In August 1957, Screen Gems was to release 52 films in a package available for screening by television stations throughout the USA.
The package was "Shock Theater" marketed as "Shock!"
The tagline was "52 of Universal's most spine-tingling, full length feature films for first run television".
Other distributors soon joined in with their own packages.
The packages contained a mix of horror and science fiction movies; as well as other shocking movies, such as mysteries, thrillers, teen related, westerns and war movies.
To promote Shock!, Screen Gems issued a pressbook which contained suggestions for local TV stations on ways to promote the package, synopses and news releases for each movie, and biographies of some of the cast members in the films. The press book is now in the public domain.
"Shock Movies Press Book" from The Professor's Scary Clips on Vimeo.
The origin and rise of television horror hosts is directly linked to one important event.
THE DISTRIBUTORS
Allied Artists Television
American International Television
Associated Artists Productions
Atlantic Television
M And A Alexander
Medallion TV Enterprises
National Telefilm Associates
Prime T.V.
Screen Entertainment
Screen Gems
Teleworld
United Artists Television
THEIR PACKAGES
August 1957
October 1957
May 1958
Screen Gems
Shock Theater (Shock!)Associated Artists Productions
Horrors!Screen Gems
Son of Shock!
1961
1961
February 1962
Atlantic Television
Six-PackAtlantic Television
Thrills And ChillsAllied Artists Television
Sci-Fi for the 60's
February 1963
May 1963
September 1963
Allied Artists Television
The ExploitablesUnited Artists Television
Science Fiction-Horror-Monster FeaturesScreen Gems
X
February 1964
1964
June 1964
M And A Alexander
Chiller-Science FictionMedallion TV Enterprises
Creeping Terrors, Vol. 1Medallion TV Enterprises
Creeping Terrors, Vol. 2
September 1964
January 1965
March 1965
American International Television
Amazing 65Screen Entertainment
AIPNational Telefilm Associates
Horror 5
September 1965
September 1965
October 1965
American International Television
Thrillers From Another WorldAmerican International Television
Amazing 66American International Television
Thrillers From Another World Group II
April 1966
1966
1966
Medallion TV Enterprises
Creeping Terrors, Vol. 3National Telefilm Associates
Science Fiction-HorrorPrime T.V.
Science Fiction-Horror
November 1966
Teleworld
Teleworld 12
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