Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast premiere of a classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire adaptation masterpiece.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast premiere of Dan Curtis’ “Dracula” (1974) with Jack Palance
British theatrical trailer for Dan Curtis‘ classic mammoth made-for-TV movie masterpiece adaptation, “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) with Jack Palance; released theatrically in Great Britain by now-former British recording, film & technology giant EMI under the title of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula**.”
The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster/horror feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast premiere of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) this Sat., March 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The classic mammoth 1974 made-for-TV movie adaptation masterpiece of Bram Stoker’s gothic vampire novel, “Dracula” was directed by veteran TV and feature film director-producer Dan Curtis. Curtis was best-known for producing and directing his own classic mammoth ABC television network gothic horror masterpiece series production, “Dark Shadows” (1966-71) with Jonathan Frid (in the lead role of vampire Barnabas Collins) and Grayson Hall (in the lead role of Dr. Julia Hoffman, also of 1972’s “Gargoyles” fame). Curtis also directed two classic mammoth Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) gothic horror feature film masterpiece adaptations of his ABC-TV “Dark Shadows” series; “House of Dark Shadows” (1970) with Frid and “Night of Dark Shadows” (1971, produced and released around the same time that ABC cancelled “Dark Shadows”). 20 years after the final ABC broadcast of “Dark Shadows,” Curtis reunited with MGM to produce a newer, short-lived primetime “Dark Shadows” series for rival network NBC in 1991 with Ben Cross in the role of vampire Barnabas Collins in the latter/brief Curtis/MGM/NBC “Dark Shadows” series revival.
Curtis was also involved with two classic mammoth ABC “Movie of the Week”/”Kolchak” made-for-TV movie supernatural masterpiece pilots, “The Night Stalker” (1972, produced by Curtis, directed by John Llewellyn Moxey) with Darren McGavin (of the 1958-59 “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer” TV adaptation series fame and later of 1983’s “A Christmas Story” fame), Carol Lynley (of 1972’s “The Poseidon Adventure” fame), Claude Akins (later of TV’s “Movin’ On” fame and TV’s “B.J. and the Bear“/“The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo” fame), Larry Linville (of TV’s “M*A*S*H” fame), Simon Oakland (of Alfred Hitchcock‘s “Psycho” fame, Peter Yates’ “Bullitt” fame and TV’s “Black Sheep Squadron”/”Baa Baa Black Sheep” fame), Ralph Meeker, Charles McGraw, Kent Smith, Elisha Cook Jr., Stanley Adams, Jordan Rhodes and Barry Atwater and “The Night Strangler” (1973, produced and directed by Curtis) with McGavin, Oakland, Jo Ann Pflug (of Robert Altman‘s 1970 “M*A*S*H” feature film fame), Wally Cox (of TV’s “Mister Peepers” fame and of interest to fellow Super Tooners/Super SvenPals of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me,” of the vocal stylings of TV’s “Underdog“ fame), Margaret Hamilton (of 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” fame, 1940’s “The Invisible Woman” fame, 1960’s “13 Ghosts” fame and in the latter part of her acting career- “Cora” for TV commercials for Maxwell House Coffee ), Al “Grampa” Lewis (of TV’s “The Munsters” fame and of 1966’s “Munster, Go Home!“ fame), Richard Anderson (of 1956’s “Forbidden Planet” fame), veteran horror actor John Carradine, Kate Murtagh (of 1977’s “The Car” fame and on the album cover of Supertramp‘s “Breakfast In America“ fame), Nina Wayne, Virginia Peters, Ivor Francis, Diane Shalet, Anne Randall, Francoise Birnheim and Regina Parton/Ethel Parker. The two classic mammoth ABC “Kolchak” made-for-TV movie masterpieces later inspired the 1974-75 classic mammoth Universal Studios/ABC “Kolchak” supernatural masterpiece TV series, “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” with McGavin and Oakland reprising their roles from the two aforementioned classic mammoth ABC “Kolchak” made-for-TV movie masterpiece productions.
Curtis also produced and directed his classic mammoth ABC made-for-TV thriller-horror anthology movie masterpiece production of “Trilogy of Terror” (1975) with Karen Black , Robert Burton, John Karlen, George Gaynes, Jim Storm, Kathryn Reynolds, Orin Cannon, Gregory Harrison, Tracy Curtis and the vocal stylings of Walker Edmiston. Curtis also directed the classic mammoth critically-acclaimed Emmy award-winning Paramount Pictures/ABC made-for-TV wartime drama masterpiece miniseries adaptation of Herman Wouk‘s “The Winds of War” (1983) with Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, Ralph Bellamy, John Houseman, Topol (of 1971’s “Fiddler on the Roof” fame), Polly Bergen and Peter Graves and a follow-up classic mammoth critically-acclaimed Emmy award-winning made-for-TV wartime drama masterpiece sequel miniseries adaptation that was produced entirely by ABC, Herman Wouk’s “War and Remembrance” (1988-89) with Mitchum, Bellamy, Topol, Bergen, Sami Frey, Robert Hardy, Jane Seymour and William Schallert.
For his made-for-TV adaptation of “Dracula,” Curtis co-produced his classic mammoth telefilm adaptation with veteran associate producer Robert Singer. Singer previously co-produced Curtis’ classic mammoth ABC “Kolchak” made-for-TV masterpiece sequel, “The Night Strangler” (1973). Singer later served as executive producer of the classic mammoth Warner Bros./NBC sci-fi masterpiece series, “V” (1984-85) with Jane Badler, June Chadwick, Jennifer Cooke, Robert Englund (of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” fame), Faye Grant, Marc Singer, Jeff Yagher and guest appearances by Howard K. Smith (former news anchor/correspondent of rival networks CBS and ABC) and Duncan Regehr (of “The Monster Squad” fame).
Inspired by Bram Stoker‘s gothic novel, the screenplay for Curtis’ classic mammoth made-for-TV adaptation masterpiece production of “Dracula” (1974) was written by veteran author Richard Matheson. Matheson wrote the original story treatment for Jack Arnold’s classic mammoth Universal Studios sci-fi/fantasy/visual effects masterpiece, “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957) with Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton, a pre-“Beverly Hillbillies” Raymond Bailey, William Schallert and Lock Martin (of 1951’s “The Day the Earth Stood Still” fame).
He also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Roger Corman‘s classic mammoth American-International macabre-thriller-comedy masterpiece adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe‘s 1845 gothic poem, “The Raven” (1963) and he also co-wrote the screenplay with Elsie Lee for Jacques Tourneur‘s classic mammoth American-International horror-comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) with Vincent Price, Joyce Jameson, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Joe E. Brown, Beverly Powers, Buddy Mason, Alan DeWitt, Douglas Williams, Linda Rogers, Luree Holmes, Charles Soldani, Harvey Parry, Paul Barselou and Orangey/Rhubarb the Cat. Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg‘s classic mammoth Universal Studios action-adventure-thriller masterpiece production of “Duel” (1971, originally produced as a Universal/ABC made-for-TV movie masterpiece production and one of Spielberg’s earliest productions) with Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Lucille Benson, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, Shirley O’ Hara, Gene Dynarski and Amy Douglass. Matheson also wrote the teleplay for John Llewellyn Moxey and Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth ABC “Kolchak” made-for-TV movie masterpiece pilot, “The Night Stalker” (1972).
Curtis’s classic mammoth 1974 made-for-TV masterpiece adaptation of “Dracula” premiered on the CBS television network on Feb. 8, 1974; according to IMDB.
According to the Feb. 8, 1974 edition of the Hanover Evening Sun newspaper of Hanover, Pennsylvania; CBS programmed “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) after an episode of “Good Times.” Curtis’ “Dracula” feature adaptation was showcased on CBS opposite episodes of “The Girl with Something Extra” and The Dean Martin Comedy Hour/Dean Martin Celebrity Roast on NBC and episodes of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Odd Couple” and “Toma” on ABC.
For the original Feb. 8, 1974 CBS big broadcast premiere of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula,” Curtis’ classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire/horror movie masterpiece adaptation aired on CBS-owned WBBM-TV Channel 2 in Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois and on a regional scale for the home region/home office of “Silver Screen Reflections;” the CBS/Dan Curtis adaptation of “Dracula” was showcased on WTOP-TV Channel 9 (which later became WDVM in 1978 and became W*USA 9 in 1986) in the Washington, D.C./Frederick, Maryland/Northern Virginia region and on the “Keystone Network” trio of CBS-affiliated TV stations for the Hanover/Gettysburg/York/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania viewing area at the time- the now-former WLYH-TV 15 (which was affiliated with CBS until 1995), WHP-TV 21 (which became the primary CBS affiliate for the Hanover/Gettysburg/York/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area after 1995) and WSBA-TV 43 (once linked to Pennsylvania’s Pfaltzgraff pottery business– which lost its CBS network affiliation after the station was sold in 1983 and became WPMT-43).
“Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) was pre-empted in Baltimore, Maryland by then-CBS affiliate WMAR-TV 2; a syndicated movie airing of “A Man Called Sledge” (1970, part of a Columbia Pictures/Screen Gems syndicated movie package the station bought at the time) aired in its place. CBS later switched affiliations with Hearst-owned (and future Me-TV affiliate) WBAL-TV 11 in 1981 (WBAL returned to NBC in 1995)– CBS would later move to Westinghouse/Group W-owned WJZ-TV 13 in Jan. 1995– shortly before Westinghouse/Group W (which also bought Chicago’s WXRT-FM 93.1/93XRT that same year) merged with CBS.
Who was in “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974)?
The players who appeared in Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth CBS/made-for-TV vampire movie masterpiece adaptation production of “Dracula” (1974) were Jack Palance (as Count Dracula), Simon Ward (as Arthur), Nigel Davenport (as Van Helsing), Pamela Brown (as Mrs. Westenra), Fiona Lewis (as Lucy), Penelope Horner (as Mina), Murray Brown (as Jonathan Harker), Virginia Wetherell, Barbara Lindley and Sarah Douglas (as Dracula’s wives, Virginia Wetherell received credit under the name of Virginia Wetherall), George Pravda (as the innkeeper), Hana Maria Pravda (as the wife of the innkeeper), Reg Lye (as the zookeeper), Fred Stone (as the priest), Roy Spencer (as the clerk of the Whitby Inn), John Challis (as the Stockton-on-Tees clerk), Nigel Gregory (as the Midvale Shipping clerk), John Pennington (as the Richmond Shipping clerk), Martyn Read (as a member of the Coast Guard), Gita Denise (as Madam Kristoff), Sandra Caron (in an uncredited role as the maid of the Whitby Inn) and Eddie Powell (in an uncredited role as a patron of the Whitby Inn).
Born under the name of Volodymyr Ivanovich Palahniuk, the future Jack Palance previously appeared in George Stevens‘ classic mammoth Paramount Pictures Academy Award-winning western-drama masterpiece production of “Shane” (1953, he received screen credit under the name of Walter Jack Palance) with Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon De Wilde, Edgar Buchanan, Ben Johnson and Elisha Cook Jr. Palance also appeared in Robert Aldrich‘s classic mammoth United Artists drama/film noir masterpiece production of “The Big Knife” (1955) with Ida Lupino, Wendell Corey, Jean Hagen, Rod Steiger, Shelley Winters, the narration stylings of Richard Boone (later of TV’s “Have Gun, Will Travel” fame) and Strother Martin (later of 1967’s “Cool Hand Luke” fame). Palance made two guest appearances in the role of Louis Strago in the classic mammoth Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)/NBC action-adventure-spy masterpiece series, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” with Robert Vaughn, David McCallum and Leo G. Carroll (in the 1966 two-part episode of the series, “The Concrete Overcoat Affair” with guests Janet Leigh and Joan Blondell).
Alongside his various feature film & TV appearances throughout the majority of his acting career, Palance found new popularity on the silver screen in the role of Curly Washburn in Ron Underwood‘s classic mammoth Castle Rock comedy masterpiece, “City Slickers” (1991) with Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby, Daniel Stern, Patricia Wettig, Helen Slater, Jayne Meadows, Jeffrey Tambor, Noble Willingham, Tracey Walter, Josh Mostel, David Paymer, Bill Henderson, Yeardley Smith (of interest to fellow wonderful Super Tooners/Super SvenPals of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me-“ the vocal stylings of the character of Lisa Simpson/TV’s “The Simpsons” fame), Lindsay Crystal and young Jake Gyllenhaal. Palace won the 1992 Academy Award for the category of Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his appearance in “City Slickers.” During his acceptance speech at the 1992 Oscars ceremony, Palance was praised for doing his Push-Ups with one arm. He later appeared in the sequel, “City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold” (1994, both of the Castle Rock “City Slickers” features were co-produced by Billy Crystal’s production company, Face Productions and were originally released theatrically through Columbia Pictures).
Alongside his numerous feature film and TV appearances throughout his acting career, Simon Ward previously appeared in the role of Karl in Terence Fisher‘s classic mammoth Warner Bros./Hammer Films horror-monster masterpiece production of “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1969) with Hammer horror legend Peter Cushing, Veronica Carlson, Freddie Jones, Thorley Walters, Maxine Audley, George Pravda, Geoffrey Bayldon, Frank Middlemass and Harold Goodwin. Ward also appeared in the title role of young Winston Churchill in Richard Attenborough‘s classic mammoth Columbia Pictures biopic drama masterpiece adapted from the biography that the British Prime Minister wrote about the early years of his life, “My Early Life: A Roving Commission;” “Young Winston” (1972) with Anne Bancroft, Robert Shaw, John Mills, Jack Hawkins, young Jane Seymour, young Anthony Hopkins, Ian Holm, Nigel Hawthorne, Norman Bird, Julian Holloway, Peter Cellier, Ronald Hines, Dino Shafeek, Laurence Naismith and Robert Hardy. He appeared in the role of the Duke of Buckingham in Richard Lester‘s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios) action-adventure masterpiece adaptation of Alexandre Dumas‘ novel, “The Three Musketeers” (1973) with Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain (of TV’s “Dr. Kildare” and later of TV’s “Shogun” fame), Michael York, Raquel Welch, Hammer horror legend Christopher Lee, Geraldine Chaplin (the real-life daughter of Charlie Chaplin), Faye Dunaway, Charlton Heston, Roy Kinnear, British comedian Spike Milligan and Frank Thornton (of BBC‘s “Are You Being Served?” fame and the latter years of BBC’s “Last of the Summer Wine” fame) and in Lester’s sequel, “The Four Musketeers: Milady’s Revenge” (1974) with Reed, Chamberlain, York, Welch, Lee, Chaplin, Dunaway, Heston and Kinnear.
Alongside her various feature film & TV appearances throughout her acting career, Fiona Lewis previously appeared in the role of Diana Trowbridge in Robert Fuest‘s classic mammoth American-International thriller sequel masterpiece, “Dr. Phibes Rises Again” (1972) with the legendary Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Valli Kemp, Terry-Thomas, Robert Quarry, Hugh Griffith, John Thaw, Keith Buckley, Lewis Fiander, Gerald Sim, Milton Reid, Peter Jeffrey, John Cater, Beryl Reid, John Comer (of BBC’s “Last of the Summer Wine” fame), Caroline Munro and the vocal stylings of Gary Owens (of “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” fame). She later appeared in Ken Russell‘s classic mammoth Warner Bros. rock musical comedy masterpiece on the life of composer Franz Liszt, “Lisztomania” (1975) with the legendary Roger Daltrey (of The Who fame), the legendary Ringo Starr (of The Beatles fame), Sara Kestelman, Paul Nicholas, Rick Wakeman and a cameo by Oliver Reed and in Joe Dante‘s classic mammoth Warner Bros.-Steven Spielberg/Amblin action-adventure-comedy masterpiece production of “Innerspace” (1987) with Martin Short, Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, Kevin McCarthy (of 1956’s “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” fame), William Schallert, Henry Gibson, Orson Bean, Kathleen Freeman, Dick Miller, Kenneth Tobey, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Rance Howard and of interest to fellow Super Tooners/Super SvenPals of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me;” a cameo by legendary Warner Bros. & MGM cartoon animator-producer Chuck Jones.
Nigel Davenport also appeared in Fred Zinnemann‘s classic mammoth Columbia Pictures Academy Award-winning drama masterpiece of Robert Bolt‘s stage play, “A Man For All Seasons” (1966) with Paul Scofield, Orson Welles, Robert Shaw, Susannah York, Leo McKern, Wendy Hiller, John Hurt and Vanessa Redgrave; in Don Taylor‘s classic mammoth American-International masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells‘ “Island of Lost Souls;” “The Island of Dr. Moureau” (1977) with Burt Lancaster, Michael York, Barbara Carrera, Richard Basehart (of TV’s “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” fame), Nick Cravat, David S. Cass Sr., Bob Ozman, Fumio Demura, Gary Baxley and John Gillespie. He later appeared in Hugh Hudson‘s classic mammoth Warner Bros. Academy Award-winning drama masterpiece production of “Chariots of Fire” (1981) with Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Ian Charleson, Ben Cross, Daniel Gerroll, Ian Holm, John Gielgud, Alice Krige, John Young (of 1974’s “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” fame), young Kenneth Branagh and young Stephen Fry. Davenport later made a guest appearance as the Commodore in an episode of Roy Clarke‘s classic mammoth BBC comedy masterpiece series, “Keeping Up Appearances” with Patricia Routledge, Clive Swift, Judy Cornwell, Mary Millar, Geoffrey Hughes, Josephine Tewson, David Griffin and Jeremy Gittins (in the 1993 episode “The Commodore”).
“Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) was not Palance’s only production for Dan Curtis
According to IMDB, the classic mammoth 1974 made-for-TV vampire masterpiece movie production of “Dracula” did not mark the only time that Jack Palance worked in a Dan Curtis production. The veteran actor appeared in an earlier Curtis made-for-TV feature-length masterpiece production.
Five years before the original CBS network broadcast of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974), Jack Palance’s earlier Curtis made-for-TV production was in the classic mammoth Dan Curtis-Charles Jarrott made-for-TV sci-fi/horror/drama masterpiece adaptation production of Robert Louis Stevenson‘s novel, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1968), where Palance appeared in the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde. Alongside Jack Palance, Denholm Elliott, Tessie O’Shea, Torin Thatcher, Oscar Homolka (of 1940’s “The Invisible Woman” and 1961’s “Mr. Sardonicus” fame), Leo Genn, Billie Whitelaw, Rex Sevenoaks, Gillie Fenwick, Duncan Lamont and William Nunn also appeared in the 1968 Curtis-Jarrott production.
“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1968) aired on the ABC television network back on Jan. 7, 1968; due in part to Curtis’ involvement with the original “Dark Shadows” series that aired on ABC.
A change for Dan Curtis’ adaptation of “Dracula” (1974)
For the veteran director-producer’s classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire masterpiece adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” it was reported that Dan Curtis wanted his “Dracula” adaptation to have more of a human characteristic for the characterization of Count Dracula instead of the traditional “vampire” characteristic. According to Jerry Buck’s 1973 Associated Press article on Dan Curtis that was published in the May 1973 edition of The Robesonian newspaper while “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) was in production, the veteran director-producer wanted his “Dracula” to be terrifying, but an actual human being as well.
Due in part to Jack Palance’s earlier appearance in the classic mammoth Dan Curtis-Charles Jarnott-ABC made-for-TV masterpiece adaptation of “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1968), the veteran producer-director wanted Palance to appear in his “Dracula” made-for-TV feature adaptation. Curtis mentioned that he wouldn’t have filmed his adaptation of “Dracula” if Jack Palance hadn’t agreed to appear in the production. The veteran producer also mentioned that adaptations of horror-based stories were difficult to accomplish and mentioned that his adaptation of “Dracula” was one of his last “vampire”-based productions at the time of filming- Curtis felt that he was running out of material in terms of vampires due in part to his ABC “Dark Shadows” series and his MGM “Dark Shadows” feature film adaptations.
“Dan Curtis’ Dracula:” Originally scheduled to air on CBS back in Oct. 1973- but was pre-empted and re-scheduled several months later by the network.
Once filming was completed for Dan Curtis’ made-for-TV movie adaptation of “Dracula” in 1973, the CBS television network had scheduled Curtis’ feature-length production as a big broadcast premiere for CBS’ “Friday Night Movies” for the evening of Fri., Oct. 12; 1973. Local CBS television affiliates from coast-to-coast promoted big broadcast premiere that was scheduled for that evening through the use of newspaper advertisements, according to an original Oct. 12, 1973 advertisement for the scheduled CBS big broadcast premiere of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” that was published in the Salt Lake Tribune for then-CBS affiliate KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah (CBS would later switch affiliations with KUTV in 1995).
According to Peter Nichols’ Nov. 1992 brief New York Times retrospective on “Dan Curtis’ Dracula,” the network pre-empted the airing of Dan Curtis’ “Dracula” due to coverage of President Richard Nixon’s televised address in connection to the resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and coverage of Nixon’s announcement of the nomination of Congressman Gerald R. Ford Jr. as the replacement Vice President.
CBS television executives decided to re-schedule the big broadcast premiere of Dan Curtis’ made-for-TV movie adaptation of “Dracula” for the evening of Fri., Feb. 8, 1974.
Jack Palance’s characterization of “Dracula” in Dan Curtis’ made-for-TV feature
Jack Palance’s characterization of Count Dracula in Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth CBS made-for-TV masterpiece adaptation of “Dracula” (1974) marked his only screen appearance as the title vampire character.
According to additional details from IMDB, after Palance’s made-for-TV appearance as Count Dracula from the Feb. 1974 CBS broadcast, the actor was praised for his performance of Count Dracula in Curtis’ made-for-TV feature production. Though he was offered numerous to reprise his role of Count Dracula by other producers after the Dan Curtis production, Palance declined to reprise the role after Curtis’ classic mammoth CBS made-for-TV vampire masterpiece feature.
CBS’ latter 1992 re-airing of Dan Curtis’ adaptation of “Dracula” in connection to a then-new “Dracula” feature film at the time**
18 years after the original Feb. 1974 CBS big broadcast premiere of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula,” the network decided to re-visit the classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire masterpiece in connection to another then-new “Dracula” feature film that was released at the time.
According to Liz Smith’s entertainment column in the Nov. 27, 1992 edition of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald newspaper of Arlington Heights/Chicago, Illinois; it was reported that CBS planned re-broadcast the classic mammoth made-for-TV feature film masterpiece production of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974). The network re-broadcast Curtis’ “Dracula” feature production on Sat., Nov. 28, 1992.
**This was possibly done by CBS in connection to the then-new theatrical release of Francis Ford Coppola‘s classic mammoth Columbia Pictures modern vampire-horror masterpiece adaptation production of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992) with Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E. Grant, Cary Elwes, Billy Campbell, Sadie Frost and Tom Waits.
According to additional details from Peter Nichols’ 1992 New York Times article, Illinois-based home video distributor MPI Home Video (today’s MPI Media Group) released Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire masterpiece adaptation production of “Dracula” (1974) on VHS in connection to the Columbia theatrical release of Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1972). Over the years, MPI has made a licensing pact with Dan Curtis/the Curtis family for the home entertainment rights of the productions that the Curtis family/heirs owns outright- today, MPI Media currently represents the home entertainment (DVD/Blu-Ray), streaming licensing and television syndication rights of the Dan Curtis Productions/Dan Curtis estate library of TV productions.
Be sure to watch Svengoolie’s big broadcast premiere of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) with Jack Palance, this Sat. on Me-TV!
With Jack Palance, Simon Ward, Nigel Davenport, Pamela Brown, Fiona Lewis, Penelope Horner, Murray Brown, Virginia Wetherell, Barbara Lindley, Sarah Douglas, George Pravda, Hana Maria Pravda, Reg Lye, Fred Stone, Roy Spencer, John Challis, Nigel Gregory, John Pennington, Martyn Read, Gita Denise, Sandra Caron and Eddie Powell; you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast premiere of Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire masterpiece adaptation of “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974), thsi Sat. on Me-TV! A wonderful and perfect treat for all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super classic mammoth Dan Curtis made-for-TV horror feature film masterpieces everywhere with the magic and fun of Sven’s fun facts, maestro Sven and maestro Doug Graves’ parody song, Sven and Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment, fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners’ “Spawn of Svengoolie”/”Sven Squad” guest video masterpiece segments, classic Sven moments, Sven surprises and much, much more! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super classic mammoth Dan Curtis vampire-horror/made-for-TV feature film masterpiece aficionados everywhere!
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast premiere of Dan Curtis’ “Dracula” (1974) with Jack Palance
Sat., March 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV!
To all my fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me” Tooners/Super readers/subscribers of “Silver Screen Reflections” everywhere: Seriously, Please, please be good, kind, courteous, safe and respectful to each other. Let’s all look to uplifting/positive enlightenment, encouragement and wisdom from Svengoolie, all fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me”/”Saturday Morning Cartoons” Tooners/Super Mystery Science Theater 3000/MST3K MSTies/Super classic film/television aficionados/Super readers of “Silver Screen Reflections” everywhere. Again, to all fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me”/”Saturday Morning Cartoons” Tooners/Super MST3K MSTies/Super classic film & TV aficionados/Super “Silver ScreenReflections” readers everywhere- To those who have not made a plan to get their vaccines yet, be sure to schedule your vaccines, booster vaccines against the newest COVID-19 variant & your flu shot by contacting your doctor/physician/healthcare professional soon, follow all precautions safely and seriously, wear a protective face mask/appropriate protective face covering, wash your hands for approximately 20 sec., avoid touching your face, practice proper social distancing/physical distancing protocols, use a tissue/sleeve when coughing/sneezing, stay home, keep healthy and stay well. Again, let’s all take preventative measures/steps by being safe, keeping healthy and staying well- and again, we fellow Super SvenPals everywhere highly recommend watching Kerwyn’s informative coronavirus/COVID-19 prevention safety public service announcement! Escape from anxiety, chaos and stress by relaxing and having fun with Sven and his Sat. evening big broadcasts of classic mammoth creature/sci-fi/monster/horror/fantasy feature film masterpieces on Me-TV’s big broadcast airlanes! Be sure to join in on the fun with all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners everywhere by live-tweeting on the airlanes during Sven’s Sat. evening big broadcast premiere of Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth made-for-TV vampire/horror masterpiece adaptation, “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) with Jack Palance, this Sat. on Me-TV and Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me” big broadcasts! Again, be good, safety first, keep healthy and stay well; Three Cheers & Two Thumbs Up to Sven/Rich Koz, the entire Sven/Sventoonie/”Toon In”/Me-TV production team & the entire crowd of fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super MSTies/Super classic film/TV masterpiece aficionados/Super “Silver Screen Reflections” readers everywhere! To quote Svengoolie’s executive producer, Jim Roche: “#KeepCalmAndWatchSven!” –C.H.
To all my fellow wonderful Super Tooners/SvenPals: I haven’t been around the “Toon In With Me” airlanes recently- I’m missing you all and I will miss you al for the March 21 big broadcast-
But the good news is that I will return to the airlanes for the Fri. morning, March 22 big broadcast of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me!” -C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! The entire crowd of fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners highly recommend entering in the “Spawn of Svengoolie”/”Sven Squad” guest video cameo segments featured in Sven’s big broadcasts! Be sure to enter today via the official Svengoolie app for your smartphone/tablet device from Me-TV! Many fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners’ “Spawn of Sven”/”Sven Squad” guest cameo video masterpieces have been featured on Sven’s big broadcasts! All of us highly recommend entering! To those who haven’t done so yet, be sure to enter yours today! -C.H.
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Extra! Extra! Extra! Return of the Rondo Awards (For those who have not voted yet) and Cameo Mentions of fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners!
Extra! Extra! Extra! To those who have not voted yet in the 22nd Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards- Be sure to vote for fellow wonderful legendary friend/Super SvenPal/Super Tooner/Super “Jammin’ with Jamie” Jammer/Super broadcaster/Super DJ/Super aficionado of the performing arts Jamie Lee for the Rondo Award category of Special Recognition in the 22nd Rondo Awards! Please follow all directions carefully via the official Rondo Awards Site and enter your official Rondo online ballot via the official Rondo E-Mail address on the official Rondo site before Tue., April 16 at Midnight! Sidebar: **Only one ballot per person.**
Congratulations to Jamie and fingers crossed from all of us for a Rondo Award win for the new Special Recognition category! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing and jumping for joy for you, Jamie! Safety first, Three Cheers, Two Thumbs Up & All the Best to Jamie & to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super “Jammin’ with Jamie” Jammers/Super aficionados of the performing arts everywhere, Jamie! Fingers Crossed/Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Congratulations to Nanette on your wonderful “Kerwyn” and “Porky Pig Microphone” art masterpieces! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing and jumping for joy for you, Nanette! Safety first, Three Cheers, Two Thumbs Up & All the Best to Nanette, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Drew, Jamie, Clinton/C&C, Eddie, Makayla, Dragongoolie & to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super artists everywhere, Nanette, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Drew, Jamie, Clinton/C&C, Eddie, Makayla & Dragongoolie! Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Congratulations to Makayla on your recently wonderful second “Sven-ology” guest appearance on Chris C.’s wonderful “Sven-ology” show! aVery awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing nd jumping for joy for all of you, Makayla, Chris, Fanboy, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Nanette, Drew, Jamie, Dave, Warner, Jim, Fanboy & Danny/Hollow! Safety first, Three Cheers, Two Thumbs Up & All the Best to Makayla, Chris, Fanboy, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Nanette, Drew, Jamie, Dave, Warner, Jim, Fanboy & Danny/Hollow & to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners everywhere, Makayla, Chris, Fanboy, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Nanette, Drew, Jamie, Dave, Warner, Jim, Fanboy & Danny/Hollow! Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Hope all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners enjoyed the famous Chicago River/Green River/St. Patrick’s festival and any St. Patrick’s festivals everywhere! -C.H.
Again, kudos to fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie/Sventooonie SvenPal/Super Tooner/Super broadcaster/Super DJ/Super photographer/Super artist Sarah Rhodes/Sarahgoolie for the wonderful autographed edition of your wonderful Sven/SOS/”Beta-Ray Svenny” comic book cover art masterpiece! Again, I highly appreciate your wonderful autographed copies of your wonderful Sven art masterpieces, Sarah/Sarahgoolie! Hope everyone had a wonderful & fantastic St. Patrick’s weekend! From Walkersville to Berwyn/the Chicago River/Marina City in connection to the “Green Chicago River” festivities for the St. Patrick’s weekend- We’re all dancing and jumping for joy for all of you, Sven/Rich, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Jamie, Nanette, Drew, Clinton/C&C, Fritz, Brian, Dragongoolie, Eddie, Dave, Chris C., Warner, Makayla, Danny/Hollow, Fanboy & all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners throughout the galaxy! Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!”
In connection to “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974):
Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth made-for-TV masterpiece adaptation of “Dracula” (1974) is also available on Blu-Ray disc, DVD and on a double-feature DVD twinset with “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” on MPI Home Video (by arrangement with the estate of Dan Curtis). “Dan Curtis’ Dracula” (1974) is also available streaming for free via Tubi (by arrangement with MPI Media Group/the estate of Dan Curtis).