NIGHTMARE THEATER

MILTON H. BUDD - "MILTON"

"Nightmare Theater" was a hosted horror movie show with Milton Budd as "Milton" presenting movies on Saturday nights at 10:30pm on WMBD-TV, Channel 31 Peoria, Illinois from 1958 until the early 1960's. A small glowing blob of spectral white appeared in the middle of a black screen, weaving uncertainly as it grew larger. "You are calling me . - I am stronger, stronger, strong," a ghostly voice announced as the blob became an eerily-lit face. "I am the embodiment of your evil thoughts - thoughts you have not dared to think until now." The effect was (and is) reminiscent of the old Inner Sanctum and Lights Out shows. Milton H. Budd was born in 1913 and died in 1970; Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, USA. His parents were Harrison Wood Budd (1886-1947) and Adalia Oppel (1884-1945), with siblings William Harrison Budd (1918-1980) and Mary Budd (1920-2000). In the 1930 Peoria High School Crest, Budd was named "Peoria High's silver plated tenor". It would continue to be his resonant voice that would get him recognition. Not long after graduating, he got work at WMBD radio and eventually became known for a devilish character he did do at grid dinners. In 1943, Budd married Jean House. Budd's creepy, sardonic laugh was remembered by new WMBD-TV executives when it came time to find a host for their recently acquired "Shock" syndicated horror film package. In 1958 the new television station aired "Nightmare Theater" starring Milton Budd as host. In 1970, Budd passed away and was buried at Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, USA. The following are some clips from the show: Nightmare Theater hosted by Milton Budd from The Professor on Vimeo.

LINKS

Internet Movie Data Base "Nightmare"	House of Jitters "Nightmare Theater"	Internet Movie Data Base "Milton Budd"
Find A Grave "Milton H. Budd"	E-gors Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Milton"	Classic Horror Film Board "Milton Budd's Nightmare"

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