“Svengoolie” presents his big Me-TV premiere of “Empire of the Ants” (1977) w/Joan Collins, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing & jumping for joy for his upcoming big coast-to-coast premiere of a cult classic mammoth American-International sci-fi thriller masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big coast-to-coast premiere of “Empire of the Ants” (1977) with Joan Collins

Original 1977 American-International Pictures theatrical release trailer for Bert I. Gordon‘s classic mammoth sci-fi thriller masterpiece production of “Empire of the Ants” with Joan Collins.

“For they shall inherit the earth.. sooner than you think!” Original 1977 American-International Pictures theatrical poster art for Bert I. Gordon’s “Empire of the Ants” featuring Joan Collins.

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth sci-fi thriller masterpiece host will present his big coast-to-coast broadcast premiere of “Empire of the Ants” (1977), this Sat.; Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1977 American-International sci-fi thriller masterpiece production of “Empire of the Ants” was directed by veteran feature film director  Bert I. Gordon.  Some of Gordon’s best-known cult classic sci-fi/visual effects feature film masterpiece productions include  “The Cyclops” (1957) for Allied Artists with Lon Chaney Jr., “Beginning of the End” (1957)* with Peter Graves, Peggie Castle and Morris Ankrum; “Earth vs. the Spider” (1958, a.k.a. “The Spider”)* with Ed Kemmer, June Kenney and Hank Patterson; “Tormented” (1960) for Allied Artists with Richard Carlson, Susan Gordon, Lugene Sanders and the vocal stylings of Paul Frees; “Village of the Giants” (1965) for Joseph E. Levine’s Embassy Pictures with Ron “Ronny” Howard, legendary singer Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon (who wrote/performed the mammoth 2016 Sven song masterpiece with Sven, “the Svengoolie Stomp”), Joy Harmon, Beau Bridges, Tisha Sterling, Johnny Crawford, The Beau Brummels, Tommy Kirk, Toni Basil, Rance Howard, Tim Rooney  and Orangey the Cat.

The 1977 Bert I. Gordon/American-International feature production of “Empire of the Ants” was loosely inspired by a short story written by veteran science fiction author and novelist H.G. Wells.  The screenplay adaptation of Wells’ short story that inspired the production of “Empire of the Ants” was co-written by Gordon and veteran TV/feature film screenwriter Jack Turley.   Alongside his numerous TV and feature film screenwriting credits, Turley previously wrote the teleplay for two episodes of the brief classic mammoth Leslie Stevens–Warner Bros./NBC masterpiece adventure series “Search” (inspired by Stevens and Russ Mayberry‘s earlier classic mammoth 1972 Warner Bros./NBC made-for-TV movie masterpiece, “Probe“) that had an alternating lead for each episode of the week (Hugh O’Brian, Anthony Franciosa and Doug McClure) along with Burgess Meredith (Turley wrote the teleplay for 1972’s “The Andonis File” with O’Brian in the lead and 1973’s “The 24 Carat Hit” with Franciosa in the lead).

*For the majority of his motion picture directorial career, Gordon released his classic mammoth “giant” sci-fi/creature masterpiece productions, including “Empire of the Ants” (1977) through Samuel Z. Arkoff‘s American-International Pictures . Arkoff and James H. Nicholson established American-International Pictures in 1954, according to the Samuel Z. Arkoff papers collection housed at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. During Nicholson’s final years at AIP, he often had personal and professional disagreements with co-founder Samuel Z. Arkoff, according to Eamon Harrington and John Watkin’s retrospective documentary on American-International Pictures titled;  “It Conquered Hollywood! The Story of American International Pictures” (2001).  Nicholson then worked for a brief while for rival studio Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios), but was short-lived, as Nicholson’s health declined due to a brain tumor.  Arkoff mentioned that in Nicholson’s last days that he was the only person outside of Nicholson’s family that kept in touch with him.  Nicholson died on Dec. 10, 1972; according to IMDB.

After Arkoff managed the company by himself, he sold American-International to Filmways in 1979, which was later acquired by Orion Pictures in 1982.  Orion (along with the majority of the American-International/Filmways holdings)** was then sold to the present incarnation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1997.  Following MGM’s recent revival of the “Orion Pictures” moniker, the studio recently revived the “American-International Pictures” moniker. The classic mammoth 1977 sci-fi thriller masterpiece production of “Empire of the Ants” was co-produced between Arkoff’s American-International Pictures and Gordon’s “Cinema 77 Productions” moniker.

Who was in Bert I. Gordon’s American-International production of “Empire of the Ants” (1977)?

The players who appeared in Gordon’s classic mammoth American-International sci-fi/insect thriller masterpiece production of “Empire of the Ants” (1977) were Joan Collins (as Marilyn Fryser), Robert Lansing (as Dan Stokely), Robert Pine (as Larry Graham), John David Carson (as Joe Morrison), Albert Salmi (as Sheriff Art Kincade), Jacqueline Scott (as Margaret Ellis), Pamela Susan Shoop (as Coreen Bradford), Edward Power (as Charlie Pearson), Brooke Palance (as Christine Graham), Tom Fadden (as Sam Russell), Irene Tedrow (as Velma Thompson), Harry Holcombe (as Harry Thompson), Jack Kosslyn (as Thomas Lawson), Ilse Earl (as Mary Lawson), Janie Gavin (as Ginny), Norman Franklin (as Anson Parker), Florance McGee (as Phoebe Russell), Jim Wheelus (as a crewman), Mike Armstrong (as Jim), Tom Ford (as Pete), Charles Redd (as a taxi driver) and the vocal stylings of Marvin Miller (as the opening narrator).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Island of Lost Souls” (1932), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth Paramount Pictures* fantasy/sci-fi feature film adaptation masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Island of Lost Souls” (1932)

Original 1932 Paramount Pictures* theatrical trailer for “Island of Lost Souls” with Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams and Kathleen “Panther Woman” Burke.

