FANTASTIC FEATURES
FANTASTIC DOUBLE FEATURES
FANTASTIC FEATURES - SEASON PREVIEW

WATSON DAVIS - "SIVAD"

Watson Davis was the horror host "Sivad", who presented horror movies show - Fantastic Features on WHBQ-TV, Channel 13 Memphis, Tennessee firstly between 29 September 1962 till 3 September 1966, and then September 1967 till 5 February 1972; as well as "Fantastic Double Feature" between 9 September 1966 till June, 1970. Also, Davis as "Sivad" presented a half-hour season preview of coming features on WHBQ-TV, Channel 13 on 11 September 1965. Watson Davis, born William Davis, was an actor, television horror host and an entertainer. From "Find a Grave" memorial "Davis was an advertising director for the Memphis, Tennessee, based Malco Theatre chain in 1963 where he first came up with the character of "Sivad" (Davis spelled backwards). He donned a cape, cane, top hat and false vampire teeth to become the local "Monster of Ceremonies" for the WHBQ-TV weekly horror program "Fantastic Features." The Saturday evening show debuted September 1962 and showed old horror and science fiction movies. The show began with "Sivad" driving a horse-drawn hearse (in a foggy Overton Park near the Brooks Art Gallery in Memphis, Tennessee), pulling a coffin from the back of the hearse and then opening it all to the strains of Leigh Stevens' score from the 1950 science fiction film "Destination Moon." Sivad made many personal appearances around the Mid-South in the 1960s and 1970s drawing an estimated 30,000 fans at an appearance at the Mid-South Fairgrounds in 1963. At these appearances he would play several musical instruments including the "ghoulaphone" and the "coffinola," both instruments Davis concocted. He made several novelty records including "Sivad buries Rock & Roll" which features "Dickey Drakeller" on it's flip side". He was married to Kathryn Irene Crabtree (born 22 January 1914) who passed away on 10 August 1970. Portrait of "Sivad" by Dave Dunlap. Portrait of "Sivad" by Bradley Beard. "Sivad" - biography (taken from Bradley Beard's Facebook page)" Imagine if you will; a horse drawn hearse rolling through the darkened, desolate back roads of Tennessee. A mysterious, shadowy figure skulks around to its back and pulls out a coffin. He turns, lifts his cape, and smoke billows forth obscuring your vision as the show's title begins to roll. This is classic 1960's Shock Theatre at its finest; offering one of the most memorable opening sequences in horror hosting. Today I present the Monster of Ceremonies, Sivad, host of Fantastic Features on WHBQ-TV Channel 13 in Memphis, Tennessee. Sivad's show ran from September 29, 1962 to February 5, 1972. Sivad's alter ego, Watson Davis, came up with the name when he realized his last name mirrored backwards. Imagine if you will, Elvis Presley enjoying late night TV Memphis style; eating a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich while watching Sivad. Imagine if you will… tomorrow. In 2013, Watson Davis - "Savid" for "Fantastic Features", was inducted into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame". The following are some clips from the show: Fantastic Features hosted by Sivad (YouTube) from The Professor on Vimeo.

LINKS

Internet Movie Data Base "Watson Davis"	Internet Movie Data Base "Fantastic Features"	Internet Movie Data Base "Fantastic Double Feature"
Facebook: Bradley Beard - Horror Host Artist "Sivad"	E-gors Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Sivad"	Internet Movie Data Base "Fantastic Features"
	Facebook: Dunlap Art "Horror Host Artwork"

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