Hello Fringies,
“I know you’re going to enjoy this movie tonight. I’m not, but I’m sure you are.”
Nothing beats the sarcastic banter of the Master of the Macabre, the Epitome of Evil, the Most Sinister Man to Crawl on the Face of the Earth, Seymour.
Born Francis Fitzgerald Vincent on June 14, 1924 in Massachusetts, Larry Vincent had various roles in shows such as Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie and as Captain Starr on WFBM in Indianapolis. However, if you grew up as a monster kid in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s in Southern California, then you knew him best as Sinister Seymour.
In 1969, the Groucho Marx of the Graveyard was the horror host of the show Fright Night on KHJ-TV where he was let go and replaced by the horror host Moona Lisa. By 1973, he switched to KTLA where he hosted Seymour’s Monster Rally. I remember on his last appearance of Fright Night, he walked off of the set before the show ended, only to bum rush Seymour’s Monster Rally the very next week. Eventually, Seymour’s Monster Rally became Seymour Presents. In 1974, Seymour was let go from KTLA, where he returned to KHJ-TV taking over Creature Features. Soon, the show was named Fright Night once again.
I remember gathering around the TV each week in anticipation of Seymour entering from his Slimy Wall with my black sheet tied around my neck like a cape and wearing a black fedora just like he did. Seymour’s comedic personality, quick one-liners and inserting himself into the films set the standard for shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000 that made fun of the movies that are being shown. One of the moments that particularly stuck out to me was when Seymour advertised Planet of the Apes on his Monster Rally show. All of the neighborhood kids tuned in only for Seymour to say, “Just kidding, April Fools, now you’re going to be watching some cheap piece of junk."
Larry often went on tour as Seymour to preform live doing his comedy routine in various theaters. He would travel around in his Slimy Wall van that was created by Berris, who was also responsible for creating the Batmobile and Munster’s Coach. Seymour would make special appearances at Universal Studios Hollywood in 1971, Magic Mountain, and Marineland to celebrate “Seymour Day” in 1972. It was in 1973 though that he would be known as the Ghost Host at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Halloween Haunt. Seymour’s shows at Knott’s were so successful that it planted the seed for the famous Knott’s Scary Farm, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. This in turn, gave birth to the world famous Halloween celebrations at Universal Studios.
I was fortunate enough to go to both of his performances at Knott’s Halloween Haunt in 1973 and 1974. What really stood out at his first show was the fact that he performed with the horror host who replaced him on Fright Night, Moona Lisa. Looking back I realize that all he actually did was poke fun at her and I remember they had a magician saw her in half but they never put her back together. Seymour made the comment “get rid of her,” and that was the last you ever saw of her.
In 1974, Larry developed pancreatic cancer. The Master of the Macabre's illness did not stop him. By his own choice was brought from the hospital where he was being treated to preform his show at Knott’s. I remember sitting in the audience where I knew something wasn’t quite right, but I was thrilled to see him live again. Little did I know, it was to be his last performance as he died on March 8, 1975.
Although not as worldly known as Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr., for me Seymour was just as popular. I am thrilled whenever I see Knott’s have posters for him, or seeing his billboard make an appearance as well as his small cameo in the film Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. Just like the Classic Universal Monsters, Seymour was a huge part of my childhood.
I’d like to thank each of you for taking the time to read this article. I’d like to, but it’s not Seymour’s style. Bad Evening.