This Saturday night on MeTV- we’re bringing back a one-man dynamo, used as the prototype for a mindless electrical army. A carnival performer becomes a deadly menace in what is considered to be Lon Chaney Jr.’s very first entry into true horror films. See how a cruel and devious scientist uses Lon’s incredible tolerance for electrical current to transform him into the “Man-Made Monster”!

The story, like many of our movies, begins on a stormy night-with the rain-slicked roads causing a bus to lose control and skid into a high voltage electrical tower, resulting in the tragic death of the driver and every passenger aboard- except one. When that survivor is rushed to the hospital, the medical staff is astounded to find he has not only survived the accident- but is, in fact, hardly affected by it at all!

The attending physician, Dr. Lawrence, discovers that the survivor is none other than “Dynamo Dan”- a carnival sideshow star whose act involves him being exposed to very high levels of electrical current- for entertainment purposes! All his prior exposure to huge doses of electrical power appears to have played a part in his surviving the accident that wiped out everyone else on the bus. The doctor, intrigued, invites Dan to move into his home research facility, to be studied and perhaps confirm that the “previous exposure” theory is valid.

Dan cheerfully moves in and finds the place to be a great fit for him- not only because the doctor’s pretty daughter also lives there- but also – he gets to play with the family’s dog. However, there lurks a dark cloud in this happy existence, that nobody suspects at first- in the form of the doctor's in-house co-worker- Dr. Rigas. Rigas has his own agenda- he wants to prove a personal theory that living creatures can be altered and mutated to survive- strictly on electricity! While he’s been experimenting with lesser life forms, "Dynamo Dan” being there means the availability of a human subject! Rigas sets out to covertly experiment on the former sideshow attraction, while keeping his plans secret from Dr. Lawrence.

Experimentation begins, with Dan subjected to massive amounts of electricity, and Rigas never revealing the real reason why to his cooperative subject. This continuing procedure, however, changes Dan - both physically and emotionally. The Lawrence family soon takes notice and there is concern about Dan’s well-being. Regardless, the experiment continues- and Rigas charges Dan with such devastating power that he becomes, literally, what his carnival moniker suggested - a human dynamo! He now emits an unearthly glow and possesses unfathomable raw electrical force- becoming an electrified zombie, completely under the control of the man who "created" him! Rigas commands Dan to do his bidding, unleashing his power on anyone who gets in Rigas’ way. This “Man-Made Monster” soon is terrorizing the countryside – unable to be stopped or killed!

This 1941 film has some interesting special effects for its time and definitely has some frightening moments. For those viewers who are used to Lon Chaney as the brooding, fatalistic Larry Talbot, or as the haunted characters he played in the “Inner Sanctum” series, it may come as a surprise to see Lon portraying such a happy-go-lucky fellow at the start of this film. Reportedly, this film was the reason that Lon was cast in his perennial role as Talbot, the Wolf Man. We'll tell you about the film’s players, visit a strange sideshow, present a song, and again be bedeviled by Nostalgiaferatoo. Plus, we send up some clips from the film in Svensurround- and give you another dose of the silent movie silliness of “Fractured Flickers”- all in a special two-hour format show!

"Man Made Monster" lights up MeTV tonight at 8pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or check your local listings (or www.metv.com) for time and channel. Remember that MeTV invites you to support our show by posting live comments during the program on Twitter/X and Blusesky- just use that hashtag #svengoolie ! Our local Chicago area viewers can again experience the only outing of Hammer’s “Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter”” on our main local station, the WCIU the U, at 11 am.

Many thanks to the fans who came out from various corners of the country to visit with us at Flashback Weekend! We did a special live talk show with “American Werewolf in London” star David Naughton and “Scream” star David Arquette and met other celebrities who watch us like “Greatest American Hero” William Katt and lovely movie and TV star Pamela Shoop. Of course, we got to meet lots of viewers and hosted another epic costume contest. Down the line, you’ll be seeing highlights from all the fun!

Join us tonight as Lon Chaney Jr. is “charged” with “battery”- or literally becomes one-whose touch means -death!