The Complete Chiller Theatre

Channel 11 on Saturday night: a drawing of a swamp with a dead tree in the background plus eerie moaning sounds. Suddenly, a huge claymation hand with six fingers appears while the words “CHILLER” magically grow in clay out of the animated swamp. The six-fingered creature then swallows the letters and when its appetite is satisfied, it lets out a deep and roaring….”CHILLLLLLLERRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!”

For many kids living in the New York City/Long Island area in the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, WPIX’s (Channel 11) CHILLER THEATRE was a welcome addition to the Saturday night lineup with a plethora of horror/sci-fi films ranging from AIP classics (BLACK SABBATH, PANIC IN YEAR ZERO!) to Hammer movies (THE BRIDES OF DRACULA, CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF) to 50s drive-in cult classics from lesser studios (THE GIANT GILA MONSTER, KILLERS FROM SPACE).

CHILLER THEATRE actually began on WPIX during the 1960s with Zacherle (“The Cool Ghoul”) as the on-air host. However, by the late 1960s, Zacherle left the show and a new opening was created using a montage of clips from various 1950s sci-fi films (like ATTACK OF THE 50-FOOT WOMAN). This opening served until the late 1960s/early 1970s when a new introduction was filmed using a claymation technique combined with animation. This opening was used throughout the show’s run from the early 1970s until its end in 1982, and this is the introduction that has become classic in the eyes of many young viewers and is still fondly remembered today.

Throughout the nine years of CHILLER THEATRE’S claymation introduction, the show was on at various times and even on different days. There was even one entire year (1979) where the show was not on WPIX’s line up at all. What follows is a comprehensive list beginning at the approximate date when the claymation hand began being used to open CHILLER THEATRE to when the show had its last broadcast on WPIX to date (August 21, 1982). Do you remember watching any of these?

1971
Saturday, January 2, 1971 (12:00 a.m.) THE SCREAMING SKULL
Saturday, January 9, 1971 (11:30 p.m.) MOTHRA
Saturday, January 16, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) MOTHRA
(12:30 a.m.) ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU
Saturday, January 23, 1971 (11:30 p.m.) THE TINGLER
Saturday, January 30, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) CURSE OF THE DEMON
(12:30 a.m.) VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES
Saturday, February 6, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) THE GIANT CLAW
Saturday, February 13, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) WHAT! (THE WHIP AND THE BODY)
Saturday, February 20, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) FROZEN ALIVE
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on February 27, 1971
Saturday, March 6, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) THE GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN
Saturday, March 13, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) BLOOD OF DRACULA
Saturday, March 20, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) THE SHE DEMONS
Saturday, March 27, 1971 (11:00 p.m.) RETURN FROM THE PAST
Saturday, April 3, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) VOODOO WOMAN
(11:00 p.m.) THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
Saturday, April 10, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN
(11:00 p.m.) THE CRAWLING EYE
Saturday, April 17, 1971: No 8:30 p.m. airing due to Yankees baseball
(11:30 p.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on April 24, 1971 due to Yankees baseball
Saturday, May 1, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) EARTH VS. THE SPIDER
Saturday, May 8, 1971 : No 8:30 p.m. airing due to Yankees baseball
(12:30 a.m.) THE AMPHIBIAN MAN
Saturday, May 15, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
(11:30 p.m.) GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS
Saturday, May 22, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) GORGO
(11:30 p.m.) THE CRAWLING EYE
Saturday, May 29, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) THE 27TH DAY
(11:30 p.m.) THE BLACK PIT OF DR. M
Both airing of CHILLER THEATRE were preempted on Saturday, June 5, 1971
Saturday, June 12, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) KILLERS FROM SPACE
(11:30 p.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN
Both airing of CHILLER THEATRE were preempted on Saturday, June 19, 1971
Saturday, June 26, 1971 (8:30 p.m.) MOTHRA
(11:30 p.m.) WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST
Saturday, July 3, 1971: No 8:30 p.m. airing due to Yankees baseball
(11:30 p.m.) BATTLE OF THE WORLDS

