Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast presentation of a classic Columbia Pictures werewolf-monster/creature mystery masterpiece feature.
Fan-made YouTube trailer for the Columbia Pictures production of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944). Note: As of this writing, the original Columbia theatrical trailer for “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) is still unavailable on YouTube and/or other video streaming platforms. –C.H.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944)
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster/thriller film host will present his big broadcast showcase of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944), this Sat., March 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
“Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) was directed by veteran director Henry Levin (Levin later worked on Columbia’s “Matt Helm” spy/secret agent spoof feature film adaptations with Dean Martin in the title role, including 1966’s “Murderers’ Row” with Ann-Margret, Karl Malden and James Gregory; and 1967’s “The Ambushers” with Gregory, Albert Salmi and Senta Berger). The 1944 Columbia production of “Cry of the Werewolf” was Levin’s first directorial feature. The screenplay for Levin’s production of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) was written by veteran screenwriters Griffin Jay and Charles O’Neal.
This will mark Svengoolie’s second big broadcast of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) on Me-TV. He previously showcased Levin’s 1944 Columbia werewolf creature/monster/mystery masterpiece production as a big broadcast premiere back in Oct. 2018.
Who was in Levin’s Columbia monster-mystery production of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944)?
The players who appeared in Levin’s Columbia monster-mystery production of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) were Nina Foch (as Celeste, Foch previously appeared in Lew Landers’ classic 1943 Columbia vampire thriller masterpiece, “The Return of the Vampire” with Bela Lugosi, Matt Willis and Frieda Inescort; She later appeared in in Vincente Minnelli’s critically-acclaimed 1951 MGM screen musical adaptation of George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” with Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant and Georges Guétary; Foch also appeared in several episodes of the CBS television adaptation of “Suspense” from 1949-54), Barton MacLane (as Lt. Barry Lane, MacLane appeared in numerous film and TV productions throughout his screen career, including the 1937–39 “Torchy Blane” film series for Warner Bros. with Glenda Farrell; MacLane later appeared in the role of Lt. Det. Dundy in John Huston’s 1941 Warner Bros. screen adaptation of “The Maltese Falcon” with Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Ward Bond; MacLane’s final acting role was his role of Gen. Peterson in Sidney Sheldon’s Columbia/Screen Gems sitcom for NBC, “I Dream of Jeannie” from 1965 until MacLane’s death in 1969 with Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman, Bill Daily and Hayden Roarke)*, Robert B. Williams (as Homer, Williams later appeared in Jack Arnold’s Universal classic creature/monster masterpiece sequel to “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” 1955’s “Revenge of the Creature” with Lori Nelson, Ricou Browning, Tom Hennesy, John Agar, Nestor Paiva, young Clint Eastwood and Grandon Rhodes), Osa Massen (as Elsa Chauvet), Stephen Crane (as Robert “Bob” Morris), Blanche Yurka (as Bianca), John Abbott (as Peter Althius), Fred Graff (as Pinkie), John Tyrrell (as Mac), Fritz Leiber (as Dr. Charles Morris), Milton Parsons (as Adamson) and Ivan Triesault (as Jan Spavero).
“Cry of the Werewolf” (1944): Originally planned as a sequel to an earlier Columbia horror-monster production
According to details from Richard Harland Smith’s article on Henry Levin’s Columbia production “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) for Turner Classic Movies’ website, Levin’s feature was originally conceived as a sequel to Lew Landers’ earlier Columbia monster production of “The Return of the Vampire” (1943, with Bela Lugosi and Nina Foch). Griffin Jay also wrote the screenplay for the earlier 1944 Columbia horror/monster feature.
Elements borrowed from two other earlier thrillers from competing studios
Several elements for Levin’s production of “Cry of the Werewolf” were inspired by the Val Lewton–Jacques Tourneur–RKO Radio Pictures production of “Cat People” (1942) and John Brahm’s Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios) production of “The Undying Monster” (1942); according to additional details from Smith’s article for TCM’s website.
New York premiere and coast-to-coast double-feature presentation with another Columbia Pictures screen thriller
According to the American Film Institute’s database entry on “Cry of the Werewolf,” Levin’s Columbia werewolf monster feature premiered in New York City on Aug. 11, 1944. The film was not as successful as the earlier Columbia monster feature production of “The Return of the Vampire” (1943) and studio executives decided to issue Levin’s feature with another horror feature; according to additional details from Smith’s TCM article.
According to an original 1944 Columbia Pictures twinfold exhibitors’ advertisement, Levin’s “Cry of the Werewolf” was released theatrically from coast-to-coast with Will Jason’s Columbia production of “The Soul of a Monster” (1944); with Rose Hobart, Jeanne Bates, George Macready, Erik Rolf and Jim Bannon).
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944), this Sat. on Me-TV!
