Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be interested in his upcoming coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere of a cult classic mammoth sci-fi creature masterpiece production.
“Svengoolie” presents his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Killer Shrews” (1959)
Original 1959 theatrical release trailer for the Ray Kellogg–Ken Curtis–Gordon McLendon production of “The Killer Shrews.”
The legendary & iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic sci-fi/creature feature masterpiece host will present his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Killer Shrews” (1959), this Sat., Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The cult classic mammoth 1957 sci-fi/creature feature film masterpiece production was directed by veteran visual effects/matte artist-turned second-unit director Ray Kellogg. Throughout his motion picture career, Kellogg worked for rival major studio Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios). He worked as part of the visual effects team for Robert Wise’s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox sci-fi masterpiece production of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) with Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, young Billy Gray, and a pre-“Andy Griffith Show” Frances Bavier. Kellogg also worked on special photographic effects for Richard Brooks’ classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox film noir-drama masterpiece with Humphrey Bogart, Kim Hunter, Ethel Barrymore and Jim Backus, “Deadline U.S.A.” (1952), for Jean Negulesco’s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox CinemaScope romantic comedy masterpiece with Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall and Rory Calhoun, “How To Marry a Millionaire” (1953) and second unit director for Leslie H. Martinson’s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox feature film live-action adventure masterpiece adaptation of the DC Comics superhero series based off the classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox/ABC television live-action masterpiece adaptation of “Batman” (1966) with Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier, Lee Meriwether, Burgess Meredith, Cesar Romero, Frank Gorshin, Neil Hamilton and Stafford Repp.
The screenplay for Kellogg’s production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) was written by veteran film and TV screenwriter Jay Simms. Simms also co-wrote the screenplay with John Morton for Ray Milland’s classic mammoth sci-fi/thriller/horror masterpiece production for Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson’s American-International Pictures, “Panic In Year Zero” (1962) with Milland, Jean Hagen and Frankie Avalon (in one of his pre-“Beach Party” American-International feature film appearances).
“The Killer Shrews” (1959) was produced by veteran singer-turned-actor Ken Curtis. Born under the name of Curtis Wayne Gates and before going into acting and producing, Ken Curtis was a vocalist with numerous legendary and iconic groups, including Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, Shep Fields and His New Music, the Sons of the Pioneers and the Pied Pipers on numerous classic mammoth RCA-Victor masterpiece recordings with the four groups (on both RCA-Victor and RCA-Bluebird imprints), according to Discogs. Curtis was best-known for his role of Deputy Festus on the long-running classic mammoth CBS television western masterpiece adaptation series, “Gunsmoke” (Curtis appeared on the series from 1959 in numerous guest appearances, his “Festus” debut began in the 1962 episode “Us Haggens,” Curtis’ “Festus” character made regular appearances from 1964 until the conclusion of the series in 1975) with James Arness, Amanda Blake and Milburn Stone.
Kellogg and Curtis’ cult classic mammoth 1959 sci-fi/horror/thriller masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” was also produced by veteran Texas-based radio broadcaster/radio station owner Gordon McLendon, through the monikers of his “McLendon-Radio Pictures” and “Hollywood Pictures Corporation”* enterprises, according to IMDB and a 1980 Broadcasting (Broadcasting and Cable) profile article on McLendon. McLendon was noted as one of the pioneers of the top-40 music format on most of his radio stations and also dabbled in all-news and easy-listening music formats. Some of the radio stations that he owned throughout the years included Dallas’ KLIF, Chicago’s WNUS (today’s WGRB), Los Angeles’ KOST and Louisville’s WAKY. McLendon also owned various movie theaters and drive-in theaters; according to Cornell R. Miller’s Sept. 2019 retrospective article on McLendon’s foray into motion pictures for Dallas (D) Magazine, titled “The Time a Radio Legend Brought a Taste of Hollywood to Town.”
In Sven’s home area of Berwyn/Chicago, Svengoolie previously showcased the cult classic mammoth 1959 Kellogg-Curtis-McLendon sci-fi/creature masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” on his hometown TV station, Berwyn/Chicago’s WCIU-TV 26 back in 1996, according to IMDB and fellow Super SvenPal WolfmanSlick’s YouTube channel.
Who was in the Kellogg-Curtis-McLendon production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959)?
The players who appeared in the cult classic mammoth Kellogg-Curtis-McLendon sci-fi/creature masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) were James Best (as Thorne Sherman), Ingrid Goude (as Ann Craigis), Ken Curtis (as Jerry Farrell), Judge Henry Dupree (as “Rook” Griswold), a cameo by Gordon McLendon (as Dr. Radford Baines), Baruch Lumet (as Dr. Marlowe Craigis) and Alfredo de Soto (credited under the name of Alfred deSoto, as Mario).
