This one’s pretty much a cheat, because Lenora’s Midnight Rental is actually a current horror hosting show. Obviously, I can’t have any nostalgic memories of it because it’s brand new to me. It’s been running on YouTube for a year or so now, but only recently crossed my radar. And boy howdy am I glad it did. So, forgive me for shoehorning it into the Late Night Memories series, but it’s clearly a spiritual descendant of the classic shows I grew up watching—Elvira’s Movie Macabre, USA Up All Night, etc.—so I think it merits mention here.
Besides being a contemporary horror show, Midnight Rental also differs from the older shows that inspire it in a pretty major way: it’s actually a clip show. You won’t find full movies being shown at Midnight Rental, just clips, as Lenora (played by Laura Wimbels) explains the plots and provides background information on the films’ productions. So it’s very much a twenty-first century YouTube show, but made in the spirit of those classic horror hosting shows. Both Lenora and the movies at Midnight Rental scream “1980s or bust!”
The interstitial segments are where Lenora most channels classic horror hosts of old, with some guests dropping by the video store, and Lenora being generally silly, sarcastic, and très sexy. Lenora has more than a passing, if superficial resemblance to the Mistress of the Dark. She’s a raven-haired looker whose drool-worthy cleavage and luscious legs are usually on full display. Sounds Elvira-adjacent, right? With Laura Wimbels’s midwestern accent occasionally busting through (sorry, busts on the brain), Lenora has a fun, middle America charm about her, which plays nicely alongside her gothic babe exterior. Laura has been a regional star in the Cleveland area for many years now, and with the character of Lenora she’s crafted a persona that could take her to greater fame.
I love her recaps of films like They Live (1988) and the Friday the 13th films. While discussing Stephen King’s batshit crazy Maximum Overdrive (1986), she accurately surmises that they should’ve just named it,”Buckle Up, Motherfuckers.” She’s done tribute episodes to King, John Carpenter, and even an entire episode on horror sequels set in space!
Midnight Rental’s recurring joke is that Lenora starts hosting the show at midnight, when the video rental store closes for the night. Somehow, though, random dudes keep wandering in wanting to rent videos, which leads to a frustrated Lenora shooing them away. Wimbels, again channeling Elvira, is a champion eye roller with a “over it” attitude that fits with the cheesy, neon-drenched milieu of Midnight Rental.
So, had Midnight Rental existed in, say, 1988, you can bet Lenora’s sweet ass I’d have been a regular viewer. It’s definitely a show that plays off my love for horror hosts chatting at me late at night. Lenora and the show’s sweet, intimate vibe feels very retro, in a good way. Midnight Rental is silly and lighthearted, but its love for classic horror is evident.
You can check out Lenora’s Midnight Rental on YouTube, as part of the Found Footage Festival’s channel. Best bet is to follow Lenora on social media for new video announcements and other fun posts.
The Starfire Lounge 