Art, Movies, More On Display At Horror Realm

A tall blonde says she will get into costume on Saturday. She is Missy Dawn, a Charleston, West Virginia actress who is known in the horror movie community as “Pig Girl,” a masked ”second generation” or “legacy” serial killer, whose cinematic father was the aptly-named “Pork Chop.”

It’s this kind of low-budget niche movie making that makes conventions like Horror Realm unique. Mixed between big-name character actors like William Forsythe are television personalities like Lisa Loring (Wednesday Addams from the “Addams Family”) and Felix Silla (Cousin It from The Addams Family).

And what kind of convention would Horror Realm be without move than a dash of zombies? Among the dozens of zombie-related tables of merchandise is a rare grouping of stars from George A. Romero’s “Day of the Dead.” Lead actress Lori Cardille, as well as co-stars Joe Pilato, Terry Alexander and Antone Dileo are on hand to meet their fans. Howard Sherman, who was originally scheduled to take part in the reunion, unfortunately had to cancel his appearance.

Steve Railsback, who infamously portrayed Charles Manson in “Helter Skelter” was a late addition to the convention as another actor suddenly had to cancel.

Horror Realm is also an opportunity to support local artists, whether it be books, movies or art work. On table features information on the “Camp Kilarunna 5k,” which features the tag line: “Murder Free since 1984.”

Throughout the weekend horror-related movies (like “Pig Girl’s” Razor Sharp Studios fare) and the Pittsburgh-produced ”Captain Z and the Terror of Leviathan” are presented. In addition, panel discussions with the cast of “Day of the Dead” and “The Addams Family” are scheduled for Saturday.

It’s all in good fun as fans and vendors alike dress in costumes, thematic apparel or the omnipresent black tee-shirt.

Horror Realm runs through Sunday at Crown Plaza, Pittsburgh South, 164 Fort Couch Road. For more information go to horrorrealmcon.com.