UP LATE WITH BOB WILKINS - DOCUMENTARY FILM 95m
Storyline:
"Don't stay up late, it's not worth it," Bob Wilkins warned as he leaned back in his yellow rocking chair and smoked his big cigar. But monster movie fans in Northern California stayed up late every Saturday night. From 1966 until 1981 Bob showed grade-Z horror films. His dry sense of humor and low-key deadpan presentation helped him rise above it all, elevating films like The Navy Vs. The Night Monsters or Horror at Party Beach. Bob was the host of the party that fans never wanted to leave. "Up Late with Bob Wilkins" is a feature-length documentary film about Bob's shows told by those who watched him faithfully every weekend. Viewers recount what the shows meant to them, and in many cases, shaped their lives. The film is packed with rare show clips from Bob Wilkins personal collection. It is the ultimate tribute to Bob Wilkins and the era of the horror host.
Reviews:
“The horror hosts I grew up with were creepy and kooky, and often anti-establishment, but all alone in California, Bob Wilkins was frighteningly square, and every bit as effective! Kudos to Tom Wyrsch for keeping alive a fascinating and nostalgic piece of west coast Americana, 1970s-style.” - David J. Skal, author of THE MONSTER SHOW.
“Up Late with Bob Wilkins”, the newest piece of “Creature Features” history from Tom Wyrsch, is a time machine that takes us back to the 1970s when Wilkins hosted one of the most popular TV shows in the San Francisco-Bay Area. Fans of that era can once again see funny and serious moments Wilkins enjoyed with some of Hollywood’s leading sci-fi and horror icons in movies and TV. This marks one of Wyrsch’s best documentaries since he premiered “Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong” in 2008. -- John Stanley, author, former Creature Features Host
I knew he was tremendously popular, but until I saw "Up Late with Bob Wilkins" I was unaware of what an innovator Wilkins was. The documentary is packed with entertaining clips of him on air as well as with stories from a number of Hollywood icons he interviewed who clearly adored him. "Up Late" really gives Bob his due as a true original. I found it completely captivating. - Laurie Jacobson, author, Hollywood historian
Notes from Viewers:
Janet Craft Very good tribute and documentary :) I'm happy I've learned a bit more about Bob Wilkins show and all the great familiar guests. Thank you Tom Wyrsch for putting it all together :)!
Vincent Grimmly This was a GREAT documentary, thank you!
DustSprite I discovered Creature Features as a kid and quickly became a fan of Bob Wilkins. His calm, droll and nerdy style helped me realize I wasn’t the only sci-fi and horror geek out there. Thank you for all the great memories of this iconic man.
Timothy Oliver I grew up in Sacramento watching creature features with Bob on channel 40. This brings back so many great memories. Thanks so much.
Welsh Dragon Studios This was great.
Captain Harris Standing ovation
JimmyGeeUK Thank you for sharing this fantastic documentary. Having grown up, in years anyway, in the UK the Horror Host style programming never made it to our shores. Thus the best and truly unexpected compliment I can pay you regarding the quality of your production, choice of interviewees, and achieved footage is, you have made me feel deeply nostalgic for a show and presenter I have never previously seen. Great work and thank you again.
VirtualVikki This is such a wonderful film! Thank you for making it and an extra huge thank you for sharing it online.
Don Freed Creature Features with Bob Wilkins was the highlight of my Saturdays.
Macvideoman Awesome documentary on Bob Wilkins! I grew up with Fritz the Night Owl, but I always heard of Bob.
MultiCat456 Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
Spooky Boo Rhodes Most awesome!
Pants McCabra An excellent documentary of an amazing man. Thank you!
Mike Darnell Such a great documentary. So comforting to watch!
Mike Kutz Bravooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Locust2011 Loved every moment of this epic documentary - thank you so very much!
Dre B Drums Thanks for this. A great tribute to a great man.
Bob Calderon Great job on Bob Wilkins. Really enjoyed the show
