“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “House of Frankenstein” (1944) with Glenn Strange and Boris Karloff, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing for joy for a classic mammoth Universal Studios monster masterpiece with several horror and monster silver screen legends.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “House of Frankenstein” (1944) with Glenn Strange, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and John Carradine

A snippet from Erle C. Kenton‘s classic mammoth Universal Studios monster masterpiece production of “House of Frankenstein” (1944), featuring Glenn Strange, Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr.

“All together- History’s weirdest household!” Latter Realart theatrical re-issue poster art for Erle C. Kenton’s classic mammoth Universal Studios monster masterpiece production of “House of Frankenstein.”

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based monster/horror film host will present his big broadcast of “House of Frankenstein” (1944), this Sat.; May 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1944 Universal monster masterpiece production was directed by veteran actor-turned-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.

Kenton also directed the classic mammoth Paramount Pictures supernatural/sci-fi screen masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “Island of Lost Souls” (1932) with Charles Laughton, horror feature film legend Bela Lugosi, Leila Hyams, Kathleen “Panther Woman” Burke, Richard Arlen and young Alan Ladd.

Kenton also worked on the 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/Ernie ‘Binge the Cringe’” from 1965-72), Leif Erickson and Herb Vigran and his classic mammoth Universal thriller masterpiece production of “The Cat Creeps” (1946) with Noah Beery Jr., Lois Collier, Paul Kelly and Douglass Dumbrille.

The original story idea/treatment for Kenton’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “House of Frankenstein” (1944) was written by veteran science fiction author and screenwriter Curt Siodmak; who also wrote the screenplay for George Waggner‘s classic mammoth Universal 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.  Siodmak’s other script/story and screenplay treatments include “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940), “The Invisible Woman” (1940), “Invisible Agent” (1942), “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man” (1943), “Son of Dracula” (1943), “The Beast with Five Fingers” (1946, for competing studio Warner Bros.) and the Universal production of  “Curucu, Beast of the Amazon” (1956).

Siodmak’s original story treatment/idea for “House of Frankenstein” (1944) was adapted into a screenplay by veteran screenwriter Edward T. Lowe Jr., who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” mystery novel of  “The Dancing Men” with veteran screenwriters Scott Darling and Edmund L. Hartmann for Roy William Neill’s classic mammoth Universal “Sherlock Holmes” mystery masterpiece adaptation production of “Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon” (1942) with Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Kaaren Verne, Holmes Herbert, Whit Bissell and Lionel Atwill.  The junior Lowe also wrote the screenplay for Kenton’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “House of Dracula” (1945).  “House of Frankenstein” (1944) was produced by veteran producer Paul Malvern.

This will mark Sven’s ninth big broadcast of “House of Frankenstein” (1944) on the airlanes Me-TV.  He previously showcased Kenton’s classic mammoth 1944 Universal monster masterpiece production as a big coast-to-coast Me-TV broadcast premiere back in Jan. 2012* and as regular big broadcasts back in Dec. 2012*, Nov. 2013, April 2014, Dec. 2015, Jan. 2017, Aug. 2018 and Oct. 2021 as part of Sven’s Oct. 2021 “Franken-Fest” month-long big broadcast showcases of classic mammoth Frankenstein/Frankenstein-themed feature film masterpieces.

In Sven’s Berwyn/Chicago “Son of Svengoolie” days, he previously showcased Erle C. Kenton’s classic mammoth 1944 Universal monster masterpiece production of “House of Frankenstein” as a Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois “Son of Sven” big broadcast premiere back on WFLD/32 in 1981; according to video footage that was unearthed by Berwyn/Chicago television archivist Rick Klein’s FuzzyMemoriesTV: The Museum of Classic Chicago Television via the Internet Archive.

Son of Sven/Rich Koz/Sven later showcased “House of Frankenstein” (1944) as a regular Berwyn/Chicago “Son of Sven” big broadcast on WFLD back in July 1984 (during the station’s Metromedia era), according to IMDB.

Sven/Rich Koz later showcased the classic mammoth 1944 Erle Kenton-Universal monster masterpiece production as a big broadcast on his hometown TV station in Berwyn/Chicago, WCIU-TV 26 back in Dec. 2007; according to IMDB.

Who was in Erle C. Kenton’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “House of Frankenstein” (1944)?

The players who appeared in Erle C. Kenton’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “House of Frankenstein” (1944) were Glenn Strange (as Frankenstein’s monster), Boris Karloff (as Dr. Gustav Niemann), Lon Chaney Jr. (as Larry “Wolf Man” Talbot), John Carradine (as Count Dracula, a.k.a. Baron Latos), Anne Gwynne (as Rita Hussman), J. Carrol Naish (as Daniel), Peter Coe (as Carl Hussman), Sig Ruman (as Hussman), Lionel Atwill (as Inspector Arnz), George Zucco (as Prof. Bruno Lampini), Elena Verdugo (as Ilonka), William Edmunds (as Fejos), Charles Miller (as Burgomeister Toberman), Philip Van Zandt (as Inspector Muller), Julius Tannen (as Hertz), Hans Herbert (as Meier), Dick Dickinson (as Borg), George Lynn (as Inspector Gerlach), Michael Mark (as Frederick Strauss), Olaf Hytten (as Hoffman), Frank Reicher (as Ullman) and Brandon Hurst (as Dr. Geissler).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Wolf Man” (1941) with Lon Chaney Jr., this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios werewolf monster masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Wolf Man” (1941) with Lon Chaney Jr.

“Night Monster! Prowling! Killing! Terrifying!” Latter 1948 Realart/Film Classics theatrical re-issue poster for George Waggner’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941) with Lon Chaney Jr. and Evelyn Ankers.

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “The Wolf Man” (1941), this Sat., April 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1941 Universal werewolf monster-thriller feature masterpiece was directed by veteran director George Waggner.  Alongside his numerous feature film and television productions throughout his film and television career, Waggner also worked on numerous episodes of the classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios)/ABC television live-action “Batman” TV series adaptation of the DC Comics superhero with Adam West and Burt Ward (Waggner directed numerous episodes of the series from 1966-67).

The screenplay for Waggner’s classic mammoth Universal monster-werewolf masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941) was written by veteran science-fiction author and screenwriter Curt Siodmak, who also worked on screenplays for numerous classic mammoth Universal monster/thriller/sci-fi masterpiece productions throughout his screenwriting career, including “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, “The Beast with Five Fingers” (1946) with Peter Lorre, Andrea King, Robert Alda, Victor Aller, J. Carrol Naish, Patricia Barry, Pedro de Cordoba and William Edmunds.  Siodmak’s brother, Robert Siodmak was a feature film director, who was best-known for his classic mammoth Universal feature film masterpiece productions of  “Son of Dracula” (1943) with Lon Chaney Jr., Louise Allbritton, Robert Paige, Evelyn Ankers, Frank Craven, Etta McDaniel and George Irving and Ernest Hemmingway’s “The Killers” (1946) with Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker (of 1940’s “Dr. Cyclops” fame), William Conrad (in his pre-“Cannon” days) and Virginia Christine (who later rose to greater fame for her role of “Mrs. Olson” in numerous television commercials for Folgers Coffee).

This will mark Sven’s tenth big broadcast of “The Wolf Man” (1941) on the airlanes of Me-TV.  He previously showcased Waggner’s classic mammoth 1941 Universal werewolf monster masterpiece production on the airlanes of Me-TV back in Feb. 2013 as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere and as regular big broadcasts back in July 2013, Oct. 2014, Feb. 2016,  Sept. 2017,  Aug. 2018, Dec. 2019, July 2020 and April 2022.

