People We Never Forget
Jerry Sandford created the TV character “Bungle the Clown” in 1959.
You know there are places that we remember, and there are people we can never forget. I came across a mention of a local TV personality from the 1960s, who fifty years later I can remember better than some of my relatives.
If you grew up in the Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Virginia area during this time period, I bet you'll remember him too.
Jerry Sandford aka “Bungles the Clown” and the Bungles Wave? (I can still do it). And does anyone remember his scary character, Ronald the Ghoul, on the Friday evening show, “Shock Theater,”?
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I found out that both of these personalities were the same person.
The first classic monster movie I ever watched was on Shock Theater - The Bride of Frankenstein.
On Friday nights, after the 11pm news, at 11:30 "Ronald the Ghoul" would rise from this coffin and scare the bee-jeezus out of me. But that didn't stop me from watching.
Turns out I wasn’t the only “local kid” who Jerry inspired. The late Bob Saget of “Full House” fame was also a fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGrvoXNvAHo&t=90s
And, as I think about some of my short stories (look in the website "The Stories" section) like "The Testament," "Annabell Leigh," "Elysium," “Grendel,” or "The Firefly People" I realize how much Ronald and Shock Theater still influence my life.
Jerry, whatever heaven local TV personalities go to, I hope you know how you influenced this kid.