Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic Hammer Films–Columbia Pictures horror/thriller masterpiece.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960)
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will present his big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960), this Sat.; Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The 1960 Hammer/Columbia horror masterpiece was directed by veteran Hammer Films director Terence Fisher, who also directed Hammer’s “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957), “Horror of Dracula” (1958), “The Mummy” (1959), “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961), “The Phantom of the Opera” (1962), “The Gorgon” (1964), “Dracula: Prince of Darkness” (1966), “Frankenstein Created Woman” (1977), “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1970) and “Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell” (1974). Veteran British feature film screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz wrote the screenplay for Fisher’s 1960 Hammer/Columbia production of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll.” Mankowitz was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and the 1959 Hammer/Columbia “Jekyll and Hyde” screen farce; “The Ugly Duckling” with Bernard Bresslaw and a pre-“Doctor Who” Jon Pertwee. Veteran British film producer Michael Carreras produced Fisher’s production of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960). Fisher’s 1960 Hammer/Columbia horror entry was filmed in the “Megascope” widescreen process (2.35 : 1 aspect ratio, a.k.a. “Super 35”/35mm anamorphic process), according to IMDB.
Released by Columbia Pictures throughout Great Britain in 1960, Columbia did not release the Hammer production of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” in the United States due to objections from the Motion Picture Association’s production code; according to the American Film Institute.
In 1961, Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson’s American-International Pictures acquired the U.S. theatrical release rights to Fisher’s 1960 Hammer horror production and was re-titled/re-edited by AIP under the titles of “House of Fright” and “Jekyll’s Inferno;” according to additional information from the AFI database. Columbia obtained the U.S. releasing/distribution rights to “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” in later years under the original title beginning with a 1972 television premiere on the CBS television network (according to IMDB) and a 1974 Columbia Pictures Television syndication package of classic/modern Columbia features for local television stations, according to a 1974 trade ad in Broadcasting Magazine.
This will mark Sven’s second big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960) on Me-TV. He previously showcased Fisher’s 1960 Hammer/Columbia horror production as a big broadcast premiere back in June 2019.
Who was in Fisher’s 1960 Hammer/Columbia horror production?
The players who appeared in Fisher’s 1960 Hammer-Columbia screen thriller production were Christopher Lee (as Paul Allen; the legendary Lee was known for his numerous 1958–73 Hammer horror-thriller feature appearances of Count Dracula with the legendary Peter Cushing as Prof. Van Helsing, Lee also appeared in the title role of Frankenstein’s monster in 1957’s “The Curse of Frankenstein” and the Mummy Kharis in the 1959 Universal-Hammer re-make of “The Mummy”), Paul Massie (in the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde; Massie later taught drama courses at the University of South Florida and later appeared in a brief guest role as Phil in a 1985 episode of D.L. Taffner’s Canadian-produced supermarket sitcom with Don Adams of “Get Smart” fame), Dawn Addams (as Kitty Jekyll, Addams later appeared in three episodes of ITC’s adaptation of “The Saint” with Roger Moore in 1963, 1964 and 1966 and in the role of the Countess in the 1970 American-International/Hammer production with Peter Cushing, “The Vampire Lovers”), young Oliver Reed (in an uncredited role as a tough person, Reed went onto greater fame for his various feature film roles and later appeared in the title role of the 1980 Charles B. Griffith-Cannon Group spoof of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype”), David Kossoff (as Dr. Ernst Litauer), Norma Marla (as Maria, Marla previously appeared in “The Ugly Duckling” in 1959 with Bernard Bresslaw and Jon Pertwee), Joy Webster (as Jenny), Francis De Wolff (as an inspector) and William Kendall (as a clubman).
Roy Ashton’s 1960 “Jekyll and Hyde” make-up design/effects for Paul Massie
The make-up design for Paul Massie’s dual characterizations of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde in “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” were designed by veteran Hammer Films make-up artist Roy Ashton, according to IMDB. Ashton also worked on make-up effects for “The Ugly Duckling” (1959), “The Brides of Dracula” (1960),
“The Phantom of the Opera” (1962), William Castle’s Columbia/Hammer production of “The Old Dark House” (1963) and Terence Fisher’s “The Gorgon” (1964).
