Dr. Digby and Igor
I honestly do not know much about these two but I watched them as a kid growing up in Lawton, Oklahoma. Horror host Dr. Digby ran Shock Theater (or at least that is what I remember it being called) on Saturday nights on KSWO channel 7 the local ABC affiliate. Dr. Digby was your friendly vampire and Igor was his crazy-haired lab assistant. It was an event on Saturday night, especially for sleep-overs, well at least at my house. Cheesy as hell but loads of fun and turned me on to lots of old horror films. Towards the end the show kind of went downhill and featured more beach blanket type movies. It was however a highlight and fond memory from my childhood. Like I said, I don’t know anything about Dr. Digby but have been told Igor was portrayed by a local man named Harvey “Frosty” Freeze, who has since passed away. I’m not sure when I took this photo but it would have been in the mid-1970s at a big event at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. It was crazy and very exciting. Tons of people turned out for the event. I have his autograph tucked away someplace. If you are reading this and remember Dr. Digby or have more information please share, there doesn’t seem to a lot out there about this horror host, at least that I’ve been able to find. As an aside, Shakey’s is long gone. For a long time Pizza Hut occupied the building but recently they razed it and built a Pizza Hut Bistro in its place.
UPDATE:
Rob in the comments emailed KSWO and received the following reply:
Dr Digsby was played by Weyman Slaton,he was in Oklahoma city following his
tenure at TV 7 and we lost contact several years ago? Igor was played by
Frosty Freeze ,our onstaff artist at the time, he is deceased. The show
began in the late 60"s and ran thru the 70"s ,I have the exact dates in our
files,but I believe you are correct the show ended in the early to mid 1980
period. When the show began I was a cameraman and when it ended I was the
General Manager. Larry Patton
I hope that helps! Rob
It does help! Thanks Rob
Posts
54 comments:
I remember Dr. Digby. I grew up in Vernon in the 70s. My brother and I got a "Coffin Club" card from KSWO when we were kids. Wish I still had it. I remember watching King Kong for the very first time on Shock Theater. We were bummed out the summer they decided to show all of the Beach Movies with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Then we got hooked on them!!! Dr. Digby used to push the Jerry Lewis telethon and one year we sent away for our "Carnival Kit" to raise money for MDS. Good Memories. I would love to know more about Dr. Digby and Igor. I have not heard anything either. If you do, please let me know.
Hart Brown
susanandhart@yahoo.com
Hart,
Thanks for sharing and adding a few more pieces to the puzzle. I have to admit I enjoyed those films as well.
Take care,
Jim
I was born in 1952 in Nocona, Texas. Two of my fondest childhood memories are of Shock Theater on channel 7 out of Lawton and Pinto Bean's Haunted House on channel 3 out of Wichita Falls. It's amazing the influence those shows had on me, and I'm sure account for the fact that at age 56 I still wear skull t-shirts and watch any B-Movie sci-fi and horror I can find.
I remember the Shock Theater set being very cool and creepy; fake castle walls, lots of lab equipment with beakers bubbling and smoking with dry ice. I built my own Dr. Digby lab with neon generators and old tube radios. Can't believe I didn't get electrocuted.
I also remember kids mailing in flies for Igor to eat on camera. Has anyone tried communicating with KSWO? Surely they at least have some photos in their archives.
Ahhh, yes..Dr. Digby was awesome! Would not have been a Saturday night in Northwest Texas without the good Dr. and Igor. This was the first and only "Igor" with a Texas accent and redneck tendencies...
I am From Wichita Falls, and I never Missed Dr. Digby. I remember him coming to the TG&Y store here and signing autographs with Igor. I was a little scared but I got one anyway. I too was mad when the Beach movies started airing, but I too eventually got hooked on them. So far this is the only page I've found about Dr. Digby. Glad to know someone else still recalls all of this!
I'm trying to do an online story about horror hosts in Oklahoma. Count Gregore is not hard to find, but I can't find anyone who even knows Dr Digby's real name. I think it's Wayman something. I grew up in Frederick and rarely missed Shock Theater myself. It'd be great to find some more folks who remember the guy or have more pics.
I grew up in Lawton as well and loved that show. Some of my favorite childhood memories were of staying up late on Saturday nights and watching Shock Theater.
I am still a horror fan to this day, due to those late night movies. I would love to know where Dr. Digby is and tell him he still has fans out there.
I remember watching this on Sat. nights growing up! With commercials for Jonah's submarine sandwiches! "A whale of a sub!"
I am trying to track down some info for you, emailed someone at KSWO about the show. Have your blog bookmarked....Rob
Here's my reply from the KSWO manager, Larry Patton:
Dr Digsby was played by Weyman Slaton,he was in Oklahoma city following his
tenure at TV 7 and we lost contact several years ago? Igor was played by
Frosty Freeze ,our onstaff artist at the time, he is deceased. The show
began in the late 60"s and ran thru the 70"s ,I have the exact dates in our
files,but I believe you are correct the show ended in the early to mid 1980
period. When the show began I was a cameraman and when it ended I was the
General Manager. Larry Patton
I hope that helps! Rob
Rob,
Thank you so much! It it so great to finally know who Dr. Digby was and to provide some more leads. I'll update the post to include this information.
