Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big coast-to-coast premiere of a classic mammoth American-International horror-comedy masterpiece with several film legends.
“Svengoolie” presents his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64)
Original 1963/64 American-International Pictures theatrical release trailer for Jacques Tourneur‘s “The Comedy of Terrors” with Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Joyce Jameson, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone and Joe E. Brown. Fun Fact: At the 0:05 mark, note Les Baxter’s source orchestral cue– that was the same source music cue that American-International later used for their television syndication unit, American-International Television when Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson’s distribution firm entered TV syndication in the mid-1960s. -C.H.
Sidebar: Originally re-presented in Sept. 2014 for the now-out-of-print MGM*/Shout! Factory (Shout! Studios)/Scream! Factory “Vincent Price Collection II” Blu-Ray feature film anthology set, Kino Lorber is currently handling the Blu-Ray edition of Tourneur’s classic mammoth 1963/64 American-International horror/comedy masterpiece (by arrangement with the current incarnation of MGM*, owners of the American-International/Filmways/Orion holdings). -C.H.
The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth horror/comedy feature film masterpiece host will present his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Comedy of Terrors” (produced in 1963, released in 1964) this Sat., March 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The classic mammoth 1963/64 American-International feature horror/comedy masterpiece production was directed by veteran feature film & TV director Jacques Tourneur.
Tourneur was best-known for his classic mammoth RKO Radio Pictures thriller feature film masterpiece with veteran RKO producer Val Lewton, “Cat People” (1942) with Simone Simon, Kent Smith, Tom Conway, Jane Randolph, Jack Holt and Alan Napier (later of 1944’s “The Uninvited,” 1956’s “The Mole People” and TV’s “Batman” fame). After the box-office success of “Cat People,” both Tourneur and Lewton would follow with two more classic mammoth RKO thriller masterpiece productions, “I Walked with a Zombie” (1943) with Frances Dee, Tom Conway, Sir Lancelot, James Ellison, Christine Gordon, Theresa Harris and James Bell and “The Leopard Man” (1943) with Dennis O’Keefe, Margo, Jean Brooks, Isabel Jewell, Tuulikki Paananen/Tula Parma, James Bell, Ben Bard and Jacqueline deWit.
Tourneur also directed his classic mammoth RKO film noir-thriller masterpiece production of “Experiment Perilous” (1944) with Hedy Lamarr, George Brent, Paul Lukas, Albert Dekker (of 1940’s “Dr. Cyclops” fame), Carl Esmond, Olive Blakeney and William Post Jr.
Alongside his earlier RKO feature film collaborations with Val Lewton and alongside “Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64), one of Tourneur’s other noteworthy films was his classic mammoth RKO film noir masterpiece production of “Out of the Past” (1947) with Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, young Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming, Richard Webb, Steve Brodie, Dickie Moore, Virginia Huston, Brooks Benedict and Paul Valentine.
Ten years after “Out of the Past,” Tourneur directed his classic mammoth Columbia Pictures sci-fi creature/horror/thriller masterpiece production of “Curse of the Demon” (1957, a.k.a. “Night of the Demon”) with Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins, Niall MacGinnis, Liam Redmond, Brian Wilde (later of BBC‘s “Last of the Summer Wine” fame), Maurice Denham, Ballard Berkeley (later of “Fawlty Towers” fame), Athene Seyler, Reginald Beckwith, Ewan Roberts, Peter Elliott and Rosamund Greenwood.
The screenplay for Tourneur’s classic mammoth 1963/64 American-International masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” was co-written by veteran sci-fi/horror author-screenwriter Richard Matheson and veteran author/screenwriter Elsie Lee. Matheson wrote the original story treatment for Jack Arnold’s classic mammoth Universal Studios sci-fi/fantasy/visual effects masterpiece, “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957) with Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton, a pre-“Beverly Hillbillies” Raymond Bailey, William Schallert and Lock Martin (of 1951’s “The Day the Earth Stood Still” fame). He also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Roger Corman‘s classic mammoth American-International macabre-thriller-comedy masterpiece adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe‘s 1845 gothic poem, “The Raven” (1963). Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg‘s classic mammoth Universal Studios action-adventure-thriller masterpiece production of “Duel” (1971, originally produced as a Universal/ABC made-for-TV movie masterpiece production and one of Spielberg’s earliest productions) with Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Lucille Benson, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, Shirley O’ Hara, Gene Dynarski and Amy Douglass. Matheson also wrote the teleplay for John Llewellyn Moxey and Dan Curtis’ classic mammoth ABC “Kolchak” made-for-TV movie masterpiece pilot, “The Night Stalker” (1972, one of two ABC “Kolchak” made-for-TV movie masterpiece pilots that served as the inspiration for the classic mammoth 1974-75 Universal Studios/ABC “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” TV masterpiece series) with Darren McGavin, Carol Lynley, Claude Akins, Larry Linville (later of TV’s “M*A*S*H” fame), Simon Oakland, Ralph Meeker, Charles McGraw, Kent Smith, Elisha Cook Jr., Stanley Adams, Jordan Rhodes and Barry Atwater. Matheson also served as an associate producer on the 1963/64 American-International feature production.
