Skelpire (rhymes with 'vampire') is the enigmatic, skeletal bat-demon at the terrifying heart of the Manorcreep Pictures mythos — a creature whose appearance alone has caused innumerous deaths, countless vaporings, and several lawsuits (which mysteriously disappeared, much like the plaintiff). Whether he is in truth a demon or simply a very emaciated vampire is in dispute.
Description
Skelpire is, by all descriptions, what appears to be a skeletal vampire bat creature standing at approximately seven and a half feet tall. He sports oversized fangs and hollowed out eyes that sometimes glow demonically when something untoward is about to occur. His trademark bat wings exhibit a wingspan of approximately 15 feet, although the last three wardrobe departments that tried to ascertain accurate measurements were all vaporized.
Skelpire seems to prefer aristocratic Victorian attire, often accompanied by a billowing cape. Some describe his wardrobe aesthetic as evincing strong 'dandy' vibes, although no one has ever said this to his face. He seems to prefer the color red, although since his films were all in black and white, who the hell really knows?
Silent Demeanor
To this day, no records have been found of Skelpire having ever said anything. This despite his appearance in a litany of award-winning horror films not to mention press junkets. That said, he seems to have had no problem communicating his intentions both on and off set by vaporizing people or feasting on them. Oh and also by loudly hissing.
Fact Sheet
• First Known Film Appearance: Skelpire (1941)
• Studio of Origin: Manorcreep Pictures
• Portrayed By: (Unconfirmed? Himself?)
• Height: ~7.5 ft (wingspan: 15ft? Disputed)
• Species: Unknown — presumed vampiric-demonic-chiropteran
• Alignment: Debated (but generally unfavorable)
• Catchphrase: (none recorded as it seems Skelpire never spoke)
Manorcreep Pictures' Breakout Star
From his first appearance onscreen in his 1941 titular role, Skelpire has been both a stalwart fan favorite and also instrumental in securing Manorcreep's unchallenged dominance in the so called 'golden era' of studio monster films.
It is little debated that Manorcreep Pictures is the 'house that Skelpire built,' and his over twenty career Golden Hump awards is testament to this fact.
Relationship with Thatchwick
The relationship between Manorcreep mogul, founder, and president Percival Thatchwick III and Skelpire is… unclear.
Possibilities include:
• Familiar/master dynamic (who is the familiar is unclear)
• Contractual imprisonment
• Mutually assured destruction pact
• Shared timeshare in Transylvania
Theories abound, including occult blood bonds and an unholy pact inked in demon script. Regardless, the historical record shows Skelpire appearing utterly indifferent to Thatchwick except for reports of occasionally licking his non-existent lips.
Known Filmography
(1941-1984)
Skelpire (1941)
The haunting debut of the skeletal bat-vampire. Set in a crumbling manor, Skelpire terrorizes an aristocratic family one by one. Universally praised for its chilling atmosphere and cryptic ending.
Skelpire Returns (1943)
Believed destroyed in the Manorcreep fire, Skelpire mysteriously reappears… with even less explanation. Introduces the now-infamous “exploding butler” scene.
Rise of Skelpire (1945)
Post-war Skelpire emerges in an industrial city, hunting welders for unknown reasons. Allegedly filmed in secret due to union restrictions.
Skelpire Rises… Again (1946)
Skelpire is buried in cement… and bursts out of a freeway project 20 years later. Includes musical number “Bat Outta Concrete” (later cut due to confusion).
Skelpire Keeps Rising (1948)
Features four resurrection sequences. Critics begin to question how many times Skelpire can rise. Box office smashes expectations.
Skelpire is Aroused (1949)
The perhaps logical, albeit, disappointing conclusion to the previous 'rising' films, this movie bombed. Briefly banned in Utah.
Skelpire on Vacation (1953)
A bold genre shift — Skelpire heads to the French Riviera. Multiple people still die mysteriously, but the tone is described as “jaunty.”
Skelpire Learns to Ski (1955)
Skelpire refused to, in fact, ski during production which led to several crew members being eaten. Includes a snowball fight scored entirely by theremin.
Skelpire: The Musical (1958)
A Broadway flop and cult 'midnight screening' hit, this all-singing, all-dancing spectacle included the ballad “Love Bites” and a jaw-dropping tap dancing interlude (who knew Skelpire had this in his repertoire). Won a Golden Hump for most murderous score.
Skelpire vs. The Holy Sheet (1959)
The long-awaited crossover pits Skelpire against the only other Manorcreep movie monster with comparable star power. Noted for extreme fog machine use and a surprise ending that's still controversial to this day.
Cultural Impact
Skelpire has become one of the most iconic monsters to grace the silver screen, spawning:
• over twenty four films (we think: the official number is still in flux)
• 3 animated holiday specials (lost in warehouse fire)
• 1 breakfast cereal (banned for “causing existential dread in children”)
• Multiple toy lines, none of which sold due to issues with spontaneous vaporizing
Trivia
• Skelpire has never blinked on camera
• A slew of modern sightings have some speculating that Skelpire is alive to this day and possibly residing in a hidden sepulcher beneath the Vatican
• During filming of Skelpire Rises, an entire soundstage vanished overnight. When rebuilt, it strangely seemed to "weep blood"
• Merchandise rights are locked in a 666-year lease that no one remembers signing
Disappearance and Legacy
Skelpire simply vanishes from the known record on the eve of the 1960's. Whether he died, went into hiding, or simply got tired of the taste of paparazzi is impossible to say. An ongoing controversy surrounding supposed modern sightings still agitates the faithful: some quite steadfast in their belief that Skelpire is immortal and very much around.
What is agreed upon today is that Skelpire is not only Manorcreep’s crown jewel, but the eerie, silent heartbeat of its haunted legacy. He's still remembered as the undisputed king of the Golden Era of movie monsters.
