Who is Dr. Shocker? Rumor has it, he could be the alter ego of actor Daniel Roebuck, who has starred in films such as Dudes, The River’s Edge, and most recently in a film he also directed called Getting Grace. This article isn’t about Roebuck, though, if we talk too much about him, there’s a good chance Shocker would get extremely jealous.
For the uninitiated, Dr. Shocker is a horror host of sorts who has focused on bringing to light, in documentary form, subjects such as monster mask collecting, the best haunts across America, and putting the spotlight on other horror hosts as well. He and his trusty companion Igor (who could be the alter ego of Chuck Williams) have delivered the goods to fans the world over for over twenty years. In that time, they’ve released two DVD collections and I want to make sure that they don’t slip through the cracks.
The first disc I would like to bring to your attention is Halloween: The Happy Haunting of America. The documentary focuses on various haunted houses across America and why people love them so much. It features interviews with celebrities such as Robert Englund, Alice Cooper, Doug Bradley, and the late Angus Scrimm. First released in 1997, the doc is a bit outdated, but at the same time it’s a fascinating watch with plenty of insight from those interviewed. Bob Burns and Daniel Roebuck are featured traveling around to all these fantastic sites. The disc currently available is a 10th Anniversary 2-disc set which includes an updated version with new haunts featured as a plethora of bonus features such as a blooper reel, photo montage, Dr. Shocker’s Halloween Spooktacular live show, which is a highlight of the set, especially when you see everyone involved. (Rumor has it, this is one of Dr. Shockers favorite bits as well). This is a loaded set with plenty of information, shocks, and surprises for the die-hards.
Dr. Shocker’s Vault of Horror is a similar venture, but the documentary on this disc focuses on the collectors and the fandom, which goes along with it. I consider myself to be a part of this culture, but my focus has been more on the late ’70s and ’80s, while this DVD delves into the classic monster culture from the ’60s, which is fantastic. The collectibles displayed in this documentary is breathtaking only fueling my hunger and appreciation for the horror genre. This one features interviews with the likes of Rob Zombie as well as Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro. Along with the main feature, the disc also contains the shorts Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman: The Presidential Debate and How My Dad Killed Dracula, a mini documentary on the Arizona Gillman, a 3D photo gallery (includes glasses), and so much more. Wait until you see the collection Daniel Roebuck has which is featured in the doc, absolutely mind shattering.
Dr. Shocker hasn’t been around much over the last several years and it’s a real shame. Much of his content is family-friendly, which, for hardcore collectors and fans, is a way to share our love of the genre with our kids in a way which is safe for their initiation. There has always been that weird stigma that horror fans are weirdos. We are a tight nit bunch, a group of passionate people who aren’t afraid to display their love for something on their walls, in their houses, on their skin, etc. In my experience, they’re also the friendliest and the most compassionate group I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of. Dr. Shocker could be the mediator, a fun way to bring a group together and present them to the masses. We need Dr. Shocker in our lives and in this world. If the rumors are true (yep, more rumors), he may not be too far away from a return. In the meantime, these DVDs are a great way to introduce your friends and family to the world we love, a world that unites, and a world with Dr. Shocker in it, is one I want to live in.
Dr. Shocker DVDs can be purchased on Amazon here and here. You can view pictures of Roebuck’s amazing and extensive collection. And check out a recent interview with Daniel Roebuck where he discusses, you guessed it- Dr. Shocker.