“The Comedy of Terrors” marked one of two productions that Elsie Lee was involved with during her brief screenwriting career. She previously wrote the screenplay for 1 episode of the MCA/Revue (Universal) adventure TV series, “Soldiers of Fortune” (for the 1957 episode “Pipeline to Danger”) with John Russell, Chick Chandler and guest Edward Platt (later of TV’s “Get Smart” fame).
*The 1963 Tourneur production of “The Comedy of Terrors” was released theatrically through American-International Pictures, the independent distribution firm that was established by Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson in 1954; according to the Samuel Z. Arkoff papers collection/archives housed at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. American-International was later acquired by Filmways in 1979, which was later acquired by Orion Pictures in 1982. Orion, along with the majority of the American-International/Filmways holdings was later sold to the present incarnation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1997. Inspired by MGM’s revival of the “Orion Pictures” moniker for feature film releases in recent years, the current incarnation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) also revived the “American-International Pictures” moniker. Alongside Arkoff, Nicholson and Matheson, veteran American-International feature film producer Anthony Carras also co-produced the classic mammoth 1963/64 Tourneur horror-comedy feature film masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors.”
Who was in Jacques Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64)?
The players who appeared in Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) were Vincent Price (as Waldo Trumbull), Joyce Jameson (as Amaryllis Trumbull), Boris Karloff (as Amos Hinchley), Peter Lorre (as Felix Gillie), Basil Rathbone (as Mr. John F. Black), Joe E. Brown (as a cemetery keeper), Beverly Powers (as Mrs. Phipps, Beverly Powers received screen credit under the pseudonym of Beverly Hills), Buddy Mason (as Mr. Phipps), Alan DeWitt (as Riggs), Douglas Williams (as a Doctor), Linda Rogers (as a maid), Luree Holmes (as a butler), Charles Soldani (in an uncredited role as a mourner), Harvey Parry (in an uncredited role as a man who was knocked down on the street), Paul Barselou (in an uncredited role as a stand-in for Riggs) and Orangey the Cat (as Cleopatra, Orangey received screen credit under the name of an earlier feline character that was portrayed by the feline actor, “Rhubarb“).
During the same time that Tourneur began filming “The Comedy of Terrors” for Arkoff and Nicholson’s American-International, macabre horror feature film legend Vincent Price, horror/monster feature film legend Boris Karloff and feature film legend Peter Lorre also appeared in Roger Corman‘s classic mammoth American-International macabre-thriller-comedy masterpiece adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (1963, with Price in the role of Dr. Erasmus Craven, Karloff in the role of Dr. Scarabus and Lorre in the role of Dr. Adolphus Bedlo); along with Hazel Court, Olive Sturgess, young Jack Nicholson, Connie Wallace, William Baskin, Aaron Saxon, Leo Gordon and Dick Johnstone.
Price also appeared in Corman’s classic mammoth American-International macabre-thriller masterpiece production adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Haunted Palace” (1963) with Debra Paget, Lon Chaney Jr., Frank Maxwell, Elisha Cook Jr. and I. Stanford Jolley, Reginald Le Borg‘s classic mammoth United Artists macabre thriller masterpiece production of “Diary of a Madman” (1963) with Nancy Kovack, Chris Warfield, Ian Wolfe, Elaine Devry and Dick Wilson and in Sidney Salkow‘s classic mammoth United Artists macabre thriller anthology masterpiece production of “Twice-Told Tales” (1963) with Sebastian Cabot (later of CBS’ “Family Affair” fame), Richard Denning, Beverly Garland, Brett Halsey, Floyd Simmons and Gene Roth (which was United Artists’ answer to Corman’s classic mammoth American-International Poe feature film masterpiece adaptations- ironically, the majority of the American-International library would wind up in the same hands that acquired the majority of the post-1950 United Artists holdings- in an indirect way, the United Artists releases of Le Borg’s “Diary of a Madman” and Salkow’s “Twice-Told Tales” are in the same holdings of the current incarnation of MGM with the American-International “Poe” feature film adaptations- -C.H.
