'Chiller Theater' Host Bill Cardille's Archives Go To Pitt

PITTSBURGH, PA — The University of Pittsburgh has obtained the archives of Bill Cardille, the legendary "Chiller Theater" host who was a fixture in local broadcasting for decades.

The archives of photos, news clippings and other mementos Cardille accumulated during "Chiller Theater's" long run will become become part of Pitt's Horror Studies Collection. They were donated by Lori Cardille, Cardille's daughter.

“The Cardille family is proud to share Chilly Billy’s pioneering career in early television as well as his huge influence on the horror genre,”Lori Cardille told Pitt's University Times. “To know that his work will be studied and used for years to come is truly an honor and a moving tribute for his family."

Cardille, then a WIIC (now WPXI-TV) studio announcer, presided over the Saturday night scarefest during its run from 1963 through 1984 and adopted the "Chilly Billy" moniker for the show.

Cardille, who died in 2016 at 87, spent nearly 60 years in broadcasting as an announcer, DJ, weather forecaster, studio wrestling show host and local Labor Day weekend Muscular Dystrophy telethon emcee.

Read more about "Chiller Theater" here.

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