Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be jumping for joy from coast-to-coast for his big broadcast of a classic Columbia Pictures/Hammer Studios monster-horror masterpiece.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964)
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based horror/monster film host will present his big broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964), this Sat., Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The 1964 Columbia/Hammer classic horror-monster masterpiece was directed by veteran Hammer horror director Terence Fisher. Some of Fisher’s best-known Hammer screen horror productions/adaptations include “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957), “Horror of Dracula” (1958), “The Mummy” (1959), “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960), “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961), “The Phantom of the Opera” (1962), “Dracula: Prince of Darkness” (1966), “Frankenstein Created Woman” (1977), “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1970) and “Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell” (1974). “The Gorgon” (1964) was produced by Anthony Nelson Keys.
Fisher’s 1964 Columbia/Hammer production was released theatrically as a double-feature presentation in the United States with Michael Carreras’ Columbia/Hammer “Mummy” entry, “The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb” (1964, with Terence Morgan, Dickie Owen, Jeanne Roland and Fred Clark); according to an original 1964 Columbia Pictures exhibitors’ trade advertisement.
This will mark Sven’s second big coast-to-coast broadcast of the 1960 Fisher-Columbia-Hammer horror production on Me-TV. He previously showcased “The Gorgon” (1964) from coast-to-coast back in Nov. 2018. According to IMDB, Sven previously aired “The Gorgon” (1964) on his hometown TV station in Berwyn/Chicago, WCIU-TV 26/”The U”* in Oct. 2008.
Who was in Terence Fisher’s 1964 Columbia/Hammer monster-horror entry?
The players who appeared Terence Fisher’s production of “The Gorgon” (1964) were Christopher Lee (as Prof. Karl Meister, Hammer horror film veteran Lee also appeared in Don Sharp’s Columbia-Hammer production of “The Devil-Ship Pirates” that same year), Peter Cushing (as Dr. Namaroff, Hammer horror film veteran Cushing also appeared in Freddie Francis’ Universal-Hammer “Frankenstein” production of “The Evil of Frankenstein” with Ernest “Kiwi” Kingston that same year), Prudence Hyman (as the Gorgon; Hammer horror veteran Hyman was credited as the “first leading lady of British horror” for her numerous Hammer film roles; she also appeared with Christopher Lee in Fisher’s 1966 Hammer “Dracula” entry, “Dracula: Prince of Darkness”), Patrick Troughton (as Inspector Kanof; Troughton later went on to greater fame as the second doctor in the mammoth BBC television sci-fi/fantasy series, “Doctor Who” from 1966-68 with several cameo guest reprisal appearances in 1972-73, 1983 and 1985), Barbara Shelley (as Carla Hoffman), Alister Williamson (as Janus Cass), Michael Goodliffe (as Professor Jules Heitz), Richard Pasco (as Paul Heitz), Joseph O’Conor (as a coroner), Jack Watson (as Ratoff), Redmond Phillips (as Hans) and Michael Peake (as the constable).
Prudence Hyman was not the first choice for “The Gorgon”
According to additional information from IMDB, Barbara Shelley originally requested to play the title character of the “Gorgon” in Fisher’s 1964 Columbia-Hammer production. Shelley suggested to Anthony Nelson Keys for her original “Gorgon” idea that her “medusa”-style wig to be fitted with actual live garden snakes. Keys was not fond of Shelley’s “live snake wig” plan. Prudence Hyman was then chosen for the title role of the “Gorgon” with a faux snake wig.
According to Jeff Stafford’s article on “The Gorgon” for Turner Classic Movies’ website, Keys originally considered two actresses to play the role of the “Gorgon’ in order to protect the secrecy of the title “Gorgon” character creation.
Fisher’s “comeback” Hammer film and change of characters for Hammer horror legends Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing
“The Gorgon” was considered as a “comeback” film for Fisher due to the unsuccessful box office returns of his Universal-Hammer adaptation of “The Phantom of the Opera” (1962, with a pre-“Pink Panther” Herbert Lom), according to additional information from Jeff Stafford’s TCM online article.
