Pensacola's 'Nightmare Theatre' returns to WSRE, promising ghoulish delights

Troy Moon | Pensacola News Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Pensacola's 'Nightmare Theatre' returns to WSRE New episodes of "Nightmare Theatre" begin production Aug. 6, and the first episode will air Oct. 27 on WSRE. Opening credits feature music by Nik Flagstar and His Dirty Mangy Dogs

For 17 years, this trio of freaks, demons and masked oddballs has been plaguing the dreams of Pensacolians.

But heed this warning: The nightmare is back.

"Nightmare Theatre,'' which debuted in 2001, is filming new episodes of the horror-film watch party hosted by local weirdos Baron Mondo Von Doren, El Sapo de Tempesto and Mittens the Werewolf.

New episodes will begin production Aug. 6, and the first of 13 new episodes of "Nightmare Theatre" will air on WSRE-TV, Pensacola's PBS affiliate, on Oct. 27.

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The premise of "Nightmare Theatre" is that Von Doren, played by Pensacon founder Mike Ensley, is a minor demon assigned "to the physical plane to inflict misery upon mankind by way of 'bad' movies,''' according to a show description.

Von Doren is accompanied by sidekicks El Sapo de Tempesto, a masked wrestler portrayed by Chip Chism, and pet werewolf, played by Lemmie Crews. The three introduce a different film each episode, making irreverent, comical comments during break segments.

The first film the trio will showcase is the 1967 low-budget English film "They Came from Beyond Space,'' which failed at the box office and was panned by critics.

Still, Ensley said, "it's a decent movie. Shockingly good for us."

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"Nightmare Theatre" debuted on a leased-access channel in 2001, and gained local and national notice. The group was part of the Horror Host Underground Network, which promoted similar shows across the nation. In March, the "Nightmare Theatre" hosts were inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame, which features renowned horror hosts such as "Elvira,'' "Vampira" and Gilbert Gottfried and Rhonda Shear from "USA Up All Night."

The "Nightmare Theatre" gang has appeared at numerous film festivals and conventions, and were even featured nationally in 2006 on SpikeTV's "Ghouls Gone Wild" special.

Other films that will be featured and made fun of on "Nightmare Theatre" during its 13-episode season run include "The Wasp Woman,'' "The Long Hair of Death,'' "Track of the Moon Beast'' and "The House on Haunted Hill." The crew has already filmed the show's opening segment, which features theme music by local act Nik Flagstar and His Dirty Mangy Dogs

Most recently, "Nightmare Theatre" was broadcast on WUWF-TV, but not in the last two years.

Ensley said he and his buddies had been talking about reviving "Nightmare Theatre'' and thought WSRE's recently pegging of Saturday evening as "PBS Nerd Night" was a good fit.

The PBS affiliate began airing the cult favorites "Doctor Who" and "Mystery Science Theater 3000'' on Saturdays in 2016, but recently lost broadcast rights to "Mystery Science Theater 3000." In comes, the 2018 version of "Nightmare Theatre'' to fill the gap.

"We see 'Nightmare Theatre' as a unique opportunity to localize PBS Nerd Night," said WSRE General Manager Bob Culkeen.

He said the show connects "great talent, committed community supporters and the production resources of WSRE with classic films that are fun to watch and revisit."

For Ensley, being the opening program for "Doctor Who'' is a major accomplishment, as is being part of PBS programming.

"I grew up watching programs like 'Sesame Street' and 'Doctor Who,'" Ensley said. "So it's every exciting to be part of their programming. We can't wait to bring 'Nightmare Theatre' to a larger audience and hopefully entertain and enlighten the Gulf Coast with these classic B movies."

Troy Moon can be reached at tmoon@pnj.com and 850-435-8541.

Watch it!

WHAT: "Nightmare Theatre"

WHEN: Show will air on WSRE-TV at 10 p.m. Saturdays, beginning Oct. 27.

LAUNCH PARTY: There will be a launch party at WSRE-TV's Amos Studio at 6 p.m. Nov. 9.

DETAILS: Visit wsre.org/nightmaretheatre