“Midnight Hour” Celebrates 40th

A unique landmark was passed last weekend as principal photography was completed on the 40th episode of the cult hit thriller TV series, “Lee Martin’s The Midnight Hour.”

“Curse of Lizzie Crippin” is in fact a follow-up to the season two entry, “Queen Bee,” and features the return of series star Alice Gandee. The story concerns a girl named Tracey (Gandee) with a rather shocking physical deformity, the result of a backfired curse she laid on a group of mean-spirited college jocks and Prima Donnas.

“Our 40th show is a good one,” says series creator Lee Martin. “We had some outstanding new talent whose performances I’m sure the fans will enjoy.”

Western Michigan University Theater Performance majors David Lew Cooper and Lauren Ufkes expertly portrayed Blake and Heather, an amorous couple with hearts of tin. “They’re both attractive young people with vivid, natural talent,” says Martin. “Their timing is excellent and the characters they developed were absolutely ‘real.’”

Joining them were fellow newcomers Brian Boynton and Jessica Macomber as an appealing but decidedly dysfunctional couple who gleefully torment disfigured Tracey before meeting an unfortunate end. Character actor Rashid Chaudry makes his television debut as a shady crackpot warlock who helps Tracey restore her face at the expense of her enemies.

“Curse of Lizzie Crippin” was stylishly lensed by director of photography Peter Fox. Emmy-winning sound technician Andre Holland recorded the show’s audio track while PLF Media provided the creepy production design.

Raw footage is now in the hands of editor/co-producer Brian Schoof, whose work on the show has distinguished him as the most polished post-production artisan in Michigan. His edgy special photographic effects have recently stirred great excitement in series fans.

“Curse of Lizzie Crippin” will air every Thursday and Saturday throughout January, 2011. Visit www.leemartinsthemidnighthour.com for channels & times PLUS a live streaming video simulcast link.