Price also appeared in a cameo guest role as “Big Daddy” in William Asher‘s classic mammoth American-International comedy-musical masterpiece production and initial entry into the production-releasing firm’s series, “Beach Party” (1963) with Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Robert Cummings, Dorothy Malone, Morey Amsterdam (of TV’s “The Dick Van Dyke Show” fame, Hey, “Rob!”- Morey Amsterdam’s characterization of Buddy Sorrell inspired Sven’s “Body Sorrell” character!), Harvey Lembeck, Jody McCrea, Dick Dale and his Del-Tones, Meredith MacRae, Candy Johnson and Eva Six.
Veteran monster and horror feature film legend Boris Karloff was also in the American-International roster of recognizable players alongside Price and Lorre at the time of the production of “The Raven” (1963). Alongside his previous landmark classic mammoth Universal monster and horror feature film masterpiece appearances in his acting career, he also found renewed fame as the host of the classic mammoth MCA-Revue (Universal)/NBC TV thriller-horror anthology masterpiece series, “Thriller” (1960-62)- in addition to the Realart theatrical re-issues of Karloff’s classic mammoth Universal horror/monster feature film masterpieces and the “Shock!”/”Son of Shock!” TV syndication packages of classic mammoth pre-1948 Universal monster masterpieces- which introduced new generations to the classic mammoth Universal Karloff masterpiece features. The same year that he appeared in Corman’s classic mammoth 1963 macabre thriller-comedy masterpiece adaptation of Poe’s literary work, Karloff appeared in the dual roles of Baron Victor Frederick Von Leppe/Eric in the classic mammoth American-International macabre thriller anthology masterpiece production of “The Terror” (1963); which was also handled by Roger Corman; who directed most of the production. Young Francis Ford Coppola also served as an associate producer of “The Terror” (1963) with Corman.
Basil Rathbone previously appeared with Boris Karloff in Rowland V. Lee’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece installment of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939, Karloff’s final Universal feature film appearance in the role of Frankenstein’s monster) with Bela Lugosi, Josephine Hutchinson, Donnie Dunagan, Lionel Atwill, young Ward Bond, Emma Dunn, Caroline Frances Cooke, Michael Mark, Edgar Norton, Perry Ivins, Lawrence Grant and Lionel Belmore. Rathbone appeared in the role of detective Sherlock Holmes in Sidney Lanfield’s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios) mystery-drama masterpiece adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” mystery novel, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (1939) with Nigel Bruce, Wendy Barrie, Richard Greene, Lionel Atwill (who was also in “Son of Frankenstein”) and John Carradine. Rathbone would reprise his screen role of Sherlock Holmes, along with Nigel Bruce; who reprised his role of Dr. Watson in Alfred L. Werker’s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios) mystery masterpiece production of “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” (1939) with Ida Lupino and George Zucco. Rathbone would later appear reprise his role with Bruce in Universal’s classic “Sherlock Holmes” mystery feature film masterpiece productions, ranging from “Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror” (1942) and concluding with “Dressed to Kill” (1946).
Peter Lorre previously appeared with Vincent Price in Corman’s classic mammoth American-International macabre thriller masterpiece anthology adaptation masterpiece production of “Tales of Terror” (1962) with Basil Rathbone, Debra Paget, Lennie Weinrib (of interest to fellow Super Tooners/Super SvenPals of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me,” Weinrib later provided the vocal stylings of the characters of Roland and Rattfink for the classic mammoth Mirisch-United Artists “Roland & Rattfink” cartoon masterpieces). Leona Gage, Joyce Jameson and David Frankham. Lorre also returned to his former home studio, Warner Bros. for his guest appearance in the role of a Gypsy in a 1963 episode of the classic mammoth Warner Bros.-ABC TV detective series, “77 Sunset Strip” (“5: Part 1,” the first part of the two-part 1963 episode of the aforementioned series).
