Big Heads Beaming Into Your TV on "This Island Earth" - Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV- it's a science fiction classic from the 1950s- in which the world's top scientists are summoned to a strange research compound – only to be whisked to a far-away planet with mutant aliens- and learn they are pawns in a galactic battle that could lead to the conquest of "This Island Earth"!

It all begins when Dr Cal Meacham, a nuclear physicist, is flying his small plane home when it is enveloped in a strange greenish glow- that takes the plane completely out of his control! Miraculously, the plane lands safely, but no logical reason can be found for the phenomenon. Returning to his lab, a second mystery is unveiled- his assistant Joe explains that. instead of a set of resistors he had ordered, they've received some sort of odd new solid-state type, unlike anything they've ever seen, with prove to have amazing unheard-of capacity!

Puzzled, Meacham wants to order another batch from the same mysterious company- but, when he does so, instead of another shipment of these odd resistors, he receives an entire package of unfamiliar parts, along with instructions on how to build them into some sort of machine- whose function is unknown, and the guys can only speculate about what it does. Regardless, he and Joe decide to get to work building the contraption- discovering it is some sort of communication device called an “interocitor”. The machine suddenly picks up a transmission from an odd looking individual with an impossibly high forehead named Exeter (no, the forehead isn't named Exeter, the whole guy is...). The mysterious figure on the screen congratulates Meacham- saying that, by successfully building the device, he has “passed the test” – and proven himself worthy of becoming part of a special top secret project!

Following instructions, Cal boards an unusual - and unmanned!- aircraft by himself, and is brought to a remote research compound. He is met by fellow scientists- including Ruth, an expert on nuclear power, who claims she has never encountered him in the past- yet Cal knows he has met her before ( since he appears to have a pretty good memory for attractive women)! Once inside the compound’s main building, he finally meets Exeter and his similarly-high-domed cronies-and joins the full group of recruits- an international amalgam of scientists transported there just as he was. He bonds with Ruth, that female scientist and a fellow we recognize –(he's Russell Johnson-the Professor from “Gilligan’s Island”!)- another scientist who's also curious and suspicious about what this place is all about. The three of them scheme to uncover what Exeter and his big-headed boys are actually planning, besides supposedly having the scientists attempting to create new forms of power. They soon learn that they are constantly under surveillance, and actually are prisoners in the compound!

They agree that they must escape, but their attempt results in Meacham and Ruth being captured and transported -via a spacecraft unlike any that our modern science has yet to create- to the distant planet Metaluna ,which is quickly deteriorating -under siege by a powerful alien race. Along the way, they behold bizarre and dangerous mutants, used by Exeter's people as a slave labor force. As bombings by their enemy progress, and the battle seems lost, the leader of Exeter's group- the Monitor- reveals a new plan- to take over the earth as their new home, and reprogram the earth people's brains to remove their free will. They plan to start with the two visiting earthlings! Will Cal and Ruth become brainwashed pacified pawns, forced to pave the way to the earth's conquest?

This 1955 Technicolor film is considered a landmark science fiction film, with a fairly sophisticated story line and quality special effects for the time period. It is best remembered for the big headed “Metaluna Mutants”- which are pretty much the prototype for the space creatures of the 50s labeled “bug-eyed monsters”. The cast includes leading man Rex Reason, the sultry Faith Domergue, and Jeff Morrow as Exeter. We'll talk about the cast, and provide some background on the film, as well as trying out our own Interocitor along the way. Plus-we bring back some convention interviews, a tutorial on how to shoot UFO footage, a favorite vintage Sven commercial, and more. Don’t be surprised if you see our old set and coffin during this program!

"This Island Earth" beams to your TV sets (no Interocitors required) tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or, check for time and channel where you live in your local listings, or at www.metv.com . Don't forget that MeTV invites you to Tweet along during our broadcast on Twitter- just use the hashtag #svengoolie . We continue to be among the top trending topics being commented on nationally every week. Chicago area viewers can enjoy an encore visit to “The Old Dark House” at 11 am on CW26!

Speaking of which, the appearance by Nostalgiaferatoo in our show last week proved to be a big hit with our viewers! He will indeed be dropping by again!

This past week marked one year since the untimely passing of our friend Gilbert Gottfried. We miss him, and will continue to show his previous visits in the future.

If you care to vote in the Rondo Awards this year- remember the deadline is midnight Sunday night, April 23- as we have mentioned, I’m again in category 21 for favorite horror host. Please follow all the stated rules if you vote- so your vote will count!  Click here for instructions to vote!

And, please join us tonight for the big broadcast, featuring big heads and (hopefully) some big laughs!