Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic Universal monster franchise masterpiece with a silver screen horror legend.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944)
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster film host will present his big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944), this Sat.; Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The 1944 Universal Studios “Mummy” feature film installment was directed by veteran director Leslie Goodwins, who directed numerous feature film and TV productions throughout his career. Some of Goodwins’ productions include the RKO Radio Pictures “Mexican Spitfire” comedic film series with Lupe Velez and Leon Errol from 1939–43, the Universal horror-comedy farce with Anne Gwynne and Donald Cook, “Murder in the Blue Room” (1943) and various episodes of “Maverick,” “My Favorite Martian” and “Gilligan’s Island.”
This will mark Sven’s fourth big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944) on Me-TV. He previously showcased Goodwins’ 1944 Universal classic “Mummy” monster franchise installment back in May 2012*, May 2013 and Dec. 2017.
Who was in Leslie Goodwins’ Universal “Mummy” monster production of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944)?
The players who appeared in Leslie Goodwins’ “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944) were Lon Chaney Jr. (as the “Mummy” Kharis; the junior Chaney previously appeared as the “Mummy” Kharis in two earlier classic Universal “Mummy” monster masterpiece features; Harold Young’s 1942 production of “The Mummy’s Tomb” and Reginald Le Borg’s 1944 production of “The Mummy’s Ghost”), Virginia Christine (as Princess Ananka, Christine later appeared in Jean Yarbrough’s 1946 classic Universal horror thriller masterpiece with Rondo Hatton, “House of Horrors” and later appeared in Folgers Coffee commercials in the role of “Mrs. Olson”) Peter Coe (as Dr. Ilzor Zandaab), Kay Harding (as Betty Walsh), Holmes Herbert (as Dr. Cooper), Napoleon Simpson (as Goobie), Dennis Moore (as Dr. James Halsey), Martin Kosleck (as Ragheb), Addison Richards (as Pat Walsh), Kurt Katch (as Cajun Joe), Ann Codee (in an uncredited role as Tante Berthe), William Farnum (as Sacristan), Charles Stevens (as Achilles) and “flashback” cameo uncredited footage segments of Boris Karloff (in flashback sequences as the “Mummy” Imhotep from Karl Freund’s original 1932 Universal classic monster masterpiece production of “The Mummy”) and Tom Tyler (in flashback sequences as the “Mummy” Kharis in Christy Cabanne’s 1940 Universal classic “Mummy” masterpiece sequel, “The Mummy’s Hand”).
The final Universal “Kharis” “Mummy” monster feature and the final “Mummy” feature for Lon Chaney Jr.
According to Rob Nixon’s article on “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944) for Turner Classic Movies’ website, this marked the final Universal “Mummy” monster film featuring the “Kharis” Mummy character and the final studio “Mummy” feature for the junior Chaney.
Eleven years after the release of “The Mummy’s Curse,” Universal released the final installment in the original “Mummy” monster franchise series and the final comedy feature of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Charles Barton’s “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy” (1955); featuring Edwin “Eddie” Parker as the title “Mummy” character of “Klaris.”
Jack Pierce’s Kharis “Mummy” mask feature for the junior Chaney
Veteran Universal Studios make-up artist Jack Pierce created a customized Kharis “Mummy” make-up mask mold to obscure the junior Chaney’s face for his screen portrayal of the title character, according to additional information from Rob Nixon’s TCM article on Goodwins’ 1944 Universal “Mummy” monster installment.
Virginia Christine’s concern while working with Lon Chaney Jr. in “The Mummy’s Curse”
During the filming of Leslie Goodwins’ 1944 Universal monster production of “The Mummy’s Curse,” Virginia Christine was concerned about working with the junior Chaney; it was reported that he had drinking problems during the filming of Goodwins’ feature. According to additional details from Rob Nixon’s article on “The Mummy’s Curse” for TCM, Virginia Christine was placed in a custom-designed safety frame that went around the neck of Lon Chaney Jr. to make it easier to carry the actress in one sequence.
It was also reported that an unknown Universal stunt performer was chosen to replace the junior Chaney in several sequences where he had to carry Virginia Christine. This was done at the insistence of Leslie Goodwins.
Released theatrically as a double-feature presentation with a classic Universal mystery-sleuth adaptation series feature in 1945
Note: From an altered trailer for an early Associated Artists Productions television syndication release (ca. early 1950s) of the 1945 Universal Sherlock Holmes feature entry of “The House of Fear” with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
According to IMDB, Universal released Goodwins’ 1944 “Mummy” monster feature as a double-feature presentation in participating cinema venues from coast-to-coast with the studio’s screen mystery adaptation series of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes;” “The House of Fear” (1945, with Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Sally Shepherd and Holmes Herbert).
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie and his big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944) with Lon Chaney Jr.; this Sat. on Me-TV!
Original 1944 Universal Studios theatrical trailer for “The Mummy’s Curse” with Lon Chaney Jr.
With the junior Chaney, Virginia Christine, Peter Coe, Napoleon Simpson,Kay Harding, Holmes Herbert, Dennis Moore, Martin Kosleck, Addison Richards, Kurt Katch, Ann Codee, William Farnum, Charles Stevens and uncredited past cameo Universal “Mummy” footage appearances of Boris Karloff and Tom Tyler; you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Tomb” (1944), this Sat. on Me-TV! A perfect treat for all fellow super SvenPals and classic Universal monster feature film aficionados everywhere with Sven’s additional fun facts, Doug Graves’ parody tune and Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!
