Sammy Terry
Legendary
TV horror host Terry
to appear at Ohio Theater
Event
is a fundraiser for
Big Brother, Big Sisters organization
By
Konnie McCollum
Staff Writer
(October 2008) – During the 1960s and ‘70s,
children and adults throughout Indiana would excitedly tune in to Indianapolis’
WTTV Channel 4 on Friday nights to hear “Good Eeeeeevening…
I am Sammy Terry.” Then Terry, a ghoulish figure with a green face
and black vampire cape, would unleash his bone-chilling signature laugh
to the delight of his television audiences.
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Photo
provided Indianapolis’
legendary |
Although Terry has long retired from the air, his followers
have not forgotten him. The legendary horror host is scheduled to appear
in Madison, Ind., at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the Ohio Theater. Terry will
take the stage prior to a showing of the classic 1960 William Castle
film, “Thirteen Ghosts.” The film will be shown in “Illusion-O,”
a variation of 3-D, where the audience looks through “ghost viewers”
at certain points in the film to see “ghosts.”
The event is a fundraiser for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Jefferson
County. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased in advance at JoeyG’s
Restaurant and Nightclub, Madison City Hall, and River Valley Financial
Bank, or on the day of the event at the theater.
Event organizer Dave Adams, clerk-treasurer for the City of Madison,
has been active in Big Brothers, Big Sisters for several years. Adams
has organized other Halloween film events for the organization in the
past. This summer, local artist Patty Cooper Wells, a huge fan of Sammy
Terry, approached Adams with the idea to bring Terry to Madison. Adams
thought it would be a fun addition to the annual Halloween event. “I
am glad Wells joined in this year with her love of Halloween and Sammy
Terry,” he said. “Sammy Terry will be fun for both the kids
and those adults who want to recapture a bit of their youth.” He
said children attending the event can dress up in costumes.
After the film, Terry will travel to JoeyG’s Restaurant and Nightclub,
218 E. Main, for an autograph signing session for ticketholders. A special
group art exhibit, “Pleasant Nightmares: An art exhibit “Dead-icated”
to Terry is on display at the club from Oct. 2-Nov. 5. Wells curates
an art wall at the club, which has displayed an annual Halloween-theme
exhibit since 2001. Several of the pieces at the exhibit will be Wells’
own work.
Bob Carter, an Indiana resident, plays the character of Sammy Terry.
Carter, 78, often puts in appearances at charity fundraisers and events
as Terry. “Making personal appearances is still fun after all this
time,” he said in a recent telephone interview from his home in
Indianapolis. “Kids seem to love Sammy Terry, and “older kids”
that watched the show still have a ball when he visits.”
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Photo
provided This
painting, by artist |
The ghoulish Terry was host of “Nightmare Theater”
an Indianapolis-based WTTV Channel 4 from 1962 through 1976, and then
again in the middle-to-late 1980s. In those days, many local television
channels had their own horror movie host. Terry stood out as being one
of the spookiest, yet he managed to include an element of comedy in
his show.
Carter said he is “pleased and delighted” that after all this
time people still clamor for his attention. “I will go to a restaurant
somewhere, and people still come up and ask if I am Sammy Terry,”
he said.
Since leaving the show, Carter owned and operated Family Music in Indianapolis.
“I am a ‘wannabe musician’,” laughed Carter. “I
am passionate about the importance of music education for each child,
so that is why I opened my music store.”
Carter is also working on a book about his life and adventures as Sammy
Terry. “He (Sammy Terry) is writing the book,” said Carter,
who added that over the years, Terry’s character and he have “grown
together.”
Carter, who used to make regular visits to town to watch the Madison
Regatta, said he loves the beautiful historic town. “I am looking
forward to my visit to Madison,” he said. “I love the Lanier
Mansion and its wonderful grounds, and I love the atmosphere of the
town.”
He said he also can’t wait to meet Wells because he has a painting
she did of Terry hanging in his home. “She seems like a great representative
of how kind Madison people can be.”
Wells, an ardent Terry fan, said, “It is a dream come true for
me to help bring Sammy Terry to Madison.”
• For more information about the event, contact Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Jefferson County at (812) 273-0797.