Theatrical promotional gimmicks for the release of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (under the titles of “House of Fright”/”Jekyll’s Inferno”) in the United States
According to information from a rare 1961 exhibitors’ promotional pressbook for the American-International edition of Hammer Films’ “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960) under the title of “House of Fright” (a.k.a. “Jekyll’s Inferno”), AIP encouraged exhibitors to screen the film as weekend “midnight movie” showings. Other AIP tie-in promotions included contests with local newspapers/TV/radio stations for “most frightening experience” essays and faux “classified newspaper telephone ads” for local theaters to promote the film. The rare 1961 AIP pressbook was unearthed on “The Telltale Mind” blog in 2014.
Christopher Lee’s latter “Jekyll and Hyde”-style feature role in 1971
Christopher Lee did not get the lead role for Terence Fisher’s 1960 Hammer/Columbia feature (according to IMDB), he portrayed a “Jekyll and Hyde”-style character eleven years after the production of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll.” Lee appeared in the dual roles of Charles Marlowe/Edward Blake in Stephen Weeks’ Amicus/British Lion/Cannon Group horror-thriller production of “I, Monster” (1971) with Peter Cushing, Michael Des Barres, Richard Hurndall, Susan Jameson, Marjie Lawrence and George Merritt.
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960), this Sat. on Me-TV!
Original 1960 Columbia Pictures–Hammer Films British theatrical release trailer of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll.”
With Christopher Lee, Paul Massie Dawn Addams, young Oliver Reed, David Kossoff, Norma Marla Joy Webster Francis De Wolff (as an inspector) and William Kendall with Roy Ashton’s “Jekyll and Hyde” make-up effects design with Sven’s additional fun facts, Doug Graves’ evening parody song, Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment and several surprises; you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960), this Sat. on Me-TV! You will not be disappointed! A perfect cinematic treat for the entire crowd of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals and fellow Hammer horror film aficionados everywhere! Highly recommended!
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960)
Sat., Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV (part of “Super Sci-Fi Sat. Night”)
Me-TV’s 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 super #Svengoolie SvenPals (via Twitter) from coast-to-coast during his big broadcast of “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960) this Sat. on Me-TV!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago and beyond! Early bird tickets are still available for the upcoming May 2, 2020 WDCB “Those Were the Days” 50th anniversary big Chicago vintage radio broadcast celebration with appearances by Sven’s alter-ego, Mr. Rich Koz; current “Those Were the Days” host and “Nostalgia Digest” publisher Steve Darnall, original “Those Were The Days” host Chuck Schaden, Trace Beaulieu of MST3K and “The Mads!” fame, Kevin Murphy of MST3K and “RiffTrax” fame, actress Patty McCormack of “The Bad Seed” fame; “Those Were the Days” announcer Ken Alexander, actor/writer Scott Lowell of Binge Networks’ “Adoptable” fame, Tim Kazurinsky of “Saturday Night Live” fame (1981-85) and live music by the Dooley Brothers and the West End Jazz Band! Discount early bird tickets can be still purchased through WDCB’s official website and/or the official Eventbrite platform! Purchase your “early bird” tickets today before time runs out (the “Early Bird” ticket offer is good from now until New Year’s Eve/Dec. 31, 2019)! Note: Ticket prices range from $45-$50. The 50th anniversary celebration event of “Those Were the Days” 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)!
And again, to the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois and beyond who are attending the upcoming the upcoming 50th big broadcast celebration of “Those Were the Days” on May 2, 2020; 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 throughout the event! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Cameo mention of a fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee will be appearing with the Fox River Trolley Museum players troupe as the narrator in two Fox River Trolley Museum-South Elgin Holiday/Christmas-themed family Trolley/Train ride rendition events of “The Polar Express” (adapted from Chris Van Allsburg‘s book and the 2004 Robert Zemeckis–Tom Hanks–Warner Bros. CGI film adaptation) and “The Christmas City Express” (a new show based off an original story, according to the official Fox River Trolley Museum site)! Both Fox River South Elgin trolley/train shows of “The Polar Express” and “The Christmas City Express” will be departing from and returning to the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve (35W003 IL Route 31, South Elgin, Illinois 60177)! For “The Polar Express,” there will be caroling, music, sing-along sessions with professional musicians, treats of hot chocolate and cookies and an appearance by Santa Claus at the “North Pole” trolley/train stop and more! For “The Christmas City Express,” there will be entertainment with Holiday/Christmas carols, hot chocolate and cookies along with a “surprise guest” from the North Pole, surprise gifts and more!
