Double Feature Tonight: Adders and Adolescents! "Sssssss" and "Teenagers from Outer Space"!

Tonight on MeTV- it’s more two-for-one frightful fun as we present a double feature- starting off with some mysterious experiments that give a scholar scales- and then- it’s adolescent aliens arriving on earth to either protect or destroy humanity- thanks to a scheme to raise giant lobster-like creatures as livestock! It’s “Sssssss” followed by the Sven Squad and “Teenagers from Outer Space”!

In our first feature- we meet Dr. Carl Stoner who is selling a crate holding some sort of a creature to a carnival owner. Chances are it is a specimen of a kind of reptile, since that is Stoner’s field of research. Claiming that his previous assistant had left town to attend to a sick relative and that he needs help with further experimentation, he hires bright young college student David Blake as an assistant.

As part of his research, Stoner starts David on a course of injections, stating that they are a safeguard in case he gets bitten by a snake in the lab. Also assisting in Stoner’s work is his sweet daughter Kristina, who helps not only with the doctor’s work but also with the snake demonstrations he presents to the public, utilizing very venomous snakes! David and Kristina find themselves attracted to each other, but her father objects to them having a romantic relationship. Regardless, they go on dates, including a visit to a carnival sideshow that holds a significant exhibit that fascinates David. The date also provides a run in with a local bully, who has ideas about Kristina and shows up later on, leading to some stern punishment from the doctor.

Something is amiss, because soon, David's skin slowly starts to change and even peel- like, oh, say, a snakeskin. He begins to have strange nightmares and actually goes into a coma while having dinner with Stoner, not waking up until a few days later. He also begins to lose weight, but Stoner tells him those are side effects from the venom.

One morning David wakes up and gets very upset by what he sees in his mirror! The doctor then has David head back into the lab for yet another injection. Meanwhile, a suspicious colleague of the doctor, Dr. Daniels, arrives to inspect the property. Stoner attempts to keep David out of sight, but when Daniels walks past a window, he sees David’s new scaly condition. Before Daniels can react, Stoner finds a way to silence his nosey friend.

A return visit to the carnival freak show reveals a nasty secret to Kristina-and soon she realizes what her father’s experiment is all about- as David is well into his transformation into a reptile state! ( No, not the state of Florida…)

This chilling 1973 movie is definitely NOT for those squeamish about snakes, so be forewarned. The cast includes Face from “The A Team”, Dirk Benedict- noted character actor Strother Martin- Heather Menzies and several other familiar faces. We’ll talk about them, and about this production- get a visit from a guy hoping to join the doctor’s snake show, as well as Nostalgiaferatoo showing up as some sort of expert (again?!)- a reprise of a much-requested song-and more!

Then, our Sven Squad- Gwengoolie, Nostalgiaferatoo (again?!) and Ignatus Malvolio Prankenstein- the Imp-take over with the spaced-out tale of some aliens (who supposedly are teens, but, let’s say look slightly older) from beyond arrive by flying saucer to find a breeding ground for Gargons- huge lobster-like creatures who are a food supply for their planet. One of the aliens, Derek, is the lone member of the saucer crew who is worried about the safety of earthlings- which gets him imprisoned by his peers, only to escape- leading him to romance with a local girl, and disintegrating-gun-happy aliens tracking them down- oh, and the giant lobster-like thingies are not exactly waiting to be doused with drawn butter!

The Squad talks about this 1959 sci fi teen tale and they provide their usual entertainment- which just might include the lovely Gwen singing!

The double feature begins at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time. Live commenting on BlueSky and live-tweeting on Twitter/X will again take place during the show- join in, and make sure to use the hashtag #svengoolie. Local Chicago area viewers will get another look at the hairy scary Hammer horror “Curse of the Werewolf” at 11 am this morning on WCIU, The U.

Check out the appearances tab here on our website for a special radio appearance by Sven’s alter ego coming up next week Saturday- and take a look at the latest shirt in our store- the Svengoolie Squares shirt, featuring the character on our crew you will see tonight!

Tune in to MeTV for scales, saucers and silliness in tonight’s double feature!