YOUR GUIDE: Chiller Theatre readies for pre-Halloween festival

Chiller Theatre rolls into the Sheraton Parsippany on Oct. 26-28, and the celebrity list is long and varied. The top headliner is Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, who will offer a few select attendees the chance for a scribble. If you haven’t entered Chiller’s lottery and received word back, you’re probably out of luck on getting Hammett’s new book, Too Much Horror Business, signed with an exclusive slipcover.

Other celebrities include some impressive genre names, including Paul Morrissey (first time at a convention), Stefania Casini (Suspiria), Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon), Valerie Leon (Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb), Caroline Munro (Dracula A.D. 1972), Linda Blair (The Exorcist) and Billy Gray (The Day the Earth Stood Still).

For first-time fans, you can expect a long line for Blair, but most other lines should be manageable. Joan Collins will make a rare appearance, plus Danny Glover, who is making his convention circuit debut. Lee Majors and Virginia Madsen round out the top names, although it’s important to mention Tom Wopat, Keith Emerson and Connie Stevens will also be there.

TV names include Bronson Pinchot, Penny Marshall and Valerie Harper. The big music name (besides Hammett) is KISS’s Ace Frehley (expect a long line).

Chiller Theatre will open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday night, Oct. 26; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Pay for a few extra bucks and you can get in one hour early on Friday night and Saturday. Please note: Although you can get in early, some celebrities don’t begin signing until later.

Tickets are $25, or $30 for early admission. Click here for more information.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com