Shock Theatre - November 7, 1970

Santa and Marco the Polar Bear

This WFMY 2 ad is from November 1968.

WFMY Dance Party - November 1, 1962

Happy 50th to WGHP !

Today WGHP is celebrating 50 years on the air. They have a great photo gallery posted on their site. Check it out if you get the chance.

http://myfox8.com/2013/10/14/wghp-celebrates-50-years-digital-time-capsule-timeline-and-photos/

More Shock Theatre On WGHP

WGHP - Championship Wrestling

Of all the shows produced in the WGHP channel 8 studios, this was my favorite. It was taped there each Tuesday evening from 1964 until 1974.

WGHP In 1963

I am excited about the upcoming 50th anniversary of WGHP channel 8 in High Point,NC.

Adventure Theatre - WGHP 8

When channel 8 came on the air in October 1963,"Adventure Theatre" aired at 5:00 p.m. each weekday afternoon.There were times when the station tried something different,but it was so popular,they kept bringing it back again and again  through the summer of 1968.This ad is from February 26,1968.

Shock Theatre - February 21,1970

Shock Theatre - November 11,1967

Pamela Parker - WGHP

Pamela Parker joined WGHP as the new weather reporter after Georgia Castle left the station.As you see here, the first on air appearance of Pamela Parker was on October 16,1967.

Hopalong Cassidy - WFMY 2

William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy began on WFMY channel 2 in Greensboro,NC on March 7,1950.

Shock Theatre - WGHP 1976

This Shock Theatre double feature aired on May 8,1976.

The Old Rebel and Pecos Pete - 1955

Jim Tucker (left as Pecos Pete) and George Perry (right as the Old Rebel) appearing at Sears in Greensboro on May 6,1955.

Dick Bennick Show - Nov.12,1967

Dick Bennick came to WGHP 8 in High point,NC during 1966. Mr. Bennick had been a top rated disc jockey at radio station WTOB before joining the channel 8 staff. In addition to his rock 'n roll dance party show on WGHP, he also became the host of "Shock Theatre" as Count Shockula in 1966. During the summer of that same year, Dick Bennick hosted a weekday daytime talk/variety show called "Summertime".

Shock Theatre Update

I am adding this to the previous Shock Theatre Timeline.

Update : March 19, 2013

April 24,1982 - Currently I have information that indicates that Shock Theatre on WGHP 8 ended on this date with "DoomWatch" (1972) starring Ian Bannen and Judy Geeson.

May 8, 1982 - WXII 12 in Winston-Salem, NC began it's own version of "Shock Theater" with channel 12 writer Paul Iacono and director Tim Whitt as hosts. The first movie was "Dr. Phibes Rises Again" with Vincent Price.

November 20,1982 - "Shock Theater" on WXII 12 ends with "Shock Waves" (1972) starring Peter Cushing.

I have not yet been able to determine whether WGHP 8 brought 'Shock Theatre" back to it's schedule anytime after this. I keep searching.

Dick Bennick / Dr. Paul Bearer 1971

Dick Bennick left his position as  promotion manager and host of “Dialing for Dollars” at WGHP in June 1969. Mr. Bennick continued to be on “Shock Theatre” as host Dr. Paul Bearer at the station.

In June 1969 Dick Bennick became the administrative assistant and morning DJ at radio station WAIR.

On Friday April 23, 1971, Mr. Bennick’s  “Gold Leaf Supper Club” in Winston-Salem burned, reported as arson and wiping him out financially. He was still appearing on WGHP as Dr. Paul Bearer and began writing columns for the Greensboro Daily News.

During June of 1971, Dick Bennick became program director and morning DJ at radio station WCOG while continuing to host “Shock Theatre” at WGHP.

On November 12,1971 the Greensboro paper reported that Dick Bennick had moved to Lakeland, Florida to radio station WLAK  but had taped enough episodes of “Shock Theatre” to get WGHP through the end of November. The station said it was hoping to work out a deal where Mr. Bennick could tape his Dr. Paul Bearer segments at a station in Florida and send them to WGHP. I believe this happened or either the station edited previously taped footage to use on the show for awhile longer. I am not sure how much longer the Dr. Paul Bearer segments continued to be a part of “Shock Theatre”.

 

 

 

 

Dialing For Dollars - Feb.1969

Dick Bennick hosting Dialing For Dollars on WGHP 8 in High Point,NC.

The Old Rebel & Pecos Pete - WFMY 2 1965

After nearly a decade and a half as part of WFMY's afternoon schedule,the Old Rebel moved to weekday mornings on August 23,1965. Pecos Pete (Jim Tucker) left the show not long after.

The Dick Bennick Show - March 16,1968

Dick Bennick started this show in 1966 when he came to WGHP from radio station WTOB.

Billy Johnson Show - Jan.27,1964 On WGHP

WGHP TV 8 Approaching 50 Years

WGHP will be celebrating 50 years on the air in October 2013. Throughout this year I will be adding articles,ads and other pieces related to the history of channel 8.

Shock Theatre - WGHP Feb.1968