In Son of Sven/Sven/Rich Koz’s home area of Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois; he previously showcased Waggner’s classic mammoth Universal werewolf masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941) as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere during his days as the “Son of Svengoolie” on WFLD/32 as a “Son of Sven” big broadcast premiere back in Oct. 1979 and as regular “Son of Sven” Berwyn/Chicago big broadcasts back in Nov. 1980 and Nov. 1983.   On Svengoolie/Rich’s hometown TV station in Berwyn/Chicago, WCIU-TV 26; he previously showcased “The Wolf Man” (1941) as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast back in Jan. 2008, according to IMDB.

Who was in George Waggner’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” (1941)?

The players who appeared in George Waggner’s classic mammoth 1941 Universal monster-werewolf masterpiece production of “The Wolf Man” were Lon Chaney Jr. (credited as “Lon Chaney” in the dual role of Lawrence “Larry” Talbot/the “Wolf Man”), Evelyn Ankers (as Gwen Conliffe), Claude Rains (as Sir John Talbot), Bela Lugosi (as Bela), Maria Ouspenskaya (as Maleva), Ralph Bellamy (as Col. Montford), Fay Helm (as Jenny),  Warren William (as Dr. Lloyd),  Patric Knowles (as Frank Andrews), Forrester Harvey (as Twiddle) and J.M. Kerrigan (as Charles Conliffe).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “Island of Terror” (1966) with Peter Cushing, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth sci-fi/creature masterpiece that was released theatrically by Universal Studios.

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “Island of Terror” (1966) with Peter Cushing

A snippet from Terence Fisher’s classic mammoth sci-fi/creature masterpiece production of “Island of Terror” (1966) with Peter Cushing, produced by Planet Film Distributors in Britain, released one year later throughout North America by Universal Studios; sourced from Universal’s High-Definition restoration of Fisher’s 1966 production for the Shout! Factory (Shout! Studios)/Scream Factory Blu-Ray edition.

“Unstoppable beasts crave human bone!” 1990s MCA/Universal (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) VHS cover art for Terence Fisher’s 1966 production of “Island of Terror.”

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based sci-fi/creature feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “Island of Terror” (1966), this Sat.; April 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“Island of Terror” (1966) was directed by veteran director Terence Fisher.  Fisher was best known for his numerous classic horror/monster/creature film masterpiece productions for Britain’s Hammer Films, including “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957), “Horror of Dracula” (1958), “The Revenge of Frankenstein” (1958), the Hammer-Universal adaptation of “The Mummy” (1959), “The Brides of Dracula” (1960), “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll” (1960), “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961), the Hammer-Universal adaptation of “The Phantom of the Opera” (1962) and the Hammer-Columbia feature production of “The Gorgon” (1964).

The veteran director decided to direct fewer films in the latter part of his film career for his home studio, Hammer Films.  Alongside his latter Hammer feature productions, Fisher decided to concentrate on independently-produced productions after his unsuccessful Hammer-Universal monster-horror screen adaptation of “Phantom of the Opera” (1962); according to the British Film Institute’s database on the life and career of Terence Fisher,

Fisher’s 1966 sci-fi/horror/creature production was produced by Tom Blakeley with executive producers Gerald A. Fernback and classic mammoth horror/sci-fi feature film masterpiece exhibitor-production veteran Richard Gordon.  Years earlier, Gordon helped veteran horror feature film legend Bela Lugosi return to the United States after the abrupt ending of his 1951 British stage tour of Hamilton Deane‘s stage adaptation of Bram Stoker‘s “Dracula” by encouraging Lugosi to appear in John Gilling‘s production of “Vampire Over London” (released in Britain in 1952, released by Columbia Pictures in the United States under the title of “My Son, The Vampire” in 1963  to capitalize on Allan Sherman‘s title 1963 comedy recording that was released on the record label of rival/competing studio Warner Bros.); which was an entry in the “Old Mother Riley” comedy film series with Arthur Lucan for Britain’s Renown Pictures (Renown was known as the British production-distribution company that co-produced Brian Desmond Hurst‘s classic mammoth 1952 Holiday feature film masterpiece adaptation of Charles Dickens‘ “A Christmas Carol/Scrooge” with Alastair Sim), according to IMDB.

Gordon later served as executive producer of Lindsay Shonteff’s cult classic thriller feature masterpiece production of “Devil Doll” (1964) with Bryant Haliday (who was one of the original co-founders of independent art-house producer/distribution firm Janus Films, the company behind The Criterion Collection line of critically-acclaimed feature film masterpieces from Janus and productions leased from other studios/production firms for Blu-Ray, DVD and select streaming platforms ), Yvonne Romain, William Sylvester and the vocal stylings of Sadie Corre.  The Shonteff/Gordon production of “Devil Doll’ (1964) was later famously riffed on “Mystery Science Theater 3000” in 1997.

The screenplay and original story treatment for “Island of Terror” (1966) was written by Edward Mann and Allan “Al” Ramsen.   Fisher’s production of “Island of Terror” was produced and released in Great Britain by independent production/releasing firm Planet Film Productions/Planet Film Distributors.  Universal Studios obtained the North American releasing/distribution rights to Fisher’s 1966 Planet production of “Island of Terror” in 1967; according to IMDB.

This will mark Svengoolie’s fifth big broadcast of “Island of Terror” (1966) on the airlanes Me-TV.  He previously showcased Fisher’s classic 1966 horror-creature masterpiece entry back in May 2014, May 2015, Sept. 2016 and Sept. 2020.

Who was in “Island of Terror” (1966)?

The players who appeared in Terence Fisher’s production of “Island of Terror” (1966) were Peter Cushing (as Dr. Brian Stanley), Carole Gray (as Toni Merrill), Edward Judd (as Dr. David West), Eddie Byrne (as Dr. Reginald Landers), Peter Forbes-Robertson (as Dr. Lawrence Phillips), Sam Kydd (as Constable John Harris), James Caffrey (as Peter Argyle), Niall MacGinnis (as Mr. Roger Campbell), Keith Bell (as Halsey), Margaret Lacey (as an elderly woman), Liam Gaffney (as Ian Bellows), Joyce Hemson (as Mrs. Bellows), Roger Heathcott (as Dunley), Shay Gorman (as Morton) and Richard Bidlake (as Carson).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “Gargoyles” (1972) with Bernie Casey, Jennifer Salt and Cornel Wilde, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic mammoth award-winning made-for-TV creature masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “Gargoyles” (1972) with Bernie Casey, Jennifer Salt and Cornel Wilde

Fan-made compilation trailer for Bill Norton’s “Gargoyles” (1972) with Bernie Casey. Jennifer Salt and Cornel Wilde.

“They’re Coming For You!” Cover art for the out-of-print DVD edition of “Gargoyles” (1972), featuring Bernie Casey.

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth sci-fi/creature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “Gargoyles” (1972), this Sat., March 30 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1972 made-for-TV sci-fi/supernatural/creature feature masterpiece production of “Gargoyles” was directed by veteran director Bill Norton, who received screen credit under the name of “B.W.L. Norton.”  After directing his own short feature film at the UCLA School of Film, Theatre and Television, titled “Coming Soon” (1966) and one year before production began on “Gargoyles,” Norton directed his own classic mammoth Columbia Pictures drama masterpiece production, “Cisco Pike” (1971) with Kris Kristofferson, Gene Hackman, Gene Hackman, Karen Black, Harry Dean Stanton, Roscoe Lee Browne, a pre-“WKRP In Cincinatti” Howard Hesseman, Allan Arbus and Wavy Gravy.   Norton worked primarily for television throughout the majority of his directorial career after working on his classic mammoth made-for-TV masterpiece production of “Gargoyles” (1972).  Other productions that Norton worked on throughout his directorial career alongside “Gargoyles” (1972) include several episodes of “Tour of Duty” (from 1987-89), “SeaQuest: DSV” (two episodes in 1993) with Roy Scheider and the brief Sci-Fi Channel (pre- “SyFy”) cable miniseries adaptation production  of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (Norton directed three episodes in 2001).