“The Panther Woman!” Original 1932 Paramount Pictures theatrical poster art for “Island of Lost Souls,” featuring Kathleen Burke as Lota, the “Panther Woman.”

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth sci-fi/fantasy feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “Island of Lost Souls” (1932) this Sat., March 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1932 Paramount* fantasy/sci-fi feature film masterpiece adaptation of “Island of Lost Souls” was directed by veteran actor-turned-feature film director Erle C. Kenton.   Kenton was part of pioneering silent feature film comedian-actor-producer Mack Sennett’s original pioneering “Keystone Kops” silent comedy players troupe for Sennett’s Keystone Film Company before going into the field of directing films; according to IMDB.

Alongside directing the classic mammoth 1932 Paramount fantasy/sci-fi feature film masterpiece adaptation, Kenton mostly worked on numerous classic mammoth horror, thriller. supernatural and comedy feature film masterpieces for rival studio Universal Studios for most of his directorial career, including his classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece installment of “The Ghost of Frankenstein” (1942) with  Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Evelyn Ankers, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Bellamy and  Dwight Frye; his classic mammoth Universal comedy masterpiece with  Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, including “Who Done It?” (1942) with Louise Allbritton, Patric Knowles, Mary Wickes, Don Porter and William Bendix and “Pardon My Sarong” (1942) with Charles Fuqua, Hoppy Jones, Bill Kenny and Deek Watson of the legendary jazz vocal singing group The Four Ink Spots; Virginia Bruce, Lionel Atwill, William Demarest (who later appeared on TV’s “My Three Sons” from 1965-72, a.k.a. the Ernie “Binge the Cringe” show), Leif Erickson and Herb Vigran, his classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of  “House of Dracula” (1945) with John Carradine, Lon Chaney Jr.  Glenn Strange, Jane Adams, Lionel Atwill and his classic mammoth Universal thriller masterpiece production of “The Cat Creeps” (1946) with Noah Beery Jr., Lois Collier, Paul Kelly and Douglass Dumbrille.

Adapted from veteran sci-fi/fantasy author H.G. Wells’ novel, “The Island of Dr. Moreau;” the screenplay adaptation of Wells’ novel for Kenton’s classic mammoth 1932 Paramount* sci-fi/fantasy feature film masterpiece production was written by veteran screenwriters Waldemar Young and Philip Wylie. Young previously worked as a scenarist for Tod Browning’s now-lost Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) silent horror production of “London After Midnight” (1927, the last surviving copy was lost in a 1967 vault fire at MGM’s then-Culver City, California studio complex) with Lon Chaney, the screenplay for William Beaudine‘s classic mammoth Warner Bros.–First National “Vitaphone” comedy-drama masterpiece adaptation of Booth Tarkington‘s “Penrod and Sam” (1931) with Leon Janney. Frank “Junior” Coghlan, Cameo the Dog, Margaret Marquis and Zasu Pitts and co-wrote the screenplay with Vincent Lawrence for Cecil B. DeMille‘s Academy Award-winning classic mammoth Paramount drama-biopic masterpiece production of “Cleopatra” (1934) with Claudette Colbert, Warren William (who later became the first screen “Perry Mason” in the classic mammoth Warner Bros. “Perry Mason” film adaptation masterpiece series from 1934–36 and later appeared in George Waggner‘s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of  “The Wolf Man” in 1941 with  Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Claude Rains,  Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya and Ralph Bellamy), C. Aubrey Smith and Ian Keith.

Philip Wylie later worked as an uncredited screenwriter for James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Henry Travers and Una O’Connor and also wrote the original story treatment for the classic mammoth Rudolph Maté–George Pal-Paramount sci-fi masterpiece production of “When Worlds Collide” (1951) with Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, Peter Hansen, John Hoyt, Larry Keating, a pre-“Petticoat Junction“/”Green Acres” Frank Cady and a pre-
“I Dream of Jeannie” Hayden Rorke.

This will mark Svengoolie’s sixth big coast-to-coast broadcast of the classic mammoth Erle C. Kenton-Paramount sci-fi/fantasy feature film adaptation masterpiece on the airlanes of Me-TV.  He previously showcased “Island of Lost Souls” (1932) as a big coast-to-coast Me-TV broadcast premiere back in July 2011 and as regular big coast-to-coast Me-TV broadcasts back in Dec. 2011, Jan. 2013, Jan. 2015 and June 2016.

Who was in Erle C. Kenton’s classic mammoth Paramount fantasy/sci-fi feature film masterpiece adaptation of “Island of Lost Souls” (1932)?

The players who appeared in Erle C. Kenton’s classic mammoth Paramount fantasy/sci-fi feature film masterpiece adaptation of “Island of Lost Souls” (1932) were Charles Laughton (as Dr. Moreau), Richard Arlen (as Edward Parker), Bela Lugosi (as Sayer of the Law), Leila Hyams (as Ruth Thomas), Kathleen Burke (as Lota, the “Panther Woman”), Arthur Hohl (as Montgomery), Stanley Fields (as Capt. Davies), Paul Hurst (as Donahue), George Irving (as The Consul), Buster Brodie (in an uncredited role as the Pig Beast), veteran Paramount make-up artist Charles Gemora (in an uncredited role as a Gorilla), Bob Kortman (in an uncredited role as Mr. Hogan), Joe Bonomo, John George, Robert Milasch, Constantine Romanoff, Duke York and young Alan Ladd (in uncredited roles as Beasts).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains, plus Sventoonie; this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios monster/sci-fi feature adaptation masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains, plus “Sventoonie”

Highlights from James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal Studios monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains. Sidebar: As of this writing, the original Universal theatrical trailer and the latter Realart re-issue trailer is unavailable.

