Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast premiere of a classic RKO Radio Pictures sci-fi/thriller masterpiece.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast premiere of “The Thing from Another World” (1951)
Latter RKO Radio Pictures theatrical re-issue trailer for Howard Hawks’ production of “The Thing from Another World” (1951).
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based sci-fi/thriller feature film host will present his big broadcast premiere of “The Thing from Another World” (1951) this Sat., Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The classic 1951 classic RKO sci-fi/thriller masterpiece was produced and directed by veteran director-producer-writer Howard Hawks. Veteran feature film editor-director Christian Nyby co-directed the 1951 production with Hawks. Hawks specialized in numerous film genres throughout his career, some of Hawks’ classic feature film masterpiece productions include his RKO comedy of “Bringing up Baby” (1938) with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, his Columbia comedy of “His Girl Friday” (1940) with Grant, Rosalind Russell and Ralph Bellamy and his Warner Bros. Academy Award-winning biopic, “Sergeant York” (1941) with Gary Cooper in the title role of Sgt. Alvin C. York. Nyby served as Howard Hawks’ editor, including Hawks’ classic Warner Bros. film noir masterpiece productions of “To Have and Have Not” (1944, adapted from Ernest Hemingway’s novel) and “The Big Sleep” (1946) with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The 1951 Hawks-RKO classic sci-fi/thriller masterpiece was co-produced by associate producer Edward Lasker.
The screenplay for “The Thing from Another World” (1951) was written by Hawks, veteran writer Ben Hecht (Hawks and Hecht were uncredited for their writing duties) and veteran screenwriter Charles Lederer. Hecht and Lederer previously worked with Hawks on the Columbia production of “His Girl Friday” (1940); which was adapted from Hecht’s earlier Broadway stage play with Charles MacArthur, “The Front Page.” Hecht and Lederer’s screenplay for “The Thing from Another World” (1951) was adapted from John W. Campbell Jr.’s short sci-fi/thriller story, “Who Goes There?;” written under the pseudonym of Don A. Stuart.
The Hawks-Nyby-RKO production of “The Thing from Another World” (1951) was produced during industrialist Howard Hughes’ ownership of RKO Radio Pictures; Hughes acquired the studio in 1948. The RKO production of “The Thing from Another World” was produced under Howard Hawks’ “Winchester Pictures Corporation” moniker, named after Howard Hawks’ full name of Howard Winchester Hawks.
Who was in “The Thing from Another World” (1951)?
The players who appeared in the Howard Hawks-Christian Nyby-RKO Radio Pictures production of “The Thing from Another World” (1951) were Margaret Sheridan (as Nikki Nicholson), Kenneth Tobey (as Capt. Patrick Hendry), Robert Cornthwaite (as Dr. Arthur Carrington), Douglas Spencer (as Ned Scott), Sally Creighton (as Mrs. Chapman), Eduard Franz (as Dr. Stern), Dewey Martin (as crew chief Bob), James Young (as Lt. Eddie Dykes), Robert Nichols (in the role of Lt. Ken Erickson, a.k.a. Lt. Ken “Mac” MacPherson), William Self (as Cpl. Barnes), young George Fenneman (in an uncredited role as Dr. Redding), young Paul Frees (in an uncredited role as Dr. Vorhees) and for those who have not seen “The Thing From Another World” (1951) before, the writer of “Silver Screen Reflections” will not reveal the actor who played the title character of “The Thing;” watch for clues around the conclusion of Sven’s big broadcast premiere of Howard Hawks’ classic RKO sci-fi/thriller masterpiece.
Margaret Sheridan’s appearance in Howard Hawks’ classic 1951 RKO sci-fi/thriller masterpiece marked one of her first feature film appearances in her brief screen career. Sheridan later appeared in an uncredited role in Hawks’ latter classic Universal Studios comedy with Rock Hudson and Paula Prentiss, “Man’s Favorite Sport?” (1964). Kenneth Tobey later appeared in the classic Ray Harryhausen–Eugène Lourié-Warner Bros. stop-motion sci-fi/creature masterpiece, “The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” (1953) and in the classic Harryhausen-Robert Gordon-Columbia stop-motion sci-fi creature masterpiece, “It Came From Beneath the Sea” (1955). Robert Cornthwaite later appeared in the role of Dr. Pryor in George Pal’s classic Paramount sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” (1953).
Broadcast announcer George Fenneman was one of the opening narrators for Jack Webb’s 1946-57 NBC radio police detective series, “Dragnet;” including Webb’s 1951-59 NBC television adaptation and Webb’s 1967-69 Universal television adaptation. Fenneman was also known as Groucho Marx’s sidekick/announcer for the comedic quiz show, “You Bet Your Life” with the 1947-56 radio series and the 1950-61 NBC television series. Paul Frees was known for his numerous narrations and voice-overs for film, television and animated productions, including the vocal stylings of Boris Badenov for Jay Ward’s cartoon, “Rocky and His Friends” (a.k.a. “Rocky and Bullwinkle”) from 1959-61 and the original voice of the stop-motion “Pillsbury Doughboy” for Pillsbury’s television commercials from 1965 until his death in 1986.
