SUNSET — If you develop a chill down your spine after entering Mark DeWolfe's house, it's completely understandable.
Greeting you at the door are two serial killers. To the right above the entrance to the kitchen is the machete used by Jason from "Friday the 13th" fame. And a few feet away from that is Jason himself.
Well, at least Jason's bullet-ridden clothes from "Jason X: Jason Goes to Hell" are there.
DeWolfe has worked for the state Department of Corrections since 1997. But the scariest things he has seen may be right in his own home.
DeWolfe is a horror film fanatic. His hobby is collecting costumes and props used in actual horror movies. His house is barely 700 square feet. But a visitor would swear he has 800 square feet of horror movie memorabilia.
"They're a little bit overwhelmed their first visit and then they kind of grow used to it," he said of the typical visitor reaction. "They're like, 'Man, this is unreal.' "
The costumes worn by two of the killers in the 2003 film "Wrong Turn" greet visitors at the door with clubs and bows and arrows. The blood-stained clothes from one of those killer's petite female victims are nearby.
Along the wall above those costumes are letters of authenticity proving the costumes were actually used in the movie.
"Authenticity is a big thing when you're spending as much as you are for some of these items," DeWolfe said.
In the living room, surrounded by autographed pictures from most of the performers in the Friday the 13th saga, is DeWolfe's prize possession: the actual hockey mask used by Jason in "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives." It was one of just 10 masks used in the movie.
"It was a mask used when the sheriff shoots Jason in the head," he said. "It was used for maybe 10, 15 seconds on film."
"Friday the 13th," "Nightmare on Elm Street," "Psycho 2" and other horror movies most people probably have never heard of are all represented in the house. DeWolfe admits he was a big horror movie fan growing up.
"Loved 'em. Absolutely loved them. 'Friday the 13th' was my connection," he said. "It was always the one as a kid I remembered being so terrified of Jason. The scariest movie ever would probably be 'The Exorcist,' but for me there's such a connection to 'Friday the 13th.' "
As a kid, DeWolfe said he collected Star Wars memorabilia. But he said that eventually "got out of control" with all the action figures and what-not being manufactured.
One day, while looking for more toys to buy on the Internet, DeWolfe came across Jason's suit from Jason X.
"I said, 'That almost looks affordable.' "
After selling a few toys, DeWolfe bought his first piece of horror film history. It has been pleasant nightmares ever since.
There are props from horror films in literally every part of DeWolfe's house. And they don't just come out of storage for Halloween. They are on display year-round.
"Framed pictures from Wal-Mart, that's the kind of stuff that's in my nightmares," he said of his decorating sense.
DeWolfe purchases most of his items through the Internet. Each comes with the all-important letter of authenticity. He admits his desire to add to his collection was "a little out of control" for awhile.
"I've slowed down. I've gotten good. Just because I hate working overtime and a second job, which is essentially how this gets paid for," he said.
The costs of such items can range from $300 for a costume used in "Wrong Turn" to $3,600 for a Jason mask to $2,000 for the Jason machete.
In comparison, DeWolfe said ultra-serious collectors have paid up to $25,000 for the sweater worn by Freddy Krueger in the first "Nightmare on Elm Street."
DeWolfe has had the opportunity to meet many of his horror heroes, including most of those who have played Jason. Pictures and autographs of his heroes are displayed on the walls with the rest of the memorabilia.
One item he doesn't have is the killer clown costume from "Poltergeist," which is currently on display at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
"It's not for sale because it's in Planet Hollywood. But I've got to tell you it was a pretty incredible piece," he said. "If I could have only one piece I think it would be that clown. As a kid, it created a lot of nightmares."
DeWolfe has also done a little acting of his own on the side, making appearances in "Touched By An Angel" and several commercials. He is about to start filming on a screenplay that he wrote. But, no joke, the movie will be a comedy, not a horror flick.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com