By Thomas Leturgey
Near the conclusion of every spring Horror Realm Convention—traditionally at the Crowne Plaza, Pittsburgh South hotel on Fort Couch Road—announcements are made about September’s fall schedule. There are always oohs, aahs, and appropriately enough: shrieks.
Horror Realm is a Pittsburgh original, a convention run by fans of scary and creepy movies, for fans of zombies and similar entities. Last March’s was the biggest spring convention organizers have ever assembled, and this weekend’s Fall showcase is also its biggest yet.
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Each year Horror Realm brings in interesting local, as well as international Horror film icons. This weekend, Heather Langenkamp, best known as the heroine of the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” series, will sign autographs, take pictures and meet fans. A busy actress to this very day, Langenkamp had a small part in “Star Trek: Into The Darkness.”
Amanda Wyss, another actress known for “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” was the first on-screen victim of Freddie Krueger. She continues to appear in projects like “CSI: Las Vegas” and “Dexter.”
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Fans of conventions like Horror Realm also enjoy seeing “scream queens” like the popular Tiffany Shepis. Shepis is a regular at Horror Realm due to the popularity of dozens of low-budget films she’s starred in since her debut in 1996. A few of her on-screen deaths are unique. In 2006’s “Abominable,” her character is pulled through a small window by a crazed Sasquatch. Some non-traditional cinematic still get more mainstream attention. The 2010 offering, “The Violent Kind” had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
This being Pittsburgh, there are homages to “Night of the Living Dead.” Kyra Schon, whose role as young Karen Cooper in the zombie classic, will be on hand. In addition to signing autographs and selling pictures, Schon offers her StoneHouseArts ghoulry and jewelry lines.
Other Pittsburgh-based talent are booked at Horror Realm. Mark Tierno, who was a featured zombie in “Day of the Dead,” and more recently acted in the cult-favorite “Mercury Men” is scheduled. Other Pittsburgh artists like singer and performer Tiffany Apan, as well as movie makers Mike Watt and his wife Amy Lynn Best are also in attendance.
In March, Horror Realm added professional wrestlers to the guest list, with George “The Animal” Steele. This weekend, famed wrestler-turned leader of the legendary “Four Horsemen” James J. Dillon makes a rare, regional appearance. Dillon’s link to Pittsburgh is deep. In April, 1970 he began wrestling as part of WIIC-TV’s “Studio Wrestling.” Decades later he came out of retirement to wrestle at the famed Deaf Wrestlefest in 2009. In March, 2012, Dillon was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with Ric Flair and other members of the infamous and villainous “Four Horsemen.” Earlier this year he was inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, New York.
Near Dillon will be “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin and “The Enforcer” Shawn Blanchard of Pittsburgh’s professional wrestling organization, the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance.
Saturday is also special for professional wrestling and horror movie fans. “Chilly” Bill Cardille will visit fans from 12-4. Cardille, who still plays music as a DJ throughout the week on 1320 WJAS, remains popular as the announcer for Studio Wrestling, as well as the host of the beloved “Chiller Theater.” Cardille’s daughter Lori, best known for her performance in George A. Romero’s “Day of the Dead” as Dr. Sarah Bowman, will accompany her father and greet fans.
In addition of the guests, there are dealer room featuring specialty vendors with items such as movies & DVD’s, T-shirts & other apparel, toys & collectibles, movie memorabilia, books & comics, games and original art.
The convention is also interactive as there are author discussion panels and readings from award-winning horror writers. Chris Rickert of Eljay’s Books in Dormont is scheduled to discuss self-publishing on Sunday.
This year’s Zombie and Horror Film Festival on Friday night featured the world premiere of Brookline filmmaker and author Tim Gross’ labor of love, a movie called “Jagoff Massacre.” The movie, about two bumbling beer drinkers who accidently fall into the path of Satanists. A bloody chase ensues as the heroes try to get away. “Jagoff Massacre is literally yinzers making fun of yinzers in a no budget film that we hope people who live in Pittsburgh or ever been anywhere near it will get the joke,” said Gross. “Or just have a beer and a laugh.”
In addition to everything else, Horror Realm features contests and other activities. Horror Realm runs through Sunday. Tickets are $15 per day, or $20 for both Saturday and Sunday, children under 12 are free.