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🦇 DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume: How to Dress Like Detroit’s Legendary Vampire Horror Host

A vampire in a flowing cape sits up slowly inside his own coffin. Three perfect spit curls sit above his forehead, his mustache curled to sharp points. He grins at the camera with theatrical, mischievous charm. That is Sir Graves Ghastly, one of Detroit's most beloved horror hosts. A DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume brings his elegant, campy vampire energy to your next party. This guide covers everything you need for a full DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume, from clothing to presence.

This DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume guide walks readers through building a full outfit inspired by Detroit horror host Lawson J. Deming's iconic character. It covers clothing, spit curl hairstyling technique, facial hair, props, and movement tips, drawing on verified history of the character's 1967 debut on WJBK's Sir Graves Ghastly Presents. The guide is written for Halloween costume shoppers looking for an affordable, instantly recognizable horror host costume idea.

The man behind the cape led a full career before Sir Graves ever existed. Lawson J. Deming was born near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1913. He worked extensively in radio before television even became widespread. In 1949, Deming moved into Cleveland television, hosting a movie program called One O'Clock Playhouse. He also worked as a puppeteer on a children's show called Woodrow the Woodsman. Radio remained his favorite medium, he later said. It let him build entire worlds using only voice and sound.

That puppeteering work eventually led him toward Detroit television station WJBK. The station had recently dropped its previous horror host, Morgus the Magnificent, from its lineup. Station executives approached Deming about creating a brand new Saturday afternoon horror movie host. Working alongside his wife, Mary Rita, Deming developed an entirely new character. Sir Graves Ghastly, a theatrical, tongue in cheek parody of Count Dracula himself. That connection to Morgus is a fun bit of horror host trivia most fans never realize.

Sir Graves Ghastly Presents debuted on WJBK on January 21, 1967. Sir Graves opened nearly every episode sitting up inside his own coffin. He delivered a rambling, theatrical monologue before introducing that week's horror film. His nasally, cackling laugh became one of his most recognizable trademarks. His signature sign off, Happy Hauntings, became beloved by an entire generation of viewers. He often closed his opening monologue with an elaborate, rhyming invitation to settle in for the film.

Deming built an entire world of characters around his central vampire persona. Baruba, a hooded, monk like sidekick, appeared throughout the show doing Sir Graves's bidding. The Glob, a ghostly face that appeared in the moon above the cemetery set, delighted young viewers. Reel McCoy, a cemetery caretaker, traditionally opened each episode by digging a film reel out of a fake grave. Remarkably, Deming played nearly all of these supporting characters himself. That range and commitment set the show apart from many of its competitors.

The show ran for fifteen full seasons, an enormous run for local television programming. It found real success beyond Detroit too, airing in Cleveland, Washington DC, and parts of Canada. Sir Graves Ghastly Presents finally ended in November 1982, when the station shifted its Saturday programming toward sports. Deming passed away in 2007, but Detroit area fans still remember him fondly today.

Building this costume is refreshingly straightforward, though the hair rewards patience. Nearly every clothing piece can be thrifted, while the real signature detail lives entirely in styling and presence.

Three spit curls. Handlebar mustache. Pointed goatee. Black cape with red lining. Red gloves. A dramatic stage presence!
You're not just wearing a cape. Bring Sir Graves to life with elegance, humor, and a mysterious smile.

🦇 Step 1: Create the Base

Start a DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume with a black suit jacket and black dress pants. A white dress shirt layers underneath for a proper, formal foundation. A black string tie adds a small, old fashioned touch to the neckline. Thrift stores almost always carry plain black suits fairly reliably.

Black dress shoes complete the outfit at the floor. A long black cape with bright red lining is the single most important piece of this entire costume. Bright red gloves finish the look with one more bold, theatrical splash of color. Look for a cape with real length and drape, since a short one loses much of the drama.

💇 Step 2: The Signature Hair

Slick your hair straight back with a strong pomade before attempting any curls. This smooth, controlled base makes the spit curls hold their shape far better. You'll need three separate curls, one centered on the forehead and one above each temple.

Start with a small, damp section of hair, no wider than an inch. Work a generous amount of strong holding gel through that section thoroughly. Wrap the section tightly around one finger, forming a flat, spiral loop against the scalp. Keep the loop small and tight, since a loose curl won't hold its shape well.

