Video Vault: Gary Scott Beatty Uncovers WAY OUT

Not often does a worthwhile, '60s TV horror show escape my notice, but this one did. 'Way Out, creepily hosted by Roald Dahl (Yes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, that Roald Dahl) was broadcast for one season in 1961. Jackie (The Honeymooners) Gleason's game show flopped so badly it was replaced after only one episode by this dark horror. Although 'Way Out was certainly put together in a rush, the stories are solid and easily the creepiest fiction on early television. Unlike other story shows like The Twilight Zone, 'Way Out was sinister and darkly amusing without morals or teaching moments. It seemed to exist solely to scare the heck out of viewers.   Dahl himself was far from the thoughtful, scholarly guy Rod Serling portrayed on the Zone."Creepy" is the best way to describe his intros -- low keyed, but not unlike the hosts from EC's comic book horror titles like Tales from the Crypt. The show is terribly hard to find and view, so I have no qualms recommending unofficial YouTube posts. Warning, these are far from pristine prints. 14 episodes were originally broadcast. Eight episodes are here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWOCK84JJch2tBpnwvYpmqQ/videos Two more are here: I Heard You Calling Me https://www.youtube.com/c/weirdlectures/videos The Croaker https://www.youtube.com/c/weirdlectures/videos The 20/20 episode is here: https://archive.org/details/WayOut1961 If anyone knows where I can view The Sisters, Button, Button, and Soft Focus, please let me know. Believe me, they're -- 'way out. +++   Night at the Museum meets Lord of the Rings in Anthony Christou's latest illustrated novel, now on Kickstarter. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/luminousages/tavern-of-dreams-a-luminous-ages-tale Anthony is an incredible painter. He's been creating his Luminous Ages world for years and you'll want to get in on this beautiful book. He's so confident you'll be hooked, he's offered the first three chapters for you to read for free.   +++ Do I sound a little worn out? The Gods of Aazurn Kickstarter Exclusive went through. We reached funding goal in 24 hours, attracted 100 Backers, and were funded at 326%! Thanks to all my backers!   In glorious service to our Aazurn overlords, Gary Scott Beatty http://strangehorror.com/