The script for Norton’s classic mammoth made-for-TV masterpiece production of “Gargoyles” (1972) was written by the husband-and-wife screenwriting duo of Stephen Karpf and Elinor Karpf.  The Karpfs also worked on the script of Gordon Hessler’s Universal Studios–ABC television made-for-TV thriller production with George Kennedy, Joanna Pettet, Lee Montgomery and Bing Russell, “A Cry in the Wilderness” (1974), one episode of the brief Paramount Pictures TV adaptation of “Love Story” (1973’s “The Youngest Lovers,” adapted from the classic mammoth 1970 Paramount feature film masterpiece production of the same name).  Later in their career, the Karpfs created a television soap opera production for the CBS television network with Constance Towers, Debrah Farentino and Rory Calhoun; “Capitol” (1982-87).

Norton’s classic 1972 creature telefilm masterpiece was produced by veteran television producers Robert W. “Bob” Christiansen, Roger Gimbel and Rick Rosenberg.

Bill Norton’s classic mammoth sci-fi/supernatural creature feature masterpiece production of “Gargoyles” (1972) premiered on the CBS television network as part of the “New CBS Tuesday Night Movies” on Nov. 21, 1972; according to IMDB and a segment from  Broadcasting (Broadcasting and Cable) Magazine.  For the original CBS premiere of “Gargoyles,” Norton’s classic mammoth 1972 made-for-TV supernatural creature masterpiece production aired after an episode of “Hawaii Five-O,” according to the Nov. 21, 1971 edition of the Hanover Evening Sun Newspaper of Hanover, Pennsylvania.

For the original CBS television network premiere of “Gargoyles” (1972): Norton’s classic mammoth made-for-TV supernatural creature masterpiece production aired on CBS-owned WBBM-TV Channel 2 in Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois.  and on a regional scale around the home region/home office of “Silver Screen Reflections;” according to the Nov. 21, 1972 edition of the Hanover Evening Sun from Hanover, Pennsylvania; the classic mammoth 1972 Bill Norton made-for-TV supernatural creature masterpiece production was showcased on WTOP-TV Channel 9 (which later became WDVM in 1978 and became W*USA 9 in 1986) in the Washington, D.C./Frederick, Maryland/Northern Virginia region and on the “Keystone Network” trio of CBS-affiliated TV stations for the Hanover/Gettysburg/York/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania viewing area at the time- the now-former WLYH-TV 15 (which was affiliated with CBS until 1995), WHP-TV 21 (which became the primary CBS affiliate for the Hanover/Gettysburg/York/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area after 1995) and WSBA-TV 43 (once linked to Pennsylvania’s Pfaltzgraff pottery business– which lost its CBS network affiliation after the station was sold in 1983 and became WPMT-43).  

The original CBS network airing of “Gargoyles” (1972) was pre-empted in Baltimore, Maryland by then-CBS affiliate WMAR-TV 2.  Since it was near the then-ninth anniversary of the tragic Nov. 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a syndicated movie airing of the filmed memorial tribute to President Kennedy, “John F. Kennedy: Years of Lightning, Day of Drums” (1964/65, released theatrically by Joseph E. Levine’s Embassy Pictures, syndicated to television in the early 1970s by Embassy’s then-successor, Avco-Embassy) aired in its place.    CBS later switched affiliations with Hearst-owned (and future Me-TV affiliate) WBAL-TV 11 in 1981 (WBAL returned to NBC in 1995)– CBS later moved to Westinghouse/Group W-owned WJZ-TV 13 in Jan. 1995– shortly before Westinghouse/Group W (which also bought Chicago’s WXRT-FM 93.1/93XRT that same year) merged with CBS. 

Sidebar: Since the original Nov. 1972 CBS airing of “Gargoyles” (1972) competed with a re-airing of another major network made-for-TV feature film that same evening, that will be mentioned in a section of this blog in this week’s “Silver Screen Reflections.” -C.H.

1973 production logo for General Electric’s TV production subsidiary at the time, Tomorrow Entertainment with the familiar GE “monogram” script logo byline. This was introduced about a year after their production of “Gargoyles” (1972).

“Gargoyles” (1972) was produced by Tomorrow Entertainment, the film & TV production arm of industrial giant General Electric at the time; according to IMDB and Broadcasting (Broadcasting and Cable) Magazine; the production firm was set up by GE in 1970 for the three major television networks’ original “movie of the week” series of big broadcasts, along with broadcasts that were entirely sponsored by GE and for television syndication purposes that were either self-syndicated programs and/or syndicated by other studios/distribution firms for local stations.  GE’s “Tomorrow Entertainment” subsidiary was spearheaded by former ABC television network executive Thomas W. Moore.

GE’s Tomorrow Entertainment unit was also involved in Rankin/Bass Productions (a.k.a. Videocraft International); the legendary animation studio that was founded by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass; both the junior Rankin and Bass were known for their classic mammoth “Animagic” stop-motion animation holiday masterpiece specials on television for many years.

13 years after the original network television premiere of “Gargoyles” (1972), GE later acquired rival network National Broadcasting Company (NBC) as part of their acquisition of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in 1985 and would later acquire Universal Studios from France’s Vivendi Group in 2004 to form NBCUniversal in 2004; GE later sold off their NBCUniversal broadcast and entertainment properties to cable conglomerate Comcast in 2013, according to the Washington Post  and Encyclopaedia Britannica.

GE’s Tomorrow Entertainment and GE’s Rankin/Bass library was later acquired by veteran producer Lorne Michaels (of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” fame) and his Broadway Video Enterprises firm.  Michaels’ Broadway Video firm later sold the Tomorrow Entertainment-Rankin/Bass holdings to Golden Books (the former Western Publishing Company) in 1996, the Tomorrow-Rankin/Bass holdings were then sold to Classic Media after Golden Books’ financial problems in 2001.  Dreamworks Animation acquired Classic Media in 2012 to form Dreamworks Classics, Dreamworks Animation/Dreamworks Classics was later acquired by Comcast’s NBCUniversal unit in 2016; according to the Associated Press, CNN, the Hollywood Reporter and Variety.  Universal Studios/Universal Television/NBCUniversal Syndication Studios handles the Dreamworks Animation/Dreamworks Classics/Tomorrow Entertainment holdings under the “Dreamworks Classics” and/or “Classic Media” monikers.

Sidebar: In an ironic twist, “Gargoyles” (1972) eventually wound up with a major studio (Universal) that was once owned by the former industrial conglomerate (GE) that produced the aforementioned made-for-TV feature film production. -C.H.

This will mark Sven’s sixth big broadcast of Bill Norton’s classic mammoth made-for-TV supernatural creature movie masterpiece production of “Gargoyles” (1972) on the airlanes of Me-TV. Sven previously showcased the classic mammoth 1972 made-for-TV creature/supernatural movie masterpiece production as a Sven big broadcast premiere on the airlanes of Me-TV back in May 2017 and as regular Sven/Me-TV big broadcasts back in Nov. 2018, May 2020, April 2022 and Sept. 2022.