Pin the curl flat against the forehead using a bobby pin or a flat clip. Let it dry completely before removing the pin, ideally using a blow dryer on low heat. A fully dry curl holds its shape far better than one released too early. Rushing this step is the single most common mistake people make with this hairstyle.

Repeat that exact same process for the two temple curls, keeping all three roughly matching in size. Finish every curl with a strong hold hairspray for extra insurance against humidity or sweat. The three spit curls are one of this character's most recognizable features. Take your time getting them right, since rushing this step shows immediately. If your hair won't cooperate, a short black wig styled the same way works just as well.

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🎭 Step 3: Facial Hair and Makeup

A large, handlebar mustache is essential to this character's dramatic, theatrical appearance. A long, pointed goatee completes the lower half of the face perfectly. Thick, dark eyebrows drawn on or filled in add extra exaggerated expression. A costume mustache and goatee set with spirit gum works well if growing your own isn't an option.

Pale foundation creates that classic, otherworldly vampire complexion. Dark shadow blended carefully around the eyes adds real theatrical depth. Slightly deepen the cheekbones with a cool toned contour for extra dramatic definition.

Raise one eyebrow whenever you pose for photos or greet a guest. Skip vampire fangs entirely, since Sir Graves Ghastly has always been a parody, not a straightforward monster. That single choice keeps the character playful rather than frightening. A DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume works best when the humor stays front and center.

🕯️ Step 4: Signature Props

A walking cane adds real theatrical elegance to your overall presence. A prop skull is an easy, evocative choice that ties directly into the cemetery setting. A rubber bat, carried or perched nearby, adds one more classic horror touch.

A tombstone backdrop, even a simple foam board version, completes the cemetery atmosphere beautifully. Creature Features memorabilia is a nice optional detail for anyone wanting to go the extra mile. Carry whichever props you choose with confidence, the way a seasoned performer naturally would. A DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume comes together nicely with even just two or three of these props.

🎩 Step 5: Movement and Presence

Sweep your cape dramatically whenever you turn or gesture throughout the evening. Raise one eyebrow often, the way Sir Graves always did when delivering a punchline. Smile with quiet, theatrical confidence rather than anything loud or manic.

Bow slightly when greeting guests, treating every arrival like an honored visitor. Hold your cane with real elegance, letting it anchor your overall posture. Welcome everyone as though they've just arrived at your own haunted castle. A dramatic pause before speaking adds real theatrical weight to every line.

A DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume feels most convincing when that theatrical warmth never lets up. This character was always more charming host than genuine threat, and that balance matters. Corny jokes, delivered with total sincerity, capture the character's spirit perfectly.

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📸 Step 6: Capture the Moment

Spread your cape wide for one of the most striking, recognizable poses this costume can produce. Standing beside a tombstone ties the shot directly to the character's cemetery set.

Hold your cane proudly while pointing toward the camera with a knowing, theatrical smile. Pose beside Halloween decorations or an old cemetery setting for extra atmosphere. Warm, dramatic lighting suits this costume's theatrical energy far better than anything flat or bright. A slightly low angle shot makes the cape and spit curls read even more dramatically.

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💡 Why Go DIY?

This costume is budget friendly from top to bottom. Most of the costume comes from clothing you may already own or can easily thrift. A DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume rarely requires anything expensive beyond the cape and gloves. Most people can put this together for a fraction of what a costume shop would charge.

It is also instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up watching classic horror hosts. The cape, red gloves, facial hair, and those famous spit curls create an unmistakable look. A DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume rewards fans of classic local television horror hosting. Detroit area viewers especially will recognize this character on sight.

This costume remains a genuine favorite among classic horror television fans decades later. Very few horror hosts combined theatrical elegance and gentle comedy quite as effectively as Sir Graves did.

This build is also refreshingly easy to customize once the core look is set. Add your own spooky props while keeping the signature style fully intact. Building a DIY Sir Graves Ghastly Costume connects you to fifteen years of beloved Detroit television history.

Happy Hauntings!

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Further Reading & Resources

📺 See: SIR GRAVES GHASTLY PRESENTS
🔍 More: Sir Graves Ghastly - Wikipedia