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Draft:Bowman Body

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  • Comment: Avoid citing links to the subject's own website . Ratnahastin (talk) 10:19, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

The Bowman Body was a character portrayed by William Bowman who hosted horror and other B movies on Virginian television stations from 1970 to 1984.[1][2][3]

History

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William Bowman first developed the character of the Bowman Body in June 1970 for WXEX TV, Channel 8 (now WRIC) while hosting "Horror Film Festival,"[4] a week-long showcase of Universal horror films. Bowman would return as the Bowman Body after the station received hundreds of letters in support of the character eventually finding a permanent time slot on Fridays in February 1971. The Bowman Body hosted Shock Theater from 1971-1976. However, Bowman would continue his tenure as a horror host with Cobweb Theatre (1977-1978) on WVIR 29, Charlottesville VA, as well as syndicated version of the program from 1978-1979. From 1983 to 1984, Bowman would continue the character with Monsterpiece Theater on WNVC 56, Fairfax, VA.[3]

Portrayal

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The Bowman Body appeared as a pale undead figure with a monotone voice dressed in a suit, cape, high-top sneakers and tube socks. The Bowman Body's face appeared pale white excepting for dark patches around the eyes and a band-aid on his forehead. The Bowman Body displayed a care-free, jovial, and sarcastic demeanor often using deadpan humor.[1] The Bowman Body opened the show rising out of a mock coffin and during the program would play the ukulele.[5] The Bowman Body would frequently exclaim "What a horrible motion picture"[3] in response to the evening's feature and on other occasions offer false praise to the movies he was presenting in a mocking manner. He was occasionally accompanied by other characters including a mummy portrayed by Tom Blalock.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kotz, Sean (director) (2011). Hi There Horror Movie Fans (mp4) (documentary). Horse Archer Productions.
  2. ^ Foster, Richard (4 August 2015). "Bowman's Return". Style Weekly. VPM. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Watson, Elena (1991). Television Horror Movie Hosts. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 256. ISBN 9781476611600.
  4. ^ Dantzler, Nicole (27 October 2022). "Family of broadcast legend 'The Bowman Body' asks for community's support again, citing health and house needs". ABC 8 News. WRIC. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  5. ^ Commending William W. Bowman, Jr (Joint Resolution). Virginia Senate. February 21, 2005. 535. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Kotz, Sean (director) (2009). Virginia Creepers: The Horror Host Tradition of the Old Dominion (mp4) (documentary). Horse Archer Productions.

Category:Drafts about fictional people