1972
Saturday, January 15, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN
(11:00 p.m.) WHAT! (THE WHIP AND THE BODY
Saturday, January 22, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) WARNING FROM SPACE
(11:00 p.m.) THE BRIDE OF THE GORILLA
Both airing of CHILLER THEATRE were preempted on Saturday, January 29, 1972
Saturday, February 5, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) GAMERA VS. MONSTER X
(11:00 p.m.) THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST
Saturday, February 12, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
(11:00 p.m.) THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST
Saturday, February 19, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) THE CRAWLING EYE
(11:00 p.m.) THE CREEPER
Saturday, February 26, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) BATTLE OF THE WORLDS
(12:00 a.m.) THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
Saturday, March 4, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) SABAKA
(12:00 a.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER
Saturday, March 11, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE
(12:00 a.m.) CAT GIRL
Saturday, March 18, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) VOODOO WOMAN
(12:00 a.m.) BLOOD OF DRACULA
Saturday, March 25, 1972 (8:30 p.m.) EARTH VS. THE SPIDER
The 12:00 airing was pre-empted due to the Easter Seals’ Telethon
Saturday, April 1, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE AMAZING COLLOSSAL MAN
The 12:00 airing was pre-empted due to a holiday film special
Saturday, April 8, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED
(12:00 a.m.) THE GIANT CLAW
Saturday, April 15, 1972: The 7:30 airing was preempted due to college basketball
(12:00 a.m.) THE ATOMIC BRAIN
Saturday, April 22 1972 (7:30 p.m.) MONSTER ZERO
(12:00 a.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF
Saturday, April 29, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE UNDEAD
(12:00 a.m.) TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5,000
Saturday, May 6, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE KILLER SHREWS
(12:00 a.m.) THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
Saturday, May 13, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) INVASION OF THE SAUCERMEN
(12:00 a.m.) THE SHE DEMONS
Saturday, May 20, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE 27TH DAY
(12:00 a.m.) RETURN FROM THE PAST
Saturday, May 27, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE SCREAMING SKULL
(12:00 a.m.) THE AMAZING COLLOSSAL MAN
Saturday, June 3, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE PHAROAH’S CURSE
The 12:00 airing was pre-empted due to a beauty pageant
Saturday, June 10, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST
(12:00 a.m.) THE GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN
Saturday, June 17, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) KILLERS FROM SPACE
(12:00 a.m.) WAR OF THE COLLOSAL BEAST
Saturday, June 24, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE PHANTOM FROM 10,000 LEAGUES
(12:00 a.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, July 1, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE TINGLER
(12:00 a.m.) THE BLACK PIT OF DR. M
Saturday, July 8, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE SHE CREATURE
(12:00 a.m.) FROZEN ALIVE
Saturday, July 15, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE UNEARTHLY
(12:00 a.m.) THE LADY AND THE MONSTER
Saturday, July 22, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) GORGO
(12:00 a.m.) THE LODGER
Saturday, July 29, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE BEAST WITH A MILLION EYES
(12:00 a.m.) IT CONQUERED THE WORLD
Saturday, August 5, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) DR. X
(12:00 a.m.) THE CRAWLING EYE
Saturday, August 12, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER
(12:00 a.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
Saturday, August 19, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE BRAIN EATERS
(12:00 a.m.) BLOOD OF DRACULA
Saturday, August 26, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) WHAT! (THE WHIP AND THE BODY)
(12:00 a.m.) HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER
Saturday, September 2, 1972: The 7:30 airing was pre-empted due to exhibition hockey
(12:00 a.m.) MOTHRA
Saturday, September 9, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE BRIDE OF THE GORILLA
(12:00 a.m.) NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST
Saturday, September 16, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE HORRIBLE DR. HITCHCOCK
(12:00 a.m.) VOODOO WOMAN
Saturday, September 23, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) THE RETURN OF DR. X
(12:00 a.m.) ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE
Saturday, September 30, 1972 (7:30 p.m.) GAMERA VS. MONSTER X
(12:00 a.m.) WARNING FROM SPACE
Saturday, October 7, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) THE CAT GIRL
(12:00 a.m.) THE UNDEAD
Saturday, October 14, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) CURSE OF THE DEMON
(12:00 a.m.) EARTH VS. THE SPIDER
Saturday, October 21, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) RODAN 
(12:00 a.m.) WAR OF THE PLANETS
Saturday, October 28, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) THE INVISIBLE CREATURE
(12:00 a.m.) MONSTER ZERO
Saturday, November 4, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) SNOW DEVILS
(12:00 a.m.) RED PLANET MARS
Saturday, November 11, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE
(12:00 a.m.) THE PHAROAH’S CURSE
Saturday, November 18, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
(12.00 a.m.) THE 27TH DAY
Saturday, November 25, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) VOODOO WOMAN
(12.00 a.m.) THE ATOMIC BRAIN
Saturday, December 2, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) THE GIANT CLAW
(12:00 a.m.) THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED
Saturday December 9, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST
(12:00 a.m.) INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN
Saturday, December 16, 1972 (7:00 p.m.) RETURN FROM THE PAST
(12:00 a.m.) THE UNEARTHLY
Saturday, December 23, 1972: The 7:00 airing was pre-empted due to college football
(12:00 a.m.) GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS

1973
Saturday, June 2, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) DR.X.
Saturday, June 9, 1973 (11 :30 p.m.) THE TINGLER
CHILLER THEATRE preempted due to Yankees baseball on July 16, 1973.
Saturday, June 23, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE KILLER SHREWS
Saturday, June 30, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK
Saturday, July 7, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) RETURN FROM THE PAST
Saturday, July 14, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) MOTHRA
Saturday, July 21, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE!
Saturday, July 28, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE BRAIN EATERS
Saturday, August 4, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
Saturday, August 11, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE ZOMBIES OF MORA-TAU
CHILLER THEATRE preempted due to exhibition football on August 18, 1973
Saturday, August 25, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER
Saturday, September 1, (8:30 p.m.) BLOOD OF DRACULA
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on September 8, 15, and 22 due to baseball/football games.
Saturday, September 29, 1973 (8:00 p.m.) BLACK SUNDAY
Saturday, October 6, 1973 (8:00 p.m.) NIGHT TIDE
Saturday, October 13, 1973 (8:00 p.m.) BURN, WITCH, BURN!
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on October 20, 1973
Saturday, October 27, 1973 (8:00 p.m.) THE TERROR
Saturday, November 3, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) DEMENTIA 13
Saturday, November 10, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, November 17, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) CIRCUS OF HORRORS
Saturday, November 24, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) KILLERS FROM SPACE
Saturday, December 1, 1973 (8:00 p.m.) THE PHANTOM PLANET
Saturday, December 8, 1973 (8:00 p.m.) THE CREEPER
Saturday, December 15, 1973 (8:30 p.m.) THE INVISIBLE CREATURE
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on December 22, 1973.
Saturday, December 29, 1973 (9:00 p.m.) THE VAMPIRE’S GHOST 

