“Svengoolie” to showcase “The Frozen Ghost” (1945, an “Inner Sanctum” mystery) this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals from coast-to-coast will be looking forward to a vintage Universal Studios mystery feature with an iconic personality of the silver screen.

“Svengoolie” presents: “The Frozen Ghost” (1945, an “Inner Sanctum” mystery)

1945 Universal Studios poster art for “The Frozen Ghost” (part of the “Inner Sanctum” series).

Sidebar: The original theatrical trailer (which was captured from a VHS dub and was sourced from an altered version for the late 1950s “Shock!” television syndication package of vintage Universal monster-horror features) is available exclusively on “Retro Junk.”

The beloved Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will be presenting the 1945 Universal “Inner Sanctum” mystery adaptation, “The Frozen Ghost.”  Sven’s showcase starts this Sat., Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The fourth cinematic installment in Universal’s “Inner Sanctum” series was directed by Harold Young.  Young also worked on the third film in Universal’s “Mummy” series, “The Mummy’s Tomb” (1943).  He also directed the live-action sequences for Walt Disney’s “The Three Caballeros” (1944).

The original story of “The Frozen Ghost” was written by Harrison Carter and Henry Sucher.  The screenplay adaptation was written by Bernard Schubert and Luci Ward.

This will be Sven’s second big broadcast of Harold Young’s 1945 Universal “Inner Sanctum” feature on Me-TV.  He had previously showcased “The Frozen Ghost” on Sept. 3, 2016 (the same date that the hit “Svengoolie Stomp” music video with Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon premiered)!

(Belated) Thanksgiving

MST3K “Turkey Day” infographic from Shout! Factory TV!

Belated Thanksgiving/turkey day greetings to all fellow classic cinema enthusiasts, fellow Svengoolie SvenPals and  fellow “Mystery Science Theater 3000” (MST3K) MSTies from the writer of “Silver Screen Reflections!”   Hope everyone near and far had a wonderful Thanksgiving/turkey day!  Peace and “Hi-Keeba!”

“Svengoolie” to showcase “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals throughout the land will be looking forward to an iconic 1957 sci-fi thriller feature from Universal Studios.

“Svengoolie” presents: “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957)

Original 1957 Universal Studios theatrical trailer for “The Incredible Shrinking Man.”

1957 Universal Studios lobby card art for “The Incredible Shrinking Man.”

The iconic Chicago/Berwyn-based horror film host will showcase “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957), this Sat., Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“The Incredible Shrinking Man” was directed by veteran Universal Studios film director Jack Arnold, who was also known for his work on “It Came from Outer Space” (1953), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954) and “Tarantula” (1955).  The screenplay was adapted from Richard Matheson’s 1956 science fiction novel, “The Shrinking Man” (according to IMDB, Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Arnold’s film).

This will mark Sven’s fourth showing of Jack Arnold’s 1957 Universal Studios sci-fi feature on Me-TV.  He had previously shown “The Incredible Shrinking Man” back in May 2011, Oct. 2014 and May 2016.

Who was in “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957)?

The players who appeared in Arnold’s 1957 film were Grant Williams (as Scott Carey), Randy Stuart (Louise Carey), April Kent (as Clarice), Paul Langton (as Charlie Carey), Raymond Bailey (as Dr. Thomas Silver), William Schallert (as Dr. Arthur Bramson), Billy Curtis (as a little person), Frank J. Scannell (as a Barker), Diana Darrin (as a Nurse), Helene Marshall (as a Nurse) and Orangey the cat (in an uncredited role as Butch the cat).

“A good cast is worth repeating!” Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff’s “The Mads Are Back” live movie riffing tour in Frederick (a brief post)

A fun, lively, entertaining and hilarious afternoon of silver screen riffs were enjoyed by many fellow MSTies in the Frederick area!

Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff’s “The Mads Are Back!” at the Weinberg Center for the Arts!