Again, thank you, Dr. Digby and Igor deserve to be remembered.
Jim
I loved to watch this on Sat. night and Friday night was Count Gregor on WKY channel 4 with "Sleepwalker's Matinee" I would try really hard to stay awake for the movies but couldn't always make it to the end! these shows and the magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland gave me a love for monsters that I have till this day.
Rob lawtoniww@hotmail.com
I remember watching Dr. Digby, I lived in Altus OKLA. in the 70's, I remember when they had the contest to name the mansion. I still remember the name that won. The Belladona Mansian. I probably didnt spell it correctly though.
Wow, I definitely remember this show. I recall one time my older sister and her best friend got to go on the show as extras (I think they were props as dead bodies. LOL) But we got to go up to KSWO and got to see the set, it was very cool since I was probably about 10 years old at the time.
My brother and I have been searching all over for info on Dr. Digby! We remember living in Fort Sill, OK, sitting on the floor in front of our tv eating popcorn, anxiously waiting for Dr. Digby to come on! If anyone knows how we can watch some episodes, PLEASE let us know!
yes Dr. Digby deserves to be remembered. go to the following website and find out where he is.
http://docapp065p.doc.state.ok.us/servlet/page?_pageid=394&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&doc_num=248565&offender_book_id=139478
http://docapp065p.doc.state.ok.us/servlet/page?_pageid=394&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&doc_num=248565&offender_book_id=139478
the name is Weyman G Slaten
I had the pleasure of working with Frosty Freeze at KSWO Television. My name is Bobby Jones and I worked in the Engineering Dept. Frosty was set designer and made some really great objects and such for KSWO. I remember he went to Pow-Wows as he had Indian heritage.
He used to tell me stories about Shock Theatre and also did his routine (Igor) on numerous occasions. I am honored to have known him and work with him. God Bless You Frosty Freeze!
I grew up the first six years of my life in Lawton over on n.w.50th st. near the church and the big park. and wathching Dr. Digby was the highlight of my weekend. i never missed it my favorite part was the intro. the skeletions playing piano with that scarry music playing in the background. i would watch until i fell asleep. i would love to se the intro. just one more time.please if i you com across anything about it,i would be greatfull.
I can't believe this exist. I remember this show when i was 6 years old in Lawton,OK. about 1979 This show used to scare the crap out of me. My best memory is the beginning of the show when the skeletons would play piano with all those colors and strange music going on. I would usually fall asleep before the movie was even over yet. Someone has to get the intro to that show, i have to see that again....Thanks in advance!!
As a kid in Wichita Falls, Dr. Digby was THE show to watch on Saturday nights -- especially during sleepovers. If it was a sleepover, I generally made it through the til the end of the movie. Otherwise, I often fell asleep toward the end.
I think Dr. Digby finally had some competition when Saturday Night Live came around...but not for everyone.
Im dating his.son, what do u need to k.ow
Hate to break it everyone but Dr Digby is in an oklahoma prison and has been for 12 yrs for child porn 150 counts up for parol in 2012
Totally remember him. Lived in Mtn. view , ok from the preschool til 8th grade. I have asked tons of people if they knew what I was talking about and this is the first time anyone did. That shows the reason I know about so many old scary flics. Abbot and Costello , Vincent price. It was awesome.
I am a victim of your beloved Weyman. He is a monster in real life. I googled his name to see when hes up for parole and came across this page. I hope he rots in prison. He deserves worse than that.
He has kids? Ill pray for them. I hope to God he didnt do anything to them. I knew him from the age of 12 to 17. He never said a word about kids. He mentioned nieces i think but thats it. Wow.
Oh I know he has kids or at least a son. I was living in Lawton and his son and I where in cub scouts together. Plus! His wife was our "den mother". So the whole cub scout troop got to go on the show and get our coffin club card. I think if remember right half the troop got to go into the coffin for a promo. Which made me Google Dr.Digsby to find out if I can find that episode, cause it was the only time I was on TV. I remember Slaten, being pretty cool. Telling jokes and doing tricks for our troop. If anyone knows how I can get a hold of old episodes, please let me know.
My dad was stationed at Fort Sill and we lived in Lawton, OK around 1976-1977. We would watch Dr. Digby late at night and me only being 5 years old, I'd get scared...but it was a good scare.
Anyway, I remember we recorded the theme song on cassette tape. Keep in mind that this was in the days before home VCRs, so I don't have the actual video. I found the tape in the basement and sure enough, I have the opening theme. Not the best quality, as it was simply a microphone held up to the television speaker, but it sure brought back memories.
Enjoy the nostalgia 35 years later!
DR. DIGBY THEME
He is going to show up at my house when he gets out. Im tring to find out what he has done before he does. Can you help me please???
Why is he coming to your house? Are you family?? I wouldn't let this degenerate stay with my dog.
When I found out what a creep he was / is I was appalled.
