Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be excited for his upcoming big broadcast showcase presentation of a Columbia Pictures monster-horror classic.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951)
Svengoolie’s advertisement/brief preview of his upcoming big broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951) on Me-TV (from Tim Bartsch’s YouTube channel). Note: As of this writing, the original theatrical trailer to the 1951 Columbia horror-monster production is unavailable on YouTube or any other online video platform. -C.H.
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster-horror film host will present his big broadcast presentation of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951), this Sat.; Oct .5 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The 1951 horror-monster entry was directed by veteran Columbia-Screen Gems production supervisor Seymour Friedman, who worked on two latter mystery features in Columbia’s “Boston Blackie” mystery adaptations with Chester Morris in 1948 and 1949. Friedman also supervised numerous television productions for the studio’s Screen Gems unit (including episodes of “Father Knows Best” from 1958-60, “Hazel” from 1961-66, “Bewitched” from 1964-66, “I Dream of Jeannie” from 1965-66 and the 1966 pilot episode of “The Monkees*”).
Veteran Columbia screenwriter Mortimer Braus and former newspaper columnis Jack Pollexfen wrote the screenplay for Friedman’s 1951 production of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll,” which was loosely adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s celebrated thriller novel, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
This will mark Sven’s second big coast-to-coast broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951) on Me-TV. He previously showcased the 1951 Friedman-Columbia monster/horror feature back in April 2019.
Who was in Friedman’s 1951 Columbia monster-horror classic?
The players who appeared in “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951) were Louis Hayward (in the dual roles of Edward Jekyll/Mr. Hyde; Hayward previously appeared in the title role of Simon “The Saint” Templar in the 1938 Ben Holmes-RKO production of “The Saint in New York;” which was the first RKO screen adaptation of Leslie Charteris’ novel in the studio’s “Saint” feature adaptation series), Jody Lawrance (as Lynn Utterson, Lawrance later appeared with Mickey Rooney in Richard Quine’s 1953 Columbia musical comedy; “All Ashore”), young Hamilton Camp (in an uncredited role as William Bennett, Camp went onto greater fame as a singer-songwriter and cartoon vocalist; including his dual vocalizations of the character of Fenton Crackshell/Gizmoduck in the original 1987-90 Disney syndicated animated series, “DuckTales”), Alexander Knox (as Dr. Curtis Lanyon), Lester Matthews (as Sir John Utterson, Matthews previously appeared in the role of Paul Ames in the 1935 Stuart Walker–Universal werewolf monster classic; “Werewolf of London”), Gavin Muir (as Richard Daniels; Muir also appeared in the role of Dr. Philip Gray in the 1951 Universal “Invisible Man” monster farce with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, “Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man”), Rhys Williams (as Michaels), Paul Cavanagh (as Inspector Stoddard, Cavanagh later played the role of Sidney Wallace in the Andre de Toth’s 1953 Warner Bros. 3-D thriller classic with Vincent Price, “House of Wax”) and Holmes Herbert (in an uncredited role as a constable, Herbert previously appeared in the role of Dr. John Lanyon in the1931 Rouben Mamoulian–Paramount screen adaptation of Stevenson’s thriller with Frederic March; “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”).
Clay Campbell’s inspiration for the “Son of Dr. Jekyll” make-up design for Louis Hayward was inspired by one of the earlier “Jekyll and Hyde” feature adaptations
The make-up for Louis Hayward’s dual role of Edward Jekyll/Mr. Hyde was done by veteran Columbia/Screen Gems make-up artist Clay Campbell. According to a 1951 article in Home Movies magazine, Campbell worked with veteran special effects technician Lawrence “Larry” Butler, veteran Columbia cinematographer Henry Freulich and veteran studio visual effects technician Donald C. Glouner. The team applied blue and red photographic filters on the camera lens when Louis Hayward had red and blue greasepaint applied to his face. This was done in order to give Hayward the signature “Hyde” monster look, along with stop-motion cinematography techniques for the “Jekyll-Hyde” transformation sequence.
According to IMDB, Campbell was inspired by similar techniques that were used by veteran Hollywood make-up artist Wally Westmore for Frederic March’s dual characterization of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde in the 1931 Rouben Mamoulian-Paramount production of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Friedman’s “The Son of Dr. Jekyll:” Cinema’s Halloween release of 1951
According to Richard Harland Smith’s article on “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” for Turner Classic Movies, Friedman’s Columbia monster-horror feature was released in cinemas from coast-to-coast on Halloween day (Oct. 31) of 1951. Friedman’s 1951 Columbia production was one of the few traditional cinematic “gothic” horror-monster genre entries in cinema at the time; as the major studios were focusing on science fiction-based monster thriller features. According to additional details from Smith’s TCM article, theatergoers took a renewed interest in “gothic” monster/horror features later in the decade as a result of the monster/horror features from Britain’s Hammer Films.
