07.08.2025 JOHN STANLEY’S CELEBRITY ONSLAUGHT!!!
MONSTER PARTY INVADES THE V.I.P. SECTION!
A beloved past guest returns to help us rub virtual elbows with some of showbiz’s best and brightest! Lay down the red carpet and brace yourselves as MONSTER PARTY presents… JOHN STANLEY’S CELEBRITY ONSLAUGHT!!!
JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, have not made a secret of their love for JOHN STANLEY! From 1979 to 1984, John was the host of the San Francisco Bay Area TV series, CREATURE FEATURES, taking over from legendary first host, BOB WILKINS. Since that time, he has gone on to author many books, including several editions of THE CREATURE FEATURES MOVIE GUIDE, THE GANG THAT SHOT UP HOLLYWOOD, THE NOVELS “WORLD WAR III (AKA NAPALM SUNDAY)” AND “BOGART 48,” THE AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL “I WAS A TV HORROR HOST,” and the recent follow-up to that classic tome, “THE CAREER THAT DRIPPED WITH HORROR.” When it comes to films, John directed the love letter to the horror genre, “NIGHTMARE IN BLOOD,” as well as producing many other movies, documentaries, music videos, and shorts.
During his time as the host of CREATURE FEATURES and his 33-year stint as an entertainment writer for the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, John Stanley had the dream job of interviewing countless (unless you count them) actors, filmmakers, writers, and other celebrities. We’re talkin’ folks like THE CAST OF STAR WARS, IRWIN ALLEN, RIDLEY SCOTT, LEONARD NIMOY, HARLAN ELLISON, FRANK GORSHIN, ADAM WEST, STEPHEN KING, JAMES STEWART, CHUCK NORRIS, MAX VON SYDOW, RAY HARRYHAUSEN, NICHOLAS MEYER, ROBERT BLOCH, ROGER CORMAN, CLINT EASTWOOD, CHRISTOPHER LEE, RAY BRADBURY, RODDY MCDOWALL, CHRISTOPHER REEEVE, BRUCE LEE, and MANY more! And needless to say (but hell, we’re gonna say it), John has a treasure trove of up-close and personal anecdotes to share.
LONG LIVE JOHN STANLEY AND CREATURE FEATURES!
Guest(s): John Stanley
Follow John: Creature Features 80 | https://www.stanleybooks.net
KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:
John Stanley shares how he began his career as an entertainment writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and later as the host of the TV series Creature Features.
He recounts multiple behind-the-scenes stories involving the creation of the original Star Trek, including Lucille Ball's pivotal role in getting the show made.
Stanley reflects on his experiences interviewing a wide array of Hollywood legends, such as Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Stewart, Adam West, and Christopher Lee.
The hosts and Stanley discuss some of his most memorable interview encounters, both positive and negative, with figures like Irwin Allen and Robert Bloch.
He shares anecdotes from his interviews with the cast and creators of other science fiction classics, including Star Wars, Alien, and Flash Gordon.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:01:02: The James, Shawn, Larry and Matt begin their formal introduction of guest John Stanley, detailing his extensive career.
0:05:23: John Stanley begins telling the story of how Lucille Ball was instrumental in getting Star Trek produced by Desilu Productions.
0:11:14: Stanley recounts his experience attending the premiere of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and interviewing the cast.
0:16:32: He shares an anecdote about a time Leonard Nimoy was a guest on Creature Features and had a tense encounter involving a persistent fan.
0:18:19: Stanley tells the story of how Christopher Lee almost walked out of his interview for Creature Features but was convinced to stay after seeing an interview with Ray Bradbury.
0:28:36: The hosts and Stanley discuss what may have been his most difficult interview, a tense 18-minute conversation with producer Irwin Allen.
0:36:01: Stanley talks about his friendship with Adam West, which began before the Batman TV series even aired.
0:49:25: He shares a memorable story from an early interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the TV show Streets of San Francisco.
0:58:50: The hosts ask about Stanley's interviews with Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart.
1:12:43: Stanley is asked about his experience interviewing author Stephen King in the early stages of his career.
1:19:05: The hosts give shout-outs to listeners and friends who visited their booth at Monsterpalooza.
RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED:
Film
Nightmare in Blood: A film John Stanley directed. Stanley got Kerwin Matthews, who played Sinbad, to appear in a cameo role. It is available to order on Amazon.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: A 1982 film for which Stanley attended the premiere and interviewed the cast, including William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. He learned that Gene Roddenberry was not allowed to produce it because he spent too much on the first movie.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country: Stanley interviewed the film's director, Nicholas Meyer.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: Director Nicholas Meyer criticized the film's plot, noting the characters "don't actually find God".
Planet of the Apes: Stanley mentions that guest actress Angelique Pettyjohn was once considered for the role of Nova in the film.