“H.G. Wells’ Fantastic ‘Out-Of-This-World Show!” Latter Realart theatrical re-issue poster art for James Whale’s Universal production of “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains.

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster/sci-fi film host will present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933), this Sat.; Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central; followed by “Sventoonie” at 10:30 p.m. Eastern/9:30 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The 1933 classic mammoth Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation was directed by veteran studio director James Whale.  Whale’s other classic mammoth Universal monster masterpieces include “Frankenstein” (1931) with Boris Karloff in the role of Frankenstein’s monster, the classic mammoth Universal thriller masterpiece adaptation of “The Old, Dark House” (1932) with Karloff, Lilian Bond, Charles Laughton, Melvyn Douglas and Raymond Massey and his classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece sequel masterpiece production of  “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) with Elsa Lanchester in the title role of the Monster’s mate and Karloff’s reprisal of Frankenstein’s monster   Mostly known for his classic mammoth Universal monster, horror and thriller feature film masterpiece productions throughout his screen career, Whale also specialized in various comedy, drama and musical feature film productions during his tenure at Universal alongside the studio’s classic mammoth signature “house style” genre of  monster/thriller/horror feature film masterpieces.   Alongside his Universal directing career, Whale co-directed with veteran director Edmund Goulding and buisness tycoon Howard Hughes on the classic mammoth aviation-war drama masterpiece production of “Hell’s Angels” (1930) with Jean Harlow, Ben Lyon and James Hall; according to IMDB.   Ironically, Universal/MCA later acquired the rights to “Hell’s Angels” (1930) from Howard Hughes’ estate; according to a 1979 Universal re-release poster for the 1930 production.

Adapted for the screen from H.G. Wells’ 1897 sci-fi novel of the same name, the screenplay adaptation of Well’s novel for Whale’s classic mammoth 1933 Universal sci-fi/monster masterpiece production was written by veteran screenwriter R.C. Sherriff, along with uncredited story materials by veteran screenwriters by Philip Wylie and young Preston Sturges.  Sherriff wrote additional dialogue for Whale’s earlier classic Universal horror masterpiece production of “The Old Dark House” (1932) and served as a contributing writer for Lambert Hillyer’s classic mammoth Universal “Dracula” monster masterpiece installment of “Dracula’s Daughter” (1936) with Gloria Holden. 

Sturges went onto greater fame writing numerous classic mammoth comedy masterpiece productions for Paramount Pictures throughout the 1940s, including “Remember the Night” (1940, with Fred MacMurray in his pre-“My Three Sons”/Ernie “Binge the Cringe” days & Barbara Stanwyck), “The Lady Eve” (1941, with Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda), “Sullivan’s Travels” (1941, with Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake), “The Palm Beach Story” (1942, with Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea and crooner Rudy Vallee), “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek” (1943, with Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken)  and “Hail the Conquering Hero” (1944. with Bracken and William Demarest in his pre-“My Three Sons”/Ernie “Binge the Cringe” days).   “The Invisible Man” (1933) was produced by veteran Universal production executive Carl Laemmle Jr., son of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.(the senior Laemmle founded Universal as a merger of several pioneering motion picture production/distribution firms in 1912).

This will mark Sven’s eighth big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933) on the airlanes of Me-TV.  He previously showcased Whale’s classic mammoth 1933 Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of Wells’ “The Invisible Man” as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere back in  June 2011* and as regular Me-TV coast-to-coast big broadcasts back in  May 2013, March 2014, July 2015, March 2016,  Nov. 2019 and Feb. 2021.

In his “Son of Svengoolie” days and in his hometown of Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois; Sven/Rich Koz previously showcased Whale’s classic mammoth 1933 Universal sci-fi monster masterpiece adaptation as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere on WFLD back in Aug. 1979; according to IMDB.  In Berwyn/Chicago, Svengoolie also previously showcased “The Invisible Man” (1933) on his hometown TV station in Berwyn/Chicago, WCIU-TV 26 back in March 2008; according to additional details from IMDB.

Who was in James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece adaptation of “The Invisible Man” (1933)?

The players who appeared in James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal Studios sci-fi/monster masterpiece adaptation of  H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) were Claude Rains (as Dr. Jack Griffin/the “Invisible Man”), Gloria Stuart (as Flora Cranley), Una O’Connor (as Jenny Hall), Henry Travers (as Dr. Cranley), E.E. Clive (as constable Jaffers), Dwight Frye (in a role as a reporter), Forrester Harvey (as Herbert Hall), William Harrigan (as Dr. Arthur Kemp), Holmes Herbert (as a police chief), Dudley Digges (as the chief detective),  Merle Tottenham (as Millie), Harry Stubbs (as Inspector Bird), Donald Stuart (as Inspector Lane), young Walter Brennan (in an uncredited role as a bicycle owner) and young John Carradine (in an uncredited role as an informer).

“Svengoolie” presents his big Holiday/Christmas Eve broadcast of “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951), plus Sventoonie; this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be celebrating the Holidays with his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios monster-comedy masterpiece.