Howard Hawks’ last-minute addition to “The Thing from Another World” (1951)
According to the American Film Institute’s article on “The Thing from Another World” (1951), an original RKO exhibitors’ advertising supplement for the studio’s 1951 releases and information from Discogs, the original planned title for the 1951 Hawks-RKO production was known as “The Thing.” Howard Hawks decided to have a last-minute addition for his RKO sci-fi thriller production. Hawks added “from Another World” to the title, in order that audiences would not confuse the title of the film with Phil Harris’ popular 1950 RCA-Victor comedy-novelty recording; also titled “The Thing.”
Filming and the artificial snow effect for “The Thing from Another World” (1951)
For Howard Hawks’ RKO production of “The Thing from Another World” (1951); an actual icehouse was used in Los Angeles, California; according to Lang Thompson and Jeff Stafford’s Turner Classic Movies online article on Hawks’ classic RKO sci-fi/thriller masterpiece. This was done in order to see the visibility of the actors’ breath in cold temperatures to simulate freezing conditions. The outdoor filming for the flying saucer sequence in Hawks’ production was set for filming on location in the town of Cut Bank, Montana; Hawks’ team wrapped up the production instantly due to a lack of wintry conditions. The flying saucer sequence was later filmed at RKO’s outdoor ranch in Encino, California with an artificial “faux” snow mix containing a blend of salt and ground Masonite materials created by studio propmasters; according to additional details from the AFI article. The RKO Encino ranch was previously used for exterior scenes for Orson Welles’ classic RKO drama masterpiece, “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942) and Frank Capra’s classic holiday masterpiece, “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946).
Howard Hawks’ 1951 RKO feature: Scientific props/equipment and a “top secret” production
During the filming of Howard Hawks’ RKO production of “The Thing from Another World” (1951), Hawks rented $500,000 worth of scientific equipment as props from the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), according to additional information from the AFI article on the Hawks-Nyby-RKO sci-fi/thriller production. It was also reported that Hawks did not want Hollywood insiders and members of the press to reveal the appearance of the “Thing” creature during filming on the RKO lot, the veteran director insisted that the appearance of the title creature had to be kept as a secret.
“The Thing from Another World” (1951): A notable sci-fi feature film “first” for Dimitri Tiomkin’s source soundtrack recording
According to additional details from Lang Thompson and Jeff Stafford’s TCM online article on “The Thing from Another World” (1951), veteran motion picture composer Dimitri Tiomkin’s source orchestral soundtrack score for the classic Hawks-Nyby-RKO sci-fi/creature/thriller masterpiece had the distinction of being the earliest sci-fi feature film productions to contain the use of a Theremin electronic musical instrument in the source soundtrack recording.
31 years after “The Thing from Another World” (1951): Re-made by John Carpenter as “The Thing” (1982)
***(For some sequences): Viewer discretion is advised.***
31 years after the original RKO theatrical release of Howard Hawks and Christian Nyby’s “The Thing from Another World” (1951), the production was re-made as a modern classic sci-fi/creature/thriller masterpiece for Universal Studios by veteran film director John Carpenter as “The Thing” (1982, with Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan and Peter Maloney).
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie’s big broadcast premiere of “The Thing from Another World” (1951), this Sat. on Me-TV!
With Margaret Sheridan, Kenneth Tobey, Robert Cornthwaite, Douglas Spencer, Sally Creighton, Eduard Franz, Dewey Martin, James Young, Robert Nicholsm William Self, young George Fenneman, young Paul Frees and the mystery actor in the appearance of the title creature, you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast premiere of the classic Howard Hawks-Christian Nyby-RKO Radio Pictures sci-fi/creature/thriller masterpiece of “The Thing from Another World” (1951), this Sat. on Me-TV! Escape from stress and anxiety with the magic and fun of Sven’s Sat. evening big broadcasts of classic sci-fi/creature/thriller/monster/horror feature film masterpieces! With Sven’s extended fun facts, Doug Graves’ parody song, Sven and Kerwyn’s safety “mail call” segment and much, much more! A perfect treat for all fellow super SvenPals and fellow aficionados of classic sci-fi/creature/thriller masterpieces everywhere! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!