With Nina Foch, Barton MacLane, Robert B. Williams, Osa Massen, Stephen Crane, Blanche Yurka, John Abbott, Fred Graff, John Tyrrell, Fritz Leiber, Milton Parsons and Ivan Triesault; you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944); this Sat. on Me-TV! A perfect Sven and classic horror/thriller/monster treat for all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere to begin the month of March with Sven’s extra fun facts, Doug Graves’ evening parody tune and Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944)
Sat., March 7 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 & his big Me-TV broadcast of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) this Sat.!
*Flashback “Silver Screen Reflections” articles on Svengoolie’s Oct. 2018 big broadcast premiere of “Cry of the Werewolf” (1944) and a flashback article on a family connection to actor Barton MacLane (orig. published during Sven’s Oct. 2018 big broadcast premiere of “Cry of the Werewolf”)!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Sven highlights from the recent Chicago C2E2 2020 festival!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Schedule alert for our fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago who watch the WCIU-TV 26.2/”The U” Sat. morning broadcasts of Svengoolie’s classic monster/horror/sci-fi film showcases! According to the official website for WCIU-TV 26.2/”The U,” the Sat. morning rebroadcasts of Svengoolie’s classic monster/horror/sci-fi film showcases on March 7, March 14 and March 21 are airing at 9 a.m. (local time, due to scheduled High School basketball game telecasts). Sven’s Sat. morning Berwyn/Chicago WCIU-TV 26.2/”The U” big broadcasts will return to the normal scheduled time of 11 a.m. (local time) on March 21.
Extra! Extra! Extra! The clock is ticking for the upcoming “Rondo Awards!” Again, all to fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals who have not voted yet in the 18th annual Rondo Awards, be sure to cast your vote for Svengoolie for the two categories of “Favorite Horror Host” and “Top Event of 2019” for Sven’s 2019 40th anniversary commemoration 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! And again (to fellow super SvenPals who have not voted in the Rondo Awards yet), be sure to vote for Svengoolie in the two aforementioned Rondo categories and look at the other Rondo categories on the official online Rondo ballot! Once again, enter your ballot and follow all directions on the official Rondo Awards site, vote for Sven for the categories “Favorite Horror Host and “Top Event of 2019” (40th anniversary commemoration by the City of Chicago) and look at all of the other categories for the official Rondo contest! Again, voting is open from now until Sun., March 29! Many fellow super SvenPals from coast-to-coast, including the writer/author of “Silver Screen Reflections” have entered! Again, to our fellow super SvenPals who have not entered in the Rondo Awards yet, be sure to enter, vote for Sven’s categories and look at the other Rondo categories too! Follow all directions from the official Rondo site and enter your Rondo Awards online ballot to the Rondo webmaster (ballot instructions are on the official Rondo website) before Sun., March 29! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago and beyond! 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/Mr. Rich Koz & the entire guest celebrities of “Those Were the Days” for the 50th anniversary of “Those Were the Days!” –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Cameo mentions of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals jumped for joy when they recognized a Sven photo and photo credit of a fellow super SvenPal in Svengoolie’s official March Me-TV online e-mail newsletter! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Nanette Keir’s photo of a customized Sven candy/chocolate piece featuring Sven’s likeness from Sven’s Feb. 2020 appearance at the location of Pet Supplies Plus in Sven’s hometown of Berwyn, Illinois was showcased in Sven’s official March 2020 e-mail newsletter! The Sven candy/chocolate piece was from Old Fashioned Candies of Berwyn, the Berwyn candy confectioner recently celebrated 50 years in the field of homemade candies and treats! Congratulations to Nanette on her cameo Sven candy/chocolate piece from Sven’s Feb. Berwyn Pet Supplies Plus appearance in Sven’s official March online e-mail newsletter! Keep up the wonderful and excellent work! We’re all proud of you! Three cheers, two thumbs up, peace & “Hi-Keeba” from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals everywhere! -C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Jam along/tune into fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee and her Sat. morning big broadcast jam session radio cavalcade/serenade on the airlanes of Northwestern University Radio/WNUR, “Jammin’ with Jamie!” Listen and jam along to Jamie’s upcoming big broadcast jam session this Sat. morning, March 7 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 on the TuneIn platform! Stay tuned for additional details from Jamie’s official Twitter site and Jamie’s official website site for the theme for this week’s “Jammin’ with Jamie” broadcast jam session serenade/cavalcade of tunes! And if you have a favorite song request for Jamie’s upcoming big broadcast jam session, 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 Jamie & entire crowd of fellow super jammers and fellow super SvenPals everywhere! All of us fellow super jammers and fellow super SvenPals are looking forward to your big broadcast jam session cavalcade/serenade of “Jammin’ with Jamie” this Sat. on the airlanes of WNUR.org! We’re all proud of you and again, keep up the wonderful and excellent work! Peace, congratulations, kudos and “Hi-Keeba” to Jamie and the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals and fellow super jammers everywhere! –C.H.
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