Original 1951 Universal Studios theatrical trailer element for “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951) with Bud Abbott & Lou Costello.  Sidebar: There are no superimposed titles in the original 1951 Universal theatrical trailer element, as this might have been prepared for the international theatrical release market and/or latter TV syndication of the 1951 classic mammoth Universal monster-comedy masterpiece production. -C.H.

“Svengoolie” presents his big Holiday/Christmas Eve broadcast of “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951); plus “Sventoonie”

Original 1951 Universal Studios theatrical poster art for “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man.”

The legendary & iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster-comedy feature film host will present his big Holiday/Christmas Eve broadcast of “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951); this Christmas Eve/Sat., Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV!

The classic mammoth 1951 Universal monster-comedy feature film masterpiece production was directed by veteran Universal comedy feature film director Charles Lamont.  Lamont directed several other classic mammoth Universal Abbott & Costello feature film comedy masterpiece productions, including “Abbott and Costello In the Foreign Legion” (1950),  “Abbott and Costello Go to Mars” (1953, with Mari Blanchard, young Anita Ekberg and young Harry Shearer), “Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1953, with Boris Karloff),  “Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops” (1955) and “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy” (1955, the duo’s final Universal feature and final screen pairing with a Universal monster character). 

Lamont’s only non-Universal Abbott & Costello feature was the duo’s classic mammoth Warner Bros. comedy-adventure masterpiece; “Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd” (1952, with Charles Laughton). 

Lamont also directed several classic mammoth Universal “Ma & Pa Kettle” feature film comedy masterpieces featuring Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in their title roles, including “Ma and Pa Kettle” (1949), “Ma & Pa Kettle Go to Town” (1950), “Ma & Pa Kettle on Vacation” (1952), “Ma & Pa Kettle at Home” (1954) and the Universal “Kettle” feature without Percy Kilbride, “The Kettles in the Ozarks” (1956) with Arthur Hunnicutt.   

Lamont also directed one feature in Universal’s classic mammoth “Francis the Talking Mule” comedy masterpiece series, “Francis in the Haunted House” (1956) with Molly the Mule as Francis, Mickey Rooney (in place of series regular Donald O’Connor), Richard Deacon (of TV’s “Leave It To Beaver” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” fame), young David Janssen (of TV’s “The Fugitive” and “Harry O” fame) and the vocal stylings of Paul Frees (in an uncredited as the “voice” of Francis, in place of series regular Chill Wills). 

Original 1951 Universal Studios tinted lobby card/publicity photo for “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man.”

The original story treatment for “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951) was written by veteran film & TV writers Howard Snyder and Hugh Wedlock Jr.  Both Snyder and the junior Wedlock previously wrote the original story treatment for Jean Yarbrough and Erle C. Kenton‘s classic mammoth Universal comedy masterpiece with Abbott and Costello, “In Society” (1944, alongside Abbott & Costello; with Arthur Treacher, Marion Hutton, George Dolenz– who was the real-life father of Mickey Dolenz of “Circus Boy” & “The Monkees” fame and Thurston Hall).   Loosely inspired by elements of H.G. Wells’ 1897 literary work, Snyder and Wedlock’s original story treatment for the classic mammoth 1951 Universal “Abbott & Costello” monster-comedy masterpiece installment production was adapted into a screenplay by veteran screenwriters John Grant, Robert Lees and Frederic I. Rinaldo.  Veteran Universal feature film & TV producer Howard Christie served as producer of the legendary comedic duo’s classic mammoth “Invisible Man” monster-comedy masterpiece installment.   Christie later produced the classic mammoth long-running MCA-Revue-Universal TV western anthology masterpiece series, “Wagon Train” (1958-65).

This will mark Sven’s fifth big broadcast of the classic mammoth 1951 Universal monster-comedy installment on Me-TV.  He previously showcased “Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951) as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere back in May 2011* and as regular Me-TV big broadcasts back in Dec. 2013, Jan. 2015 and April 2017.

Who was in the classic mammoth Universal monster-comedy masterpiece production of “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951)?

The players who appeared in Charles Lamont’s classic mammoth Universal monster-comedy masterpiece installment production of “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951) were Bud Abbott (as Bud Alexander), Lou Costello (as Lou Francis), Arthur Franz (as Tommy Nelson), John Daheim (as Rocky Hanlon, Daheim received screen credit under the name of John Day), Nancy Guild (as Helen Gray), Adele Jergens (as Boots Marsden), Sheldon Leonard (as Morgan), William Frawley (as Detective Roberts), Sam Balter (as a Radio Announcer), Gavin Muir (as Dr. Philip Gray), Bobby Barber (in an uncredited role as Sneaky), Chester Conklin (in an uncredited role as a Counter man), Herb Vigran (in an uncredited role as Stillwell), Billy Snyder and Russ Conway (in an uncredited roles as newspaper men), Franklin Parker (in an uncredited role as a photographer Carl Sklover (in an uncredited role as Lou’s handler), Jack Perry (in an uncredited role as Rocky’s handler), Billy Wayne (in an uncredited role as Rooney, the manager of Rocky), Monty O’Grady and Clark Ross (in uncredited roles as fight spectators) and Jack Perrin (in an uncredited role as a graduate from the Dugan Detective School).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Invisible Agent” (1942), plus “Sventoonie;” this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast a classic mammoth Universal Studios wartime-era sci-fi masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Invisible Agent” (1942), plus “Sventoonie”

Original 1942 Universal Studios theatrical release trailer for “Invisible Agent” (1942) with Jon Hall, Ilona Massey and Peter Lorre.

“Today’s most amazing sensation!” Original 1942 Universal Studios theatrical poster art for “Invisible Agent.”

The legendary classic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic sci-fi feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcasts of “Invisible Agent” (1942) plus “Sventoonie;” this Sat., Dec. 17* beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1942 Universal wartime-era sci-fi masterpiece production was directed by veteran director Edwin L. Marin.  Alongside “Invisible Agent” (1942), Marin was mostly known for directing the classic mammoth Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) holiday drama masterpiece adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (1938) with Reginald Owen, Terence “Terry” Kilburn (later of 1958’s ““Fiend Without A Face” fame), Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, Ann Rutherford (also of MGM’s “Andy Hardy” feature film series fame with Mickey Rooney) and young Leo G. Carroll and for directing the classic mammoth MGM “Maisie” comedy masterpiece feature film series with Ann Sothern in the title character role of Maisie Ravier from 1939-41. 

Marin also directed the classic mammoth Benedict Bogeaus Holiday-comedy-drama masterpiece production of “Christmas Eve” (1947) with George Raft, Joan Blondell, Randolph Scott (in his final non-western genre role), George Brent, Ann Harding, Reginald Denny, Dolores Moran, Douglass Dumbrille, Virginia Field, Dennis Hoey and John Litel; the classic mammoth RKO Radio Pictures comedy-drama masterpiece production of “Lady Luck” (1946) with Robert Young (later of TV’s “Father Knows Best” and “Marcus Welby” fame), Barbara Hale (later of TV’s “Perry Mason” fame) and Frank Morgan (of 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” Fame).   Marin later worked on western feature films for the remainder of his career, including the classic mammoth Warner Bros. western feature film masterpiece, “Sugarfoot” (1951) with Randolph Scott, Adele Jergens, Raymond Massey, S.Z. “Cuddles” Sakall and Arthur Hunnicutt; which later inspired the classic mammoth Warner Bros.-ABC TV western masterpiece series of the same name, “Sugarfoot” (1957-61) with Will Hutchins. 

The classic mammoth 1942 Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent” was co-produced by veteran producer-director Frank Lloyd, who was known for directing the classic mammoth MGM Academy Award-winning adventure-drama masterpiece adaptation production of “Mutiny on the Bounty” (1935) with Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Spring Byington, Movita, Franchot Tone and Donald Crisp. 

Veteran feature film & TV director-producer George Waggner served as an associate producer for Marin’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent;” Waggner previously directed  the classic mammoth Universal werewolf monster masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941), with Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya, Ralph Bellamy, Warren William and Patric Knowles and later worked on numerous episodes of the classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios)/ABC TV live-action “Batman” TV series adaptation with Adam West and Burt Ward (Waggner directed episodes from 1966-67).

The screenplay for Marin’s classic mammoth Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent” (1942) was written by veteran screenwriter and science-fiction author  Curt Siodmak. Alongside writing the screenplay for the classic mammoth Universal werewolf monster masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941), Siodmak’s other notable classic mammoth Universal monster and sci-fi feature film masterpiece screenplays that he wrote, include “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940), “The Invisible Woman” (1940), “Invisible Agent” (1942), “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man” (1943), “Son of Dracula” (1943), “House of Frankenstein” (1944) and “Curucu, Beast of the Amazon” (1956).  Outside of his classic mammoth Universal feature film screenplays, Curt Siodmak also worked on the screenplay for Robert Florey’s classic mammoth Warner Bros. horror-mystery masterpiece production of “The Beast with Five Fingers” (1946) with Peter Lorre, Andrea King, Robert Alda, Victor Aller, Patricia Barry, Pedro de Cordoba and William Edmunds.   Siodmak also worote the screenplay for Edward L. Cahn’s classic mammoth Columbia Pictures sci-fi masterpiece production of “Creature with the Atom Brain” (1955) with Richard Denning, Angela Stevens, S. John Launer, Michael Granger, Karl “the Killer” Davis, Gregory Gaye and Linda Bennett.’

Elements of Siodmak’s screenplay for the 1942 classic mammoth Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent” were partially inspired by H.G. Wells’ 1897 literary work of “The Invisible Man.”

“Invisible Agent” (1942) was produced for Universal by Frank Lloyd’s production firm, Frank Lloyd Productions, Inc.; according to the original 1942 Universal theatrical release trailer.  This was one of the few instances that a Universal sci-fi/monster/creature feature film masterpiece installment production was produced by a producer’s production firm for the studio at the time.

This will mark Sven’s third big broadcast of Marin’s classic mammoth 1942 Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production in the Universal “Invisible” series on the airlanes of Me-TV from coast-to-coast.  He previously showcased “Invisible Agent” (1942) as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere back in March 2015 and as a regular Me-TV big broadcast back in July 2016. 

In his home area of Berwyn/Chicago, Sven/Rich Koz previously showcased “Invisible Agent” (1942) as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere during his days as the Son of Svengoolie on WFLD back in May 1980; according to IMDB and as a Son of Sven/WFLD Holiday big broadcast from Dec. 18, 1982; according to a snippet that was unearthed by Berwyn/Chicago television archivist Rick Klein’s FuzzyMemoriesTV: The Museum of Classic Chicago Television, via the official YouTube site of Klein’s FuzzyMemoriesTV. 

Who was in Edwin L. Marin’s classic mammoth Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent” (1942)?

The players who appeared in Edwin L. Marin’s classic mammoth Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent” (1942) were Jon Hall (as Frank Raymond), Ilona Massey (as Maria Sorenson), Peter Lorre (as Baron Ikito), Sir Cedric Hardwicke  (as Conrad Stauffer), Keye Luke (as a surgeon), Holmes Herbert (as Sir Alfred Spencer), J. Edward Bromberg (as Karl Heiser), Albert Bassermann (as Arnold Schmidt), John Litel (as John Gardiner), Bobbie Hale  and Wallace Scott (in uncredited roles as British soliders, a.k.a. “English Tommies”), John Burton (in an uncredited role as a Royal Air Force/RAF flier), James Craven (in an uncredited role as a ship’s radio operator), Leslie Denison (in an uncredited role as a British radio operator), Alberto Morin (in an uncredited role as a free Frenchman), Walter Tetley (in an uncredited role as a newsboy John Holland (in an uncredited role as Spencer’s secretary), Milburn Stone (in an uncredited role as a German sergeant), Sven Hugo Borg (in an uncredited role as a German captain) and Mabel Colcord (in an uncredited role as Gretl).

Svengoolie presents his big broadcast of Vincent Price in “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic Universal Studios mammoth “Invisible” monster sequel masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of Vincent Price in “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940)

Altered trailer for Joe May’s classic mammoth Universal “Invisible Man” monster sequel masterpiece with Vincent Price, “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940).

Original 1940 Universal Studios theatrical poster art for “The Invisible Man Returns” with Vincent Price.

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster/horror/sci-fi film host will present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940), this Sat.; Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

Produced as a sequel to James Whale’s earlier classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933, with Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Una O’Connor and Henry Travers); the 1940 Universal classic “Invisible Man” monster masterpiece sequel installment was directed by veteran director Joe May.  May also directed the classic Universal crime-mystery-drama production of “The House of Fear” (1939) with Irene Hervey, William Gargan, Dorothy Arnold and Walter Woolf King and the classic Universal action-adventure-comedy production of “Hit the Road” (1941) with Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Bernard Punsly, Evelyn Ankers, a pre-“Three Stooges” Shemp Howard,  Barton MacLane and Gladys George.  Inspired by Wells’ novel, May also wrote the original story idea with veteran sci-fi writer Curt Siodmak, who later wrote the screenplay for George Waggner’s classic mammoth Universal werewolf monster masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941) with Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Claude Rains and Ralph Bellamy.  Siodmak also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation from his own original story idea with veteran screenwriter from his original story idea with May.

May’s classic 1940 Universal “Invisible Man” monster sequel masterpiece was produced by veteran studio associate producer Ken Goldsmith.  Three years after the original 1940 theatrical release of “The Invisible Man Returns,” Goldsmith died in 1943 after completing the production of Erle C. Kenton’s Universal musical comedy production, “Always A Bridesmaid” (1943) with the popular singing trio of The Andrews Sisters/Patty Andrews, Maxene Andrews and Laverne Andrews.

This will mark Sven’s fifth big broadcast of “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased May’s classic mammoth 1940 Universal “Invisible Man” monster sequel back in July 2011*, March 2013, Dec. 2014 and Jan. 2017.

Who was in Joe May’s classic Universal mammoth monster sequel masterpiece production of “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940)?

The players who appeared in Joe May’s Universal production of “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940) were Vincent Price (as Geoffrey Radcliffe), Sir Cedric Hardwicke (as Richard Cobb), Nan Grey (as Helen Manson), Alan Napier (as Willie Spears), John Sutton (as Dr. Frank Griffin), Cecil Kellaway (as Sampson), Forrester Harvey (as Ben Jenkins) and Billy Bevan (in an uncredited role as Jim).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of Claude Rains in “The Invisible Man” (1933), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios monster/sci-fi feature adaptation masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of Claude Rains in “The Invisible Man” (1933)

A snippet from James Whale’s classic Universal Studios mammoth monster masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains. Note: As of this writing, the original Universal theatrical trailer and the latter Realart re-issue trailer is unavailable.

“Fantastic sensation!” Original 1933 Universal Studios theatrical poster art variant for James Whale’s classic mammoth monster masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains.

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster/sci-fi film host will present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933), this Sat.; Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The 1933 classic mammoth Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation was directed by veteran studio director James Whale.  Whale’s other classic mammoth Universal monster masterpieces include “Frankenstein” (1931) with Boris Karloff, “The Old, Dark House” (1932) with Karloff, Lilian Bond, Charles Laughton, Melvyn Douglas and Raymond Massey and “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) with Elsa Lanchester and Karloff.  Adapted for the screen from H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel of the same name, the screenplay adaptation of Whale’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “The Invisible Man” (1933) was written by veteran screenwriter R.C. Sherriff, along with uncredited screenplay material by Philip Wylie and young Preston Sturges.  Sherriff wrote additional dialogue for Whale’s earlier classic Universal horror masterpiece production of “The Old Dark House” (1932) and served as a contributing writer for Lambert Hillyer’s classic Universal “Dracula” monster masterpiece installment of “Dracula’s Daughter” (1936) with Gloria Holden.  Sturges went onto greater fame writing comedies for Paramount Pictures throughout the 1940s, including “Remember the Night” (1940), “The Lady Eve” (1941), “Sullivan’s Travels” (1941), “The Palm Beach Story” (1942), “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek” (1943)  and “Hail the Conquering Hero” (1944).   “The Invisible Man” (1933) was produced by veteran Universal producer/executive Carl Laemmle Jr., son of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.(the senior Laemmle founded Universal as a merger of several pioneering film production/distribution firms in 1912).

This will mark Sven’s seventh big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased Whale’s classic mammoth 1933 Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of Wells’ novel back in June 2011*, May 2013, March 2014, July 2015, March 2016 and Nov. 2019.

Who was in “The Invisible Man” (1933)?

The players who appeared in Whale’s classic mammoth Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) were Claude Rains (as Dr. Jack Griffin/the “Invisible Man;” some of Rains’ other notable feature film appearances include his role of Sir John Talbot in George Waggner’s classic 1941 Universal mammoth monster masterpiece, “The Wolf Man” with Lon Chaney Jr.; the role of Capt. Louis “Louie” Renault in Michael Curtiz’s classic critically-acclaimed 1942 Warner Bros. wartime drama masterpiece with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, “Casablanca” and the role of Erique Claudin in Arthur Lubin’s 1943 classic Universal Technicolor monster masterpiece adaptation of “Phantom of the Opera” with Nelson Eddy and Susanna Foster), Gloria Stuart (as Flora Cranley; alongside her numerous film and television appearances throughout her screen career, Stuart previously played the role of Margaret Waverton in James Whale’s classic 1932 Universal horror-thriller masterpiece, “The Old, Dark House;” she also appeared in the role of Irene von Helldorf in Kurt Neumann’s classic 1934 Universal mystery-horror masterpiece, “Secret of the Blue Room;” in the latter part of her screen career, she later played the role of elderly Rose in James Cameron’s 1997 production of “Titanic”), Una O’Connor (as Jenny Hall, O’Connor later appeared in the role of Minnie in James Whale’s classic 1935 mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “Bride of Frankenstein” (with Lanchester and Karloff), Henry Travers (as Dr. Cranley; Travers was also known for his Holiday/Christmastime film appearances, including the role of  Horace P. Bogardus in Leo McCarey’s 1945 production of “The Bells of St. Mary’s” with Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman and the role of the angel Clarence in Frank Capra’s 1946 production of  “It’s A Wonderful Life” with James Stewart and Donna Reed), E.E. Clive (as constable Jaffers), Forrester Harvey (as Herbert Hall), William Harrigan (as Dr. Arthur Kemp), Holmes Herbert (as the police chief), Dudley Digges (as the chief detective),  Merle Tottenham (as Millie), Harry Stubbs (as Inspector Bird), Donald Stuart (as Inspector Lane), supporting Universal horror veteran Dwight Frye (in a role as a reporter), young Walter Brennan (in an uncredited role as a bicycle owner) and young John Carradine (in an uncredited role as an informer).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Woman” (1940), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy to celebrate the holidays with his big broadcast of a classic Universal Studios “Invisible” sci-fi/monster/comedy masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Woman” (1940)

Altered trailer for the Universal production of “The Invisible Woman” (1940) with Virginia Bruce.  Note: The altered trailer was re-purposed by Universal’s rival, Columbia Pictures’ Screen Gems unit; who leased the TV syndication licensing rights to the pre-1948 Universal Studios sound feature film library in 1957, notably for the classic Universal monster feature masterpieces in the  “Shock!” and “Son of Shock!” TV film syndication packages (with the 1955-60 Screen Gems TV variant of the Columbia logo on the end).  The television rights to the pre-1948 Universal sound features reverted back to Universal/MCA in 1971. –C.H.

Original 1940 Universal Studios theatrical poster artwork for The Invisible Woman.”

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based sci-fi/monster feature film host will present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Woman” (1940) this Sat., Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The 1940 classic Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/monster/comedy masterpiece production was directed by veteran actor-turned-director A. Edward Sutherland.  That same year, Sutherland also directed the classic Universal musical comedy adaptation of Jerome Kern’s “One Night in the Tropics” (1940) with Bud Abbott, Lou Costello (Abbott and Costello’s first feature film/first Universal feature appearance), Allan Jones, Nancy Kelly, Leo Carrillo, William Frawley and Robert Cummings.   The screenplay for “The Invisible Woman” was written by veteran screenwriter and sci-fi author Curt Siodmak (credited under the name of Kurt Siodmak), who wrote the screenplay for George Waggner’s classic Universal mammoth monster masterpiece with Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Claude Rains and Bela Lugosi, “The Wolf Man” (1941).  Siodmak also wrote the screenplays for two other classic Universal “Invisible” sci-fi masterpiece production entires, “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940) and “Invisible Agent” (1942).

Joe May co-wrote the original screenplay with Siodmak for Sutherland’s 1940 classic Universal “Invisible” masterpiece production.  “The Invisible Woman” (1940) was produced by veteran associate producer Burt Kelly.

This will mark Sven’s sixth big broadcast of “The Invisible Woman” (1940) from coast-to-coast on Me-TV.  He previously showcased the 1940 classic Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/creature/monster masterpiece production back in Feb. 2012*, Sept. 2012*, April 2013, July 2014 and Dec. 2017.

Who was in A. Edward Sutherland’s Universal production of “The Invisible Woman” (1940)?

The players who appeared in A. Edward Sutherland’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/monster/comedy masterpiece production of “The Invisible Woman” (1940) were Virginia Bruce (as Kitty Carroll/the “Invisible Woman”), John Barrymore (as Prof. Gibbs), Margaret Hamilton (as Mrs. Jackson), Shemp Howard (as Frankie), Charlie Ruggles (as George), Maria Montez (as Marie), Anne Nagel (as Jean), Oscar Homolka (as Blackie), John Howard (as Richard Russell), Edward Brophy (as Bill), Mary Gordon (as Mrs. Bates), Kathryn Adams (as Peggy), Donald MacBride (as Foghorn), Thurston Hall (as Hudson) and  Charles Lane (as Growley).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece that was adapted from a classic novel.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933)

A snippet from the 1933 Universal production of “The Invisible Man.”  Note: The Universal and/or latter Realart (re-issue) theatrical trailers are unavailable on YouTube and/or any other online video platform as of this writing.  –C.H.

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster/sci-fi film host will present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933), this Sat.; Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“H.G. Wells‘ fantastic sensation!” Original 1933 Universal Studios poster art for James Whale‘s adaptation of “The Invisible Man” with Claude Rains.

Adapted from H.G. Wells’ sci-fi thriller novel, the 1933 Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of “The Invisible Man” was directed by veteran Universal director James Whale.  Whale was known for his numerous landmark classic mammoth Universal monster screen masterpieces throughout his screen career, including “Frankenstein” (1931, with Boris Karloff) and  “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935, with Elsa Lanchester and Karloff).  The screenplay adaptation was written by veteran screenwriter R.C. Sherriff, along with uncredited screenplay material by Philip Wylie and young Preston Sturges (Sturges went onto greater fame directing comedies for Paramount throughout the 1940s).  “The Invisible Man” (1933) was produced by studio executive/producer Carl Laemmle Jr., son of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.

This will mark Sven’s sixth big coast-to-coast broadcast of “The Invisible Man” (1933) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased James Whale’s 1933 classic Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece back in June 2011*, May 2013, March 2014, July 2015 and March 2016.

Who was in “The Invisible Man” (1933)?

The players who appeared in James Whale’s 1933 landmark Universal monster/sci-fi adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” were Claude Rains (as Dr. Jack Griffin/the “Invisible Man”), Gloria Stuart (as Flora Cranley), Henry Travers (as Dr. Cranley), Una O’Connor (as Jenny Hall), Forrester Harvey (sa Herbert Hall), William Harrigan (as Dr. Arthur Kemp), Holmes Herbert (as the police chief), Dudley Digges (as the chief detective), E.E. Clive (as constable Jaffers), Merle Tottenham (as Millie), Harry Stubbs (as Inspector Bird), Donald Stuart (as Inspector Lane), supporting Universal horror veteran Dwight Frye (in an uncredited role as a reporter), young John Carradine (in an uncredited role as an informer) and young Walter Brennan (in an uncredited role as a bicycle owner).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “Village of the Giants” (1965), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals will be jumping for joy from coast-to-coast for his big broadcast return of a cult comedic sci-fi/fantasy classic.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Village of the Giants” (1965)

“Teen-agers zoom to supersize!” Original 1965 Embassy Pictures twinfold exhibitors’ ad for “Village of the Giants.”

Embassy (ca. mid-1980s) Betamax cover art for “Village of the Giants” (originally priced at $59.95, resembling the original 1965 poster art).

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based sci-fi/fantasy film host will present his big broadcast showcase of “Village of the Giants” (1965), this Sat., July 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The 1965 feature was directed by veteran cult film director Bert I. Gordon, who was known for “King Dinosaur” (1955), “Beginning of the End” (1957), “The Amazing Colossal Man” (1957), “Attack of the Puppet People” (1958), “War of the Colossal Beast” (the 1958 sequel to “The Amazing Colossal Man”), “The Magic Sword” (1962) and “Empire of the Ants” (1977).  Gordon was inspired by H.G. Wells’ novel, “The Food of the Gods.”  Gordon’s “Village of the Giants” was released theatrically by veteran film distributor Joseph E. Levine and his Embassy Pictures organization (according to the American Film Institute).

This will mark Sven’s second coast-to-coast big broadcast of Gordon’s 1965 Embassy sci-fi feature on Me-TV.  He previously showcased “Village of the Giants” back in Jan. 2019.  In his hometown of Berwyn/Chicago, Sven previously aired Gordon’s 1965 entry on WCIU-TV 26/”The U” in Sept. 2008 (according to IMDB).

 

 

 

Who was in Gordon’s 1965 Embassy sci-fi/comedy entry?

Original 1965 Embassy Pictures theatrical release trailer for “Village of the Giants.”

The players who appeared in “Village of the Giants” (1965) were Ron “Ronny” Howard (as Genius, Howard’s best-known acting roles include his characters of Opie Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1960-68 and Richie Cunningham on “Happy Days” from 1972-80, with guest cameos in 1983 and in the finale in 1984; he later became a successful film director), Beau Bridges (as Fred, Bridges later appeared in 1971’s  “The Last Picture Show,” 1979’s “Norma Rae” with Sally Field and the remainder of “Stargate: SG-1” from 2005-07), Johnny Crawford (as Horsey, Crawford previously played the role of Mark McCain in the 1958-63 Chuck Connors western series; “The Rifleman”), Tommy Kirk (as Mike, Kirk appeared in numerous live-action Disney and American-International films throughout his career), Joy Harmon (as Merrie),  Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon (as himself, Cannon’s portfolio of hit songs include 1959’s “Tallahassee Lassie,” “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans,” 1962’s “Palisades Park” 1965’s “Action” and his 2016 smash hit song with Svengoolie, “The Svengoolie Stomp”), Toni Basil (as Red, the future dancer-choreographer-singer was later known for her 1981 hit; “Mickey”), The Beau Brummels (as themselves, their portfolio of hit songs include 1964’s  “Laugh, Laugh” and 1965’s “Just a Little” ), Rance Howard (as a deputy, he was the father of Ron Howard), Tim Rooney (as Pete, the junior Rooney was the son of actor Mickey Rooney), Charla Doherty (as Nancy), Robert “Bob” Random (as Rick), Gail Gilmore (as Elsa), Tisha Sterling (as Jean), Joe Turkel (as a sheriff), feline film personality Orangey (in an uncredited role as a giant cat, Orangey previously appeared 1951’s “Rhubarb” and 1955’s “This Island Earth”) and Hank Jones (as Chuck).