Who was in Norton’s classic mammoth made-for-TV sci-fi/supernatural/creature masterpiece production of “Gargoyles” (1972)?

The players who appeared in Bill Norton’s made-for-TV movie production of “Gargoyles” (1972) were Bernie Casey (as the lead Gargoyle), Jennifer Salt (as Diana Boley), Cornel Wilde (as Dr. Mercer Boley), Scott Glenn (as James Reeger), Grayson Hall (as Mrs. Parks), Woody Chambliss (as Uncle Willie), John Gruber (as Jesse), Mickey Alzola, Rock Walker and Greg Walker (the three aforementioned actors played other Gargoyle creatures in the 1972 made-for-TV feature), Timothy “Tim” Burns (as Morris Ray), Vic Perrin (in an uncredited role as the voice of the lead Gargoyle, dubbing in Bernie Casey’s dialogue) and Jim Connell (as Buddy).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios “Invisible” sci-fi/monster series installment masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944)

John Carradine and Jon Hall in Ford Beebe‘s classic mammoth Universal Studios “Invisible” sci-fi/monster masterpiece production of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944). Sidebar: The original Universal theatrical release trailer and/or the latter Realart theatrical re-release trailer(s) for “The Invisible Man’s Revenge are unavailable as of this writing. -C.H.

“A ‘Trail of Terror’!” Original 1944 Universal Studios theatrical poster art for “The Invisible Man’s Revenge.”

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster/sci-fi feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944), this Sat.; March 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1944 Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/monster feature film masterpiece installment was directed by veteran newspaper journalist-turned-feature film screenwriter/director/producer Ford Beebe. Beebe previously wrote the screenplay for Joseph Kane’s classic mammoth Republic Pictures western musical drama masterpiece with legendary singing cowboy Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Lucile Browne and George “Gabby” Hayes, “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (1935, inspired by the legendary Sons of the Pioneers & their classic mammoth 1934 U.S. Decca country & western masterpiece recording, which was also one of Autry’s classic mammoth country & western masterpiece recordings that he & his trio recorded in 1935 for Brunswick/Melotone and was quickly re-issued on the record label that Autry was associated with for most of his recording career, Columbia Records/CBS along with Columbia/CBS’ OKeh imprint).

Beebe’s other productions that he was involved with included the classic mammoth Universal serial masterpiece adaptation  of “Buck Rogers” (1939, co-directed with Saul A. Goodkind) with Olympic swimming champion Buster Crabbe, Constance Moore and Jackie Moran; the latter classic mammoth Universal “Flash Gordon” serial masterpiece adaptation installment  “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe” (1940, co-directed with Ray Taylor) with Crabbe, Carol Hughes, Charles Middleton and Anne Gwynne; the classic mammoth Universal serial masterpiece adaptation of “The Green Hornet” (1940) with Gordon Jones, Keye Luke and Anne Nagel;  and his classic mammoth Universal horror feature masterpiece production of  “Night Monster” (1942) with Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Irene Hervey, Leif Erickson, Ralph Morgan, Don Porter, Nils Asther, Doris Lloyd, Frank Reicher, Francis Pierlot, Robert Homans, Janet Shaw, Eddy Waller and Cyril Delevanti.  Alongside directing “The Invisible Man’s Revenge,” Beebe also served as producer of the 1944 classic mammoth Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/monster masterpiece adaptation installment.

The screenplay for Beebe’s classic mammoth 1944 Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/monster feature masterpiece installment production was inspired by veteran sci-fi author H.G. Wells’ 1897 sci-fi novel, “The Invisible Man” and was adapted for the 1944 Universal feature installment by screenwriter Jane MacDonald.  The screenplay for Beebe’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/monster feature film masterpiece production installment of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944) was written by veteran screenwriter Bertram Millhauser.  Millhauser previously wrote the screenplay treatment for two classic mammoth Universal “Sherlock Holmes” wartime feature film mystery masterpiece adaptations inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle‘s mystery characters featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, Roy William Neill‘s “Sherlock Holmes in Washington” (1943, with a pre-“Danny Thomas Show” Marjorie Lord and George Zucco; Milhauser also wrote the original story treatment for the aforementioned Universal “Sherlock Holmes” production) and Neill’s “Sherlock Holmes Faces Death” (1943, with Hillary Brooke and a pre-“Gunsmoke” Milburn Stone).

Beebe’s production of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944) marked the fifth installment in Universal’s classic mammoth “Invisible” sci-fi/monster feature film masterpiece series.

The earlier features in the studio’s classic mammoth “Invisible” sci-fi/monster feature film masterpiece series were James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/onster masterpiece adaptation of “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Henry Travers, Una O’Connor, Forrester Harvey, William Harrigan, Holmes Herbert, Dudley Digges; Joe May‘s classic mammoth Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/monster masterpiece installment of “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940) with young Vincent Price, Nan Grey, Cedric Hardwicke, Alan Napier (later of TV’s “Batman” fame), Cecil Kellaway, John Sutton and Forrester Harvey;  A. Edward Sutherland’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/monster/comedy masterpiece installment of “The Invisible Woman” (1940) with Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore, Margaret Hamilton (of 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” fame), Shemp Howard (of “The Three Stooges” fame), Charlie Ruggles, Maria Montez, Anne Nagel, Oscar Homolka, John Howard, Edward Brophy, Mary Gordon, Kathryn Adams, Donald MacBrideThurston Hall and  Charles Lane and  Edwin L. Marin‘s classic mammoth Universal wartime sci-fi masterpiece production of “Invisible Agent” (1942) with Jon Hall, Ilona Massey, Peter Lorre, Sir Cedric Hardwicke , Keye Luke, Holmes Herbert, J. Edward Bromberg, Albert Bassermann, John Litel, Bobbie Hale, Wallace Scott, John Burton, James Craven, Leslie Denison, Alberto Morin, Walter Tetley, John Holland, Milburn Stone, Sven Hugo Borg and Mabel Colcord.

This will mark Sven’s fifth big coast-to-coast broadcast of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944) on the airlanes of Me-TV.  He previously showcased Beebe’s classic mammoth 1944 Universal “Invisible” monster/sci-fi masterpiece installment as a Me-TV big broadcast premiere back in May 2011 and as regular Me-TV big broadcasts back in Sept. 2011, June 2013 and Aug. 2015.

In Son of Sven/Sven/Rich Koz’s home area of Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois; he previously showcased the classic mammoth Universal “Invisible” monster/sci-fi masterpiece production of Ford Beebe’s “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944) as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere during Sven/Rich’s days as the Son of Svengoolie on WFLD in the Berwyn/Chicago area in July 1980; according to IMDB.

Who was in “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944)?

The players who appeared in Ford Beebe’s classic mammoth Universal “Invisible” sci-fi/monster masterpiece installment of “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944) were Jon Hall (as Robert Griffin/the “Invisible Man”), Evelyn Ankers (as Julie Herrick), John Carradine (as Dr. Peter Drury), Gale Sondergaard (as Irene, Lady Herrick), Leon Errol (as Herbert Higgins), Alan Curtis (as Mark Foster), Lester Matthews (as Sir Jasper Herrick), Halliwell Hobbes (as Cleghorn), Leyland Hodgson (as Sir Frederick Travers, Hodgson received screen credit as “Leland Hodgson” in the 1944 production), Cyril Delevanti (as shopkeeper Malty Bill), Billy Bevan (in an uncredited role as a police sergeant), Doris Lloyd (in an uncredited role as Maud) and William J. O’Brien (in an uncredited role as a pub patron).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) with Elsa Lanchester & Boris Karloff, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of one of the many classic mammoth Universal Studios monster sequel masterpieces.