Fisher’s 1964 Columbia-Hammer production of “The Gorgon” marked a change for both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing’s traditional Hammer feature roles. In their previous Hammer horror appearances, Lee was usually cast as the villain and Cushing was usually cast as the hero; according to additional details from Jeff Stafford’s TCM article. For “The Gorgon,” Lee’s role of Prof. Karl Meister was dubbed as the “hero,” while Cushing’s role of Dr. Namaroff was dubbed as the “villain.”
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964), this Sat. on Me-TV!
Original 1964 Columbia Pictures/Hammer Studios British theatrical release trailer for “The Gorgon.”
With Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Prudence Hyman, a pre-“Doctor Who” Patrick Troughton, Barbara Shelley, Alister Williamson, Michael Goodliffe, Richard Pasco, Joseph O’Conor, Jack Watson, Redmond Phillips and Michael Peake; you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964), this Sat. on Me-TV! One of many perfect Hammer horror treats for the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals from coast-to-coast with Sven’s extended fun facts, Doug Graves’ parody tune and Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended to all fellow super SvenPals & aficionados of Hammer horror features everywhere!
Sidebar: “The Gorgon” (1964) is not connected to the Irish-British lizard creature feature, “Gorgo” (1961, which was riffed on “Mystery Science Theater 3000” in 1998). –C.H.
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964)
Sat., Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on 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 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 coast-to-coast super SvenPals everywhere via Twitter this Sat. during #Svengoolie’s big Me-TV broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964)!
Flashback “Silver Screen Reflections” post on Sven’s Nov. 2018 big broadcast of “The Gorgon” (1964)!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago and beyond!
According to Steve Darnall (of “Nostalgia Digest” fame and host of WDCB-FM’s “Those Were the Days” Chicago-based classic old-time radio show broadcast) and his official Twitter site, Svengoolie’s alter-ego; Mr. Rich Koz will be making an appearance for the upcoming 50th anniversary big broadcast of “Those Were the Days!”
According to Darnall’s Nostalgia Digest site, additional personalities will also be on hand in addition to Sven/Mr. Rich Koz for the 50th anniversary of “Those Were the Days;” including “Mystery Science Theater 3000” MST3K alums Trace Beaulieu (currently of “The Mads!” fame) and Kevin Murphy (currently of “RiffTrax” fame); original founding host of “Those Were the Days” Chuck Schaden, “Those Were the Days” announcer Ken Alexander, film/TV players Patty McCormack, Scott Lowell, writer Tim Kazurinsky and live music by the Dooley Brothers and the West End Jazz Band! The 50th anniversary “Those Were the Days” event will occur on Sat., May 2, 2020 at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60630) from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. (local time)! “Early Bird” tickets are now available (through the Eventbrite online ticketing platform).
To all fellow super SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois and beyond who are attending the May 2020 50th big broadcast anniversary of “Those Were the Days,” have fun seeing Sven/Mr. Rich Koz, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, Steve Darnall, Chuck Schaden, Patty McCormack, Ken Alexander, Scott Lowell, Tim Kazurinsky the West End Jazz Band and the Dooleys in person! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Cameo mentions of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal David Fuentes published his recent “Terror From Beyond the Dave” blog article on the first installment of highlights from the Oct. 2019 “Nightmare on Chicago Street” festival in Elgin, Illinois featuring highlights of Sven/Mr. Rich Koz, cameo appearances by Sven’s executive producer Jim Roche, camera/audio engineer Chas Alling, director Chris Faulkner, Elgin Police Sgt. Jim Lullo (according to David, this will be Sgt. Lullo’s last “Nightmare on Chicago Street” event after protecting Sven at the festival for six years as Sgt. Lullo will be retiring from the force next year), Chicago’s “king of geeks” Elliott Serrano and a cameo photo appearance of super SvenPal Nanette Keir meeting Sven in-person at Sven’s “Nightmare On Chicago Street” autograph table signing Nanette’s custom “Zalman T. Tombstone” skull creation! Be sure to read part one of David’s “Nightmare on Chicago Street” 2019 article!
