On a Wing and a Scare- Beware of the "Gargoyles"- Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV, we bring back a favorite "made for TV" movie of the early 70s that was such a big hit last year- fans demanded an encore!  We head out into the desert with  an  anthropologist author and his daughter, whose skeptical research takes a sudden turn  when they learn that legendary demons do exist- and are ready to infiltrate man’s world again, hoping to tip the scales of power in favor of- "Gargoyles"!

This 1972 feature begins with Dr. Mercer Boley, writer and investigator of demons (with a bent towards debunking it all as pure mythology) and his daughter Diana, who serves as his photographer, meeting up in the American southwest to research his latest book. After some confusion about their route, they stop at a local “tourist trap”- a curio shop where they check out the inventory for any real artifacts. Uncle Willie, the grizzled old proprietor, takes note that the pair are showing little regard for his wares and definitely not taking them seriously- so he tries to impress them with the “real” artifacts he keeps in the back of the shop. He shows them a display of a skeleton of –well, some sort of creature- but the doctor thinks it's just a combination of various animal bones. Daughter Diana, noting Willie’s serious state, tends to think there's some reality to it, not just something to fool the suckers. Willie tells his tales as day becomes night, and as he describes some ancient Indian beliefs, a strong windstorm unexplainably rises- at least, they HOPE it’s a windstorm! The mayhem causes a huge fire, along with some building collapse- meaning dire circumstances for Willie-as dad and daughter barely escape, dragging with them with the skull of the odd creature’s skeleton. But they are not safe yet- as they drive away, their car is attacked by shadowy figures!

They finally escape, and limp their car to a gas station. The attendant is shocked by the damage their vehicle has sustained- and since it’ll take a while to fix it up, they head to the adjoining motel, run by a woman with an obvious preference for distilled liquids! When day breaks, Dad and Diana want to report the previous night’s mishaps to the police- who are busy apprehending a pack of local young men on motorbikes. The officers think these no-good punks are responsible for the tragic conflagration at the old museum, but Doctor Boley and his daughter know better. Yet, they just don't think the cops will buy their story- at least not yet.

Back at the motel that night- Diana and Dad get some unexpected visitors- actual gargoyles! They break into their motel room, seemingly in search of the skull taken from the museum. After some confrontation, the gargoyles make their escape, but  one is killed- and Doc takes it back to their room, suspecting that the gargoyles were behind the museum incident- and that the skull may have belonged to one of their ancestors! The next day, Diana goes to the police department- hoping to convince the cops that the boys they've locked up are not to blame-but that proves useless, as the police and , yes, the guys she's trying to help laugh off her story of the odd creatures.

Returning to the motel after dark- the gargoyles also return, intent on reclaiming their dead comrade’s body. Doc Boley and his daughter try to escape- but Diana ends up captured by the gargoyles!  They reveal to her what their true plans are- and it’s up the doctor- and anyone he can convince that the gargoyles are real- to save his daughter- and stop the weird creatures before they begin their full onslaught of the human race!

This movie’s cast, includes big screen star Cornell Wilde, the lovely Jennifer Salt,  "Dark Shadows" TV show's Grayson Hall, and a very young Scott Glenn- plus the late Bernie Casey as the head of the gargoyles. Along with information about the movie, we'll repeat the visit from a Chicago lady whose made Svengoolie an answer –though a wrong one-to a "Jeopardy" question; bring you  a song based on a tune by a friend  and  talented musician whose group got its start in- BERWYN!- and more!

"Gargoyles" fly onto your screen tonight on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/pacific,7 central, or check time and channel in your area in local listings or at www.metv.com . You can help us trend nationally on Twitter, like we did last week, by live-Tweeting during the program, using the hashtag #svengoolie. Chicago area viewers will get one last order of that baker’s dozen of vengeful spirits- "13 Ghosts"- at 11 am on WCIU, the U.

Thanks to everyone whom made our 2018 Halloween tour a huge success- looking forward to a short break form our public appearances. Please remember that we’re now on Instagram- look for @real svengoolie -  and get set for a great November movie schedule!

Are some people’s memories of seeing “Gargoyles” on TV when it first aired as a made-for-TV movie able to compete with the movie, seen present day on our show tonight?  Join us and find out!

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