Mr. Hamby meets the Mads of MST3K! Trace Beaulieu, Chris Hamby and Frank Conniff; taken after the Mads’ afternoon show at the Weinberg Center For the Arts in Frederick, Maryland on Sat., Nov. 18, 2017! Both Trace and Frank admired my official “Svengoolie” “official chicken thrower” T-shirt! Several fellow attendees of Trace and Frank’s “The Mads are Back” show also recognized the iconic Sven T-shirt!  Woo-Hoo! Hooray! “Hi-Keeba!”

On the afternoon of Sat., Nov. 18 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, Maryland; I got to experience Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff’s live movie riffing touring show, “The Mads Are Back!”  The legendary “Mystery Science Theater 3000” alums’ Frederick performance was their 100^th touring appearance.

“Mystery Science Theater 3000:” “Turkey Day” Marathon 2017

Fellow MSTies of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” from coast-to-coast will be excited about the return of a Thanksgiving day tradition!

Shout! Factory TV Presents: “Mystery Science Theater 3000: The MST3K Turkey Day Marathon 2017”

Shout! Factory TV infographic for the upcoming “MST3K Turkey Day Marathon.”

Shout! Factory TV will present the “MST3K Turkey Day Marathon 2017” on Thu., Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving day) at Noon ET/11 a.m. CT/10 a.m. MT/9 a.m. PT on shoutfactorytv.com.

Shout! Factory TV is also available on Roku, Amazon Fire and Samsung Smart TV platforms.  Shout! Factory TV’s streaming service is also simulcast on Pluto TV (Channel 512) and on the Twitch service.

 

 

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

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals from coast-to-coast will be jumping for joy this Sat. as he will present one of the definitive Universal Studios cinematic monster comedies!

Realart theatrical re-release trailer for Universal Studios’ 1948 monster comedy cross-over, “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.”

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

1948 Universal Studios poster art for “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.”

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will showcase “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948) this Sat., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Me-TV.

The 1948 Abbott and Costello comedic cross-over with the Universal Monsters was directed by Charles T. Barton.  This was Barton’s fifth feature with the iconic comedy duo; he had directed the “The Time of their Lives” (1946), “Buck Privates Come Home” (1947), “The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap” (1947, w/ Marjorie Main) and “The Noose Hangs High” (1948).

This will mark Sven’s sixth showing of “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” on Me-TV.  He had previously shown the popular Universal monster farce back in Oct. 2011, Nov. 2013, Oct. 2014, April 2015 and Oct. 2016.

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

The players who appeared in Barton’s Universal monster comedy were Bud Abbott (as Chick Young), Lou Costello (as Wilbur Grey), Glenn Strange (as Frankenstein’s monster), Bela Lugosi (as Count Dracula), Lon Chaney, Jr. (as Lawrence “Larry” Talbot/the “Wolf Man”), Lenore Aubert (as Dr. Sandra Moray), Jane Randolph (as Joan Raymond), Frank Ferguson (as Mr. McDougal), Charles Bradstreet (as Dr. Stevens) and an uncredited voice-over cameo by a young Vincent Price (as a “monster” who makes a surprise appearance)*.

This would mark Glenn Strange’s third cinematic appearance as Frankenstein’s monster.  He had previously played the role of Frankenstein’s monster in “House of Frankenstein” (1944) and “House of Dracula” (1945).  This would be the second and final time that Bela Lugosi would portray the role of Count Dracula on the silver screen (according to IMDB).

 

Veterans Day

 

1944 Warner Bros. publicity ad for “Hollywood Canteen,” with a statement by film personality Bette Davis (who was also the president and co-founder of the canteen).  The film was based off of the real Hollywood Canteen, which was located on Cahuenga Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. 

According to Frank Miller’s Turner Classic Movies article on the film, the original canteen was the brainchild of John Garfield, who felt that there was nothing for members of the Armed Forces that were stationed in Hollywood.  Inspired by the American Theater Wing’s “Stage Door Canteen” in New York City, Garfield, along with Davis, numerous players and financial/fundraising backing from MCA founder/agent Jules Stein, the Hollywood Canteen was established. 

