Tonight on MeTV- we’re happy to bring back the amazing stop-action artistry of Ray Harryhausen in one of his early features. This movie’s huge menace is armed ( with several arms) and dangerous, as it makes its way from the ocean depths to San Francisco- with the City by the Bay about to become the seafood platter for an astounding creature- in 1955’s “It Came From Beneath the Sea”!
One of our nuclear submarines is out on maneuvers in the Pacific Ocean- when it is suddenly appears to be rammed by- well, something unknown. The semi- disabled craft limps its way to Pearl Harbor. Upon inspection of the sub’s dive planes, they find, lodged inside them tissue from some sort of living creature. Commander Pete Matthews can’t believe it- and , since the authorities can’t identify what the tissue has come from, they enlist experts in marine biology to attempt to discover what creature was the “donor” and culprit.
John Carter and Lesley Joyce are brought in- and their findings indicate that the tissue comes from, of all things, an octopus- but speculate that it would have to be of enormous size! The authorities refuse to even consider that this might be feasible- but the loss of ships-and people- change their thinking. The scientists hit upon a theory that was a familiar theme in ‘50s and ‘60s sci-fi films - that the octopus has come from a deep area where there has been hydrogen bomb testing- and, therefore, an atomic mutation. Commander Matthews and military authorities again react by thinking this is a preposterous idea- in spite of more fatalities.
Finally, after one more attack, there are actually survivors - but only one of them will tell what he saw, because the others see the reactions of the higher-ups, and stay silent in fear of ridicule. Lesley, not only an expert biologist but also one fabulous babe, uses her formidable feminine wiles to get that one man to repeat his story- and finally-the authorities believe it! Warnings are sent to all the shipping lanes, as there are reports of missing ships in the north Pacific- and then, of missing swimmers right off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. This can only mean that the menacing beast is getting closer to the mainland!
Proof of the existence of the giant octopus is found in Oregon, spurring the Navy into action, putting mines in the surrounding ocean, and adding an electrified net at the mouth of San Francisco Bay (certainly no easy feat)! They even go to the extreme measure of electrifying the iconic Golden Gate Bridge- only to find that the electric shocks aggravate the powerful sea monster, causing it to react violently with a destructive attack on the port of San Francisco!
We’ll fill you in on lots of production details of this film ( including why the creature isn’t really an OCTO-pus), as well as some background of the cast, including Kenneth Tobey, Donald Curtis, and the lovely Faith Domergue. Plus- a song familiar to fans of old TV, our popular interview with an old ( emphasis on OLD) submarine commander, and a product sure to stick to your ribs- and even more!
“It Came From Beneath the Sea” surfaces tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, and, if you need to check the time and channel in your area- please look at your local listings or at www.metv.com . Feel free to join the fans live-Tweeting during the show using the hashtag #svengoolie on Twitter! During the daytime today in the Chicago area, viewers will see an encore of “The Invisible Man” at 11 am on the U. Programming note for the future: on Saturday, November 16, the Sven show on the U will be moved up to 10 am due to a sports event.
The 3rd chapter of “Svengoolie Meets the DC Universe” will appear in select DC Comics this Wednesday the 13th- be checking for it in the DC books that come out on that day. Again, don’t be afraid to ask your comic book store staff which ones come out that day.
Meanwhile, the Svengoolie Surprise Fan Boxes are being shipped out! If you ordered one, keep an eye out for it! At this writing, VERY few are still available- and only with limited t shirt sizes, since most sizes have sold out. You can order the box in our store while they last- they are definitely an endangered species.
Join us tonight on MeTV for Ray Harryhausen magic- fresh from the ocean to you!
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1707 Comments
🎩 Oh darn 😉📺
love them all 📺🍿
Gummi snakes, such as those made by Haribo, might be appropriate. I’ve seen the Haribo Twin Snakes in Krogers. Place like World Market have a large selection of gummis, which might include giant snakes.
They are not snakes but if you squint your eyes they look sorta like snakes.
Perhaps more importantly who in the BONANZA episode played the part corresponding to Nellie in LITTLE HOUSE OF THE PRAIRIE episode?
“The 3rd chapter of “Svengoolie Meets the DC Universe” will appear in select DC Comics this Wednesday the 13th- be checking for it in the DC books that come out on that day. Again, don’t be afraid to ask your comic book store staff which ones come out that day.”
The standard practice in comic book shops is to place the most recent issues at the front of the rack. Frequently, a section or even an entire rack will be dedicated to the titles that arrived that week.
Thumbing through comics that you prob’ly won’t buy is highly frowned upon in comic book stores. Dan Didio knows this. You'd be safer explaining to the shop staff what you’re looking for. If they have yet to encounter any Svenheads they’ll ask “What titles does the insert appear in?” because DC has given vendors no forewarning. You'll respond “It ‘will appear in all DC periodicals’ from 30 October to 20 November ‘excluding DC kids titles and DC Black Label titles’” [single quotes are from DC Publicity’s missive of 30 October]. The Black Label books are straightforward in that they are printed in a different format. “Kids titles” are more problematic because DC has three age-graded ratings besides Mature, age-grades anyone over 17 might consider to be “kids” altho’ none of the age-grades are labeled “kids" (insert Sven sound bite: “I’m not a kid!”). In other words, the Sven insert may appear in all non-Black Label title so long as they don’t fall into a nebulous “kid” category.
It's almost time
I, for one, could go for more cinematic thylacines.
First “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”. Now he’s making inroads on Tom Turkey. How much longer will The Great Pumpkin be safe?
If anyone has a comment that they know is just totally non-blog related in any way, shape, or form, we’re welcome to post them on The Wolf Blog at willoughbywolf.com.
