A second package, Son of Shock, was released for television by Screen Gems in 1958, with 20 horror films from both Universal and Columbia.
Shock Theater usually aired on late night television on weekends, and in many markets was introduced by a costumed horror host;[1] a well-known example was Zacherley (John Zacherle) on Philadelphia's WCAU-TV (as 'Roland') in 1957-58,[2] and New York's WABC-TV in 1958-59.
Shock Theater continued the American tradition of horror film television shows that originated with Vampira (Maila Nurmi) at Los Angeles KABC-TV in 1954-55.
Shock Theater programs in major cities were often introduced by local hosts in the style of Zacherley or Vampira such as Terry Bennett's Marvin on Chicago's WBKB-TV.
Screen Gems acquired a 10-year lease of the television rights to 550 Universal Pictures features in June 1957, with the intention of packaging them by formats and stars, including horror, crime, and comedy.