Alongside the mentions of Curtis and McLendon, James Best previously appeared in an uncredited role as Charlie the radar operator in the classic mammoth Ray Harryhausen–Eugène “Gene” Lourié–Warner Bros. creature/sci-fi masterpiece production of “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” (1953) with Paula Raymond, Cecil Kellaway and Paul Hubschmid/Christian. He also previously appeared in an uncredited role as a crewman in Fred M. Wilcox’s classic mammoth Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) sci-fi/fantasy masterpiece production of “Forbidden Planet” (1956) with young Leslie Nielsen, Anne Francis, Walter Pidgeon, James Drury, Richard Anderson and Robby the Robot. Alongside his numerous feature film and television acting roles, Best went onto greater fame for his characterization of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the classic mammoth Warner Bros.-CBS television action/adventure masterpiece series with Tom Wopat, Ben Jones, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, Sorrell Booke and the legendary and iconic Waylon Jennings, “The Dukes of Hazard” (1979-85). During his brief acting career, Judge Henry Dupree later appeared in another McLendon-Kellogg classic mammoth drama feature film production masterpiece, “My Dog, Buddy” (1960) with London, Ken Curtis and Bart McLendon, the real-life son of Gordon McLendon. Originally from Sweden, Ingrid Goude won the 1956 Miss Sweden pageant contest and was a runner-up in the Miss Universe and Miss Europe pageants. Goude was discovered by Universal Studios talent scouts after her pageant appearances and was signed to a Universal contract in July 1956, according to IMDB. During her brief acting career, Goude also appeared in Hal Kanter‘s classic mammoth Universal comedy-western masterpiece, “Once Upon a Horse” (1958) with a pre-“Laugh-In” Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, along with Martha Hyer, Leif Erickson, Nita Talbot, James Gleason, the senior Max Baer and his brother, Buddy Baer.
Alfredo de Soto appeared in numerous feature film productions in Mexico. He previously served as a casting director for Ramón Peón‘s classic mammoth musical-comedy masterpiece production of “Música, espuelas y amor” (1955, “Music, Spurs and Love”). Actor and veteran casting director Baruch Lumet later appeared in the classic mammoth critically acclaimed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) feature film drama masterpiece adaptation production of Edward Lewis Wallant‘s “The Pawnbroker” (1964) with Rod Steiger and Geraldine Fitzgerald, the 1964 feature film was directed by Lumet’s real-life son, veteran director Sidney Lumet.
“The Killer Shrews” (1959): Filmed on-location at the home ranch of Gordon McLendon in Lake Dallas, Texas
According to additional details from IMDB’s trivia section, it was reported that the on-location filming for the cult classic mammoth Kellogg-Curtis-McLendon sci-fi/creature masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) was filmed on-location near Lake Dallas, Texas at McLendon’s 200-acre Cielo Ranch & home, according to additional details from Cornell R. Miller’s Sept. 2019 article for D (Dallas) Magazine, “The Time a Radio Legend brought a Taste of Hollywood to Town.”
McLendon’s decision for filming Kellogg and Curtis’ “The Killer Shrews” (1959) at his Cielo Ranch was done as a cost-saving measure instead of leasing/renting another ranch in the area and/or traveling to one of the major studio “movie ranch” locations/studio lots in Hollywood, California. The broadcast veteran encouraged the entire cast and the entire production crew to come to his Cielo Ranch for his brief foray into motion picture productions and managed to keep everyone in his productions happy throughout the filming processes of his productions. It was also mentioned that McLendon learned about motion picture production in an “on-the-job training” style method during his productions. According to Ronald Garay’s 1992 retrospective book on McLendon’s life and career, “Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio,” it was reported that McLendon built his own sound stage for interior scenes for feature film productions on his Cielo Ranch, along with lodging to house the acting troupe, the production crew and guests.
The “Shrew” creatures in the Kellogg-Curtis-McLendon production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959)
The creature creations of the “Shrew” creatures featured in Ray Kellogg, Ken Curtis and Gordon McLendon’s cult classic mammoth sci-fi creature/thriller masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) were featured in two different forms, according to Jeff Stafford’s 2007 Turner Classic Movies online database article on the production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) and IMDB’s trivia section for Kellogg, Curtis and McLendon’s 1959 production.
It was noted for close-up sequences of the “shrew” creatures/creature creations, the “shrew” creatures were constructed as custom hand puppets with the use of cardboard sets. For medium and wide-angle scenes of the “shrew’ creatures, whippet dogs were dressed in custom “shrew” creature costumes.
The premiere of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) and double-feature presentation with another cult classic mammoth monster-thriller masterpiece production from Kellogg, Curtis and McLendon
The world premiere of Ray Kellogg, Ken Curtis and Gordon McLendon’s cult classic mammoth creature/thriller masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) was held at the historic Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas, Texas; according to a 1959 edition of Motion Picture Exhibitor and additional details from Ronald Garay’s “Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio.”