1974
Saturday, January 5, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE UNDEAD
Saturday, January 12, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE GIANT CLAW
Saturday, January 19, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE LODGER
Saturday, January 26, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) WHAT! (THE WHIP AND THE BODY)
Saturday, February 2, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE TINGLER
Saturday, February 9, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, February 16, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR
Saturday, February 23, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) GRAVEYARD OF HORROR
Saturday, March 2, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted due to basketball on March 9, 1974.
Saturday, March 16, 1974 (8:30 P.M.) THE PHANTOM FROM 10,000 LEAGUES
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on March 23, 1974.
Saturday, March 30, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER
Saturday, April 6, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) DR. X.
Saturday, April 13, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK
Saturday April 20, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE!
Saturday, April 27, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) DR. ORLOFF’S MONSTER
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted due to Yankees baseball on May 4, 1974.
Saturday, May 11, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
Saturday, May 18, 1974 (8:30 p.m.) THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on May 15, 1974.
Saturday, June 1, 1974 (CHILLER THEATRE was now moved to 11:00 p.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE
FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, June 8, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) THE RETURN OF DR. X
Saturday, June 15, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) THE SCREAMING SKULL
Saturday, June 22, 1974 (11:00p.m.) THE SHE CREATURE
Saturday, June 29, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) THE ZOMBIES OF MORA-TAU
Saturday, July 6, 1974 (11:00p.m.) VOODOO MAN
Saturday, July 13, 1974 (11:00p.m.) THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK
Saturday, July 20, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) DEMENTIA 13
Saturday, July 27, 1974 (11:00p.m.) THE KILLER SHREWS
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on August 3, 1974 due to exhibition football.
Saturday, August 10, 1974 (11:00p.m.) VOODOO WOMAN
Saturday, August 17, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) THE ATOMIC BRAIN
Saturday, August 24, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on August 31, 1974 due to exhibition football.
Saturday, September 7, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) TERROR IN THE CRYPT
Saturday, September 14, 1974 (11:00 p.m.) HORROR! (THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER)
Saturday, September 21, 1974 (CHILLER THEATRE now moved to 11:30 p.m.) MYSTERY IN THE WAX MUSEUM
Saturday, September 28, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE TERROR
Saturday, October 5, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE LODGER
Saturday, October 12, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) BURN, WITCH, BURN!
Saturday, October 19, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) WHAT! (THE WHIP AND THE BODY)
Saturday, October 26, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE BRIDES OF DRACULA
Saturday, November 2, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF
Saturday, November 9, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) CIRCUS OF HORRORS
Saturday, November 16, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) PLANET OF BLOOD
Saturday, November 23, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE TINGLER
Saturday, November 30, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) CURSE OF THE DEMON
Saturday, December 7, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK
Saturday, December 14, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE EVIL EYE
Saturday, December 21, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE FACE OF TERROR
Saturday, December 28, 1974 (11:30 p.m.) THE INVISIBLE CREATURE

1975
Saturday, January 4, 1975 (CHILLER THEATRE now moved to 12:00 a.m.) RETURN FROM THE PAST
Saturday, January 11, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE ZOMBIES OF MORA-TAU
Saturday, January 18, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE GIANT CLAW
Saturday, January 25, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE 27 DAY
Saturday, February 1, 1975 (12:00 am.) I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF
Saturday, February 8, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE DEMON PLANET (PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES)
Saturday, February 15, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE TIME TRAVELERS
Saturday, February 22, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
Saturday, March 1, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR
Saturday, March 8, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) NIGHT TIDE
Saturday, March 15, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE LODGER
Saturday, March 22, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) DR. X
Saturday, March 29, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
Saturday, April 5, 1975 (12:00 am.) NIGHT TIDE
Saturday, April 12, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE TINGLER
Saturday, April 19, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) WHAT! (THE WHIP AND THE BODY)
Saturday, April 26, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE!
Saturday, May 3, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE SHE CREATURE
Saturday, May 10, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE ZOMBIES OF MORA-TAU
Saturday, May 17, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE SHE DEMONS
Saturday, May 24, 1975 (12:00 am.) RED PLANET MARS
Saturday, May 31, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE GIANT CLAW
Saturday, June 7, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) CURSE OF THE DEMON
CHILLER THEATRE was taken off WPIX ‘s schedule until September 20, 1975
Saturday, September 20, 1975 (12:00 am.) DR. X
Saturday, September 27, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) DR. ORLOFF’S MONSTER
Saturday, October 4, 1975 (12:00 am.) SVENGALI
Saturday, October 11, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE LODGER
Saturday, October 18, 1975 (12:00 am.) HORROR! (THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER)
Saturday, October 25, 1975 (12:00 am.) DEMENTIA 13
Saturday, November 1, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE BRIDES OF DRACULA
Saturday, November 8, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) CRUCIBLE OF TERROR
Saturday, November 15, 1975 (12:00 am.) THE FACE OF TERROR
Saturday, November 22, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, November 29, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE EVIL EYE
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on December 6, 1975 due to basketball.
Saturday, December 13, 1975 (12:00 am.) FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER
Saturday, December 20, 1975 (12:00 a.m.) THE SCREAMING SKULL
Saturday, December 27, 1975 (12:00 am.) HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER

