Tonight on MeTV- we are happy to bring you a movie we have been trying to get for quite a while- a classic science fiction film of the early 50s, based on an iconic tale by H.G. Wells. It pits humanity against a frightening invasion from the red planet-depicted with amazing special effects for the era. Get ready to take up arms for the “The War of the Worlds”!

This 1953 movie begins with an imitation of the old movie newsreels- talking about the wars we have endured and issuing a warning about the use of super weapons in future battles. Then, we get a lecture by none other than Sir Cedric Hardwicke about the universe and the deterioration of the planet Mars-which sends its inhabitants into the universe to find a new place to live.

We then see, via a premise reused later by many films, a bright streaking (supposed) meteor that comes flashing across the sky, and lands on Earth near a small California town. Local residents flock to the scene to view the massive meteor, or whatever, that is still hot and glowing. Fortunately, authorities find that a nuclear physicist- Dr. Calyton Forrester (yes, this is where that name that was adopted for our pal Trace Beaulieu’s character on MST3K comes from)- happens to be vacationing nearby, and he arrives to check things out. He detects radioactivity coming from it and thinks it may be hollow since it did not bury itself very deeply on impact. He meets some of the locals, including lovely Sylvia Van Buren and her pastor uncle. Calyton decides he should stay around to examine things further and joins the locals that night at a square dance.

While others enjoy the dance, three deputies left to watch the object notice a hatch unscrewing from the thing- and, expecting alien visitors, approach the strange electronic eye on a flexible neck that emerges with a white flag, offering friendship. That idea ends swiftly when it emits a white-hot ray at the poor unfortunates!

When the townsfolk suffer a strange power outage and other phenomenon, they notice flames in the distance in the area of the meteor. When Clayton and the police force arrive at the scene, they find themselves under attack by the same heat ray. As reports of more meteor/cylinders coming down at various places on the earth, the military is called in to do battle- but find the Martian ships that emerge from the cylinders to be unstoppable and deadly!

As the attacks continue, Clayton and Sylvia use a small plane to try to escape- ending up in a deserted farmhouse, where they have a close encounter with an actual Martian! They manage to make their getaway and bring some evidence to a team of scientists in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Martians attack all over the world in their quest for world domination- with Los Angeles itself as the next target! With no earth-based weaponry able to stop them- will the Martians succeed in making Earth their new home?

This is an outstanding movie- the first screen adaptation of the H.G. Wells story- with ground-breaking special effects for the time, helmed by producer George Pal and his team. Our leading man is Gene Barry, with cast mates like Ann Robinson and Les Tremaine. We’ll introduce you to the cast, explain the history of how this film came about, and, yes, touch on the radio broadcast version of the story done by Orson Welles that panicked America. You’ll also get info on the special effects- breaking news coverage from our Sven Squad- a new song- and more talk with our “Nightmare on Elm Street” friends Robert England and Amanda Wyss!

“The War of the Worlds” begins tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time. We expect a huge amount of live-Tweets on Twitter/X and live comments on Bluesky during the show- if you join in, please use the hashtag #svengoolie. Our Chicago area viewers will get a second look at the House of Svengoolie’s presentation of the Stephen King novella “The Mist” this morning at 11 am.

Some big public appearance news is coming soon-make sure you check on future blogs and on the appearance tab here on our website for all the information!

Tonight- Uncle Sven wants YOU to take part in the “The War of the Worlds” -and, by the way, I’m NOT your uncle! I’m talking to YOU, Imp!