Early/happy & safe Thanksgiving greetings to all my fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere & fellow super “Mystery Science Theater 3000” MSTies from the author/writer of “Silver Screen Reflections!” I am thankful for my family, friends/fellow super SvenPals & fellow super MSTies everywhere! To all my fellow super SvenPals & fellow super MSTies everywhere, be good to each other, stay safe, follow safety protocols/procedures, practice physical/social distancing, wash your hands, wear a mask, stay well and keep healthy! -C.H.
Plus, Sven’s big broadcast premiere of the classic 1951 Howard Hawks-Christian Nyby-RKO sci-fi/thriller masterpiece for this Sat., Nov. 28 will be on my mother’s birthday! Happy early Birthday, Mom! -C.H.
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast premiere of “The Thing from Another World” (1951)
Sat., Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV (part of “Super Sci-Fi Sat. Night”)
Me-TV’s official “where to watch” site of stations from coast-to-coast
In the Frederick, Maryland/Washington, D.C. area: WTTG-5.3/Cable 196/FiOS 489/Antietam Broadband 194 (also on QAM digital 68.6 for Antietam 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
Join in by having fun and live-tweeting with all of us fellow super SvenPals from everywhere on the airlanes of Twitter during during #Svengoolie’s big broadcast premiere of “The Thing from Another World” (1951), this Sat. on Me-TV!
To all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals/fellow readers/fellow subscribers of “Silver Screen Reflections” everywhere: Please be good, safe, courteous, kind and respectful to each other. Put love in your heart. Let’s all look to positive/uplifting wisdom, encouragement and enlightenment from Svengoolie, all fellow super SvenPals of Svengoolie everywhere, all fellow super MSTies of Mystery Science Theater 3000/MST3K everywhere and all fellow classic film/television aficionados everywhere. Again, to all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere; safety first, follow all precautions safely and seriously, wash your hands for approximately 20 sec., wear a protective face mask/appropriate protective face covering, avoid touching your face, practice proper social distancing/physical distancing measures, use a sleeve/tissue when coughing/sneezing, stay home, keep healthy and stay well. Again, let’s all take preventative steps/measures by being safe, keeping healthy and staying well- and again, we fellow super SvenPals everywhere highly recommend watching Kerwyn’s informative coronavirus/COVID-19 prevention safety public service announcement! Escape from stress, anxiety and chaos by having fun and relaxing with Sven and his Sat. evening big broadcasts of classic monster/creature, horror, sci-fi and fantasy feature film masterpieces on Me-TV’s big broadcast airlanes & Sven’s big broadcast premiere of “The Thing from Another World” (1951) this Sat. evening! Join in on the fun with all fellow super SvenPals everywhere by live-tweeting through the airlanes of Twitter during Sven’s Sat. evening big broadcasts! Again, safety first, keep healthy and stay well, Sven/Mr. Rich Koz, the entire Sven/Me-TV production team & the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals of Svengoolie everywhere! Again, to quote Svengoolie’s executive producer; Jim Roche: “#KeepCalmAndWatchSven!” –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! In addition to classic Warner Bros. cartoons coming to Me-TV in Jan., the classic Max Fleischer/Paramount “Popeye the Sailor Man” cartoons will also be coming to Me-TV in Jan.!
Extra! Extra! Extra! According to Me-TV’s official Twitter site for Me-TV’s upcoming Jan. big broadcast premiere of “Toon In with Me-TV,” the classic Max Fleischer/Paramount “Popeye the Sailor Man” theatrical cartoon masterpieces (based off of the classic Elzie “E.C.” Segar King Features/Hearst “Popeye” newspaper cartoons) will also be added to the lineup to complement the classic Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon masterpieces starting in Jan.! Again, re-experience/experience the classic Warner Bros. and Max Fleischer/Paramount “Popeye” theatrical cartoons (part of the Warner Bros./Turner holdings)* this Jan. with “Toon In with Me-TV!” Stay tuned to additional details from Me-TV and Me-TV’s official website/social media sites! -C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! The new official Svengoolie mugs are available for purchase through the official Sven/Me-TV online store!
Extra! Extra! Extra! The four new official Svengoolie mugs are available for purchase via the official Sven/Me-TV online store website in four different official Sven mug designs, including the official Sven apparel art featuring Sven/Rich Koz, an official Kerwyn mug/”Being on a coffee mug has its ‘perks’!,” the Sven “official chicken thrower” emblem and Svengoolie’s official logo! Many fellow super SvenPals from coast-to-coast have already purchased their Sven mug/mugs! One of many perfect Sven gifts for the upcoming holiday season! Again, do your holiday shopping early for the upcoming holidays/holiday observances or any occasion for the new official Svengoolie mug/mugs or any authentic/official Sven/Me-TV items through the official Sven/Me-TV online store website! Again, to quote Sven; “no personal checks!” And only purchase official/authentic Sven/Me-TV merchandise items through the official Sven/Me-TV online store! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Cameo mentions of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals!
https://twitter.com/DoctorRhodes/status/1330120286608437250
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere jumped for joy when one of our fellow super SvenPals celebrated her anniversary in the field of the big radio broadcasting airlanes! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Sarah Rhodes recently celebrated her 18th anniversary in the field/career of radio broadcasting in the big broadcast airlanes! Sarah currently spins classic Texas music consisting of classic country and western music masterpieces (both kinds!) and several surprise music masterpieces on the big broadcast airlanes of KBEC-AM 1390/FM 99.1/KBEC.com in Waxahachie, Texas! Be sure to read Sarah’s story/inspiration in connection to her experience and career in the field of radio broadcasting!
