The Amazing Criswell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Amazing Criswell
Criswell in Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957)
Born	Jeron Criswell King (1907-08-18)August 18, 1907 Princeton, Indiana, U.S.
Died	October 4, 1982(1982-10-04) (aged 75) Burbank, California, U.S.
Resting place	Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park
Other names	Jeron Criswell King Charles Criswell King
Occupation	Showman, actor, writer, seer
Years active	1950s–1970s
Known for	Making erroneous predictions, predicting the future on TV, radio, books, records and in newspapers and as a narrator and actor in the films of Ed Wood
Notable work	Criswell Predicts from Now to the Year 2000! (author) Plan 9 from Outer Space (narrator and actor)
Television	Criswell Predicts
Spouse(s)	Halo Meadows

The Amazing Criswell, born Jeron Criswell King (August 18, 1907 – October 4, 1982), was a famous American showman. He was known for making many predictions about the future. People also knew him as Charles Criswell King.

Criswell had a very unique style. He often wore a sparkly tuxedo and had his hair styled in a special way. He spoke in a loud, clear voice that made people pay attention. He even claimed to sleep in a coffin! He said he grew up around a funeral home and got used to caskets.

Who Was The Amazing Criswell?

Criswell was a showman, actor, and writer. He became famous for his TV show, "Criswell Predicts." On this show, he would share his ideas about what would happen in the future. He also appeared in movies, especially those made by director Ed Wood.

His Early Life

Criswell said he didn't speak until he was four years old. He claimed his first words were a prediction during a thunderstorm: "the rain will stop." After that, he became very talkative and loved being the center of attention.

His Career as a Predictor

Criswell started his career in radio. He was a radio announcer and news broadcaster. In the early 1950s, he began buying time on a TV station in Los Angeles. He first used this time to sell vitamins. To fill the rest of the time, he started his "Criswell Predicts" segment.

This made him a local celebrity in Hollywood. He became friends with famous people like Mae West. His fame grew, and he appeared on The Jack Paar Show. He also wrote his predictions in magazines and a weekly newspaper column.

Criswell published three books of predictions:

• From Now to the Year 2000
• Your Next Ten Years
• Forbidden Predictions

He also recorded an album called Your Incredible Future. On this album, he spoke for 84 minutes about his predictions.

Criswell in Movies and TV

Criswell was a narrator and actor in films by Ed Wood. After Criswell passed away, his friend Paul Marco released a song Criswell had recorded. It was called "Someone Walked Over My Grave."

Here's a list of some of his film, recording, and TV appearances:

Criswell's Predictions

Criswell's predictions were shared across the country. His TV show, Criswell Predicts, was on KLAC Channel 13 (now KCOP-13) in Los Angeles. He also had his show recorded for other TV stations to use.

He wrote several books about his predictions. In his 1968 book, Criswell Predicts: From Now to the Year 2000, he made some wild claims. For example, he predicted that Denver, Colorado would be hit by a space ray. This ray would turn all metal into rubber, causing terrible accidents. He also predicted the end of Earth on August 18, 1999.

Criswell studied history and believed that events repeat themselves. He thought the United States was like the "modern Romans." He would read the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper every day to find clues for his predictions.

One of his most famous predictions was on The Jack Paar Program in March 1963. He predicted that US President John F. Kennedy would not run for re-election in 1964. He said something would happen to him in November 1963.

Some people say Criswell never claimed to be a real psychic. However, those who knew him, like actress Maila Nurmi (who played Vampira), believed he had a special gift.

His Private Life

Criswell was married to Halo Meadows, who used to be a dancer. She once appeared on the TV show You Bet Your Life.

Mae West used Criswell as her personal psychic. He once predicted she would become President of the United States! Then, she, Criswell, and George Liberace (the brother of showman Liberace) would fly to the Moon in a rocket. Criswell and Mae West were very good friends. She would often send him home-cooked food. It's also said that she sold him her old luxury cars for only five dollars each.

Criswell passed away on October 4, 1982, when he was 75 years old. He was cremated a few days later.

His Legacy

Criswell's unique style and predictions left a lasting mark:

• In 1955, Mae West wrote a song called "Criswell Predicts" for her album The Fabulous Mae West.
• In 1994, actor Jeffrey Jones played Criswell in the movie Ed Wood, directed by Tim Burton.
• In 1997, several actors played Criswell in Plan 9 from Outer Space: The Musical.
• In 1999, Rob Gorden played Criswell in the film Devil Girls.
• In 2000, the band Groovie Ghoulies released a song called "Criswell Predicts" on their album Travels With My Amp.
• In 2005, Criswell and the Plan 9 cast were featured in an episode of Deadly Cinema.
• In 2006, Craig Brown played Criswell in Plan Live From Outer Space, a stage play based on Plan 9 from Outer Space.
• In 2009, Mr. Lobo, a popular TV horror host, voiced Criswell in a trailer for a remake of Plan 9. He also played Criswell in the film. Mr. Lobo also created 62 episodes of "Criswell Predicts!" online, as a tribute to Criswell's original show.

Images for kids

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  Niche of "The Amazing Criswell" at Valhalla Memorial Park