Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • October 27, 2010 Chills, thrills, and stars coming to Chiller Expo by Dennis Seuling With jack-o’-lanterns aglow on porches and scarecrows keeping watch over homes throughout Bergen County, it can only mean Halloween is here. As reliably as trick-ortreaters will roam neighborhoods in quest of candy, Chiller Theatre Expo will once again set up shop for a three-day celebration of horror and fantasy. On hand will be over 100 celebrities, most from the world of show biz, along with fantasy artists, authors, and musicians. The expo will be at the Hilton Parsippany in Parsippany from Oct. 29 to 31. Headlining this October is first-time Chiller guest Debbie Reynolds, star of what many critics consider the best American film musical ever made: “Singin’ in the Rain.” Born Mary Frances Reynolds, she entered film after winning the Miss Burbank beauty contest in 1948. She won a contract to Warner Brothers, made only two films there, and eventually ended up at MGM, the Tiffany of movie studios in those days. At MGM, she had a small part as Helen Kane in “Three Little Words” and a bigger role in “Two Weeks with Love” before being cast in 1952’s “Singin’ in the Rain.” Gene Kelly, star and co-director, was a tough task master and the young actress had to keep up not only with his superb tap dancing, but also with hoofer veteran Donald O’Connor. In their exuberant number, “Good Morning,” Reynolds is right in the center, flanked by her male costars, and dances up a storm. Her subsequent films include “Tammy and the Bachelor,” “Bundle of Joy” (with then-husband Eddie Fisher), “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” which earned her an Oscar nomination, and Albert Brooks’ “Mother.” She has made several guest appearances on television and most recently has been performing around the country with her nightclub act. Also at Chiller Expo will be Patty Duke, known best for recreating on screen her Broadway role of Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker.” A highlight of the film is the young Duke’s knock down, drag out battle of wills with Anne Bancroft when Bancroft’s Annie Sullivan attempts to instill basic manners in the undisciplined Keller. Duke also starred in her own TV show in the 1960s as mirror-image cousins, and headlined in many made-for-TV movies. In 2009, she appeared as Madame Morrible in a San Francisco production of “Wicked.” Other celebrities to appear include Barbara Eden (“I Dream of Jeannie”), John Astin (“The Addams Family”), Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”), Larry Hagman (“Dallas”), LeVar Burton (“Roots”), Patrick Duffy (“Man From Atlantis”), supermodel Cheryl Tiegs, Ralph Macchio (“The Karate Kid”), 1970s teen heart throb Leif Garrett, David Naughton (“An American Werewolf in London”), Linda Blair (“The Exorcist”), Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210”), and Jim Kelly (“Enter the Dragon”). Horror fans will be pleased that Chiller Expo is reassembling entire casts of two seminal horror movies. One, which opened the door to more graphic horror on screen, is George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” (1968). Romero combined the traditional zombie with cannibalism to create vile, slow-moving, flesh-eating creatures. Russ Streiner, John Russo, Bill Heinzman, Judith Ridley, and Kyra Schon from that horror classic will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs. The other, “City of the Living Dead,” directed by Lucio Fulci, also features zombies, these from a doorway to Hell. Chiller will host the movie’s six original Italian stars in a 30th anniversary tribute. Chiller Expo comes to New Jersey twice a year, once in the spring and once right around Halloween. It’s not Debbie Reynolds will head the guest list at the Chiller Theatre Expo. unusual to see many visitors to Chiller decked out in elaborate costumes at the October show. Though the many celebrities constitute a major attraction for fans eager to meet their favorite stars, get an autograph, and have a picture taken, there is much more. Hundreds of dealers pack several ballrooms, offering oneof-a-kind models, monster magazines, masks, vintage toys, DVDs, books, posters, lobby cards, CDs, comic books, and other memorabilia. The dealers’ wares are mostly fantasyrelated, though not exclusively so. Browsing among the dealers’ rooms is a must at Chiller. Even if you don’t buy (continued on Crossword page) State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! K IRK E RS INN Our 41st Oktoberfest is here! GERMAN BEERS ON TAP Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 TOP GERMAN AMERICAN RESTAURANT IN BERGEN & PASSAIC COUNTIES Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 1 $ 00 VT On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 2 Sauerbrauten FULL Schnitzels BAR Rouladen Goulash Bavarian Sausages Potato Pancakes Dumplings Spaetzel and more. 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