Bob Wilkins, R.I.P.

Daryl stopped in mid-sentence and gave me a look.

"Dude, stand right there. Don't move." He raised his camera and snapped a picture. "Okay, got it."

I had been lamenting the fact that I was to shy to ask former Creature Features host Bob Wilkins if I could take a picture with him when I stuttered hello at his table at WonderCon. Luckily, as we were hanging out outside, Mr. Wilkins happened to be walking right past, so Daryl snapped the shot for me.

Though I didn't get to watch the show that Bob (and later, John Stanley) hosted on a regular basis since it was difficult tricking my parents into letting me stay up real late to watch it, I saw it often enough for my taste in movies to be forever warped.

Several years ago, the day the picture was taken, I talked to Mssrs. Wilkins and Stanley and told them that I wasn't sure if I should thank them or blame them for getting me hooked on these movies.

I know I've told this story before, but it seemed relevant, as Bob lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease this week. He was 76. I have tapes of some of the old shows -- my brother bought them from Bob one year I couldn't make it to WonderCon -- so I'll probably pop them in the old VCR this weekend.

Watch Horror Movies...Keep America Strong!

Today is Bob Wilkins' birthday. For years, he hosted "Creature Features," a showcase for bad movies, before turning the reins over to John Stanley in 1979.

On "Creature Features," not only could you discover great bad movies in the days before everyone had a VCR, but he also interviewed many important figures in science fiction and horror.

Despite being just a bit past my fourth birthday when Bob stopped hosting the show, I still have memories of watching on the rare occasions that I stayed up really late. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly how this worked, as my parents weren't in the habit of letting me stay up till all hours of the night. I can only presume that they were watching it and I came out to ask for a glass of water or something.

I met Bob (and John Stanley) at WonderCon a few years back. I told them that they were responsible for my addiction to bad movies. I added that I didn't know if I should thank them or blame them.

And one year that I couldn't go, I had my brother pick up the Best of Bob Wilkins tapes, which are now available on DVD, and I highly recommend them.

I wasn't able to attend the two tribute shows thrown last month (and hosted by Mr. Lobo) to benefit Alzheimer's research (curse my work schedule), but it looks like they were a lot of fun.

Here are two YouTube clips that show you a bit of what's on the DVD.




Here's a picture one of my friends snapped at WonderCon the first time I saw Bob. I kept grousing that I wished I could've gotten my picture taken with him, but I didn't want to hassle him, because I'm really shy.

Outside for a quick break, my friend told me to look at the camera. He took a quick shot while Bob was walking by, so I got my picture. A bit chicken on my part, I admit, but now I'm glad I've got this picture.

Happy birthday, Bob!