1976
Saturday, January 3, 1976 (12:00 a.m.) THE KILLER SHREWS
Saturday, January 10, 1976 (12:00 a.m.) MYSTERY IN THE WAX MUSEUM
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on January 17, 1976.
Saturday, January 24, 1976 (CHILLER THEATRE now moved to 8:00 p.m.) THE TIME TRAVELERS
Saturday, January 31, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) VOODOO WOMAN
Saturday, February, 7, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) THE LODGER
Saturday, February 14, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR
Saturday, February 21, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) THE GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN
Saturday, February 28, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) CREATURE OF DESTRUCTION
Saturday, March 6, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) CASTLE OF EVIL
Saturday, March 13, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) GRAVEYARD OF HORROR
Saturday, March 20, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) VOYAGE TO THE PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on March 27, 1976 due to the Easter Seals Telethon.
Saturday, April 3, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) RETURN FROM THE PAST
Saturday, April 10, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) DR. X
Saturday, April 17, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
Saturday, April 24, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) THE INVISIBLE CREATURE
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on May 1, 1976 due to Yankees baseball.
Saturday, May 8, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS
Saturday, May 15, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5,000
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on May 22 and 29 due to Yankees baseball.
Saturday, June 5, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) VOYAGE TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
CHILLER THEATRE was taken off WPIX’S schedule until Saturday, September 18, 1976.
Saturday, September 16, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) TERROR IN THE CRYPT
Saturday, September 25, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) PLANET OF BLOOD
Saturday, October 2, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET
Saturday, October 9, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) BURN, WITCH, BURN!
Saturday, October 16, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) THE TIME TRAVELERS
CHILLER was preempted until November 19, 1976 when it appeared on Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. for a few weeks.
Friday, November 19, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN
Friday, November 26, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) GODZILLA VS. THE THING
Friday, December 3, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) CIRCUS OF FEAR
Friday, December 10, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) WAR OF THE MONSTERS
Friday, December 17, 1976 (8:00 p.m.) CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted until January 1, 1977 when it returned to Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.

1977
Saturday, January 1, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) PSYCHOMANIA (1972)
Saturday, January 8, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE EVIL EYE
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on January 15, 1977.
Saturday, January 22, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) MONSTER ZERO
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on January 29, 1977.
Saturday, February 5, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) DRACULA’S CASTLE
Saturday, February 12, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) STANLEY
Saturday, February 19, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) NIGHTMARE IN WAX
Saturday, February 26, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on March 5 and 12.
Saturday, March 19, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, March 26, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) BLACK SABBATH
Saturday, April 2, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CIRCUS OF HORRORS
Saturday, April 9, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) DR. TERROR’S HOUSE OF HORRORS
Saturday, April 16, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) PANIC IN YEAR ZERO!
Saturday, April 23, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN
Saturday, April 30, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (the 1962 Hammer version)
Saturday, May 7, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE TWISTED BRAIN
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from May 14 through June 5 due to baseball and other specials.
Saturday, June 12, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR
Saturday, June 19, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) GRAVEYARD OF HORROR
Saturday, June 26, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE TERROR
Saturday, July 3, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) DR. X
Saturday, July 10, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE BRIDES OF DRACULA
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from July 17 through August 20 due to baseball and exhibition football.
Saturday, August 27, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CASTLE OF EVIL
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on September 3, 1977.
Saturday, September 10, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CRUCIBLE OF TERROR
Saturday, September 17, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET
Saturday, September 24, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
Saturday, October 1,1977 (8:00 p.m.) BURN, WITCH, BURN!
Saturday, October 8, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on October 15, 1977.
Saturday, October 22, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) PSYCHOMANIA (1972)
Saturday, October 29, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CIRCUS OF FEAR
Saturday, November 5, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF
Saturday, November 12, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE HANDS OF ORLAC
Saturday, November 19, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE CLONES
Saturday, November 26, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) FEAR IN THE NIGHT
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on December 3, 1977.
Saturday, December 10, 1977 (8:00 p.m.) THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted until January 14, 1978.

