Does a Killer Bug Create “Insect-icide”? It’s “Deadly Mantis” Tonight!

This movie almost starts out like an old high school science film- as the narrator explains that "for every action, there is a reaction”. This is illustrated by a volcano erupting  in the  South Seas- which releases energy that spreads across the globe, including to far northern ice caps. The result- a long dormant prehistoric creature is released from where it has been frozen in the ice for centuries!

Nobody is there to notice- but soon- there are some strange clues that things are not right. When a far northern Canadian outpost of the Dew Line (Distant Early Warning) System is suddenly silent, the commanding officer, Col.Parkman himself goes to investigate- and  finds the outpost totally destroyed- but no personnel or even bodies on the premises  He's confused by their absence -and a large odd shaped  imprint in the snow near the outpost. When radar  indicates a unauthorized and unidentified flying object in the area- jets are sent out, only to have one plane destroyed! When Parkman goes to inspect this wreckage- a large pointed object is also found- and, once it is identified as organic material- an expert is called in- one Ned Jackson, a trusted paleontologist who may be able to identify  what exactly it is- and to what it was originally attached.

Ned investigates, and is shocked by his own theory- that this pointy thing is actually a "small" body part of a familiar carnivorous insect- but of such great size, the world has not seen its like since the prehistoric era! Whatever it is continues its carnage in the Great White North- prompting Ned and Marge,the magazine editor at his museum headquarters, to wing their way to the Canadian DEW line base to try to find answers and confirm Ned's astonishing theory. They meet with Col. Parkman, and his staff, who seem goggle-eyed over Marge due to the lack of female company in the area- but something far more intimidating than a pretty woman is also entering the area- a 200 foot long mantodea- (that's science-guy talk for- a praying mantis!)

The military must attempt to locate and stop this gargantuan predator as it heads to the south in pursuit of the type of warm climate it enjoyed in the prehistoric era- not to mention its pursuit of more food to satisfy its massive appetite ! Things get tense as the mantis explores the regional tastes of American citizens- literally- and it looks like a big city showdown with the big bug is inevitable!

We get many requests for this 1957 flick, so we're happy to have gotten it back for you. We'll introduce you to the members of the cast , including familiar faces like Craig Stevens and William Hopper, among others- and-bring you a new Sven song! Also- pay attention  during our mail segment- we think we've spotted a common element between something in this film- and another Universal sci-fi film we've shown before!

"Deadly Mantis" wings its way across the screens of MeTV tonight at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 central, or, if you're not sure of what time you'll find us (or WHERE you can find us!) in your area- you can always head to www.metvnetwork.com   and click on "where to watch"- just enter your zip code to find the information. Our Chicago area viewers will get another chance to enjoy "Creature from the Black Lagoon" this morning at 11 am on our sister station WCIU, the U !

Don't forget- MeTV invites you to live-Tweet with other Sven fans on Twitter during the show- just use the hashtag #svengoolie ! Join us tonight for Mantis-mania running wild!