Jamie and the Fox River Museum troupe’s Holiday-Christmastime Trolley/Train ride edition of “The Polar Express” will take place on Fri., Dec. 13 (at 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are sold out for the 13th), Sat., Dec. 14 (at 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are sold out for the 14th), Sun., Dec. 15 (at at 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and there are currently eight tickets left for the 5:35 p.m. show, each ticket is $40 per person), Christmas eve/Tue., Dec. 24 (at at 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are $50 per person), Sat., Dec. 28 (at 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are $35 per person) and the Fox River finale of “The Polar Express” on Sun., Dec. 29 (t 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are $35 per person)! Jamie and the Fox River Museum troupe’s Holiday-Christmastime Trolley/Train ride edition of “The Christmas City Express” will take place on Fri., Dec. 20 (at 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., all times are local and all tickets are $35 per person), Sat., Dec. 21 (at 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are $35 per person) and the Fox River finale of “The Christmas City Express” on Sun., Dec. 22 (at t 3:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; all times are local and all tickets are $35 per person)! Fun for the entire family and for all ages!
Extra! Extra! Extra! And fellow super SvenPal Jamie Lee will be having a holiday edition of her weekly Sat. morning Northwestern University/WNUR radio show, “Jammin’ with Jamie!” Jam along and ring in the Holiday season with Jamie’s upcoming Sat. big broadcast jam session cavalcade/serenade of spooky Holiday jams! Jamie’s live “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast jam session serenade/cavalcade of fun spooky Holiday jams begins this Sat., Dec. 14 at 6 a.m. Central/7 a.m. Eastern on the airlanes of WNUR-FM 89.3 in the greater Berwyn/Chicago/Evanston, Illinois listening region; from coast-to-coast, around the globe and throughout the galaxy on WNUR.org and on the TuneIn platform! If you have a favorite spooky Holiday tune request to add to Jamie’s portfolio of spooky Holiday jams for this Sat., be sure to send your request nomination to Jamie’s official Twitter site or Jamie’s official website before her big broadcast Holiday jam session cavalcade of spooky Holiday tunes this upcoming Sat.! And as of this writing, WNUR.org’s livestream is working again!
Congratulations to Jamie & the entire Fox River Trolley Museum players troupe on their upcoming Dec. Fox River –South Elgin Trolley/Train performances of “The Polar Express” and “The Christmas City Express” from the entire crowd of fellow super jammers and super SvenPals from coast-to-coast! And congratulations on narrating both of the upcoming Fox River “Polar Express” and “Christmas City Express” trolley/train shows, Jamie! We’re all proud of you and we’re all jumping for joy! And we fellow super jammers and fellow super SvenPals from coast-to-coast are looking forward to your big “Jammin’ with Jamie” jam session broadcast cavalcade/serenade of spooky Holiday tunes this Sat. on the airlanes of WNUR.org! Keep up the excellent and wonderful work! Three cheers, two thumbs up, kudos, peace, “Hi-Keeba” and “keep on jammin’,” Jamie and the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals, super jammers & to the Fox River Trolley troupe everywhere! -C.H.
In connection to “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960):
“The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960) is also available on Blu-Ray as part of Mill Creek’s classic Columbia-Hammer horror double-feature twinset (“Hammer Films Double Feature: Vol. 1,” paired with the 1964 classic Columbia-Hammer-Christopher Lee-Prudence Hyman thriller; “The Gorgon”). The film is also available as part of Mill Creek’s classic Columbia-Hammer anthology horror feature film DVD set, “Hammer Films Collection: Vol. 1;” by arrangement with Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc./Sony Pictures Entertainment/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment).
Note: The author of “Silver Screen Reflections” does not endorse any advertisers on WordPress’ site platform.