Another factor for the renewed interested in “gothic” monster features was from the television syndication of the classic Universal monster features under the “Shock!” and “Son of Shock!” TV syndication packages in the late 1950s (a result of Universal leasing the TV rights of their pre-1948 feature films to rival studio Columbia and their Screen Gems unit in the late 1950s, the TV rights to the pre-1948 Universal features reverted to Universal/MCA in the early 1970s).
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951), this Sat. on Me-TV!
With Louis Hayward, Jody Lawrance, young Hamilton Camp, Alexander Knox, Lester Matthews, Gavin Muir, Rhys Williams, Paul Cavanagh and Holmes Herbert along with the “Jekyll and Hyde” effects from the team of Clay Campbell, Lawrence “Larry” Butler, Henry Freulich and Donald C. Glouner; be sure to watch Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951), this Sat. on Me-TV! Ring in the month of Oct. and ring in the Halloween season with Sven’s additional facts for “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll,” Doug Graves’ parody song and Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment! Don’t miss out on the big broadcast! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended to all fellow super SvenPals everywhere!
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951)
Sat., Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV (part of “Super Sci-Fi Sat. Night”)
Me-TV’s official coast-to-coast affiliation finder
In the Frederick, Maryland/Washington, D.C. area: WTTG-5.3/Cable 196/FiOS 489/Antietam Cable 2/194 (also on QAM digital 68.6 for Antietam cable subscribers)
In the Baltimore, Maryland area: WBAL-TV 11.2/Cable 208/FiOS 460
In the Hanover/Gettysburg/York, Pennsylvania area: WGAL-TV 8.2/Cable 248/FiOS 460
Live-tweet with all fellow super SvenPals everywhere from coast-to-coast (via Twitter) this Sat. during #Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951)!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago/Countryside/Volo, Illinois/Hammond/Valparaiso, Indiana/New York City/Tri-State (New York/New Jersey/Connecticut) area and beyond!
“Svengoolie Takes Manhattan!” (According to Svengoolie’s official Twitter website, Svem will be making an appearance in New York City for the New York Comic-Con event at the DC Comics booth in commemoration of the upcoming Sven-DC Comics Superhero Universe crossover issue inserts, along with a Sven 40th anniversary panel at the New York Comic-Con! Sven will be appearing with veteran comic artist/illustrator Christopher Jones for the DC Booth and Sven will be at the NYCC’s Sven 40th anniversary panel w/ DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio on Fri., Oct. 4 (the Sven-DC panel will take place on Fri., Oct. 4 from 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. at Room 1A06/Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Ave., New York, New York 10001). Additional ticket/badge info is available on the official NYCC site. ***Be on the lookout on the official social media feeds and websites of Sven & the NYCC for the time of Sven & Christopher Jones’ DC Booth appearance on Oct. 4!*** -C.H.
Two Sven events in one day (Oct. 12)! Sven will also be making an upcoming meet-and-greet photo/autograph appearance at Chicago’s legendary costume store, Fantasy Costumes on Sat. Oct 12 (4065 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60641) from 2-4 p.m. (local time)! Later that evening, Sven will be appearing for his meet-and-greet session starting at 6 p.m. (local time) at the Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso, Indiana (154 W. Chicago St., Valparaiso, Indiana 46383)! In addition to Sven’s appearance, the Chicago Street ensemble will be performing their rendition of “Toxic Avenger: The Musical;” followed by a 21-and-over costume party/costume contest plus “spooktacular” food, cash bar and more! Tickets can be purchased through the Vendini platform (with pricing information).
But wait, there’s more! Sven will also be making an upcoming appearance at the Ghostcon Paranormal Convention on Fri., Oct. 18 (from 6:30-8 p.m., local time) at the Holiday Inn (Holiday Inn/William Tell) Chicago Southwest Countryside Conference Center (6201 Joliet Rd., Countryside, Illinois 60525)! Tickets range from $15-$140 (according to the official Eventbrite platform for Ghostcon). Sven will also be making an upcoming meet-and-greet autograph/photo appearance at the “Nightmare on Chicago Street 2019”/”Zombie Defense Initiative Safe Zone” event in Elgin, Illinois On Sat., Oct. 19 from 8-9 p.m. (local time)! Note: As of this writing, the Elgin location/address for the upcoming “NOCS” event is not showing up on the official NOCS website. Check back soon to Sven’s official site/social media feeds, the official NOCS site and “Silver Screen Reflections” for additional details! And Sven will be making a meet-and-greet/professional photo appearance at the Volo Auto Museum’s “Halloween at Volo” event on Sat., Oct. 26 from Noon-2 p.m. (local time, 27582 Volo Village Rd., Volo, Illinois 60073)! A professional photographer will be on hand to take your photo with Sven! Sidebar: Personal cameras/photos are forbidden from the Sven/Volo meet-and-greet event.
