Svengoolie January 2023 Newsletter

## Intro

**JANUARY**

It’s a new year and a new era for the Svengoolie show! This month is the beginning of the program being expanded to two and a half hours. I will explain more about that in a moment — but first, let me run down the January schedule, including a movie in which a secret ingredient was added to the Americanized version — an actor who played a certain lawyer we mention often!

## Body

Yes, as I mentioned, our show will now be expanding to two and a half hours! What this means is: we will have the ability to run a few movies that we previously could not, due to them being too long for our timeslot. It also means we will be able to edit back into previous shows parts of the movies that we had to cut out in order to fit our old time slot. In addition, the extra time will allow us to do longer mail segments, add in additional Sven content, and even bring back some classic segments that you may not have seen — or hoped to see again! Though we did hear from some viewers who were concerned that we would stop running the shorter classic horror films, as you can see, that is NOT the case. A shorter run time for a movie will translate into more time for Sven segments.

Let’s go over what we have for you this month: first of all, when we ran the 1930s Bela Lugosi The Raven last month, we got several comments about how viewers wished we would run the 1963 Roger Corman film of the same name. Well, that wish is granted! We have this comedy/horror classic from 1963, with an all-star (or is it all-SCARE?) cast — Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and the great Boris Karloff! Additionally, it includes a very young Jack Nicholson and the beautiful Hazel Court — all in color! It probably has a minimal connection to Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” — but that certainly didn’t hurt the previous film with that title! The following week, we have brought back another true classic, and one of my favorites... The Invisible Man! After last month’s encounters with an “Invisible Agent” and Abbott and Costello’s transparent boxer, we thought it would be fitting to show you where it all started — with the amazing performance of Claude Rains.

Next up, it’s some Hammer horror from 1963, featuring a vampiric cult (but not featuring Christopher Lee nor Peter Cushing) — in what was to be the third movie in Hammer’s “Dracula” series, coming after Brides of Dracula: it’s Kiss of the Vampire, where a vampire hunter (again, not Cushing) is called upon when a young couple becomes guests of a vampiric family! We wind up the month with an often-requested film whose rights were not available for a few years — but has constantly been asked for by our viewers. It is the original Godzilla, King of the Monsters! It is the Americanized version — best known for the inclusion of new footage and narration by Raymond Burr... yes, yes, the man who played Perry Mason! (Cue the music!) Those who have never seen this film are often amazed that it has a much more serious and somber feel to it than many of the later Godzilla films (for example — ‘Zilla does not perform any pro wrestling moves!) It really gives the viewer the feel of tragedy and desperation that the giant monster causes. So, actually, we start the month with a film that mixes laughs with the horror — but, as we proceed, the movies each week get much more serious! It’s a great mix to begin our 2023.

As we continue to get auditions for the “Spawn of Svengoolie”, I should answer two of the main questions we get. One — there is currently NO deadline set for entries! We are still accepting them, and you can check out how to send an audition on our website or on the new Svengoolie app. Please do NOT send resumes, videos, or emails to me personally — you must send in auditions in the above way. Also, campaigning to be chosen as the Spawn on various social media will have no bearing on any decisions. And two — with this “Spawn of Svengoolie” quest ongoing, people are still asking me “Are you retiring?” As I have stated before — NO! I am not thinking of retiring at this time. I have always stated here and in interviews, as long as I am healthy enough, and as long as I am having a good time doing the show (remember, it IS work, but the crew and myself enjoy doing it) — I will remain here in our dungeon studio! With our show reaching new heights of popularity nationally, I can’t even imagine stepping away from it. So, it looks like you will be stuck with me for the time being!

We did want to give thanks for the great turnout of Sven fans at the “Christmas Mystic Market” event at the Soundgrowler Brewery in Tinley Park, IL last month. Seeing a long, long line of people stretching out of the building and far into the parking lot was a perfect holiday gift to me — especially since it benefitted the Sacred Space Animal Sanctuary and Rescue organization. This was the ONLY live appearance by Sventa Claus this year, which made it an even more special event!

## Upcoming Appearances

**Note**

So far, it looks like we will begin this year’s appearances in late March at one of our favorite events — the big C2E2 comics and entertainment convention in Chicago! But there may be unexpected events that come up before then — so make sure to keep checking the “appearances” tab on our website for updates!

## Photo of the Month

We got this photo from Steve Martin (no, not THAT one — or the character Raymond Burr plays in the Godzilla film with the same name.) He and his friend Tony recently went to Budapest and made at stop at the Vajdahunyad Castle — which features a bust of none other than Bela Lugosi! It’s probably a good thing that they were not invited in to spend the night…