Forty percent of the profits that were made from the “Hollywood Canteen” film were donated to the actual canteen, according to additional details from Miller’s TCM article.

The writer of “Silver Screen Reflections” salutes all veterans of the Armed Forces.  Thank you to all of our brave servicepeople everywhere! -C.H.

TCM Big Screen Classics: “Casablanca” (1942) to be re-released for the film’s 75th anniversary (a brief post)

“You must remember this.”  “We’ll always have Paris.”  “Round up the usual suspects.”  “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

One of the most iconic films from the golden age of cinema will be returning to the big screen for its 75^th anniversary.

Turner Classic Movies’ “Big Screen Classics” series: “Casablanca” (1942)

Warner Bros. lobby card art for “Casablanca” (1942).

Turner Classic Movies, in association with Warner Bros. Pictures and Fathom Events will be presenting the 75^th anniversary revival screening of “Casablanca” (1942).  The re-release will take place in select cinema venues from coast-to-coast on Sun., Nov. 12 and Wed., Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (local time).

The 75^th anniversary re-release will also have pre-recorded opening introduction and closing conclusion segments by TCM on-air host Ben Mankiewicz.

Directed by Michael Curtiz, the players who appeared in “Casablanca” were Humphrey Bogart (as Rick Blaine), Ingrid Bergman (as Ilsa Lund), Paul Henreid (as Victor Lazlo), Claude Rains (as Louis Renault), Peter Lorre (as Ugarte), Dooley Wilson (as Sam), S.Z. “Cuddles” Sakall (as Carl), Conrad Veidt (as Strasser), Sydney Greenstreet (as Ferrari), Madeleine Lebeau (as Yvonne), Joy Page (as Annina Brandel), John Qualen (as Berger) and Leonid Kinskey (as Sacha).

The producer of “Casablanca” was Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner (Warner Bros. studio head and co-founder) served as executive producer on the film.

“Svengoolie” to showcase “Barracuda” (1978), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals from coast-to-coast will be looking forward to his upcoming premiere of a cult underwater cinematic thriller entry.

“Svengoolie” presents: “Barracuda” (1978)

Original theatrical trailer for “Barracuda” (1978).

1978 poster art for “Barracuda.”

The iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will showcase his premiere of “Barracuda” (1978) on Sat., Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“Barracuda” was directed by Harry Kerwin, who was also an actor and a film producer.  This was Kerwin’s last feature film; he died on June 2, 1979 (according to IMDB). At the time, “Barracuda” was one of many cinematic underwater thrillers that were released to capitalize on the success of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” (1975).  Some of the other “Jaws-style” thrillers included “Mako: The Jaws of Death” (1976), “Tentacles” (1977), “Orca” (1977) and “Pirhana” (1978).

Who was in “Barracuda” (1978)?

The players who appeared in “Barracuda” were Wayne David Crawford (as Mike Canfield), Jason Evers (as Dr. Elliot Snow), Roberta Leighton (as Liza Williams), Cliff Emmich (as Deputy Lester), William Kerwin (as Sherriff Ben Williams), Barbara Keegan (as Maggie Snow, Keegan was credited as Bobbie Ellyne Kosstrin in the film), Bert Freed (as Papa Jack), Denise Taylor (as a student), Rick Rhodes (as a government agent) and Harry Kerwin (as a government agent).

In addition to playing the role of Mike Canfield in “Barracuda,” Wayne David Crawford also directed the underwater sequences for Harry Kerwin’s film.   Crawford also co-wrote the screenplay with Kerwin, according to additional details from IMDB.

William Kerwin, who played Sherriff Ben Williams in the film was the older brother of Harry Kerwin.  According to his IMDB profile, the elder Kerwin appeared in bit roles in numerous films and television series throughout his screen career, notably in Herschell Gordon Lewis’ horror flicks.