Since 2002, I’m been fortunate enough to be a part of Chicago’s largest and longest-running horror convention, Flashback Weekend, which is happening again this coming weekend, August 7-9 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont, with several special events (Q&As, drive-in and other screenings, a concert, beauty & costume contests, burlesque show, etc.) that make this year’s gathering really fun, especially if you’re a fan of the HALLOWEEN film franchise. The full schedule of guests, Q&A, film screenings, and other special events can be found at Flashback Weekend's web site, but I wanted to single out a few key events and appearances.
For HALLOWEEN fans, actor Nick Castle (the original Michael Myers) regular John Carpenter cinematographer Dean Cundey, actors Nancy Loomis, Charles Cyphers, Will Sandin (young Michael Myers), Dick Warlock, and Tommy Lee Wallace will be on hand. For fans of the vastly underrated HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH, we’ll have Tom Atkins, composer Alan Howarth, and Stacey Nelkin, as well as Wallace, Loomis, Warlock, and Cundey will also be there. HALLOWEEN 4-6 will be represented by George P. Wilbur, Don Shanks, Tamara Glynn, Howarth, and Erik Preston. The Rob Zombie-directed HALLOWEENs will represented by Kristina Klebe, Jeff Daniel Phillips, William Forsythe, Scout Taylor Compton, and Danielle Harris, who technically bridges the gap between the original and rebooted films.
For fans of horror film DVD extras, I should also mention there will be a special presentation on Saturday at noon by Sean Clark, the filmmaker behind the exceedingly well researched and produced “Horror’s Hallowed Grounds” series, who will give attendees a look at never-before-seen cut footage from the HALLOWEEN box set. Do not miss this. Other entries in the “Horror’s Hallowed Grounds” series will be screening throughout the weekend.
One truly special events happening on Friday, August 7 is film composer legend Alan Howarth performing live in concert hits from many of his films including HALLOWEEN 2–6, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, and many more. This promises to be an amazing audio-visual experience not to be missed.
Shortly after the concert, we’ll have a special Q&A with RE-ANIMATOR director Stuart Gordon and star Jeffrey Combs, followed by a screening of RE-ANIMATOR, with an introduction by Gordon, Combs, co-star Carolyn Purdy Gordon, and composer Richard Band.
The things I’m perhaps most looking forward to all weekend is the drive-in screening of the original 1978 classic John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN on a giant inflatable screen on Saturday, August 8. The screening will be presented in the Crowne Plaza courtyard and introduced by the HALLOWEEN (1978) guests, along with many surprises. A separate admission is required for this screening and seating is limited.
I’m also especially excited to have a few representatives of the new face of horror, including “American Horror Story” stars John Carroll Lynch (the new horror icon Twisty the Clown) and Naomi Grossman (Pepper), as well as actor and Chicago native Pat Healy (CHEAP THRILLS, THE INNKEEPERS, STARRY EYES, RESCUE DAWN, and the upcoming TALES OF HALLOWEEN). Healy will introduce a screening of STARRY EYES on Saturday, August 8, prior to the HALLOWEEN screening.
Then on Sunday, August 9 Chicago TV Horror Host legend Svengoolie (Rich Koz) will host a screening of the 1967 Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated classic MAD MONSTER PARTY, starring Boris Karloff. The two-hour stage show/movie screening will include audience participation and many more surprises.
There are so many events and guests, I can’t list them all here, but those are the highlights—a little something for everyone. Obviously, this wouldn’t be a horror convention with costumes, vendors, autograph opportunities, and some very cool photo sessions with some of the guests. Again, check out the Flashback Weekend website for all the details on guests, events, schedules, and I hope to see everyone there.
