AMC Unleashes Monsterfest: House of Horrors, Oct. 26-Nov. 1.

BETHPAGE, N.Y.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1998--

Tim Burton Hosts Weeklong Festival of 25 Classic Films

From a Real House on Haunted Hill!

William Shatner Presents New Documentary

"Hollywood Ghost Stories"

Sweepstakes Gives Dallas Family the Chance to Have Their Home

Made Over & Makeup Done by Hollywood Effects Wizards for

Halloween Bash Hosted by "The Exorcist" star Linda Blair!

America's favorite classic movie network, American Movie Classics, is teaming up with the contemporary king of Gothic vision, Tim Burton, to give us a Halloween scream that's sure to make the Ghoulish Book of World Records!

From October 26 - November 1, AMC will present Monsterfest: House of Horrors, a weeklong festival featuring 25 classic horror films and the premiere of "Hollywood Ghost Stories." Hosted by William Shatner, this one-hour special chronicles the many ghosts, haunted landmarks and otherworldly doings of Tinseltown, including a startling new discovery -- the "cursed script" that may be linked to the deaths of comedy heavies John Belushi, Sam Kinnison, John Candy and Chris Farley.

To provide the perfect conductor for its symphony of dark celluloid doings, American Movie Classics has called on Tim Burton. The master director/producer/writer will introduce on-air many of the Boomer Era classics featured in the festival, including "13 Ghosts" and "Haunted Palace," from two real-life haunted houses with a Hollywood connection. And to give one family and city a treat that they'll never forget, AMC has created a Monsterfest: House of Horrors Sweepstakes. Its sublime grand prize includes a total home and makeup make-over by a team of award-winning Hollywood horror movie effects pros and a gala Halloween night bash hosted by Linda Blair, star of "The Exorcist."

City of Angels Spooky Side Comes to Life in New Documentary

On Friday, October 30 at 9:00 PM ET/9:00 PM PT AMC will premiere "Hollywood Ghost Stories," a one-hour mystery tour revealing the truth behind the ghostly side of Hollywood hosted by "Star Trek" legend, William Shatner. The special chronicles the mansions, studios, theaters and even a car reportedly haunted by the spirits of stars like Jayne Mansfield, Lawrence Harvey and James Dean. The show includes interviews with comedian Flip Wilson and actress Elke Sommers (stars who live in haunted homes!) and a host of experts including parapsychologist Dr. Larry Montz, celebrity real estate agent Elaine Young and the "world's only ghost-busting twins," Linda and Terry Jamison. "Hollywood Ghost Stories" also reveals, for the first time, the legend of the "killer script" for the still-unmade comedy "ATUK," one that was being considered for John Belushi, Sam Kinnison, John Candy and Chris Farley at the time of their untimely deaths.

AMC Sweepstakes Gives Manning Family a House & Makeup Worthy of a

Big-Budget Film

Anyone who wanted to outdo the Joneses this Halloween should have entered AMC's Monsterfest: House of Horrors Sweepstakes. The winner of the grand prize of this unusual contest, the Manning Family of Irving, Texas, is having a Halloween dream come true when a leading Hollywood set designer (CJ Strawn of "Nightmare On Elm Street" fame) and makeup artist (Ed French of "Star Trek" fame) are flown in to completely transform their home and makeup for the big day. AMC will also foot the bill for a lavish party on the site of their now major motion picture-quality haunted home, one that will be hosted by Linda Blair, star of legendary horror films like "The Exorcist" and "Hell Night." In addition, the family won an all-expenses-paid trip to NYC to visit Madison "Scare" Garden, the annual expo of Halloween horror taking place at Madison Square Garden. They're also receiving a grand tour of the town, tickets to the Broadway smash, "Jekyll & Hyde" and $2,500 in spending money!

Website Provides Cyber-Eavesdrop on Real Haunted Palaces

Leaving no crypt unopened, AMC is even creating something special for the cyber-community. The network's website, www.amctv.com, will feature live images from a webcam positioned in one of the haunted homes from which Tim Burton is hosting the film fest. Beginning October 26, cyber-surfers will be invited to cruise to the website to see if they can sight any paranormal activities (or long-gone stars of the silver screen!) in these real-life haunted palaces.

American Movie Classics is the premier 24-hour movie network, featuring award-winning original productions about the world of American film. With one of the finest, most comprehensive libraries of classic films from the 1930s through the 1970s and a diverse blend of original programming, the service brings to life the sophistication and style of a revolutionary era in American film. All motion pictures are presented as they were originally intended to be seen, uninterrupted and without colorization. AMC can be seen in 68 million homes.