Go see for yourself what all is on his record.
http://docapp065p.doc.state.ok.us/servlet/page?_pageid=394&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&doc_num=248565&offender_book_id=139478
I am family. And I have seen what he has been charged with. I still would like to know what he did. Something I need to know for myself.
What do want details????? Go ask him or ohhhh let me guess....he's innocent. He wasnt just charged he was convicted. Hope you don't have kids so he can rape them with something...or worse. Hope you're happy together.
Im his son. Please email me. Mws_@cox.net
I remember Shock Theater, Pinto Bean, and Light Out Theater on KAUZ. If memory serves me right, the latter followed Championship Wrestling on Friday nights. Good memories.
I knew Weyman in the 90's and he tried stuff with me and my friends when we were in our late teens. I never turned him in, but I should have. He liked to use his power to lure girls in. He is a VERY bad man.
Weyman Slaten (Dr Digby) is scheduled to get out of prison this year actually. He didn't make parole in 2012 but will discharge his sentence in 2014.
He was also the victim of 2 failed penile implant surgeries in the early 1990s which left him unable to maintain normal sexual function, hence, the instrumentation charges etc
Very sick man. I fear for anyone he comes in contact with under 18 years of age. He tried to groom my daughter but we saw through his crap. He is a weirdo and he is only attracted to children. Keep him away.
I remember there was a shock theatre back around 1960-1961 on channel 7. I lived in Lawton then.. We visited the set on a Friday to be part of the Micky Mouse Club. I was in the cub scouts then. There was a woman who was dressed sorta like a vampire, who was on the show from time to time. They shot it on Friday, and I think back then it aired on Friday. Anyone else remember that.....I don't remember anyone else from cast.
In the mid 70's our high school performed Lil Abner and some of the cast were on the show. We had a lot of fun with Igor chasing us and we acted like we were scared. I would like to see that episode again. Alot of fun memories.
My sister and I were on an episode that I’m currently trying to contact KSWO about and see if I can get a copy. We wore bikinis and I believe we jumped out of a coffin screaming and ran off! Lol!
I remember Dr. Digby and Igor only I thought it was called Lights Out Theater. I thoroughly enjoyed it growing up in Iowa Park, Texas.
I remember Dr. Digby from the 70s on channel 7 in Lawton. Loved the show and watched it every saturday nite. My brother and I also had the coffin club cards. We would wait up til it came on in our home in Elgin Ok. Alot of great memories from that time. Loved the Dr. and Igor.
I chose to separate the Dr. from Slaten. I know that anyone who does things like that are very vile and sick people. Slaten will for the rest of his life be forced to live under a microscope and will never be allowed to forget what he has done.
Thank you, so much!!..That was amazing!! In 2020..I'm 54 and I lived and was born in Lawton
I'm so glad I looked the site up. My brother and I watched faithfully..It was a great part of our childhood. We lived on the south side went to Lincoln school Central junior high..Remember Johnson's downtown..
Does anyone have list of the movies that were shown on his show?
There was one movie that was on many times about sea creatures that were killing people. They had big green eyes and would leave slime wherever they had been.
Any help would be appreciated.
Hart you probably don't remember me but we lived in Vernon by the auditorium and you and steve would come to our house and you would do magic tricks my brother was Kenny and im Jay.
Last know pic of him was found in a binger nursing home specializing in alzhimers and dementia. It was taken in 2020. If he's not gone by now? Nobody has to worry about him any more.
I'm 71 years old, about to retire as a pharmacist. In 1960, living in Iowa Park, Texas, we received 'Shock Theater' on KSWO in Lawton, Oklahoma. This incarnation of the show was hosted by one 'Dr.A.C.Shockley', occasionally joined by his 'brother', 'Dr.D.C.Shockley'. As a fourth and fifth grader, I waited all week to stay up late on Friday (I believe it was Friday --- perhaps Saturday) and watch the show. I remember one movie they showed was 'The Snow Creature', a bad B-movie about the Yeti. But to me it was scary ! As I recall, Dr. Shockley was joined by his sidekicks 'Poor Pitiful Pearl', a 6-foot plus 'ogre', and 'Shorty' - a disembodied head lying in a box on a bed of excelsior. On one show 'Pearl' kept having a problem with one of his eyeballs falling out, so in the host's segments, in between parts of the movie, Dr. Shockley decided to do surgery to correct the problem. All movie long the 'operation' progressed, until in the final segment the results of the surgery were revealed: Dr. Shockley had covered the eye socket with white adhesive tape, and painted an 'eyeball' on it ! Does anyone else remember this show ? Any information ? Thanx, everyone !
Dr Digby was a MAJOR pervert for a very long time. His 13 years in prison and his lawsuit against the dr that failed at his “pump up penis” is merely a breeze to all he did to the community in which he preyed.
He worked for Make Promises Happen and used it to prey on his young girls. Me being one of them. Shoe boxes of Polaroids of girls he was slowly making his move on.
He is a special kind of evil that should be dead due to what he did. But yet, our wonderful justice system gives grace.
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