Aside from her numerous feature film & TV appearances throughout her acting career, Joyce Jameson previously appeared in a minor role in Seymour Friedman‘s classic mammoth Columbia Pictures horror-monster masterpiece production of “The Son of Dr. Jekyll” (1951) with Louis Hayward, Jody Lawrance, young Hamilton Camp, Alexander Knox, Lester Matthews, Gavin Muir, Rhys Williams, Paul Cavanagh and Holmes Herbert. She also appeared in Billy Wilder‘s classic mammoth critically-acclaimed Mirisch/United Artists romantic drama-comedy masterpiece production of “The Apartment” (1960) with Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray (of TV’s “My Three Sons/Binge the Cringe” fame), Ray Walston (later of TV’s “My Favorite Martian” fame), Edie Adams, David White (later of TV’s “Bewitched” fame). Jack Kruschen and Joan Shawlee. Jameson appeared in two episodes of the classic mammoth CBS television drama masterpiece series adaptation of Erle Stanley Gardner‘s “Perry Mason” with Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper, Ray Collins and William Talman (Jameson appeared in 1963’s “The Case of the Floating Stones” and 1965’s “The Case of the Feather Cloak”). To paraphrase Sven, “Joyce Jameson appeared in two episodes of.. “Perry Mason!” -C.H. She also appeared in two episodes of the classic mammoth Universal Studios/CBS “Munster” monster family comedy masterpiece series, “The Munsters” with Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo, Butch Patrick, Al Lewis and Pat Priest (Jameson appeared in 1965’s “Dance With Me, Herman” with legendary comedian Don Rickles and 1966’s “Herman Picks a Winner”).
Known for his trademark mouth in his numerous feature film appearances throughout his acting career, Joe E. Brown rose to fame in numerous classic mammoth Warner Bros. “Vitaphone” feature film comedy masterpieces (Brown’s early talkies were produced and released by Warners under the “First National Pictures” moniker, Warners acquired First National in 1928), including William A. Seiter‘s “Going Wild” (1930) with young Walter Pidgeon and young Frank McHugh; Ray Enright‘s “The Tenderfoot” (1932) with young Ginger Rogers, Lloyd Bacon‘s “Fireman, Save My Child!” (1932) with Evalyn Knapp, Lilian Bond and Guy Kibbee; Mervyn LeRoy‘s “Elmer, the Great” (1933) with Patricia Ellis, Frank McHugh, young Sterling Holloway, Don Brodie and Douglass Dumbrille and Enright’s “Alibi Ike” (1935) with Olivia de Havilland, Ruth Donnelly and William Frawley (later of TV’s “I Love Lucy” fame and the early years of “My Three Sons/Binge the Cringe” fame). In the latter part of his acting career, Brown found new popularity on the silver screen in the role of Osgood Fielding III in Billy Wilder’s classic mammoth Mirisch-United Artists comedy masterpiece, “Some Like It Hot” (1959) with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Pat O’Brien, Joan Shawlee, Beverly Wills and Edward G. Robinson Jr. (the real-life son of actor Edward G. Robinson). Shortly before production began on “The Comedy of Terrors,” Brown appeared in Stanley Kramer‘s classic mammoth critically-acclaimed United Artists comedy masterpiece, “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963) with Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Edie Adams, Dorothy Provine, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Peter Falk, Carl Reiner, Don Knotts, Andy Devine, Selma Diamond, Norman Fell, William Demarest (in his pre-“My Three Sons”/”Binge the Cringe” days), Arnold Stang, Stan Freberg, Jim Backus, Charles Lane, Barrie Chase, Paul Ford, Tom Kennedy (of Warners’ “Torchy Blane” film series fame) and Jimmy Durante.
“The Comedy of Terrors” (1963): Inspirations and original pre-production plans for Tourneur’s production
According to David Kalat’s April 2016 Turner Classic Movies article on Jacques Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror-comedy masterpiece production on “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64), it was reported that the veteran director was partially inspired by the comedic works of veteran film director René Clair. One of Clair’s best-known feature films in the United States was his classic mammoth supernatural comedy masterpiece production of “I Married a Witch” (1942, originally produced by Paramount, yet was sold and released by United Artists during the original theatrical release) with Veronica Lake, Fredric March, Robert Benchley, Susan Hayward and Cecil Kellaway. For “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64), Tourneur wanted to direct a feature film in the cynical comedy genre. The veteran director wanted the target theatrical audience to be mature persons who appreciated the art of satirical cinema- which was different than the typical target audience formula of Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson’s American-International feature productions at the time.
For Richard Matheson’s screenplay, it was partially inspired by the earlier success of Roger Corman’s classic mammoth American-International feature masterpiece production of “Tales of Terror” (1962) and Corman’s classic mammoth American-International feature masterpiece adaptation of “The Raven” (1963). The original pre-production plan for Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International feature masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) was that Boris Karloff was originally considered for the role of Mr. John F. Black and Basil Rathbone was originally considered for the role of Amos Hinchley, but the roles were reversed at the insistence of Karloff due to the veteran actor’s knee problems.
Jacques Tourneur’s “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64): One of the finale features for two of the principal actors
Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy masterpiece feature production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) marked one of the final feature productions for two of the principal actors of the production. According to IMDB, it was reported that the Tourneur/American-International feature production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) marked the final feature film productions for Peter Lorre and Joe E. Brown. Lorre died on March 23, 1964- he had two posthumous appearances, in William Asher‘s classic mammoth American-International “Beach Party” musical-comedy masterpiece, “Muscle Beach Party” (released on March 24, 1964- one day after Lorre’s death) and in Jerry Lewis‘ classic mammoth Paramount Pictures comedy masterpiece, “The Patsy” (released on June 11, 1964). After his own retirement from the silver screen- Brown died on July 6, 1973.
According to the American Film Institute (AFI), it was reported that prior to the production of “The Comedy of Terrors,” Peter Lorre was signed to a four-year contract extension with American-International to exclusively appear in eight feature films in the horror genre from Arkoff and Nicholson’s firm. According to the Sept. 1963 edition of Boxoffice, it was reported that Arkoff and Nicholson’s American-International signed Joe E. Brown to appear as an exclusive guest star in Tourneur’s classic mammoth horror-comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors.” Alongside Brown being mentioned as a special guest star in the production of “The Comedy of Terrors,” Basil Rathbone was also listed as a special guest star in Tourneur’s production.
The custom “coffin” in Jacques Tourneur’s American-International feature production of “The Comedy of Terrors”
The custom “coffin” that was constructed for Jacques Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) had a unique feature. According to additional details from the American Film Institute, it was reported that the custom-built coffin featured in Tourneur’s production was outfitted with a hydraulic lift. The custom-built coffin was built at an estimated cost of $9,300 and was exclusively constructed for the Tourneur/American-International feature production of “The Comedy of Terrors.”
“The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64): Showcased as part of an American-International double-feature presentation at a theater near the home headquarters of “Silver Screen Reflections”
Near the home area/home office/home headquarters of “Silver Screen Reflections,” Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International feature masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) was originally showcased in Frederick, Maryland as part of an American-International double-feature twinset presentation back in the Spring of 1964 during the original theatrical release.
According to an original advertisement published in the April 29, 1964 edition of The Frederick News (Frederick News-Post); “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64) was showcased at the Tivoli Theatre (today’s Weinberg Center for the Arts) in the downtown area of Frederick, Maryland. Tourneur’s production was paired as an American-International double-feature twinset at the Tivoli with William Asher‘s classic mammoth American-International “Beach Party” musical-comedy masterpiece installment, “Muscle Beach Party” (1964) with Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, the legendary Stevie Wonder, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Morey Amsterdam (“Hey, Rob!”), Luciana Paluzzi, John Ashley, Dick Dale and his Del-Tones, Jody McCrea, Peter Turgeon, Candy Johnson, Peter Lupus (later of TV’s “Mission: Impossible” fame, Lupus received screen credit under the pseudonym of Rock Stevens) Donna Loren, Delores Wells, young Dan Haggerty (later of “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” fame) and a posthumous appearance by Peter Lorre.
Established in 1926 by the Stanley Corporation of America, the Tivoli and the two other downtown Frederick theaters were acquired by rival studio Warner Bros. (as part of the Stanley circuit’s installation of Warners’ pioneering “Vitaphone” sound-on-disc motion picture sound system process in their theaters). Alongside the Tivoli, Warner Bros. also owned the now-defunct City Opera House (today’s Brewer’s Alley Restaurant) and the now-defunct Frederick Theatre until the 1948 studio consent decree- Warners spun off and/or sold off their theater holdings in the early 1950s. After a brief ownership by the successors of the former Warner Bros. theaters; Stanley-Warner Theatres- the Tivoli, along with the City Opera House and the Frederick Theatre were later sold to the Weinberg family. The Weinbergs would later establish the now-defunct Holiday Cinema (today, an Easterns Motors used car dealership) in Frederick in 1969. The Weinbergs later leased the management of the Tivoli and their remaining Frederick-area cinema operations to Reisterstown’s R/C Theatres group in 1972. After the 1976 Carroll Creek flood- which affected the Tivoli and the theater’s historic Wurlitzer organ, the theater was later donated as a gift to the City of Frederick (Maryland) and was renovated and renamed as the Weinberg Center for the Arts in 1978 with the restored Wurlitzer organ. Additional renovations took place in 2011.
Be sure to watch Svengoolie’s big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of Jacques Tourneur’s “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64), this Sat. on Me-TV!
With Vincent Price, Joyce Jameson, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Joe E. Brown, Beverly Powers, Buddy Mason, Alan DeWitt, Douglas Williams, Linda Rogers, Luree Holmes, Charles Soldani, Harvey Parry, Paul Barselou, Orangey the Cat and the source orchestral stylings of Les Baxter, you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of Jacques Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64), this Sat. on Me-TV! A wonderful and perfect treat for all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy feature film masterpieces everywhere with the magic and fun of Sven’s fun facts, maestro Sven and maestro Doug Graves’ parody song, Sven and Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment, fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners’ “Spawn of Svengoolie”/”Sven Squad” guest video masterpiece segments, classic Sven moments, Sven surprises and much, much more! You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super classic mammoth American-International horror-comedy film masterpieces everywhere!
Safe, healthy & happy early St. Patrick’s Day to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners who observe/celebrate! To fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners of Berwyn/Chicago and beyond who are celebrating the Chicago River St. Patrick’s Day festival this weekend, enjoy the festivities and have fun at the Chicago River/St. Patrick’s Day festival! -C.H.
Svengoolie presents his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64)
Sat., March 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV!
To all my fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me” Tooners/Super readers/subscribers of “Silver Screen Reflections” everywhere: Seriously, Please, please be good, kind, courteous, safe and respectful to each other. Let’s all look to uplifting/positive enlightenment, encouragement and wisdom from Svengoolie, all fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me”/”Saturday Morning Cartoons” Tooners/Super Mystery Science Theater 3000/MST3K MSTies/Super classic film/television aficionados/Super readers of “Silver Screen Reflections” everywhere. Again, to all fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie SvenPals/Super “Toon In With Me”/”Saturday Morning Cartoons” Tooners/Super MST3K MSTies/Super classic film & TV aficionados/Super “Silver ScreenReflections” readers everywhere- To those who have not made a plan to get their vaccines yet, be sure to schedule your vaccines, booster vaccines against the newest COVID-19 variant & your flu shot 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 mammoth creature/sci-fi/monster/horror/fantasy feature film masterpieces on Me-TV’s big broadcast airlanes! Be sure to join in on the fun with all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners everywhere by live-tweeting on the airlanes during Sven’s Sat. evening big broadcast premiere of Jacques Tourneur’s classic mammoth American-International horror/comedy masterpiece production of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64), this Sat. on Me-TV and Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me” big broadcasts! Again, be good, safety first, keep healthy and stay well; Three Cheers & Two Thumbs Up to Sven/Rich Koz, the entire Sven/Sventoonie/”Toon In”/Me-TV production team & the entire crowd of fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super MSTies/Super classic film/TV masterpiece aficionados/Super “Silver Screen Reflections” readers everywhere! To quote Svengoolie’s executive producer, Jim Roche: “#KeepCalmAndWatchSven!” –C.H.
The return of my “Sven” homage to the Columbia Pictures mascot! -C.H.
Fellow Super Tooners/SvenPals: I missed you all for the Wed. “Socks” edition of Toony, Bill & Sockingstein’s “Toon In With Me.” Due to another obligation scheduled for March 14, I will miss you all for the “Pi Day”/”Pie Day” edition of Toony & Bill-
But the good news is that I will return to the airlanes for the Fri. morning, March 15 big broadcast of “Toon In With Me!” -C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! We fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners highly recommend entering in the “Spawn of Svengoolie”/”Sven Squad” guest video cameo segments featured in Sven’s big broadcasts! Be sure to enter today via the official Svengoolie app for your smartphone/tablet device from Me-TV! Many fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners’ “Spawn of Sven”/”Sven Squad” guest cameo video masterpieces have been featured on Sven’s big broadcasts! All of us highly recommend entering! To those who haven’t done so yet, enter yours today! -C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Coming soon from Super 7! The official “Monochrome” grayscale Svengoolie action figure, authorized by Rich Koz/Me-TV!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Be sure to purchase your favorite official Svengoolie/”Toon In With Me”/Me-TV Mall online store! Includes official “Svengoolie” Irish/St. Patrick’s Day/Sven Patrick’s Day apparel, the “Love Sven” line of apparel items, the “Svengoolie” metal tin lunch box and the new Sven “Chef Sven Pizza Box art” tee, Sven apparel, “Toon In WIth Me” apparel and mugs, Sven stickers, Sven magnets, Sven buttons, Sven mugs, Sventoonie apparel, Sven smartphone cases, Sven pins, plus many more official Sven items on the official Sven/Me-TV Mall online store ! Perfect for any occasion! Again, there’s something for everyone on the official Sven/”Toon In”/Sventoonie/Me-TV Mall online store! Theres something for everyone on the official Sven/Sventoonie/”Toon In”/Me-TV Mall online store! To quote Sven, “No Personal Checks! And only purchase official Sven/”Toon In With Me”/Sventoonie/Me-TV items! -C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Return of the Rondo Awards (For those who have not voted yet) and Cameo Mentions of fellow Super SvenPals/Super Tooners!
Extra! Extra! Extra! To those who have not voted yet in the 22nd Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards- Be sure to vote for fellow wonderful legendary friend/Super SvenPal/Super Tooner/Super “Jammin’ with Jamie” Jammer/Super broadcaster/Super DJ/Super aficioando of the performing arts Jamie Lee for the Rondo Award category of Special Recognition in the 22nd Rondo Awards! Please follow all directions carefully via the official Rondo Awards Site and enter your official Rondo online ballot via the official Rondo E-Mail address on the official Rondo site before Tue., April 16 at Midnight! Sidebar: **Only one ballot per person.**
Congratulations to Jamie on your recent wonderful 25YL in-depth article on “Renfield” (2023)! And fingers crossed from all of us for a Rondo Award win for the new Special Recognition category, Jamie! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing and jumping for joy for you, Jamie! Safety first, Three Cheers, Two Thumbs Up & All the Best to Jamie & to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super “Jammin’ with Jamie” Jammers/Super readers of 25YL/Super classic and modern mammoth horror-comedy feature film masterpieces/Super aficioandos of the performing arts everywhere, Jamie! Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
Congratulations to Nanette on your wonderful “Sven/Milburn Pennybags/Monopoly” art masterpiece! Very awesome, neat & cool! We’re all dancing and jumping for joy for you, Nanette! Safety first, Three Cheers, Two Thumbs Up & All the Best to Nanette, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Drew, Jamie, Clinton/C&C, Eddie, Dragongoolie & to all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super artists everywhere, Nanette, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Drew, Jamie, Clinton/C&C, Eddie & Dragongoolie! Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!” -C.H.
We fellow wonderful Super SvenPals hope you had a wonderful Birthday, Svengoolie/Rich! And again, kudos to fellow wonderful Super Svengoolie/Sventooonie SvenPal/Super Tooner/Super broadcaster/Super DJ/Super photographer/Super artist Sarah Rhodes/Sarahgoolie for the wonderful autographed edition of your wonderful Sven/SOS/”Beta-Ray Svenny” comic book cover art masterpiece! Again, I highly appreciate your wonderful autographed copies of your wonderful Sven art masterpieces, Sarah/Sarahgoolie! We’re all dancing and jumping for joy for all of you, Sven/Rich, Sarah/Sarahgoolie, Jamie, Nanette, Drew, Clinton/C&C, Fritz, Brian, Dragongoolie, Eddie, Dave & all fellow wonderful Super SvenPals/Super Tooners across the universe! Cheers! Yippee! “Yee-Howdy!” Hooray! Woo-Hoo! “Hi-Keeba!”
In connection to “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963/64):