Around the same time that production began on “The Killer Shrews,” the team of Kellogg, Curtis and McLendon also produced another cult classic feature film masterpiece production that was filmed on the McLendon Cielo Ranch; titled “The Giant GIla Monster” (1959). According to additional details from an original 1959 McLendon exhibitors’ ad that was published in a July 1959 issue of Variety, both “The Killer Shrews” and “The Giant GIla Monster” were released by McLendon’s firm as a double-feature presentation from coast-to-coast after the success of the two McLendon features in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
The trio of Kellogg, Curtis and McLendon produced one more feature together on the McLendon Cielo Ranch, titled “My Dog, Buddy” (1959). Their final production was released theatrically from coast-to-coast through major Hollywood rival studio Columbia Pictures, according to Clive Hirschorn’s retrospective book on Columbia Pictures; “The Columbia Story;” It was also noted that McLendon was also one of the largest shareholders of Columbia Pictures at one point, according to the 1980 Broadcasting (Broadcasting and Cable) article on McLendon.
“The Killer Shrews” (1959): Later riffed on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”
Alongside being showcased on numerous local late-night classic/cult classic mammoth horror host masterpiece TV shows from coast-to-coast for many years and alongside Sven’s 1996 WCIU Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere of “The Killer Shrews,” Kellogg, Curtis and McLendon’s cult classic mammoth sci-fi creature/thriller masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) was later re-discovered by new generations. 33 years after the original theatrical release, the cult classic mammoth 1959 Kellogg-Curtis-McLendon thriller/creature masterpiece production was famously riffed on “Mystery Science Theater 3000” in 1992, with original series host/series creator Joel Hodgson (as Joel Robinson), Trace Beaulieu (as mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester/the vocal stylings of Crow T. Robot), Frank Conniff (as mad scientist TV’s Frank) and Kevin Murphy (the vocal stylings of Tom Servo). Paired with the Encyclopaedia Britannica educational short subject “Junior Rodeo Dardevils” (1949), the MST3K version of “The Killer Shrews” aired on Comedy Central back in July 1992, according to the official MST3K Gizmoplex site and Satellite News.
Be sure to watch/Svengoolie’s big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Killer Shrews” (1959), this Sat. on Me-TV!
With James Best, Ken Curtis, Judge Henry Dupree, Ingrid Goude, Baruch Lumet, Gordon McLendon and Alfredo de Soto, you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s upcoming big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of Ray Kellogg, Ken Curtis & Gordon Mc Lendon’s cult classic mammoth sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production of “The Killer Shrews’ (1959), this Sat. on Me-TV! A perfect treat for all fellow Super SvenPals/Super MST3K MSTies everywhere! Escape from stress and anxiety with the magic of Sven’s Sat. evening big broadcasts with Sven’s additional fun facts, maestro Sven and maestro Doug Graves’ parody song, Kerwyn’s mail call and much, much more! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended to all fellow Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super MST3K MSTies everywhere!
Svengoolie presents his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Killer Shrews” (1959)
Sat., Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV
To all fellow Super Svengoolie SvenPals/fellow Super “Toon In With Me” Tooners/fellow Super readers/fellow subscribers of “Silver Screen Reflections” everywhere: Seriously, Please, please be good, kind, courteous, safe and respectful to each other. Let’s all look to positive/uplifting enlightenment, wisdom and encouragement from Svengoolie, all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere, all fellow super Me-TV “Toon In With Me”/”Saturday Morning Cartoons” Tooners, all fellow super Mystery Science Theater 3000/MST3K MSTies everywhere and all fellow super classic film/television aficionados everywhere. Again, to all fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals and all fellow super Me-TV “Toon In With Me”/”Saturday Morning Cartoons” Tooners, fellow super MST3K MSTies & fellow super classic film & TV aficionados everywhere; safety first, to our fellow super SvenPals/MSTies/Tooners who have not made a plan to get their vaccines yet, be sure to schedule your vaccines & booster vaccines by contacting your doctor/physician/healthcare professional soon, follow all precautions safely and seriously, wear a protective face mask/appropriate protective face covering, wash your hands for approximately 20 sec., avoid touching your face, practice proper social distancing/physical distancing protocols, use a tissue/sleeve when coughing/sneezing, stay home, keep healthy and stay well. Again, let’s all take preventative measures/steps 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 anxiety, chaos and stress by relaxing and having fun with Sven and his Sat. evening big broadcasts of classic creature/sci-fi/monster/horror/fantasy feature film masterpieces on Me-TV’s big broadcast airlanes & Sven’s big coast-to-coat broadcast premiere of “The Killer Shrews” (1959)! Join in on the fun with all fellow super SvenPals everywhere by live-tweeting on the Twitter airlanes during Sven’s Sat. evening big broadcasts! Again, be good, safety first, keep healthy and stay well, Sven/Rich Koz, the entire Sven/Sventoonie/”Toon In”/Me-TV production team & the entire crowd of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere! To quote Svengoolie’s executive producer, Jim Roche: “#KeepCalmAndWatchSven!” –C.H.