Congratulations, Sarah from all of us fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals & fellow broadcasters everywhere on your 18th anniversary in the field of radio broadcasting and the 18th anniversary of your radio broadcasting career! Here’s to many more! We’re all jumping for joy and we’re all proud of you! Keep up the wonderful and excellent work! Three cheers, two thumbs up, stay safe, stay well, keep healthy, peace, kudos,“Hi-Keeba,” cheers and a toast to Sarah, the KBEC radio crowd, all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals & fellow super broadcasters everywhere! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals jumped for joy when one of our fellow super SvenPals recently showcased a new series of Sven art creations inspired by a Sven art creation from one of our fellow super SvenPals! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Nanette Keir recently showcased her newest set of “Sven” nutcracker art designs, inspired by the Sven nutcracker art design of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Sarah Rhodes! Nanette’s family of “Sven” wooden nutcrackers contains a “Son of Svengoolie”/Rich Koz nutcracker, a “King Sven” nutcracker, a “Sventa Claus” nutcracker and a Sven/Rich Koz nutcracker, complete with miniature rubber chickens!
Congratulations to Nanette and Sarah from all of us fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere on the Svengoolie nutcracker art designs inspired by Sarah’s Svengoolie nutcracker art design! We’re all jumping for joy and we’re proud of you all! Keep up the wonderful and excellent work! Three cheers, two thumbs up, stay safe, stay well, keep healthy, peace, kudos,“Hi-Keeba,” cheers and a toast to Nanette ,Sarah & all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere jumped for joy when one of our fellow super SvenPals appeared in a brief online improv-musical sequence that was featured during a recent online improv festival! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee recently appeared in the “Below the Beautiful Sea” online musical-comedy sketch with Shawn Ross, written by Jay Rohr, performed during BYOT Productions’ recent online improv festival! The entire musical-improv scene of Jamie and the BYOT players is now available on the big broadcast airlanes of YouTube!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Wait, there’s more! Before Svengoolie’s big recent broadcast of Charles T. Barton’s classic mammoth Universal monster-comedy masterpiece with Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Glenn Strange, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr., “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948), fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee recently wrote a brief article for 25YL’s horror entertainment blog site, Horror Obsessive on Sven’s Sat. big broadcast of the 1948 classic mammoth Universal monster/comedy feature masterpiece! And be sure to read Jamie’s earlier Horror Obsessive/25YL debut article on “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948)!
Congratulations to Jamie and Shawn and the BYOT players on their BYOT live online improv showcase of “Below the Beautiful Sea” and to Jamie on her Horror Obsessive “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948)/Sven articles from all of us fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals and fellow super “Jammin’ with Jamie” jammers everywhere! We’re all jumping for joy and we’re proud of you all! Keep up the wonderful and excellent work! Three cheers, two thumbs up, stay safe, stay well, keep healthy, peace, kudos,“Hi-Keeba,” cheers and a toast to Jamie, Shawn, the BYOT Productions crowd, the Horror Obsessive crowd all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals & fellow super “Jammin’ with Jamie” jammers everywhere! –C.H.
In connection to “The Thing from Another World” (1951):
*Sidebar: Part of Warner Bros.’ ownership of the North American rights to the majority of the RKO Radio Pictures library, Time Warner (now known as Warner Media) merged with Ted Turner’s media/cable properties in 1996, Turner acquired the rights to the RKO Radio Pictures library from General Tire/GenCorp/RKO General/Wesray in 1987 (General Tire acquired the feature film remnants of RKO from business tycoon Howard Hughes in 1955; as the tire company was looking for additional feature film programming for their line of “General Teleradio”/RKO General TV stations at the time, the RKO features were also leased to C&C Television Corp. to non-RKO General TV stations around the same time under the “Movietime USA” package). The current incarnation of RKO Pictures (formed as an independent organization after the demise of General Tire/GenCorp’s RKO General unit and the tire conglomerate’s exit from entertainment/broadcasting) handles the copyright, trademark, script/re-make rights (co-productions with other studios for re-makes) and stage adaptation rights to the classic RKO features. –C.H.
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