it that way and didn’t really have a clue of what we (okay . . . me) were doing!

I think we have continued to stay on the path we set out on, to help other fans discover films they haven’t seen or even heard before, as well as maybe learn a thing or two. There is so many films out there that are just waiting to be discovered by fans, whether you’re relatively new to the genre or a fan for decades. So many different paths to venture down, discovering different sub-genres, directors, and jumping from different countries around the world, seeing what is inspiring their horror films, that it really is a never-ending journey. Plus, the more you know about filmmakers and these productions, you will start to see and appreciate things you might have missed before. I know that has happened to all three of your hosts, so that means it can happen to you. From the feedback that we continue to get tells us that we are doing something right. So again, thank you for your support, and expect much more in 2024!

We traveled to Wisconsin twice this year for two separate events, and both were such a great time. The first one was back in April for a special screening of the epic Robot Monster (1953), not only celebrating its 70th anniversary, but this was also a screening of the newly remastered 3D version. While there was no AC in the theater and it got to be almost too warm, the 3D screening was a smash success. I’ve always enjoyed this movie anyway, but this way just made it even better. Bob Furmanek, founder, and president of 3-D Film Archive was there, along with a couple of his crew, to present this special screening. His company has done an incredible job bringing this title back to its original beauty. Yes, we are still talking about Robot Monster, which is why I give them even more credit because they treated this project like it was Gone with the Wind! And for some of us fans, it really was. So, a special shout out and thanks to Bob and his company for doing truly amazing work at keeping these films alive.

Then in October, we ventured up north again for the Bill Rebane History Hunt, and once again, had a blast. We got to see locations from several Rebane movies, got to meet up with Mr. Rebane himself, and just had a wonderful time. Sure, it was a crazy idea, but seeing the locations from films like the baseball field where the title beast attacks in Giant Spider Invasion, to the train station used The Alpha Incident, to even the main cabin location for Invasion from Inner Earth, it sure did mean a lot to some of us crazy film fans. Thanks to Brandon Johnson and the Merrill Historical Society for making all of this happen.

Also in October, my buddy Aaron Christensen and I did our part in helping to educate film fans by doing another series of talks at the Sulzer Library, with our Terror Tuesday lectures. There is a lot of work we put into these, but damn if they aren’t a lot of fun. And we had the biggest and most consistent turnout this year, which makes it even better! It doesn’t take much to get me to ramble on about the horror genre, so to have a captive audience (no, they weren’t tied to their chairs!) that were really interested in the subjects that we were discussing just made my October even better.

I have been going to the Music Box Theatre in Chicago since the ‘90s, from different midnight screenings, special events such as January Giallo to their long running 24-hour marathons. I feel so lucky to have this venue that not only programs such events, but that they really know the importance of not only cinema, but of the horror genre. They get it, they understand it, and more importantly, they understand and appreciate the fans. For that alone, the Music Box truly is a special place. But they just keep going above and beyond each and every year.

2023 had us returning to the Music Box of Horrors 24-hour marathon, which up until the pandemic, we had been at every single one since it started in 2005. After the pandemic was over and the marathons started back, it seemed we always had conflicting events that we couldn’t cancel so we missed them. But we were back in 2023, and it was such a glorious return! As I mentioned, we’ve been there from the beginning, and not once in all those years had I seen a line like this year’s. Usually, you have the die-hard and dedicated cinephiles that get there way early in the morning to make sure they get a good seat. But this year, before the doors were open, the line went all the way down the block. In fact, tickets for the marathon had already sold out even before they had finished announcing the full lineup! That shows that these crazy fans trust the Music Box crew, knowing that whatever they do decide to screen, they will eat it up. I am so glad to be able to be a part of these events.

The theater also had two different special events this year, both dedicated to the ballyhoo of the one and only William Castle. But not just by screening two of his films, The House on Haunted Hill (1959) and The Tingler (1959), but bringing back the presentation, the feel, and the excitement of the kind of screenings Castle did back when these titles first came out. For House, they had the special Emergo sequence with a skeleton come from the screen out over the crowd, as well as a bunch of other Castle-like bits that were a lot of fun. Seeing the film, in a sell-out crowd, and everyone laughing and screaming just like they should in this movie, was one of the real highlights of my year.

Then for The Tingler, they pulled out all the stops to continue the Castle tradition of the ballyhoo. They even had angry picketers with signs out in front of the theater protesting the screening, even better that they were all dressed in ‘50s era clothes! It’s one of those things that shows the effort goes a long way. Once again, it is one of those movie memories that will forever be remembered with such joy.

Originally, 2023 was going to be the last year I was going to sell books at my table at conventions. Or at least, that was the plan. But thanks to a couple of shows, mainly Monster Bash in PA, it showed me that there still was a need for a crazy book lover to continue to peddle a selection of non-fiction books related to horror films.

This might not be the best financial decision to continue doing this (or physical when it comes to moving them back and forth to each show!), but it does give me such joy in passing on these volumes of knowledge to fans that really want to learn more about the genre. That shows me the true passion of fans is still there, so I guess I’ll keep being that supplier to those that wish to continue down that amazing path. At least for now. Never know what might come next.

Next up . . . Our Best Viewings from 2023!