FERDIE'S INFERNO
NIGHTSHADE & OLD LACE THEATRE

JACK CROWLEY - "FERDY"
CARL AMES - "FERDY"
DICK FLANIGAN - "MR. MEPHISTO"

"Nightshade & Old Lace Theatre" was originally a non hosted horror movie show on WMTV Channel 15, Madison, Wisconsin. Jack Crowley sought sponsorship from Ferd Mattioli. Crowley commenced hosting the show as "Ferdy". By late 1964 the show changed name to "Ferdie's Inferno". The show not only screened movies, but also episodes of Boris Karloff's Thriller. Carl Ames took over the role as "Ferdy" from 16 August 1968. When, due to illness, Ferd Mattioli moved to Arizona and Carl Ames also left, the show came to an end. It would later have new life when Ferd's brother, Len Mattioli, relaunched the show still using the title of "Ferdie's Inferno", with Dick Flanigan as host "Mr. Mephisto"; then later changing the name to "Lenny's Inferno". There is no known footage of these shows, or photographs of Crowley as "Ferdy". The below photograph shows Ames as "Ferdy". RICHARD E. FLANIGAN Richard E. "Dick" Flanigan was born in Rockford, Illinois, USA, on 10 December 1935, the son of Paul and Zeta (Grady) Flanigan. Following high school, Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960. Following his discharge, Dick enrolled in Bradley University where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. His first job after college was working for WTVO in Rockford, Illinois, USA. This is where he met his future wife, Valerie Vinet. They were married a year later, in 1968. The newlyweds made Madison their home and Dick began working at WMTV where he served as the art director. During his career, he hosted in 1969, "Ferdie's Inferno" as "Mr. Mephisto"; then hosted "Lenny's Inferno" as "Mr. Mephisto" from 1969-1982; and also hosted "Charlie Chan Theater" as "Professor Necromancer" around 1970. Dick was an avid sports fan, especially of the St. Louis Cardinals. He loved playing baseball, and eventually coached and managed the Monona Home Talent Baseball Team. Dick passed away on 5 January 2017. Portrait of "Mr. Mephisto" by Dave Dunlap. Portrait of "Mr. Mephisto" by Bradley Beard. "Mr. Mephisto" - biography (taken from Bradley Beard's Facebook page)" His sidekick was a little black box which sat on his desk. Tonight I present Mr. Mephisto, host of Lenny's Inferno on WMTV-TV Channel 15 in Madison, WI, which ran from September 1969 to May 1982. The show original began as Ferdie's Inferno named after the owner of a local Madison business called American TV and Furniture. When Ferdie's health began to decline, his brother "Crazy TV Lenny" assumed the business and changed the show's name as well. Mr. Mephisto was played by Dick Flanigan, who was originally hired as WMTV's art director, which he says was "like dying and going to heaven". Flanigan took over the role from WMTV programs manager Carl Ames who had inherited the role from WMTV program manager Jack Crowley after he left the station. Although others had assumed the role, it was Flanigan who made Mr. Mephisto the memorable horror host that we know today.

LINKS

Internet Movie Data Base "Nightshade and Old Lace Theatre"	Milwaukee TV Horror Hosts "Ferdie's Inferno"	Internet Movie Data Base "Ferdie's Inferno"
Internet Movie Data Base "Jack Crowley"	E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Ferdy - Jack Crowley"	E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Ferdy - Carl Ames"
Facebook: Bradley Beard - Horror Host Artist "Mr. Mephisto"	Internet Movie Data Base "Dick Flanigan"	Facebook: Dunlap Art "Horror Host Artwork"
	E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Mr. Mephisto"

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