THE LATE, LATE, LATE SHOW

REX LANE
? - "MR. X-RAY"

"The Late, Late, Late Show" was a hosted horror movie with host Rex Lane presenting movies on Cable public access Channel 53 San Francisco, California at irregular days and times in 1999. Rex was assisted by has an unseen valet named Mr. X-Ray. Movies shown include Neutron vs The Death Robots (29 March 1999), Black Sabbath (31 May 1999) and Invasion of the Vampires (29 June 1999). There is no information available on when the show ceased. From E-Gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts: I just stumbled across another host doing a public access show in San Francisco called The Late, Late, Late Show. His name is Rex Lane, and though not a horror host type per se (his show has a bachelor lounge motif), he does screen horror films (in this case, atmospheric terrors from Mexico) and has an unseen valet named Mr. X-Ray - which adds an oddball ambience, at least. The camera tracks in on the door to his swinging bachelor pad over the opening credits. The door opens, revealing Rex casually lounging in a comfy chair, beckoning the audience to enter. As the show ends, the camera pulls back out of the room, and the door shuts once again. In between, Rex makes chit-chat, mostly relating to the films, and orders drinks from his mysterious valet.... (From later e-mail>: I just received some tapes of the irregularly scheduled show. Three have been broadcast so far: Neutron vs The Death Robots (03/29/99), Black Sabbath (05/31/99) & Invasion of the Vampires (06/29/99). Rex lives in a swinging bachelor pad somewhere near "the cemetary." Apparently he's Satan's next door neighbor, as his room # is 667. An opening title scroll presents an engraved invitation to join Rex for his latest foray into Late, Late, Late Show territory. A feminine hand knocks on his door. Rex bids Mr X-Ray, his faithful unseen valet, to answer. "Ah, it's you", says Rex (in traditional Hef 'Playboy After Dark' style). "I'm so glad you could make it. Mr X-Ray, please take our guest's coat." The leopard skin jacket is passed from the unseen owner to the unseen valet. A call for drinks sends Mr X-ray to the bar, while Rex introduces the evening's program. He gives a brief plot summary and a few background facts as Mr X-Ray passes him is martini and starts the film. As this is a public access program, there are no sponsers, but Rex occassionally interrupts the film with vintage commercials (Ipana toothpaste, etc) and a bit more host material. Rex notes Bob Wilkens as a major influence for his hosting style. Indeed, he is a low-key presenter. The swinging lounge surroundings, vintage commercial, and off-screen cast are the only exotic touches, and give the program a real personality. Good to see someone continuing the tradition, and finding a unique way of doing it. There are no known clips from the show.

LINKS

Internet Movie Data Base "The Late, Late, Late Show"		Geekademia "Rex Lane"
Internet Movie Data Base "Rex Lane"		E-gors Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Rex Lane"

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