Congratulations to David, Sven/Rich, Nanette, Chas, Sgt. Lullo (we salute you, Sgt.!), Jim, Elliott & the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals who attended the 2019 “Nightmare on Chicago Street” festival in Elgin from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals from coast-to-coast! We fellow coast-to-coast SvenPals are looking forward to the future “Terror From Beyond the Dave”/2019 ”Nightmare on Chicago Street” series of highlight articles! We’re all proud of you all, we’re all jumping for joy and we all salute you! And again, thank you for the wonderful Sven-autographed limited edition copy of “Svengoolie Meets the DC Unviverse #1!” I highly appreciate the kind and thoughtful gestures, David, Sven/Mr. Rich Koz all fellow super SvenPals everywhere! Keep up the wonderful & excellent work! Peace, kudos, three cheers, two thumbs up, & “Hi-Keeba” from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals everywhere! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee will be having a sci-fi edition of her Sat. morning Northwestern University Radio/WNUR big broadcast jam session radio show, “Jammin’ with Jamie!” Jamie’s big broadcast sci-fi jam session cavalcade will air this Sat. morning, Nov. 16 at 6 a.m. Central/7 a.m. Eastern on the airlanes of Northwestern University Radio/WNUR-FM 89.3 in the greater Evanston/Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois listening area and simulcasting from coast-to-coast and around the globe on the airlanes of WNUR.org!
If you have any requests/suggestions of science fiction/sci-fi or Sven sci-fi tunes for Jamie’s portfolio of sci-fi jams for her Sat. morning big “Jammin’ with Jamie” broadcast jam session cavalcade, be sure to send in your to sci-fi song requests to Jamie’s official Twitter site and/or Jamie’s official website before her Sat. morning (Nov. 16) big broadcast jam session cavalcade!
Jamie’s article contains the full-length 200th “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast jam session celebration with shout-outs/celebratory 200th big broadcast jam session greetings from fellow super jammers and pre-recorded cameo “Jammin’ with Jamie” 200th big broadcast jam session celebration appearances, including Jamie’s full-length in-depth exclusive “Jammin’ with Jamie” interview with actor Dean J. Griffiths for her 200th big broadcast jam session with segments, a cameo celebratory “Jammin’ with Jamie” shout-out by Too Slim of “Riders in the Sky,” a cameo celebratory “Jammin’ With Jamie” jam session shout-out guest vocal appearance by myself and Sven & Kerwyn’s cameo celebratory shout-out segment for Jamie’s 200th big “Jammin’ with Jamie” jam session celebration! Be sure to read Jamie’s 200th “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast jam session cavalcade retrospective article!
Congratulations to Jamie and the entire crowd of fellow super “Jammin’ with Jamie” jammers & fellow super SvenPals from coast-to-coast and everywhere! We fellow coast-to-coast super jammers and fellow super SvenPals are looking forward to your sci-fi “Jammin’ with Jamie” jam session on the airlanes of WNUR.org this Sat.! We’re all proud of you all, we’re all jumping for joy and we all salute you, Jamie, Dean, Too Slim of “Riders of the Sky,” Sven, Kerwyn & the entire crowd of fellow super jammers & super SvenPals everywhere! And again, thank you for the wonderful on-air shout-outs and song requests! And again, I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the pre-recorded celebratory 200th “Jammin’ with Jamie” pre-recorded jam session greeting & the drawing for your 200th big broadcast! And thank you again for playing the celebratory jam session greeting for your 200th big jam session broadcast celebration! I highly appreciate the kind and thoughtful gestures, Jamie, all fellow super jammers & fellow super SvenPals everywhere! Looking forward to this and many more “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast jam sessions in the near future on the airlanes of WNUR.org, Jamie! Keep up the wonderful & excellent work! Peace, kudos, three cheers, two thumbs up, & “Hi-Keeba” from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals everywhere, Jamie! –C.H.
In connection to “The Gorgon” (1964):
“The Gorgon” (1964) is also available on Blu-Ray as part of the “Hammer Films: Double Feature Vol. 1” double-feature collection with the Columbia-Hammer production of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960). “The Gorgon” is also available as part of the “Hammer Films Collection: Vol. 1” multi-feature DVD anthology set of classic Columbia-Hammer horror thrillers from Mill Creek Entertainment (by arrangement with Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc./Sony Pictures Entertainment/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment).
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