And in honor of Sven/Mr. Rich Koz’s 40th anniversary in television, Sven will be appearing at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications (360 North State St., Chicago, IL 60654) on Sat., Oct. 26 from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. (local time, doors are open for the general public at 6:30 p.m. local time) for the museum’s re-dedication of the Svengoolie exhibit (in time for Halloween)! Presented in conjunction with Me-TV (according to the official press release from the Museum of Broadcast Communications), a 40th anniversary Sven event will be held along with a costume contest, food/beverages and much more will also be on hand during Sven’s 40th/MBC event! General admission tickets are $50. Plus, a private VIP reception with Sven’s alter-ego, Mr. Rich Koz from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (local time) at the museum (plus admission to the MBC’s Sven 40th event)! Tickets for the aforementioned Sven/Mr. Rich Koz VIP private event are $150. All proceeds (from the two levels of ticket sales) will benefit the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Tickets can be purchased online (via registration) through the MBC’s DoubleKnot online ticket platform!
To our fellow super SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago/Countryside/Volo and our fellow super SvenPals of the New York City/tri-state (NY/NJ/CT) area/Hammond/Valparaiso areas and beyond, have fun seeing Sven in-person throughout his many appearances throughout the month of Oct. and Halloween season!
Cameo mentions of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals!
Extra! Extra! Extra (Update)! This Sat., Oct. 5 on the airlanes of WNUR- 89.3 FM/WNUR.org at 6 a.m. Eastern/7 a.m. Central, fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee will be having her live “Jammin’ with Jamie” big radio show jam session broadcast by honoring Halloween and the 50th anniversary of the classic Hanna-Barbera animated mystery series, “Scooby-Doo!” Plus, Jamie is also seeking additional “Scooby” and “chase”/Halloween songs from her fellow Berwyn/Chicago/coast-to-coast/worldwide jammers via Twitter for additional Oct. Halloween-themed jam session biroadcasts of her Sat. morning “Jammin’ with Jamie” WNUR-FM radio program! Send in links of your favorite Scooby-Doo and/or Halloween-themed song suggestions to Jamie before this week’s big broadcast jam session and/or future Oct. Halloween big broadcast jam sessions! Reminder: Jamie’s live weekly big jam session radio broadcasts airs Sat. mornings at 6 a.m. Central/7 a.m. Eastern on the airlanes Northwestern University’s WNUR-FM 89.3 (throughout the greater Berwyn/Chicago/Evanston area) and simulcasting through WNUR.org and/or the TuneIn site/app!
And this week will mark the debut of Jamie and the Corn Productions’ ensemble live comedy-horror stage show productions of “Nightmares on Lincoln Ave.;” beginning this Thurs., Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. (local time)! The additional “Nightmares on Lincoln Ave.” comedy-horror stage shows from Corn Productions will take place on Thurs. (Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at 8 p.m., local time), Fri. (Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., local time), Sat. (Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 8 p.m., local time) at Corn Productions’ Cornservatory Theatre venue (4210 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60618)! Tickets are now available for purchase through Corn Productions’ official “Goldstar” online ticket platform (ticket prices are now on sale from $5 for Thurs. show performances, $10 for Fri. and Sat. show performances). Two thumbs up and three cheers to Jamie, the entire “Jammin’ with Jamie” crowd of fellow jammers on the upcoming Scooby-Doo 50th jam session/ Halloween jam sessions and the entire Corn players troupe on the Berwyn/Chicago stage productions of “Nightmares on Lincoln Ave.!” You got this! We’re all proud of you cheering for you and the entire crowd of fellow jammers and the entire Corn troupe! Break a leg! Kudos, peace and “Hi-Keeba” from all of us! –C.H.
Belated fourth anniversary (Sept. 27) of “Silver Screen Reflections” and belated fourth anniversary on the Twitter airlanes! Since launching my WordPress blog site, “Silver Screen Reflections” back in the fall of 2015 as a Hood College online journalism assignment and landing on the Twitter airlanes around that same time, I have met many wonderful super SvenPals from coast-to-coast through the Twitter airlanes! Since the creation of “Silver Screen Reflections,” the site has morphed into a weekly blog on Sven’s film classics and bonus articles on MST3K and RiffTrax-related material and the art of classic/cult motion pictures! A fun, fantastic and exciting crowd of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals, super MST3K MSTies and fellow super classic/cult film aficionados everywhere on the airlanes of Twitter! Here’s to many more years of Sven, MST3K and classic films with my fellow super SvenPals, fellow super MSTies & fellow super classic/cult film aficionados everywhere on the live-tweeting airlanes! Two thumbs up, three cheers, kudos, peace & “Hi-Keeba” to Sven and to all fellow super SvenPals, fellow super MSTies & fellow classic/cult motion picture aficionados everywhere! –C.H.
And re-experience the introductory “Silver Screen Reflections”/“pillar” post from Sept. 27, 2015!
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