Remembering Sammy Terry...and Bob Carter

                                                                

                                                            

 

 

Part of my childhood died last week.

 

If you grew up in central Indiana in the 1960's (for that matter, from the 60's to late 80's) you knew who Bob Carter was.  Or, rather, you knew his secret identity...Sammy Terry.

 

For those outside of Indiana, 'Sammy Terry' (the name is a play on the word 'cemetery') was a ghoul who hosted horror movies on WTTV Channel 4 on the weekends. For most of the show's run, it was titled "Nightmare Theater" and aired at 11:30 PM on Friday nights.  It had other names over the years--it began as "Shock Theater" (owing to the fact that the horror movies bought from Universal Pictures was called the "Shock Package"), and eventually was simply "Sammy Terry".  Sometimes it was on Saturday nights.  Usually Sammy would host two movies, but sometimes, only one. On occasion, he would be hosting a B-drama, or even a low budget science fiction film.

 

                           

 

But Sammy Terry himself was always consistent.  Rising from his squeaking coffin in a dungeon setting, dressed in black except for his blood red cloak and cowl and yellow gloves; his chalk white face grinning at the camera; and his sinister laugh, he gave viewers a spooky, wholesome night of fun.  His banter with his pet spider, George (who spoke in the same unintelligible squeaks as Cousin Itt from 'The Addams Family'), and his commentary on the films were usually more entertaining than the films themselves.  Unless the movie in question was a classic, like the original 'Dracula' or 'Frankenstein' I usually read while the movie played, until Sammy came on.

 

Sammy frequently read fan letters on the air. I had a few read, and was always thrilled to hear him read them. I wish there were VCRs in that day, as I would love to have those in my video library. 

 

He also made personal appearances. The first one I saw him at was at the Indiana Theater in downtown Bloomington.  I was ten or eleven, and my father took me to see his stage show, which started around 11 PM. After the show, a fairly grisly horror movie was shown which neither of us were interested in...so we went home, and I ended up watching the rest of his TV show for that night.

 

Bob Carter didn't drop his alter ego after the show was canceled.  He continued to appear as Sammy Terry at charity events, children hospitals, and regular stage shows.  His popularity did not wane, even though about twenty years passed before he quietly retired.

 

Last week, at the age of 83, Bob Carter, the original Sammy Terry, and creator of that character, passed away.

 

In the years between the end of the TV show and his retirement, I learned a few things about the man who was the spooky, creepy, beloved Sammy Terry.  Mr. Carter was a strong family man, with a deep faith in God, and active in his church.  He loved telling jokes and stories, and was friendly to all who met him. I experienced that firsthand, when I saw him for the last time, at a stage show many years ago at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater....the same place I first saw him, back when it was known as the Indiana Theater. 

 

                                   

                         Bob Carter, as Sammy Terry, signing a magazine for me several years ago.

Three years ago, in declining health, he asked his son Mark (who bears a remarkable resemblance, and has inherited his father's incredible voice) to take over the character. In a TV interview, in costume, the younger Carter brought up his hope enough interest in Sammy Terry would bring him back to TV on a regular basis.

 

Although the interest is there, "Nightmare Theater" hasn't returned.  The reason, I suspect, is local TV throughout the country has evolved...and not necessarily for the better.  WTTV, back in the day, was known for local talent hosting talk shows, cartoon shows, and of course, Sammy's 'Nightmare Theater'.  Other independent stations throughout the country had the same.  Those days seem to be gone. TV stations today seem less interested in community involvement as they are with the bottom dollar. And who can blame them?   With cable, social media, the Internet and video games competing, their audience is dwindling with that dollar.

 

However, Mark Carter is still playing Sammy at public events and personal appearances.  I'm glad. I hope children and some folks a little older will be able to enjoy a taste of what made my Friday nights thrilling once upon a time.  The official Sammy Terry website is offering videos of some of the original "Nightmare Theater" shows, so you can see both. I'm glad of that, too.

Mark Carter, as Sammy Terry, pays tribute to his father, who created and first played the character in this video on the Sammy Terry website.

   

 

Friday nights though, ain't what they used to be.  At least those of us who grew up in central Indiana have those memories.

 

Good luck to Mark Carter, who is now Sammy Terry, and continuing the legacy.

 

Goodbye to Bob Carter--and thank you for all the Pleasant Nightmares....

 

 

                                  

Bob Carter 1929--2013

 

 

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