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by Choppy
Salem, Massachusetts has a rich history steeped in the macabre. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 being the linchpin of much of the town’s roots in the occult and supernatural. Many attractions in Salem are devoted to either the witch hunts, witch related material, or the paranormal, but there is one attraction in Salem that is unlike all the others. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery is a museum devoted to the history of horror films and an experience unlike any other in Salem.
Created with loving care by James Lurgio, the Nightmare Gallery features lifelike figures that chronicle the journey horror films have made and pay homage to the actors that played the great monsters and villains of this film genre. The beauty of Nightmare Gallery lies not only in its figures but the painstaking detail in sets and costumes that bring the scenes to life leaving the visitor with the eerie feeling that they are being watched or let alone, one of the figures will come alive and claim the visitor as another one of their victims. I took a few minutes to speak with James about Nightmare Gallery and how he came to be its curator.
What was your first influence from the horror world?
I think my brother had some rubber masks when he was a kid that were passed down to me at one point. I also loved The Electric Company which was a very cool kids show which had spooky themes. Maybe also the unusual amount of people around me and my family who loved to scare me and play with me when I was a kid. My family definately encouraged the wierdness and the dressing up. I loved to dress up as Dracula with a little cape sometimes make masks etc...
When did you start collecting?
It was in the late 80's when my world changed. I attended a haunted house in my home town where I discovered the most amazing display that my young eyes had ever seen. The monsters were so lifelike and beautifully made. They didn't look at all like the masks you'd buy at the store at Halloween time. This was of a much higher quality and I was fascinated. I called the haunted house owner shortly thereafter and asked if I could closely examine all of the monsters. He was very happy to oblige and that's when I was given a few catalogs of a company that I still hold in high esteem. Death Studios was the first company that I started with and then I continued to collect from other artists.
What was the first piece in your collection?
Since I have bought and sold hundreds of masks and busts in the last 18 years my first piece is long gone. The first one was a werewolf that I thought looked like Teenwolf. Loved that movie.
When and where did you first display your collection?
I had my first public haunted house in 1990. It was small but pretty good in terms of haunted houses. I had a few people helping and NO REGULATIONS!!! lol
Who are your inspirations in the horror world?
My inspirations are only a few. The first time I saw Forrest Ackerman's collection was a big deal for me. I don't know a lot of people who do (exactly) what I do right now. However, there are many influences in the haunted house world for me. Disney has always been a huge influence. The haunted mansion has always been a magical place for me. I really do marvel at the artwork produced today.
When did you acquire the Nightmare Gallery?
I opened the museum in September of 2007 but the name "Nightmare Gallery" started in 1993 when it was a haunted house at my local Recreation center and it was strictly volunteer and free admission. I displayed the growing collection there and I worked on it with my best friend, Seth. We had a blast! I continued every year after that all through high school and college and even after school in a few different places. My last gig before Salem was 2 years with Spooky World as the "International Monster Museum" and 1year with "Hallowscream Park". After all that traveling with the collection, Salem is a welcome relief.
 Who are some of the artists that created your figures?
With the exception of a very few, I made the figures. I costume them and put them together finding all the right parts to make them lifesize. The real artistry, however, is in the head and hands of the monsters. Artist like Henry Alvarez, Russ Lukich, Rich Krussel, Dwight Shundo, Howard Senft, Paul Clemens, David and Laura Lady, Harry Inman, Phil Nichols, Miles Teves, Jeff Keim, Dwayne Whitehead, Carol Hicks, Jon Fuller, Tom Spina and many others have crafted the monster likenesses. A many of them have worked in movie and television over the years producing special effects for many movies that we've all seen.
What kind of interesting trivia is there about some of the gallery décor?
Most of the decor of Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery was created especially for the museum in Salem but some of the rock walls are direct from the set of the Stephen Spielberg movie Amistad which was "rescued" from dumpsters in Newport RI many years ago. The Wall sconces in the lobby are original antiques from "Wakehurst" mansion in Newport RI.
Something special happens to the Gallery in October, can you tell us about that?
Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery was only ever meant to be a museum but when we realized that the October crowd was looking for a more intense experience, we transformed the museum to Salem's most terrifying haunted house. Every day after a certain time, LIVE actors are intermingled with the non-live and we all have a wonderfull time. Our first year doing this was this past year and we didn't know how it would work. Our feedback was overwhelmingly possitive. People were saying such incredible things about their experience, we've decided to make it a permanent part of the October programming. It was fun to do a haunted house again after 3 years of monster museums.
You also have other presentations in the gallery during the off season, what kinds of entertainment do you offer during this time?
We've been showing movies or live entertainment every other Saturday for March April and May. From Night of the Living Dead to Mentalist and Mindbender Rory Raven.
The Nightmare Gallery is an ever changing attraction, what are some of the newest editions and what are some of your plans for the gallery in upcoming years?
One thing I've realized is that I get bored easily and so does the rest of the american public. I also have a tendency to continue to collect monsters. Constantly changing and improving the museum is a good way to stay busy and keep things interesting. The newest additions include, John Carradine, Alfred Hitchcock, Jack Nickelson, Pinhead from Hellraiser, a werewolf from the Howling, and an alien from They Live. Oliver Reed is coming from Curse of the Werewolf, Elvira, and Beetlejuice. In the coming years, we're going to have to make revolving exhibitions so that we don't have to pile monsters to the ceiling. Though people don't seem to mind more monsters for the same price!
Are there any interesting antidotes pertaining to the gallery that you can share with us?
You mean something to counteract poisoning? Not really.
What is your favorite horror movie and why?
It is always so hard to pick a favorite and I always try so hard to figure one out but I really don't have one. I love the old Roger Corman movies for the sets and Vincent Price. I love Poltergeist 2 for Julian Beck's performance. I love the sets of "Haunted Mansion" and "The haunting". I'm really into sets so I tend to pick movies for the wrong reason. Although you can never go wrong with anything with Vincent Price in it.
Any final words?
Please visit soon!
Located at 285 Derby St in Salem, the Nightmare Gallery is a must-see for any fan of the horror world. It’s open on weekends from November to June and every day through summer and October. More information about the attraction can be found at nightmaregallery.com as well as at myspace.
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