October 2018 Author’s Addendum: The video of the Horror Hotel episode that was featured in this article has been removed from public viewing on Youtube. Inquiries regarding this episode’s current or future availability should be sent to horrorhotelfest@gmail.com.
Above is the full and most recent episode of Horror Hotel, shown on the Reel TV Network and hosted by Lamia (pronounced “Lay-me-uh”). As she introduces the 1959 Vincent Price classic The House on Haunted Hill, one can tell “The Queen of the Dark” is a very knowledgeable horror film historian who gives the facts and stats on the movies she hosts, as well as what was going on, horror-wise, during its era. Exuding a more subtle sexuality and without the campiness of Elvira, who’s known for delivering double entendre-laced monologs while spilling out of a sleek form-hugging dress, Lamia does some segments of the show with her “co-host” Lilith Alexandria, her pet python, that we first see at 25:16. During the closing segment, rather than wishing viewers “unpleasant dreams,” Lamia signs off with “stay bloody” and an evil, fang-baring hiss.
Intrigued by Lamia’s name (and not just because it rhymes with a part of the female anatomy that Playboy magazine still airbrushes to this day), I asked her “real life alter ego” about its origins, to which she replied; “In mythology, Lamia is reportedly the very first creature resembling what we call vampires today.” As bonus information, she added that Lilith was named after another of the first vampires from mythology, not the “ice-queen” character from the Cheers and Frasier sitcoms. On the character and developing her, the alter ego says:
Being a horror fan, I’m already familiar with a lot of what’s been done. I think a lot of hosts go for the more campy gimmicks, which I didn’t want to do. I see Lamia as more sarcastic and saying what she wants. The bits we do on the show here and there are mostly created by my executive producer, Ray Szuch, who agreed we wanted to stay away from most of the cheesy comedy but still have fun with it. Hopefully, viewers agree. For instance, the Undead Crew; it adds another element to the show but isn’t overdone.
Besides the Horror Hotel TV show, the crew at The Reel TV Network also produce the Horror Hotel International Film Festival and Convention, which is coming up June 6th-8th (next month!) in Cleveland, Ohio. All the guests they have booked so far have been listed on the website and at the Facebook fan page that is updated daily. Lamia will be there and it will be the only time of the year she’ll be seen during daylight hours. Learn more about the Horror Hotel TV show and film fest/convention at the official website for both.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
Here's something you might enjoy as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4wZKgtbxR0 This is the intro I did for the same movie about 9 years ago for my show Cleveland Classic Cinema.
Enjoy it I did, Nicholas. Compared to your intro, Lamia just scratches the surface on William Castle and The House on Haunted Hill. However, I’m sure you’ll understand why I’d still rather have her as my host. Thanks for bringing Cleveland Classic Cinema to my attention!
Yeah Elvira never seemed to know much on the films she hosted. This girl does her homework. Still, it wouldn't hurt if she showed some cleavage.
Lamia…please understand that some guys are IDIOTS…beside watching scary flix on Saturday night (and you) NOW, you attractive vamp…here is a suggestion from one such idjit: Lose the directors chair for a high-back swivel chair (turning back and forth for ‘us’ mesmerized idiots…and show us some of your ‘good side’ (I figure it can’t hurt ratings either). Anyway, you are obviously the hottest horror hostess to come along in a long time. I saved that ‘French flick’ boarding house killer ‘son of a head mistress’ Classic!! See you Saturday babe !
Thank you for watching, Ken! Glad you’re enjoying the show. 🙂 I always appreciate suggestions and feedback, but I’ll stick with the director’s chair simply because it fits with talking more about the films. The House That Screamed was definitely a favorite of many, so I’m glad you liked it too. See you Saturday.
-Lamia
I love your movies and I hope you are ok. You’re the best as always it takes one idiot to ruin a good thing. Thank you for all your perfect movies you relax and let it go. You are the best always know that and thank you always.
Hey Lamia, love the old horror movies, watching one right now! Only thing I’m missing is popcorn, lol.
I’m just seeing this, but thank you for watching! I hope you’re still enjoying the show!
-Lamia
Your show is the best never stop doing the show i enjoy it very much
Thank you, Peter. I hope you continue to enjoy the show! Thanks for being a fan. Stay bloody!
I really enjoy the films you’ve shown. I wonder where you obtain your films from. Is there any chance you’ll show more European old horror movies? A couple of things: one, your intro to these movies is pretty lengthy. You might want to break it up in 2 or 3 segments. Two, please show us some of your favorites like “Detour.” Three, Lilith was also the name of Herman Munster’s wife in the TV sitcom by the same name. I think you are awesome and beautiful and I hope you get paid well for doing this cause you deserve it. Big love.
Thanks for the feedback, and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the show! We do have more European films planned down the line. We typically list about 1-2 months of the national programming on our website at a time. If you’d like to check that out to see what’s coming soon, visit http://horrorhotel.net/show-schedule.html. Stay bloody!
Lamia…someone who grew up in the Chiller Theater days of Pittsburgh, it is great to have someone like yourself to show us the horror classics that have pretty much been forgotten. You give me a reason to stay up late night and get scared again!
We were watching you on Retro TV, owned by Luken and as of June 2022, they no longer are broadcasting your show on the big dish on Sat at 11:30 on C-Band. Do you plan to go to another C-Band on Sat? They cancelled Retro, Action Heartland, and Family. By the way, on 6/4/22 you had 4 short movies, but what stole the show was your outfit you wore that day. You were better than the movies. By the way, silent movies had their day, ok? Please let us know if you are planning to move to another C-Band on Saturdays, so we can enjoy your show. Thank you, Peter and Carolyn.