Nashville's first television horror movie host, Dr. Lucifer, hosted Shock Theater on Nashville's WSIX-TV8, which is now WKRN-TV2. Dr. Lucifer was played by Nashville radio broadcaster Ken Bramming. The show ran from November 1958 to April 1967, originally airing Friday nights at 10:15pm CST, and later moving to Saturday nights at 10:30. Bramming himself chose every movie, and edited them himself. Dr Lucifer was by far the best dressed of all Nashville hosts, always appearing in white tie and tails, black tuxedo and flowing black cape. He wore an eye patch over his right eye and carried a long cigarette holder.

Dr. Lucifer, played by Ken Bramming, c. 1960

Ken Bramming out of character, on the set at Shock Theater.

Between 1958 and 1962 Shock Theater was rated number one in the Friday and later Saturday night timeslot. It even beat the Tonight Show on NBC. After it's cancellation in 1967 Bramming took a radio announcing job, but re-emerged as Dr. Lucifer between Oct. 1968 and Nov. 1969 on WMCV-TV17, and independent station, to host weekend horror movies. His final appearance as Dr Lucifer was on Creature Feature, hosted by another Nashville horror host, Sir Cecil Creape.

Special thanks to Jeff Thompson, radio personality at WAMB AM in Nashville, and personal friend of Ken Bramming, for the help with this information. Much of it comes from his wonderful article for Filmfax magazine - Thanks Jeff.

Click HERE to read Jeff's full article from Filmfax magazine.

Click HERE for an article celebrating the life of Ken Bramming

Click here to read an obituary for Ken Bramming on Nashville Scene Newspaper's website

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