The Music Box Massacre Part 3 - Surviving 24 Hours of Horror Films

Last year at this time I wrote about my experience of attending the second annual Music Box Massacre, 24 hours of horror films at the Music Box Theater (3733 N. Southport) in Chicago. In May I followed up with the 17 hour Sci-Fi film festival at the same theater. Now I am back to tell you about the 3^rd Annual Music Box Massacre attended by my nephew and myself over the weekend of October 13 and 14.

This year is year number three but only the second time we have attended the event. I can't speak for how year one went but this year was an improvement over last year's. One of the main reasons for this is the host of the event, Rusty Nails, a young and energetic horror film buff who has also dabbled in directing small budget horror films. He takes the microphone before each movie and talks to the crowd making us feel part of the show. And, yes, he is there for every minute and is very personable. He comes up and talks to you and expects you to do the same. After the show he invited the whole crowd for breakfast and while my nephew and I awaited our ride he twice approached us to make sure we knew the invite was still in place.

For one we knew what to expect and came better prepared. Snacks and energy drinks were packed ahead of time and there was a proper amount of rest the night before. We relied on the theater for our thirst quenching for the duration.

We arrived this year around 10:45 a.m. for a noon start time. This was about 15 minutes earlier then last year and we were surprised to find a bigger line. We stood in the brisk air talking to fellow horror film lovers (I, myself, realizing that despite my status as a film buff, I have nothing on some of these people who discuss horror films I have never even heard of) while awaiting the doors to open. At around 11:20 Rusty made his appearance to the crowd in line and announced he would be letting everyone in after getting a high five from each and every person. He started at the back, worked his way to the front and the doors were open.