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) with Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff

A snippet from James Whale’s classic mammoth 1935 Universal Studios monster sequel masterpiece production of “The Bride of Frankenstein” with Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff.

“She knocked ’em cold!” Original 1935 Universal Studios exhibitors’ advertisement for James Whale’s “The Bride of Frankenstein” with Elsa Lanchester.

The legendary & iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935); this Sat., Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth landmark 1935 Universal monster sequel masterpiece production was directed by veteran studio director James Whale, who also directed the classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece adaptation production of “Frankenstein” (1931) with Boris Karloff in the role of the monster.  Whale’s other classic mammoth Universal feature film masterpiece productions include his classic mammoth Universal screen thriller adaptation masterpiece of J.B. Priestley’s “The Old Dark House” (1932) with Karloff, and his classic Universal monster masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart and Henry Travers.

Shortly before working on his numerous classic mammoth Universal monster feature masterpiece productions, Whale co-directed with veteran director Edmund Goulding and industrialist 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.   In an ironic twist, Universal Studios/MCA later acquired the rights to “Hell’s Angels” (1930) from Howard Hughes’ estate; according to a 1979 Universal theatrical re-release poster for the 1930 production. -C.H.

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, “Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus;” the screenplay for Whale’s 1935 classic Universal monster sequel masterpiece was written by veteran screenwriter William Hurlbut.  Hurlburt also wrote the screen adaptation with veteran screenwriter John L. Balderston.  “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) was produced by veteran producer Carl Laemmle Jr., the son of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.   The senior Laemmle founded Universal as a merger of his pioneering production-distribution company and several other pioneering feature film production-distribution companies in 1912.

This will mark Sven’s tenth big broadcast of Whale’s 1935 classic Universal monster masterpiece sequel on the airlanes of Me-TV.  He previously showcased “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere back in June 2011* and as regular big broadcasts back in Sept. 2012*, April 2014, June 2015, April 2016, June 2017, May 2019 (as part of Sven’s “Monstrous May” 2019 festival of Universal Studios’ classic mammoth “Frankenstein” monster feature film adaptation masterpieces), June 2020 and Oct. 2022 (as part of Sven’s Oct. 2022 “Halloween-‘BOO-nanza’ festival on the airlanes of Me-TV).

In Svengoolie/Rich Koz’s home area of Berwyn/Chicago, Ilinois; he previously showcased Whale’s classic mammoth 1935 Universal “Frankenstein” monster sequel masterpiece production of “The Bride of Frankenstein” during his days as the Son of Svengoolie on WFLD back in 1983 according to a classic SOS/Sven segment that was unearthed years ago by veteran Berwyn/Chicago television archivist Rick Klein’s official YouTube channel for “FuzzyMemoriesTV: The Museum of Classic Chicago Television.”

Who was in “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935)?

The players who appeared in Whale’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) were Elsa Lanchester (who played the dual roles of Mary Shelley and the “Monster’s Mate”), Boris Karloff (as Frankenstein’s Monster), Colin Clive (as Henry Frankenstein), Valerie Hobson (as Elizabeth Frankenstein), Una O’Connor (as Minnie), Ernest Thesiger (as Dr. Pretorius), O.P. Heggie (as a Hermit), Dwight Frye (as Karl Glutz), Douglas Walton (as Percy Shelley), young Billy Barty (in an uncredited role as a baby), young John Carradine (in an uncredited role as a hunter at the Hermit’s cabin),  E.E. Clive (as the Burgomaster), young Walter Brennan (in an uncredited role as a neighbor), Marilyn Harris (in an uncredited role as a student) and Gavin Gordon (as Lord Byron).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955, in 2-D), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios “Gill-Man” monster sequel masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955, in 2-D)

 A snippet from Jack Arnold’s classic mammoth Universal Studios “Creature”/”Gill-Man” monster sequel masterpiece production of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955, presented in 2-D).

“All-New Thrills! Shock! Suspense!” Original 1955 Universal Studios theatrical poster art for “Revenge of the Creature.”

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster/creature feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) in 2-D this Sat., Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV. The classic mammoth 1955 Universal “Creature” monster masterpiece was directed by veteran director Jack Arnold.

Revenge of the Creature” (1955) is the sequel to Arnold’s earlier classic mammoth Universal “Gill-Man” 3-D monster masterpiece, “Creature From the Black Lagoon” (1954) with Julie Adams, Ricou Browning, Ben Chapman, Nestor Paiva, Richard Carlson and Richard Denning.

Alongside the two classic mammoth Universal “Creature” monster masterpiece productions, Arnold’s other classic mammoth Universal monster/creature and sci-fi masterpiece productions include “It Came from Outer Space” (1953, with Richard Carlson, Barbara Rush, a pre-“Gilligan’s Island” Russell Johnson, Charles Drake and Kathleen Hughes– Arnold’s classic mammoth 1953 Universal sci-fi masterpiece production marked one of Universal’s first 3-D feature film productions), “Tarantula” (1955) with  John Agar, Mara Corday, Leo G. Carroll, Nestor Paiva, a pre-“Beverly Hillbillies” Raymond Bailey and young Bing Russell,  “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957, with Grant Williams, April Kent and Randy Stuart) and “Monster on the Campus” (1958, with Eddie Parker, Joanna Moore, Troy Donahue and Arthur Franz).

One of Arnold’s latter feature film directorial works was his classic mammoth Columbia Pictures comedy masterpiece production of “The Mouse That Roared” (1959) with Peter Sellers, Jean Seberg, William Hartnell (in his pre-BBC “Doctor Who” days, Hartnell went onto greater fame as the “First Doctor” in the aforementioned classic mammoth BBC television sci-fi masterpiece series from 1963-66 and his final appearance in a guest spot in 1973) and David Kossoff.  He directed the classic mammoth Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) comedy short subject masterpiece featuring Dan Rowan and Dick Martin (of their classic mammoth NBC-TV comedy/variety masterpiece series, “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” fame), “Rowan & Martin at the Movies” (1968).

After his feature film directorial stint with Universal Studios, Arnold mostly turned his attention to directing numerous television programs for the remainder of his directorial career.  Arnold directed 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 (the two “Perry Mason” episodes that Arnold directed were 1964’s “The Case of the Scandalous Sculptor” and 1965’s “The Case of the Thermal Thief“). To paraphrase Sven, “Jack Arnold directed two episodes of.. “Perry Mason!” -C.H. Arnold directed 26 episodes of the classic mammoth Gladysya (Phil Silvers)-Sherwood Schwartz-United Artists-CBS comedy masterpiece series, “Gilligan’s Island” with Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr.,  Jim Backus (of “Mister Magoo” fame to fellow Super Tooners/Super SvenPals of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me”), Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Dawn Wells and Russell Johnson (Arnold directed 26 episodes of the series from 1964-66).

The 1955 Universal “Creature” monster sequel was produced by veteran actor-turned-Universal Studios producer and Jack Arnold’s longtime feature film co-collaborator, William Alland.  Alland also co-wrote the screenplay for “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) with veteran screenwriter Martin Berkeley.  Alongside co-writing the screenplay for Arnold’s classic mammoth Universal “Creature”/”Gill-Man” monster masterpiece production with Alland, Berkeley also co-wrote the screenplay for Arnold’s classic mammoth 1955 Universal arachnid creature/sci-fi masterpiece production of “Tarantula” with veteran screenwriter Robert M. Fresco; Fresco also co-wrote the original story treatment for “Tarantula” with Jack Arnold.