1978
Saturday, January 14, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on January 21 and January 28, 1977.
Saturday, February 4, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (the 1962 Hammer version)
Saturday, February 11, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) BLACK SABBATH
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on February 18, 1978.
Saturday, February 25, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) PANIC IN YEAR ZERO!
Saturday, March 4, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) MONSTER ZERO
Saturday, March 11, 1978 (9:00 p.m.) NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on March 18, 1978.
Saturday, March 25, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) CRACK IN THE WORLD
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on April 1, 1978.
Saturday, April 8, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) CIRCUS OF HORRORS
Saturday, April 15, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) THE EVIL EYE
Saturday, April 22, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) MASTER OF THE WORLD
Saturday, April 29, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) THE SNOW DEVILS
Saturday, May 6, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) THE CLONES
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on May 13, 1978 due to Yankees baseball
Saturday, May 20, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) WAR OF THE PLANETS
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from May 27 through June 24, 1978 due to tennis matches and baseball games.
Saturday, July 1, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) BURN, WITCH, BURN!
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from July 8 through July 22 due to baseball games.
Saturday, July 29, 1978 (8:00 p.m.) THE WILD, WILD PLANET
CHILLER THEATRE was taken off WPIX’s schedule until the spring of 1980 where it appeared on Saturday nights at 2:00 a.m.

1980
Saturday, April 12, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) BEYOND THE TIME BARRIER
Saturday, April 19, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE!
Saturday, April 26, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET
Saturday, May 3, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) DEMENTIA 13
Saturday, May 10, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) DR. ORLOFF’S MONSTER
Saturday, May 17, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR
Saturday, May 24, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET
Saturday, May 31, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) THE DEMON PLANET (PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES)
Saturday, June 7, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) THE FACE OF TERROR
Saturday, June 14, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) THE TERROR
Saturday, June 21, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) REPTILICUS
Saturday, June 28, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) TERROR IN THE CRYPT
Saturday, July 5, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) PLANET OF BLOOD
Saturday, July 12, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS
Saturday, July 19, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) VOYAGE TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
Saturday, July 26, 1980 (2:00 am.) VOYAGE TO THE PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN
Saturday, August 2, 1980 (2:00 am.) CREATURE OF DESTRUCTION
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on August 9 and August 16 due to exhibition football.
Saturday, August 23, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) X: THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on August 30, 1980 due to exhibition football.
Saturday, September 6, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER
Saturday, September 13, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) DEMONS OF THE MIND
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on September 20, 1980 due to college football.
Saturday, September 27, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) CASTLE OF EVIL
Saturday, October 4, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) ATOM AGE VAMPIRE
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on October 11 and 18, 1980 due to college football.
Saturday, October 25, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) BLACK SABBATH
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from November 1 through November 22, 1980 due to college football.
Saturday, November 29, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on December 6, 1980 due to college football.
Saturday, December 13, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET
Saturday, December 20, 1980 (2:00 am.) FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR
Saturday, December 27, 1980 (2:00 a.m.) THE DEMON PLANET (PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES)