*Before Me-TV came into the Washington/Frederick area (Me-TV came into the Washington/Frederick broadcast region in early 2013; originally on WJLA-TV and then moved to Fox O&O WTTG-5 in March 2017). -C.H.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944)
Sat., Feb. 22 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 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 (via Twitter) with all fellow super SvenPals everywhere during #Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944), this Sat. on Me-TV!
Presented by the Figures Toy Company by exclusive arrangement with Me-TV, the official brand-new Sven Studio Set figurine contains the official Sven figurine with the Sven Sven set coffin with the likeness of “Body Sorrell” and an official miniature Archie McPhee rubber chicken! Limited quantities are available, purchase yours today on the official Sven/Me-TV online store! A perfect gift for any occasion! And to quote the official Sven/Me-TV online store motto, “no personal checks!” And only purchase official Sven & Me-TV items from the official Sven/Me-TV online store site!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Again, to fellow super SvenPals who have not voted in the 18th annual Rondo Awards yet, you still have time to vote for Svengoolie for the categories of “Favorite Horror Host” and “Top Event of 2019” for Sven’s 40th anniversary commemoration in 2019 by the City of Chicago through the efforts of fellow super SvenPal Brian B.A. Bernardoni! Official voting for the “Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards” is taking place from now until Sun. March 29! Again (to those who have not voted yet), be sure to vote for Svengoolie in the two aforementioned categories and look at the other categories on the official online Rondo ballot! Once again, enter your ballot and follow all directions on the official Rondo Awards website, vote for Sven for the categories “Favorite Horror Host and “Top Event of 2019” and look at all of the other categories for the official Rondo Awards contest! Voting is open from now until Sun., March 29! Many fellow super SvenPals from everywhere, including the writer/author of this blog have entered! Again, to our fellow super SvenPals who have not entered yet, be sure to enter, vote for Sven & look at the other Rondo categories! Follow all directions from the official Rondo website and enter your Rondo Awards online ballot to the webmaster (ballot instructions are on the official Rondo Site) before Sun., March 29! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago and beyond!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Svengoolie will be appearing at the 2020 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) festival! According to Sven’s official website, Sven just released his schedule of events during his upcoming C2E2 2020 visit. which will begin on Fri., Feb 28 as a guest for the C2E2 podcast at 2:15 p.m. (local time) at booth #1677 with meet-and-greet autograph session at table #2 from 3 p.m.-4 p.m. (local time)! Then on Sat., Feb. 29; Sven will be having a celebrity photo-op session from 12:10 p.m.-12:20 p.m. (local time), the Sven 40th anniversary panel at room #S504 (South Building) from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. (local time); followed by a meet-and-greet autograph session at table #1 from 1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. (local time)! Plus, Sven will be touring the C2E2 convention floor with his production team recording highlights/segments for his “on the road” segments for future big broadcasts! According to Sven’s official Twitter site and the official C2E2 Twitter site, all events for Svengoolie’s appearances at the 2020 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2) will take place at McCormick Place; 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601)! Additional details and ticket information are available on the official website of the C2E2 exposition. Time is running out to purchase tickets, so be sure to purchase yours today and arrive early in the autograph line to meet Sven during his C2E2 appearances!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Again, there’s more! 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/ Nostalgia Digest” publisher Steve Darnall, original host of “Those Were The Days” 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) plus live music by the Dooley Brothers and the West End Jazz Band! Remaining tickets are still available for purchase through WDCB’s official website via the official Eventbrite platform! Purchase your tickets today! Note: Ticket prices for the event are $50. The 50th anniversary celebration of “Those Were the Days” will take place 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)! Again, to all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals in the greater Berwyn/Chicago region and beyond, have fun seeing Sven during his upcoming Chicago 2020 C2E2 appearances and Sven/Mr. Rich Koz’s May appearance for the 50th anniversary of “Those Were the Days!” –C.H.
Cameo mention of a fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee will be having her Northwestern University/WNUR big broadcast jam session radio show serenade/cavalcade this Sat., “Jammin’ with Jamie!” Tune in and jam along Jamie’s second installment of the “Sidesplitting Serenades of 2020” this Sat. morning, Feb. 22 at 6 a.m. Central/7 a.m. Eastern on the airlanes of Northwestern University Radio/WNUR-FM 89.3/WNUR 89.3-HD1 in the greater Evanston/Berwyn/Chicago listening region and from coast-to-coast, around the globe and throughout the universe on WNUR.org and through the TuneIn platform! Stay tuned to Jamie’s official Twitter site and Jamie’s official site for additional details on the second part of the “Sidespitting Serenades of 2020” big broadcast jam session cavalcade! And if you have a favorite tune request for Jamie’s portfolio of jams for her upcoming “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast jam session cavalcade/serenade for Sat., Feb. 22; be sure to send in your song nomination/request to Jamie’s official Twitter site or Jamie’s official website before this Sat.!
Three cheers and two thumbs up to Jamie & entire crowd of fellow super jammers and fellow super SvenPals everywhere! We’re all looking forward and we’re all jumping for joy for the upcoming “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast jam session cavalcade/serenade this Sat. on WNUR.org’s airlanes! Again, keep up the wonderful and excellent work and we’re all proud of you! Peace, congrats kudos and “Hi-Keeba” to Jamie and the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals and fellow super jammers everywhere! –C.H.
In connection to “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944)
“The Mummy’s Curse” (1944) is also available as part of Universal’s “Mummy” classic monster film franchise masterpiece anthology set, “The Mummy: Complete Legacy Collection” on Blu-Ray and DVD. “The Mummy’s Curse” is also available in Universal’s “Mummy Double Feature” DVD twinset, paired with “The Mummy’s Ghost” (1944). “The Mummy’s Curse” is also available through participating streaming/video-on-demand providers from Universal.
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