One year after “Revenge of the Creature,” the third and final installment of Universal’s “Creature” monster trilogy film series was produced and released in 2-D; titled “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956, directed by John Sherwood; with Leigh Snowden, Ricou Browning, Don Megowan, Jeff Morrow and Rex Reason).

This will mark Sven’s ninth big broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) from coast-to-coast on the airlanes of Me-TV.  He previously showcased Arnold’s classic mammoth Universal “Creature” monster sequel masterpiece back in Jan. 2013, Aug. 2013, July 2014, May 2015,  Oct. 2016, Sept. 2018,  Jan. 2020 and Feb. 2022. *Sidebar: Sven’s 2018 big broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) was originally scheduled for a late March 2018  big broadcast for Sven’s showcase, but was withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict at the time between Me-TV and Universal Studios/Universal Television/NBCUniversal Television Distribution (now known as NBCUniversal Syndication Studios).  Sven’s re-broadcast of Alan Landsburg’s cult made-for-TV insect thriller “Ants!” (1977, a.k.a. “It Happened at Lakewood Manor”) aired in place of “Revenge of the Creature” on March 24, 2018.

Who was in Jack Arnold’s Universal sequel production of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955)?

The players who appeared in Jack Arnold’s classic mammoth Universal “Creature” sequel masterpiece production of “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) were Ricou Browning (in uncredited dual roles as the Creature for underwater/Marineland tank-based scenes and a laboratory technician),  Lori Nelson (as Helen Dobson),  Tom Hennesy (in uncredited dual roles as the Creature for land-based scenes and a Marineland diver),  Ginger Stanley (in an uncredited role for the underwater stunt sequences for Lori Nelson’s characterization of Helen Dobson), Nestor Paiva (as Lucas), John Agar (as Prof. Clete Ferguson), young Clint Eastwood (in an uncredited role as Jennings), John Bromfield (as Joe Hayes),  Grandon Rhodes (as Jackson Foster),  Dave Willock (as Lou Gibson), Charles Cane (as a police captain) and Robert B. Williams (as George Johnson).

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1964) with Peter Cushing, this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his upcoming big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios/Hammer Films horror masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” to present his big broadcast of “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1964) with Peter Cushing

Original 1964 Universal Studios theatrical release trailer for Freddie Francis‘ classic mammoth Hammer Films–Universal horror masterpiece production of “The Evil of Frankenstein” with Peter Cushing.

“Lightning raises the Dead!” Original 1964 Universal Studios U.S. theatrical poster art for Hammer Films’ “The Evil of Frankenstein” with Peter Cushing.

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth horror/monster feature film masterpiece host will present his big expanded broadcast of “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1964), this Sat., Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1964 Hammer-Universal horror masterpiece production of “The Evil of Frankenstein” was directed by veteran cinematographer-turned-director Freddie Francis.  Francis previously served as the cinematographer for Karel Reisz‘s Woodfall/British Lion romantic drama production of “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” (1961, released theatrically in the United States through the Walter Reade Organization’s Continental Film Distributors) with young Albert Finney (later of 1963’s “Tom Jones” fame and 1982’s “Annie” fame), Rachel Roberts, Shirley Anne Field and young Peter Sallis (also of 1961’s “Curse of the Werewolf” fame, later of BBC-TV’s “Last of the Summer Wine” fame and of interest to fellow Super Tooners/SvenPals of Toony & Bill’s “Toon In With Me”- the vocal stylings of Wallace in Nick Park & Aardman’s “Wallace and Gromit” stop-motion productions).  He later servred as a cinematographer for David Lynch‘s classic mammoth Universal Studios/Dino DeLaurentiis sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” (1984) with Kyle McLachlin, Virginia Madsen, José Ferrer, Francesca Annis, Alicia Witt, Dean Stockwell (also of the original 1989-93 “Quantum Leap” series fame), legendary rock musician-singer Sting and Patrick Stewart (later of TV’s “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” the Paramount “Star Trek: TNG” feature film adaptations and of Paramount+’s “Star Trek: Picard” fame).  Francis later worked on the latter classic mammoth Warner Bros.-Seven Arts/Hammer “Dracula” vampire horror masterpiece screen entry with Hammer horror film legend Christopher Lee, “Dracula Has Risen from the Grave” (1968, released theatrically in the United States by Warners in 1969) and on the classic mammoth Warners creature-thriller masterpiece, “Trog” (1970) with Joan Crawford (Francis’ 1970 production marked Crawford’s final feature film appearance in her screen acting career), Michael Gough, Kim Braden, Bernard Kay and David Griffin (later of BBC-TV‘s “Keeping Up Appearances” fame).

The screenplay for “The Evil of Frankenstein” was written by veteran Hammer producer/screenwriter Anthony Hinds, who received screen credit under the pseudonym of John Elder; according to IMDB.  Hinds also served as the producer of Francis’ classic mammoth 1964 Hammer/Universal masterpiece feature production. Three years earlier. Hinds co-produced with veteran Hammer producers  Michael Carreras and Anthony Nelson Keys the classic mammoth Terence Fisher/Hammer/Universal werewolf horror masterpiece production of “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961) with Oliver Reed, Yvonne Romain, Peter Sallis, Catherine Feller, Anthony Dawson, Hira Talfrey and Michael Ripper.  Hinds also served as co-producer of numerous classic mammoth Hammer horror feature film masterpieces that featured Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, including “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957, co-produced with Warner Bros.) “Dracula”/”Horror of Dracula” (1958, originally released through Universal/Rank in Great Britian and through Universal in the United States).

This will mark Sven’s fifth coast-to-coast big broadcast of “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1964) on Me-TV.  He previously showcased Francis’ classic mammoth Universal horror masterpiece production as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere back in  Nov. 2013 and as regular Me-TV big broadcasts back in June 2014, March 2015 and Aug. 2019.

In Sven/Rich Koz’s home area of Berwyn/Chicago, he previously showcased “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1964) as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere during his WFLD/Berywn/Chicago days as the “Son of Svengoolie” back in Aug. 1982; according to IMDB.

Francis’ classic mammoth 1964 Hammer/Universal horror masterpiece was showcased again in Berwyn/Chicago during Sven/Son of Sven/Rich Koz’s WFLD Berwyn/Chicago days, only with Sven/Son of Sven’s bandleader; maestro Doug Graves/Doug Scharf back in 1985 (during Metromedia’s then-ownership of the station), according to a TV commercial for the 1985 WFLD Son of Sven/Doug Graves “Evil of Frankenstein” big broadcast that was unearthed by Berwyn/Chicago television archivist Rick Klein’s FuzzyMemoriesTV: The Museum of Classic Chicago Television.    “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1963) later returned to the Sven/Berwyn/Chicago TV airlanes in 2006 on Sven’s hometown TV station, WCIU-TV 26; according to additional details from IMDB.

Who was in Freddie Francis’ classic mammoth Hammer/Universal horror masterpiece production of “The Evil of Frankenstein” (1964)?