In connection to Ken Curtis: Watch Ken Curtis as Deputy Festus on “Gunsmoke,” weekday afternoons at 1 p.m. Eastern/Noon Central on most Me-TV stations, part of Me-TV’s “Most Wanted Westerns” lineup of classic mammoth TV western masterpieces.
Sidebar: Due to recent and unusual technical problems/technical hiccups with Twitter, most of my tweets for Toony/Thunnus & Bill/William’s British edition of “Toon In With Me” may not have appeared in the “#ToonInWithMe” airlanes for reasons unknown. Similiar tech. problems may have also affected my secondary “@ChrisHambySven” Twitter account. I highly appreciate everyone’s concerns & I’m hoping all airlanes will be fully restored before Toony & Bill’s “Knight Life” edition this Thurs. morning, Aug. 25/Fingers crossed! -C.H.
In case the majority of my tweets do not appear in the “#ToonInWithMe” feed;
- Go to my Twitter site (“@chrishambyfilms“).
- Click on the “media tab.”
https://twitter.com/DoctorRhodes/status/1560220793866489860
Extra! Extra! Extra! Cameo mentions of fellow Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me” Tooners!
https://twitter.com/DoctorRhodes/status/1561300695915143168
https://twitter.com/DoctorRhodes/status/1561676102220791809
https://twitter.com/DoctorRhodes/status/1562038944883245056
Congratulations to Sarah/Sarahgoolie on your wonderful Sarahgoolie/Berwyn Fire Department Fire Truck photo masterpiece from the recent Berwyn Sven festival from your recent Sven/Berwyn/Chicago adventures that was recently featured for Sarahgoolie Sunday! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing & jumping for joy for all of you, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Nanette, Brian & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners! Good news! See you all for Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me: Knight Life” big broadcast in the Thurs. morning “Toon In” airlanes, Sarah/Sarahgoolie! Fingers crossed for all airlanes! Keep up the wonderful/excellent work, three cheers, two thumbs up, safety first, keep healthy, stay well & all the best to you & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners, Super broadcasters & Super DJs of the wonderful legendary & mighty Super KBEC Radio big broadcast airlanes everywhere, Sarah/Sarahgoolie! Cheers to Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Nanette, Brian, Dave, Drew, Berwyn’s finest, the Berwyn Fire Department & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners everywhere! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Congratulations to Nanette on your wonderful Sven/Svengoolie “Power Puff” art creation masterpieces! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing & jumping for joy for all of you, Nanette & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners! Good news! See you all for Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me: Knight Life” big broadcast in the Thurs. morning “Toon In” airlanes, Nanette! Fingers crossed for all airlanes! Keep up the wonderful/excellent work, three cheers, two thumbs up, safety first, keep healthy, stay well & all the best to you & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners everywhere, Nanette! Cheers to Nanette & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Congratulations to Dave on your recent classic Sven C2E2 cameo that was featured in Sven’s big broadcast of “The Land Unknown” (1957)! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing & jumping for joy for all of you, Dave & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners! Keep up the wonderful/excellent work, three cheers, two thumbs up, safety first, keep healthy, stay well & all the best to you & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners everywhere, Dave! Cheers to Dave, the entire ‘”Terror From Beyond the Dave” crowd & all fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Congratulations to Jamie & the Elgin Theatre Company troupe on your upcoming “Elgin Fringe Festival”/”Pillow Fight” theatrical stage comedy play shows! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing & jumping for joy for all of you, Jamie & the entire Elgin Theatre Company players troupe! Keep up the wonderful & excellent work, three cheers, two thumbs up & all the best to Jamie, the entire Elgin Theatre Company troupe & all fellow wonderful Super Jammers/Super SvenPals everywhere! Cheers to Jamie & the Elgin Theatre Company troupe & all fellow Super Jammers/Super SvenPals/Super Tooners! Yippee! Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!”
In connection to “The Killer Shrews” (1959):
The 1992 “Mystery Science Theater 3000” edition of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) is also available on DVD in the Shout! Factory multi-feature/classic MST3K episode set, “MST3K: Volume VII.” The 1992 MST3K edition of “The Killer Shrews” (1959) is also available to watch for free on Tubi (by arrangement with Shout! Factory, LLC).