Flash Gordon (1980): Stanley interviewed actor Max von Sydow, who played the villain Ming the Merciless in this movie.
Flash Gordon (serials): Stanley was first introduced to the classic serials when they were shown on Creature Features
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Stanley was invited to the world premiere and interviewed stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and David Prowse.
Poseidon Adventure & The Towering Inferno: Successful disaster films produced by Irwin Allen.
It Came from Outer Space & Moby Dick: Stanley mentioned these films as ones Ray Bradbury had written for, which angered producer Irwin Allen during an interview.
The Day the Earth Stood Still: Mentioned as a classic 1950s sci-fi film.
The Thing from Another World: Mentioned as a classic horror film from the 1950s.
Psycho: During an interview on Creature Features, author Robert Bloch discussed the film sequel Universal was making, which was unrelated to his own Psycho II novel.
Something Wicked This Way Comes: A Disney film based on Ray Bradbury's novel, which was very personal to him as it was about his own childhood.
2001: A Space Odyssey: Stanley was surprised to learn that Ray Bradbury did not like the film and wanted the ending explained to him.
The Crow: The film Brandon Lee was making when he was accidentally shot and killed on set.
Alien: Stanley interviewed director Ridley Scott for the film, who gave significant credit to H.R. Giger for the alien's design.
Conan the Barbarian (1982): Arnold Schwarzenegger's first major feature film. Stanley interviewed him for it in Los Angeles.
Superman: Stanley interviewed the film's star, Christopher Reeve , as well as Sarah Douglas, who played one of the villains.
Saturday the 14th: A horror-comedy film for which Stanley interviewed stars Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss.
Vertigo, Rope, and The Man Who Knew Too Much: Alfred Hitchcock films starring Jimmy Stewart that were discussed during his interview with Stanley.
It's a Wonderful Life: A classic Jimmy Stewart film that was not a box office success upon its initial release but gained immense popularity through television broadcasts.
Little Big Horn: A low-budget film starring Lloyd Bridges, which Stanley used as an icebreaker to start a great interview with the actor.
Good Guys Wear Black & The Octagon: Early films starring Chuck Norris, who Stanley interviewed.
Revenge of the Creature & Tarantula: Early horror films where Clint Eastwood had small roles.
Harvey: Mentioned as another popular film starring Jimmy Stewart.
Phantasm: Stanley filmed a "mini-movie" segment for Creature Features in a cemetery with the film's director, Don Coscarelli, and the "Tall Man" actor, Angus Scrimm.
Sextette & Myra Breckinridge: Two films Mae West made near the end of her career.
Apocalypse Love: An independent puppet alien zombie film by Vera Vanguard, which received a shout-out.
Television
Creature Features: The San Francisco Bay Area TV series Stanley hosted from 1979 to 1984. Many of his celebrity interviews were conducted for this show.
I Love Lucy & The Lucy Show: Classic sitcoms starring Lucille Ball, who Stanley interviewed in 1975.
Star Trek: Stanley recounts the story of how Lucille Ball, as the head of Desilu Studios, personally approved the show's production against the advice of her staff. He also visited the set during the filming of the episode "The City on the Edge of Forever".
Mission: Impossible: Another show produced by Desilu that Lucille Ball championed to keep on the air.
Planet of the Apes (TV series): Stanley interviewed star Roddy McDowall while he was in his full ape makeup for his role as Galen on the show.
Lost in Space, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants, & Time Tunnel: Science fiction shows created by producer Irwin Allen.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Ray Bradbury wrote at least two episodes for the show.
The Ray Bradbury Theater: A TV series based on Ray Bradbury's stories.
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The 1980s TV show is mentioned in the context of Buster Crabbe, who played the original Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.
Captain Cosmic: Host Bob Wilkins played the Flash Gordon serials on this show.
Batman (1960s series): Stanley became a close friend of the show's star, Adam West, after interviewing him just before the series aired.
Family Guy: Adam West found later success doing voice work as the mayor on this animated show.
The Green Hornet: Stanley visited the set and watched Van Williams (The Green Hornet) and Bruce Lee (Kato) film a scene.
Streets of San Francisco: Stanley interviewed a young Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was a guest star on the show, at the suggestion of series star Karl Malden.
Print & Other Media
The Career That Dripped with Horror: Stanley's book detailing his career and interviews, which is a central topic of discussion. Fans can order a signed copy at stanleybooks.net.
I Was a TV Horror Host: Stanley's autobiographical book.
Creature Features Movie Guide: A series of indispensable movie guidebooks written by Stanley.
Fantastic Adventures: A 1940s pulp magazine where author Robert Bloch published a series of stories.
World War III: A novel script Stanley wrote about a program to kidnap American children during WWII - he wrote a script called Sarge (also The Playpen), which Adam West wanted to produce.
Famous Monsters of Filmland: A magazine that published Stephen King's very first short story. Stanley had King sign his personal copy.
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