The players who were in Francis’ 1964 Universal-Hammer “Frankenstein” feature were Peter Cushing (as Baron Frankenstein), Ernest “Kiwi” Kingston (as Frankenstein’s monster), Peter Woodthorpe (as Zoltan), Katy Wild (as the beggar girl), Sandor Elès (as Hans), Duncan Lamont (as the chief of police), Anthony Blackshaw and David Conville (as policemen),  David Hutcheson (as the Burgomaster), Caron Gardner (as the wife of the Burgomaster), James Maxwell (as the priest), Howard Goorney (as the drunk), Patrick Horgan (in an uncredited role as David Carrell), Tony Arpino (as a body snatcher), Jim Brady (in an uncredited role as a villager) and Timothy Bateson (in an uncredited role as a hypnotized man).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of Boris Karloff in “The Old, Dark House” (1932); this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic mammoth Universal Studios* thriller masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of Boris Karloff in “The Old, Dark House” (1932)

Official Cohen Media Group/Cohen Film Collection theatrical re-issue trailer for the 2017 restoration of James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal Studios* thriller masterpiece adaptation of “The Old, Dark House” (1932) with Boris Karloff, Charles Laughton, Gloria Stuart, Raymond Massey and Melvyn Douglas.

“The man who played the Monster in ‘Frankenstein’ now transforms himself into the ‘mad butler’!” Original 1932 Universal Studios twinfold exhibitors’ leaflet for “The Old, Dark House” with Boris Karloff.

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago classic horror feature film masterpiece host will present his big broadcast of “The Old, Dark House” (1932) this Sat., Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth Universal* thriller masterpiece adaptation of “The Old Dark House” (1932) was directed by veteran studio director James Whale.  Whale’s other well-known classic mammoth Universal monster/horror/thriller masterpiece productions include “Frankenstein” (1931) with Boris Karloff in the role of Frankenstein’s monster with Colin Clive in the role of Dr. Frankenstein, the classic mammoth Universal monster/sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells‘ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with Claude Rains in the title role and his classic mammoth Universal monster sequel masterpiece production of “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) with Elsa Lanchester in the title role of the “monster’s mate, Karloff and Clive. Boris Karloff and Colin Clive.

Shortly before working on his numerous classic mammoth Universal horror/monster feature masterpiece productions, Whale co-directed with veteran director Edmund Goulding and industrialist Howard Hughes on the classic mammoth aviation-war drama masterpiece production of “Hell’s Angels” (1930, originally released via United Artists) with Jean Harlow, Ben Lyon and James Hall; according to IMDB.  Hughes himself would later acquire rival studio RKO Radio Pictures in 1948 and after the industrialist’s tinkering of the studio- Hughes sold off RKO to General Tire in 1955.  In an ironic twist, Universal Studios/MCA later acquired the rights to “Hell’s Angels” (1930) from Howard Hughes’ estate; according to a 1979 Universal theatrical re-release poster for the 1930 production.  Around that same time, Universal/MCA acquired the rights to another Howard Hughes feature production from the Hughes estate- the original edition of “Scarface” (1932, directed by Howard Hawks) with Paul Muni; which later served as the basis for Brian De Palma‘s Universal modern re-make of “Scarface” (1983) with Al Pacino. -C.H.

The screenplay for “The Old Dark House” (1932) was adapted for the screen from author J.B. Priestley‘s classic 1927 horror novel, “Benighted;” according to the American Film Institute (AFI). The screenplay adaptation of Whale’s classic mammoth 1932 Universal horror masterpiece production was written by veteran playwright/future British parliament member Benn W. Levy with additional screen dialogue written by veteran screenwriter R.C. Sherriff. Sherriff later co-wrote the screenplay adaptation for James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/monster masterpiece production of H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1933) with veteran screenwriters  Philip Wylie and young Preston Sturges, years before Sturges went onto greater fame for writing many feature film comedy masterpieces for rival studio Paramount Pictures.  Sherriff later worked as a contributing screenwriter for  Lambert Hillyer’s classic mammoth Universal “Dracula” monster sequel masterpiece installment of “Dracula’s Daughter” (1936) with Gloria Holden in the title role.  Benn W. Levy previously wrote the screenplay for one of young Alfred Hitchcock‘s earliest classic mammoth British sound feature film suspense masterpiece productions, “Blackmail” (1929) with Anny Ondra, Cyril Ritchard, Sara Allgood and Charles Paton.

Whale’s classic mammoth Universal horror-thriller masterpiece adaptation of “The Old Dark House” (1932) was produced by veteran producer Carl Laemmle Jr., the son of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.   The junior Laemmle was responsible for building Universal’s trademark monster/horror feature film masterpiece productions as the official trademark “house style” feature film genre for his father’s studio.

31 years after the original Universal theatrical release of James Whale’s “The Old Dark House,” legendary veteran macabre feature film director William Castle re-made “The Old Dark House” (1963) for rival studio Columbia Pictures as a classic mammoth spook comedy masterpiece adaptation production that was co-produced by Britain’s Hammer Films with a pre-“Newhart” Tom Poston, Janette Scott, Robert Morley, Joyce Grenfell, Mervyn Johns, Fenella Fielding and Peter Bull.

*After the original 1932 Universal theatrical release of James Whale’s classic horror masterpiece adaptation of “The Old Dark House,” the rights reverted back to J.B. Priestley; according to additional details from IMDB’s trivia section.   Film curator/collector Raymond Rohauer, who was known for acquiring the rights to many of Buster Keaton’s classic mammoth silent comedy feature film masterpieces later obtained the distribution rights to Whale’s adaptation of “The Old Dark House” (1932) after the film curator acquired the story rights to “Benighted,” according to NitrateVille, veteran film preservationist Robert A. Harris’ Home Theater Forum column and Andrew L. Yarrow’s Nov. 1987 New York Times obituary on Rohauer.  It was also reported that the 1932 version was withdrawn from circulation when Castle’s 1963 Columbia-Hammer adaptation was released.  Whale’s Universal feature production of “The Old Dark House” (1932) was even considered a “lost” film at one time, until film director Curtis Harrington searched for the original 35mm nitrate elements in 1968, according to Paul Tatara’s June 2005 Turner Classic Movies online article.

It was also reported that 16mm reduction re-release prints of “The Old Dark House” (1932) in the 1970s were altered with Raymond Rohauer’s name, who plastered his own name in place of Carl Laemmle’s name in the credits on 16mm non-theatrical release prints, according to film preservationist/film collector Ray Faiola’s eyewitness recollections on NitrateVille.  Throughout his film acquisition career, it was known that Rohauer foolishly affixed his own name and intertitles to films that he acquired when he didn’t have any involvement in any overall productions that he acquired.  After Rohauer’s death in 1987, the rights to the Rohauer classic film holdings were acquired by the Douris Corporation around 1995-96; according to Susan King’s 2013 Los Angeles Times article and the Online Archive of California. 

In 2011, investor and film producer Charles S. Cohen’s Cohen Media Group acquired the Rohauer-Douris film holdings and was re-christened as the Cohen Film Collection, according to Dave McNary’s Sept. 2011 Variety article. In 2016, Cohen’s firm restored “The Old, Dark House” (1932) with modern film restoration techniques, sourced from a 4K scan from the original 35mm nitrate elements held at the Library of Congress‘ Motion Picture Conservation Center.  The restoration was performed as a collaboration between Cohen Media Group and Universal Studios, according to John Hopewell’s Oct. 2016 Variety article, NitrateVille and the reverse cover art scan for the 2017 Cohen/eOne Blu-Ray release of “The Old Dark House” (1932) via Amazon.

This will mark Sven’s second big broadcast of “The Old, Dark House” (1932) on the airlanes of Me-TV. He previously showcased Whale’s classic mammoth 1932 Universal thriller adaptation masterpiece as a coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere back in April 2023.