1981
Saturday, January 3, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE SPECTRE OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
Saturday, January 10, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) VOYAGE TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
Saturday, January 17, 1981 (2:00 am.) NIGHT TIDE
Saturday, January 24, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) VOYAGE TO THE PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN
Saturday, January 31, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) TERROR IN THE CRYPT
Saturday, February 7, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) BLACK SUNDAY
Saturday, February 14, 1981 (2:00 am.) PLANET OF BLOOD
Saturday, February 21, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) ENTER THE DEVIL
Saturday, February 28, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) X: THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES
Saturday, March 7, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE!
Saturday, March 14, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS
Saturday, March 21,1981 (2:00 a.m.) CASTLE OF EVIL
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on March 28, 1981 due to the Easter Seals Telethon.
Saturday, April 4, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST
Saturday, April 11, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) SPY IN YOUR EYE
Saturday, April 18,1 981 (2:00 a.m.) DEMONS OF THE MIND
Saturday, April 25, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) CREATURE OF DESTRUCTION
Saturday, May 2, 1981 (2:00 am.) THE ANGRY RED PLANET
Saturday, May 9, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN
Saturday, May 16, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER
Saturday, May 23, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET
Saturday, May 30, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE PHANTOM PLANET
Saturday, June 6, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) GORGO
Saturday, June 13, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS
Saturday, June 20, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) BEYOND THE TIME BARRIER
Saturday, June 27, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE DEMON PLANET (PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES)
Saturday, July 4, 1981 (2:00 am.) VOYAGE TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
Saturday, July 11, 1981 (2:00 am.) VOYAGE TO THE PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN
Saturday, July 18, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) BATTLE BEYOND THE SUN
Saturday, July 25, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE BRAIN EATERS
Saturday, August 1, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) HORROR! (THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER)
Saturday, August 8, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE!
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on August 15 and August 22, 1981 due to exhibition football.
Saturday, August 29, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from September 5 through October 10, 1981 due to college football.
Saturday, October 17, 1981 (2:00 am.) CAULDRON OF BLOOD
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted from October 24 through November 28, 1981 due to college football and other sports.
Saturday, December 5, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on December 12, 1981.
Saturday, December 19, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS
Saturday, December 26, 1981 (2:00 a.m.) BATTLE BEYOND THE SUN

1982
Saturday, January 2, 1982 (2:00 a.m.) BLACK SUNDAY
Saturday, January 9, 1982 (2:00 a.m.) TERROR IN THE CRYPT
Saturday, January 16, 1982 (2:00 a.m.) VOYAGE TO THE PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN
Saturday, January 23, 1982 (2:00 a.m.) CREATURE OF DESTRUCTION
Saturday, January 30, 1982 (2:00 a.m.) THE MYSTERIANS
CHILLER THEATRE was taken off WPIX’s schedule until June 1982 when it moved to Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 5, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) GAMERA VS. MONSTER X
Saturday, June 12, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) GORGO
Saturday, June 19, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS
Saturday, June 26, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) GODZILLA’S REVENGE
Saturday, July 3, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) RODAN
Saturday, July 10, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) BATTLE OF THE WORLDS
Saturday, July 17, 1982 (3:00 p.m.) THE SPECTRE OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
Saturday, July 24, 1982 (2:30 p.m.) THE CLONES
Saturday, July 31, 1982 (2:30 p.m.) ISLAND OF THE BURNING DOOMED
CHILLER THEATRE was preempted on August 7, 1982.
Saturday, August 14, 1982 (2:30 p.m.) STANLEY
Saturday, August 21, 1982 (2:30 p.m.) NIGHTMARE IN WAX

WOW!!!! What a show that CHILLER THEATRE was!!! I hope this stroll down “scary” lane brought back many memories of when New York television was really special. The CHILLER THEATRE line-up was right up there with WABC-TV’s (Channel 7) THE 4:30 MOVIE and their monster movie weeks and WOR-TV’s (Channel 9) FRIGHT NIGHT on Saturday nights at 1:00 a.m. and WNEW-TV’s (Channel 5) CREATURE FEATURES. It is a time that will never be again, but at least we genre fans have our fond memories and our DVD players and thanks to companies like ALPHA VIDEO, we can collect many of the genre films we all know and love. Thanks for the memories, Channel 11.

Special thanks to Fred Adelman for letting us use some of his vintage TV Guide ads for this article.

Back to NY TV Monster Memories

Other vintage WPIX Channel 11-related links of interest: