“Svengoolie” presents “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be excited for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic Universal Studios monster farce with the studio’s comedic duo.

“Svengoolie” presents: “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948)

A brief moment from “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948), with Lou Costello, Glenn Strange and Bela Lugosi.

Original Universal Studios exhibitors’ supplement for “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948).

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will present his big broadcast showcase of “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948), this Sat., Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The landmark Abbott and Costello-Universal monster cross-over feature was directed by veteran studio director Charles T. Barton (this was Barton’s fifth screen production with the legendary comedy duo).  That same year, Barton worked on Abbott and Costello’s non-Universal feature comedy entry for competing studio Eagle-Lion Films, “The Noose Hangs High” (1948, w/ Leon Errol, Cathy Downs, Fritz Feld, Joseph Calleia and Mike Mazurki).

This will mark Sven’s seventh big broadcast of “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948) from coast-to-coast on Me-TV.  He had previously shown the celebrated Universal monster comedy classic from coast-to-coast back in Oct. 2011*, Nov. 2013, Oct. 2014, April 2015, Oct. 2016 and Nov. 2017.

Who was in “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948)?

The players who appeared in Barton’s Universal monster/Abbott & Costello comedy were Bud Abbott (as Chick Young), Lou Costello (as Wilbur Grey), Glenn Strange (as Frankenstein’s monster, this marked Strange’s third Universal feature film appearance as Frankenstein’s monster; he previously played the role in 1944’s “House of Frankenstein” and 1945’s “House of Dracula”), Bela Lugosi (as Count Dracula; this marked Bela’s second and final screen appearance as Count Dracula in a Universal production, ), Lon Chaney, Jr. (as Lawrence “Larry” Talbot/the “Wolf Man;” this marked the junior Chaney’s fifth Universal feature appearance as Lawrence “Wolf Man” Talbot; he previously played the role in 1941’s “The Wolf Man,” 1943’s “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man,” 1944’s “House of Frankenstein” and 1945’s “House of Dracula”), Jane Randolph (as Joan Raymond), Lenore Aubert (as Dr. Sandra Moray), Charles Bradstreet (as Dr. Stevens), Frank Ferguson (as Mr. McDougal), Harry Brown (in an uncredited role as a photographer), Bobby Barber (in an uncredited role as a waiter) and an uncredited voice-over cameo by a young Vincent Price (as a uncredited Universal “monster” who made a surprise appearance in the film).

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Extra! A family connection to actor Barton MacLane (in honor of “Svengoolie” and his big Me-TV broadcast premiere of 1944’s “Cry of the Werewolf” on Me-TV)!

Barton MacLane in “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944), taken during Svengoolie‘s “fun facts” Segment during his Oct. 13 big broadcast premiere of the aforementioned film on Me-TV! “Svengoolie” (portrayed by Rich Koz): Weigel Broadcasting Co./WCIU-TV, L.P./Me-TV Network/U-City Productions  “Cry of the Werewolf:” Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be delighted to know about a family connection to actor Barton MacLane (for 1944’s “Cry of the Werewolf”).

Barton MacLane: At-a-glance

Original 1944 Columbia Pictures lobby card/publicity photo for “Cry of the Werewolf,” with Barton MacLane, Nina Foch and Stephen Crane.

Born under the name of Ernest Barton MacLane on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) 1902 in Columbia, South Carolina; MacLane moved with his family to the small town of Cromwell, Connecticut at the age of seven (according to Robert and Kathleen Hubbard’s Arcadia historic publication, “Legendary Locals of Middletown”).  Upon entering Connecticut, MacLane attended St. John’s Parochial School in Middletown, Connecticut (according to my late aunt’s recollections, the information on the family connection to MacLane follows after his film and TV credits).  He graduated from Middletown High School in 1921 and attended Wesleyan University, where he majored in athletics (notably in football, baseball and basketball).  One of MacLane’s major achievements during his time at Wesleyan was that he made a 100-yard kickoff return during one of his Wesleyan football games in 1924.  Because of his achievement, Paramount Pictures talent scouts encouraged MacLane to go into the field of acting in motion pictures.  His first film appearance was in an uncredited role in “The Quarterback” (1926, with Richard Dix).

“Svengoolie” to premiere “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow coast-to-coast Svengoolie SvenPals will be interested in his upcoming big broadcast premiere of a classic Columbia Pictures werewolf thriller.

“Svengoolie” presents: “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944)

1944 Columbia Pictures lobby card/publicity photo for “Cry of the Werewolf,” with Stephen Crane, Osa Massen and Nina Foch. Note: The original Columbia theatrical trailer for “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) is unavailable on YouTube and other video streaming platforms (as of this writing).

Original 1944 Columbia Pictures poster artwork for “Cry of the Werewolf.”

The legendary Berywn/Chicago-based horror film host will present his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944), this Sat., Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The 1944 Columbia werewolf thriller was directed by Henry Levin.  This would mark Levin’s directorial debut in his motion picture career.  He later directed several of the Columbia “Matt Helm” secret agent spoof film adaptations with Dean Martin in the title role, including “Murderers’ Row” (1966, with Ann-Margret, James Gregory and Karl Malden) and “The Ambushers” (1967, with Gregory, Senta Berger and Albert Salmi).

Who was in “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944)?

The players who appeared in Levin’s Columbia werewolf feature were Nina Foch (as Celeste), Stephen Crane (as Robert “Bob” Morris), Osa Massen (as Elsa Chauvet), Barton MacLane (as Lt. Barry Lane)*, Blanche Yurka (as Bianca), Ivan Triesault (as Jan Spavero), John Abbott (as Peter Althius), John Tyrrell (as Mac), Fred Graff (as Pinkie), Robert B. Williams (as Homer), Fritz Leiber (as Dr. Charles Morris) and Milton Parsons (as Adamson).

 

“Svengoolie” to premiere “The Return of the Vampire” (1943), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals from coast-to-coast will be excited about his upcoming premiere of a classic Columbia Pictures thriller with one of cinema’s horror legends.

“Svengoolie” presents: “The Return of the Vampire” (1943)

Original Columbia Pictures theatrical trailer for “The Return of the Vampire” (1943).

Original Columbia Pictures poster artwork for “The Return of the Vampire” (1943).

 

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will present his big broadcast premiere of “The Return of the Vampire” (1943), this Sat., Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“The Return of the Vampire” (1943) was directed by veteran film director Lew Landers, who was famous for his Universal Studios screen thriller adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” (1935, Landers directed the Universal thriller under the name of Louis Friedlander; according to IMDB).  In the latter part of his career, Landers directed the Columbia Super-Cinecolor fantasy feature, “The Magic Carpet” (1951, with Lucille Ball, Raymond Burr and John Agar).  He also directed several episodes of two successful TV series for Columbia’s Screen Gems unit, “The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin” (from 1956-59) and “Circus Boy” (1957, with a pre-“Monkees” Micky Dolenz in the title role and Noah Berry Jr.).

Who was in “The Return of the Vampire” (1943)?

The players who appeared in Landers’ Columbia vampire thriller were Bela Lugosi (in the dual roles of Armand Tesla and Dr. Hugo Bruckner), Frieda Inescort (as Lady Jane Ainsley), Roland Varno (as John Ainsley), Nina Foch (as Nicki Saunders), Gilbert Emery (as Dr. Walter Saunders), Matt Willis (as Andreas Obry), Ottola Nesmith (as Governess Elsa Walter), William Austin (as Detective Gannett), Leslie Denison (as Detective Lynch) and Miles Mander (as Sir Frederick Fleet).

Bela Lugosi previously appeared in the role of Dr. Richard Vollin in Landers’ Universal adaptation of “The Raven” (1935) with Boris Karloff, who played the role of Edmond Bateman (according to IMDB).  Ten years before “The Return of the Vampire” (1943), Lugosi played the title role of Degar in Benjamin “Ben” Stoloff’s Columbia horror feature, “Night of Terror” (1933).

 

“Svengoolie” to showcase “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals and aficionados of Universal Studios’ “creature” film trilogy will be interested in an upcoming showcase of the third and final “creature” feature.

“Svengoolie” presents: “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956)

Original 1956 Universal Studios theatrical trailer for “The Creature Walks Among Us.”  According to the trailer, this was paired as a double-feature presentation with Universal’s film noir crime drama, “The Price of Fear.”

1956 Universal Studios poster artwork for “The Creature Walks Among Us.”

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based creature/monster film host will present the finale in Universal’s “creature” trilogy, “The Creature Walks Among Us”  (1956); this Sat., Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956) was directed by John Sherwood, who also directed another Universal monster thriller, “The Monolith Monsters” (1957).  One year before working on “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956), Sherwood directed the Universal romantic western; “Raw Edge” (1955, with Rory Calhoun and Yvonne De Carlo, later of TV’s “The Munsters” fame).  For most of his career, Sherwood worked as an assistant/second unit director on many features.  Sherwood died in 1959, shortly after serving an uncredited position as a second unit director for the Universal comedy “Pillow Talk” (1959, directed by Michael Gordon; with Doris Day, Rock Hudson and Tony Randall; according to IMDB).

This will mark Sven’s fifth broadcast of “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased the Universal “creature” trilogy finale back in Aug. 2012*, April 2013, July 2014 and July 2015.

Who was in “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956)?

The players who appeared in the third and final feature in Universal’s “creature” trilogy were Jeff Morrow (as Dr. William Barton), Leigh Snowden (as Marcia Barton), Rex Reason (as Dr. Thomas Morgan), Ricou Browning (in an uncredited role as the creature for underwater sequences), Don Megowan (in an uncredited role as the creature for land sequences), Gregg Palmer (as Jed Grant), Maurice Manson (as Dr. Borg), James Rawley (as Dr. Johnson), David McMahon (as Captain Stanley)**, Paul Fierro (as Morteno), Lillian Molieri (as Mrs. Morteno), Larry Hudson (as a state trooper) Frank Chase (as a steward) and George Sowards (in an uncredited role as a ranchhand).

“Svengoolie” to present “Revenge of the Creature” (1955), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be looking forward to his upcoming big broadcast of the second installment in Universal Studios’ “creature” film franchise.

Svengoolie presents: “Revenge of the Creature” (1955)

1955 Universal Studios trade ad for “Revenge of the Creature” (in theatrical 3-D and 2-D formats).

The legendary Chicago/Berwyn-based creature film host will present the sequel to Universal’s “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954), “Revenge of the Creature” (1955); this Sat., Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“Revenge of the Creature” was directed by veteran Universal director Jack Arnold, who also directed “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954).  Aside from the first two “creature” films in Universal’s trilogy, Arnold also worked on “It Came from Outer Space” (1953), “Tarantula” (1955), “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957) and “Monster on the Campus” (1958).

This will officially mark Sven’s sixth broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased Arnold’s Universal “creature” sequel back in Jan. 2013, Aug. 2013, July 2014, May 2015 and Oct. 2016.  The 2018 airing of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) was originally scheduled for a late March telecast on Sven’s showcase, but was withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict between Me-TV and Universal Studios/Universal Television.  Sven’s re-airing of the made-for-TV thriller “Ants!” (1977, a.k.a. “It Happened at Lakewood Manor”) aired in place of “Revenge of the Creature” on March 24, 2018.

 

Who was in “Revenge of the Creature” (1955)?

Original Universal Studios lobby card art for “Revenge of the Creature” (1955).

The players who appeared in Jack Arnold’s “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) were John Agar (as Professor Clete Ferguson, Agar also appeared in Arnold’s arachnid thriller for Universal, “Tarantula” in 1955), Lori Nelson (as Helen Dobson, Nelson was also known for her roles of Rosie Kettle in two of Universal’s “Ma and Pa Kettle” comedies, “Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair” in 1952 and “Ma and Pa Kettle at Wakiki” 1955 with Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride), Nestor Paiva (as Luca, Paiva previously played the role of Luca in “Creature from the Black Lagoon” in 1954), Ricou Browning (in uncredited dual roles as the creature for underwater sequences and a lab technician, Browning previously played an uncredited role as the creature for underwater sequences in the original “Creature from the Black Lagoon”), a young Clint Eastwood (in an uncredited role as Jennings; Eastwood also appeared in two other Universal productions that same year, in an uncredited role as a jet pilot in Jack Arnold’s “Tarantula” and the role of Jonesey in the studio’s sixth “Francis the Talking Mule” feature, “Francis in the Navy” with Chill Wills and Donald O’ Connor), Grandon Rhodes (as Jackson Foster), John Bromfield (as Joe Hayes), Dave Willock (as Lou Gibson), Robert B. Williams (as George Johnson), Charles Cane (as a police captain) and Tom Hennesy (in uncredited dual roles as the creature for land sequences and a Marineland diver).

“Svengoolie” to present “Rodan” (1956), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals and fellow aficionados of Toho Studios’ kaiju creature films will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a 1956 classic.

“Svengoolie” presents: “Rodan” (1956)

King Brothers/Distributors Corporation of America/DCA trailer for the North American release of “Rodan” (1956), which was originally released in Japan by Toho Studios.

1956 Toho Studios poster art for the Japanese theatrical release of “Rodan.”

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago monster/horror film host will showcase “Rodan” (1956, a.k.a. “Radon”), this Sat., Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV!

The 1956 Toho Studios kaiju creature entry was directed by veteran film director Ishiro Honda.  Two years before “Rodan,” Honda directed the landmark Toho Studios kaiju creature monster epic, “Godzilla”/Gojira” (1954, released in the United States two years later under the title of “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” in 1956 with additional sequences directed by Terry Morse for the North American cut, Morse’s sequences featured actor Raymond Burr of TV’s “Perry Mason” fame).

This will mark Sven’s second broadcast of “Rodan” (1956) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased Honda’s 1956 kaiju creature feature back in April 2017*.

Who was in “Rodan” (1956)?

The actors who appeared in Ishiro Honda’s 1956 Toho Studios kaiju creature entry were Kenji Sahara (of “Godzilla”/”Gojira” fame as Shigeru Kawamura, Sahara was credited in the film as Kenji Sawara), Yumi Shirakawa (as Kiyo, this was one of Shirakawa’s earliest film roles), Akihiko Hirata (as biology Professor Kyuichiro Kashiwagi), veteran Toho Studios stunt performer Haruo Nakajima (of “Godzilla”/”Gojira” fame in the “Rodan”/”Radon” suit), Akio Kobori (as Officer Nishimura), Minosuke Yamada (as Osaki), Yoshifumi Tajima (as Izeki, reporter of Seibu Nippou), Yasuko Nakada (as a honeymooner), Kiyoharu Onaka (as a honeymooner, Onaka was credited as Kiyoharu Ohnaka in the film), a pre-“Star Trek” George Takei (in an uncredited role for the English dubbing of Akihiko Hirata’s character), veteran character actor Keye Luke (in an uncredited role for the English dubbing of Kenji Sahara’s character), veteran voice-over artist Paul Frees (in an uncredited role for the English dubbing of Akio Kobori’s character) and veteran voice-over artist Art Gilmore (in an uncredited role as the narrator).