Who was in James Whale’s classic mammoth Universal horror-thriller masterpiece adaptation of “The Old Dark House” (1932)?

The players who appeared in Whale’s classic mammoth Universal horror-thriller masterpiece adaptation of “The Old Dark House” (1932) was Boris Karloff (as Morgan), Gloria Stuart (as Margaret Waverton), Charles Laughton (as Sir William Porterhouse), Raymond Massey (as Philip Waverton), Melvyn Douglas (as Penderel), Ernest Thesiger (as Horace Femm), Lilian Bond (as Gladys), Eva Moore (as Rebecca Femm), Brember Wills (as Saul Femm) and Elspeth Dudgeon (as Sir Roderick Femm, Dudgeon’s character was known as John Femm in the production).

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Ray” (1935, Sven’s first 2024 film showcase), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie Super SvenPals will be dancing and jumping for joy for his first 2024 big broadcast with a classic mammoth Universal Studios sci-fi/thriller feature film masterpiece.

“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “The Invisible Ray” (1936, Sven’s first 2024 film showcase)

A snippet from Lambert Hillyer‘s classic mammoth Universal Studios sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production of “The Invisible Ray” (1935) with horror legends Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi; prepared for the 2022 Eureka! Entertainment/Universal Boris Karloff Blu-Ray trilogy box set in Great Britain, “Karloff in Maniacal Mayhem;” sourced from Universal’s High-Definition restorations from original 35mm nitrate film elements.

“Destruction to all he touched or looked upon!” Latter Realart theatrical re-issue poster art for Lambert Hillyer’s classic mammoth 1936 Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, “The Invisible Ray.”

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth sci-fi/thriller feature film masterpiece host will present his first 2024 coast-to-coast big broadcast of “The Invisible Ray” (1935), this Sat., Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The classic mammoth 1935 Universal sci-fi/thriller feature film masterpiece production was directed by veteran feature film director Lambert Hillyer.  Three years before he directed “The Invisible Ray” (1935), Hillyer previously directed the classic mammoth Columbia Pictures western masterpiece; “Forbidden Trail” (1932) with Buck Jones, Barbara Weeks and George Cooper.  One year after the filming of his classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production of “The Invisible Ray,” Hillyer directed the official follow-up film in Universal’s classic mammoth “Dracula” vampire-monster masterpiece franchise with his classic mammoth Universal “Dracula” vampire-monster sequel masterpiece production of  “Dracula’s Daughter” (1936) with Gloria Holden, Otto Kruger, Marguerite Churchill, Edward Van Sloan, Hedda Hopper (the noted Hollywood gossip columnist and real-life mother of William Hopper of TV’s “Perry Mason” fame), Irving Pichel, E.E. Clive, Edgar Norton and Halliwell Hobbes.

Hillyer later returned to Columbia Pictures, where he directed the very first live-action motion picture adaptation of Bill Finger and Bob Kane’s DC Comics superhero creation, the Columbia “Batman” (1943) theatrical serial series adaptation with Lewis Wilson (in the title role of Batman/Bruce Wayne) and Douglas Croft (as Robin/Dick Grayson).   In the latter part of his directorial career, Hillyer later worked on numerous western feature films and for pioneering radio-TV producer/syndicator Frederic W. Ziv.  One of Lambert Hillyer’s final productions was that he directed seven episodes of the syndicated classic mammoth Ziv crime drama masterpiece series with Broderick Crawford as Dan Matthews, “Highway Patrol” (1955-56).

“The Invisible Ray” (1935) was produced by veteran producer Edmund Grainger and veteran executive producer Fred S. Meyer.   One year after co-producing the classic mammoth 1935 Lambert Hillyer/Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece, Grainger served in an uncredited role as the producer of Walter Lang‘s classic mammoth Universal romantic comedy masterpiece production of “Love Before Breakfast” (1936) with Carole Lombard, Preston Foster, young Cesar Romero, Joyce Compton, Betty Lawford and Universal horror veteran E.E. Clive.

Grainger later produced several classic mammoth action-adventure/wartime drama masterpieces for Herbert J. Yates‘ Republic Pictures with John Wayne, including “Flying Tigers” (1942) with Wayne, David Miller, Anna Lee, Chester Gan, Paul Kelly and Mae Clarke and Allan Dwan‘s “Sands of Iwo Jima” (1949) with Wayne, John Agar, Adele Mara, Forrest Tucker, Arthur Franz, Julie Bishop and young Martin Milner (later of William Castle‘s “13 Ghosts,” TV’s “Route 66” and TV’s “Adam-12” fame). Fred S. Meyer had a brief career in the motion picture industry.  The same that he co-produced “The Invisible Ray” (1935), he also co-produced John M. Stahl‘s Universal romantic drama production of “Magnificent Obsession” (1935) with Irene Dunne, Robert Taylor, Ralph Morgan and Arthur Treacher.  The film was later re-made by Universal 19 years later under the direction of Douglas Sirk and also under the title of “Magnificent Obsession” (1954) with Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush and Agnes Moorehead (of 1941’s “Citizen Kane” fame and later of TV’s “Bewitched” fame).

The original story treatment for Hillyer’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi thriller masterpiece feature production of “The Invisible Ray” (1935) was written by Howard Higgin and Douglas Hodges.  Higgin and Hodges’ original story concept was adapted into a screenplay by veteran screenwriter John Colton.  Shortly after “The Invisible Ray,” Higgins served in an uncredited position for co-writing the screenplay for Victor Halperin‘s production of “Revolt of the Zombies” (1936); which featured Dorothy Stone, young Dean Jagger (later of 1949’s “Twelve O’clock High” fame and 1954’s “White Christmas” fame) and Roy D’Arcy.  Higgin died in 1937.   “The Invisible Ray” marked the only screenwriting/story concept credit for Douglas Hodges.    The same year that he adapted Higgin and Hodges’ screenplay, John Colton served as the principal screenwriter of  Stuart Walker‘s classic mammoth Universal werewolf monster masterpiece production of “Werewolf of London” (1935) with Henry Hull, Valerie Hobson,  Warner Oland, Spring Byington, Lester Matthews, J.M. Kerrigan, Charlotte Granville, Zeffie Tilbury and Clark Williams.

This will mark Sven’s fifth big broadcast of “The Invisible Ray” (1935) on the airlanes of Me-TV. He previously showcased Hillyer’s classic mammoth 1935 Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production back in June 2013 as a big coast-to-coast Me-TV broadcast premiere and as regular Me-TV big broadcasts back in Jan. 2014, May 2015 and Aug. 2017.

In Son of Sven/Sven/Rich Koz’s home area of Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois and during his WFLD/Marina City/Berwyn/Chicago days as the “Son of Svengoolie-” he previously showcased Lambert Hillyer’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production of “The Invisible Ray” (1935) as a Berwyn/Chicago big broadcast premiere back in June 1980; according to IMDB.

Who was in Lambert Hillyer’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production of “The Invisible Ray” (1935)?

The players who appeared in Lambert Hillyer’s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi/thriller masterpiece production of “The Invisible Ray” (1935) were Boris Karloff (as Dr. Janos Rukh), Bela Lugosi (as Dr. Felix Benet), Frances Drake (as Diana Rukh), Frank Lawton (as Ronald Drake), Violet Kemble Cooper (as Mother Rukh), Walter Kingsford (as Sir Francis Stevens), Beulah Bondi (as Lady Arabella Stevens), Frank Reicher (as Prof. Meiklejohn/Mendelssohn), Paul Weigel (as Monsieur Noyer) and Georges Renavent (as the Chief of the Surete).