Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia: Carnival of Souls

In the tradition of classic shows like Chiller Theatre and Creature Features, Cinema Insomnia features horror host Mr. Lobo in brief vignettes between segments of the late night movie. Various odd characters have accompanied him during the show's 18-year run -- including reanimated goth girl Lady Skank'nstein ("You watch me 'cause me have boobies!"), and Francois Fly, a stand-up comedian fused with a common housefly. Also appearing in the breaks are satirical commercials (like one for "Rad Abrams: Skateboard Attorney"), old movie trailers, classic commercials and interviews shot at horror/sci-fi conventions up and down the eastern and western seaboard. "They're Not Bad Movies...Just Misunderstood!"

Mr. Lobo presents Carnival of Souls, a story so unusual it will burn itself into your mind. One of the best low-budget horror films ever made, it's a favorite of thrifty TV programmers - and all-out ratings war erupts when Mr. Lobo and "rival" horror hosts Francois Fly (of Fly-By-Night Theater) and Lady Skank'nstein (of Horror House of Lady Skank'nstein) all decide to show it on the same night! But no matter who wins, the viewers are in for a treat with this spooky cult classic. Candace Hilligoss stars as a drag racing church organist who finds herself drawn to an abandoned carnival, where ghostly ghouls are waiting to punch her eternal dance card. This artsy horror film was made by independent filmmaker Herk Harvey in Kansas and Salt Lake City, and is often cited by Eraserhead's David Lynch as one of his major influences. This twisted tale of "the dead among the living" is supported by Mr. Lobo's wacky wrap-arounds, retro TV commercials and drive-in trailers.

• horror