WLS Channel 7 - Freaky Films (Intro & Promo, 1971)

Here's an especially rare Halloween Treat for 2012!

Here is the intro to, and a promo for, Freaky Films (a.k.a. [at least according to one source] Freaky Film of the Week), a short-lived horror movie showcase that aired Saturdays on WLS Channel 7 from April 10th 1971 to September 11th 1971 (ending 30 years to the day before that other 9/11).

Both films start off with a brief title card of the logo of the company that processed it (Metro Film Corporation), followed by the SMPTE universal leader countdown. And alas, there was no soundtrack on the reel. :-(

Anyone remember this show? Museum officer and transfer specialist Mark Garast did, and he was absolutely stunned to see it again! So miracles do happen - gives me hope that the Come-Back-Here Can Snipets segment will be found one day. :-)

According to Mark, the music/soundtrack that was used for this opening was, "Some kind of 'special effect'-type computer noise" - blips and beeps type stuff - not really music at all - and the voiceover announcer tried to replicate a stereotypical 'computer voice', [but he thinks it was] just someone imitating it as opposed to a vocoder or other artificial effect. The opening seemed to be trying more to 'freak you out' than to actually scare you." He thinks the music had to come from some incidental TV show sounds, sound effects record, or library music album.

If anyone recalls Freaky Films and knows what the music/sound used for the opening was - please let us know!

Artwork / Opening by Cathy Mustari and Carol Sapienza.

Lastly, an Amazing Local TV Historical Connection: Much of this same exact artwork and pertinent other elements would later be reused by Art Director Cathy Mustari while at WFLD, for the intro and bumpers for the Monstrous Movie!

The films that were shown on this short-lived skein (which saw its share of preemptions every now and then) can be seen on the Chicago.Epguides.com site.

This aired on local Chicago TV in 1971.

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