PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Time to talk about 13 Demon Street. Though short-lived, this old, Swedish-American horror anthology show was hosted by the great Lon Chaney, Jr. In addition to being the son of film icon Lon Chaney, the actor had already enjoyed success as The Wolf Man in 1941 and other Universal Horror classics. So seeing him as a horror anthology TV host wouldn’t be a big surprise. Along came Curt Siodmak to give him the job.
So, how does he do? I don’t wish to overstate his performance, especially when he’s not as over-the-top as The Cryptkeeper (John Kassir), whose personality is like an air raid siren in comparison to Chaney’s reserved tone. However, he does set the tone for maximum spookage, and a fair amount of these stories do benefit from his introductions.
Personally, I like the premise that he’s doomed to live in a decrepit house on 13 Demon Street forever due to his crimes until he finally finds an offense that is greater than his. It really makes the viewer wonder what he did that’s so powerfully bad. It’s a strange eternal punishment, but it works. As another semi-gimmick, one might point out how 13 Demon Street has 13 episodes. Spooky!
The Episodes: Is ’13 Demon Street’ Worth Checking Out?
Excellent question! It’s true that Chaney has limited screen time. There are stories here that must be able to stand on their own, and some might not (it’s a matter of opinion). Frankly, the average person probably wouldn’t see this series, especially in its entirety… that is, unless they became so addicted to television that they’ve seen virtually everything. Still, I’ve got a few brief thoughts on some episodes.
Let’s begin with “The Black Hand.” Starring Pat Clavin and Sheldon Lawrence (The Man Without a Body 1957), this episode has an age-old lesson: Never use a murderer’s hand for a transplant. It’s also interesting because it discusses a serial killer pre-Ted Bundy (though back then they were simply called “madmen”). While not the most captivating/enriching story ever told, it does have interesting tie-in themes, such as alien hand syndrome. This story also has a precursor in Robert Wiene’s The Hands of Orlac (and don’t worry, I had to look that up for this article. I’m not such a nerd that I have stuff like that memorized!).
“Condemned In The Crystal” is another decent episode due to its brooding atmosphere and sense of dread. In this story, a guy named John Radian (Michael Hinn) becomes obsessed with his fate after a psychic named Madame Germaine (Gunnel Broström) reveals he is to die… and soon! Such stories are often quite good because of their relatability. After all, who hasn’t been at least slightly concerned about death, if not at times depressed or fearful of it? If you haven’t, you’re possibly an overly goth-y goofball (of course, you might still be able to enjoy this episode, exaggerated nerves of steel notwithstanding).
I’d like to mention “The Vine of Death.” Weirdly written by Curt Siodmak and Leo Guild, this episode is most notable for one element. There’s a rape-y character named Wally (Lauritz Falk) who sort of gets killed by vines, vaguely similar to The Ruins, though not nearly as bloody. Still, if you’re a fan of plant-based horror (as I can be), I think you’ll dig that aspect.
My Favorite Episode
Finally, I’d like to mention what’s likely my favorite episode: “The Girl In The Glacier.” I can’t exactly say why I like this one, but it seems to work as a metaphor somehow. Basically, an archeologist-type (Frank Taylor) becomes obsessed with a woman (Sara Harts) he finds frozen in ice. Is it strange that I found this one of the better episodes? Well, if you are concerned, just know I lack that amount of free space in my freezer at home.
For Fun: What Did Lon Chaney, Jr.’s Character Do That Was So Evil?
As suggested earlier, Lon Chaney, Jr.’s character is cursed to live on 13 Demon Street until he learns of someone whose crimes outweigh his own. That doesn’t sound too daunting, right? However, we don’t know what he did that’s so bad. We can really only guess that it ranks extremely high on the proverbial naughty list. So, for fun, I’m going to try to imagine what he could have done.
I imagine Chaney’s character might have visited multiple newborn hospital wards, only to do repeated backflips and spinning kicks randomly throughout the rooms, then ran the hell out of there giggling like a schoolboy. He would have needed to do it just for kicks and never try to break the habit, hence the ultra-extraordinary evil designation and his own brooding, mournful, eternal fate.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to say 13 Demon Street is lackluster. I don’t think there’s a single famous moment in the show, and Chaney’s presence is minor. Nevertheless, if you’re after more than three hours of unmotivated television viewing and wish to see a horror anthology series that’s not particularly violent, binge-watching this might do the trick. You might want to accompany Chaney for a walk down ol’ memory lane. Also, it’s always interesting to see a pre-Cryptkeeper anthology host, even if he lacks the razor-sharp cornball wit. This is no dinner theater, but you won’t be biting off more than you can chew when it comes to scares. In fact, only an unsuspecting child might be scared by this show, and that’s not a sure thing, either.
What are your thoughts on 13 Demon Street? Let us know in the comments!
