August 4 ,2008
The Legacy of Horror: A Look at the New Horror Make-up Show Exhibit
By Kevin Contini (DisneyBoi1215)

As you walk along the streets of Universal Studios, you see numerous buildings with elaborate theming and intricate characteristics that make these edifices rather extravagant and fabulous. However, there is one building in particular that I am going to focus on in this article. That building is known as the Pantages Theatre. Whenever you read the words “Pantages Theatre”, you may think of the one that is the real theatre over in California. However, the one at Universal Studios Florida houses a different kind of show.            

Opening with the rest of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, “The Gory, Gruesome, and Grotesque Horror Make-up Show” immerses guests into an environment in which they learn about how horror effects are made, and are even freaked out a little bit by the effects. The show’s hosts, Alex Ross and Mark James, use raunchy humor and hilarious antics to help explain to guests the wonders of creating some of Universal’s leading horror movies, such as “Frankenstein” and “An American Werewolf in London.”

In 2004, when Universal Studios released the film “Van Helsing” starring Hugh Jackman, Universal Studios Florida decided to place an exhibit inside the pre-holding area of the Horror Make-up Show featuring props from the somewhat horrible movie. The props started attracting many people to the show and even ended up in the removal of “The Fly” machine in favor of a new monster Mark James created for “Van Helsing”, called “Eddie.”

It was like that for about 3 ½ years, closer to 4, perhaps. In June, Universal surprised fans of the Horror Make-up Show by changing up the exhibit inside the holding area. Entitled “The Legacy of Horror”, this exhibit showcases Universal’s legacy of creating the horror film, starting with “Frankenstein” and working its way up to “Hellboy II.” However, this is not what really shocked Universal fans. They finally put in a tribute to their annual beloved event, Halloween Horror Nights. In the somewhat medium-sized section devoted to HHN, you will find life-like statues of Jack the Clown and Albert “The Caretaker” Caine, as well as images showcasing several years of the event, including blueprints for the entrance to “Scream House: Resurrection” from Halloween Horror Nights Sweet 16. (FYI: If you look towards the ceiling, you will notice they even put up all the maps from all 17 years of the event, from when the event was called “Fright Nights” all the way to last year's “Carnival of Carnage.”)

In short, Universal has never ceased to amaze me and other fans out there by the addition of this wonderful exhibit. The only thing that I wish they would’ve done is replace the creature in the show with something from the “Legacy of Horror” exhibit. Maybe eventually they can put in someone dressed up as Jack or The Caretaker. Now that would be pretty much amazing and make the show even better than what it is now! Even with the addition of the tribute to Halloween Horror Nights (or HHN, for those that love abbreviations to death), more and more Universal fans will (hopefully) start revisiting the show with thoughts of “Hey, this show is interesting and exciting!” instead of “Eh, let’s skip it. It’s boring.” I salute you, Universal, for your true “legacy of horror.” You have learned how to scare the crap out of me. Thank you.