Ray Milland and Rosey Grier Double-Down for Horror in “The Thing with Two Heads”- Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV - we HEAD back to the early 70s for a confusing fusion of a bigoted doctor and a Death Row convict- who happens to be black- when, in order to save the doctor’s life- his living head must be transplanted onto the convict’s body (which unfortunately already HAS a noggin of its own)! This uneasy alliance puts the combined duo on the run, and the police searching for “The Thing with Two Heads”!

This memorable 1972 American International film stars Ray Milland, during his horror movie phase of his career that included “Frogs” and “X- Man with the X-Ray Eyes”. He plays Maxwell Kirshner, a wheel-chair bound doctor who knows his lifetime is limited due to his failing body. He has a plan though- the far- fetched idea of transplanting one head onto a different body. Amazingly, his idea has been proven valid- as we see a gorilla in his laboratory that has two living heads!

As things progress, Kirshner needs an additional doctor to perform the final operation that will move his head to a new body, allowing him to live on and continue his remarkable work as a surgeon. He hires a new doctor to work with his main assistant, Dr. Desmond- but, when he sees his new hire, Dr. Williams is an African American, the prejudiced Kirshner rejects this applicant- and will continue with only Desmond.

As Kirshner’s health deteriorates, he hits upon a plan to get a new body- why not utilize a man who has nothing to live for- a convict given the death penalty? The warden of the prison makes the offer to the condemned men- be given a reprieve from the chair, and contribute one’s life to science? At first, there are no takers- until Big Jack Moss, headed for execution and knowing he did not commit the crime he has been accused of, volunteers to be part of this “experiment”.

Kirshner is fading fast- and, as Jack is brought to his laboratory, everyone there, knowing the doctor’s attitude, is stunned that the convict is a black man!

The operation commences, and is successful- and, when Kirshner revives, his reaction is exactly what was expected- he is incensed that he has been transplanted onto a black body! His associate Desmond explains there was no time to do anything else, and promises to keep Jack’s head sedated until they can do the second operation to remove it. Of course, at this point, Desmond needs help to do so- and contacts the rejected Dr. Williams, begging him to assist, while assuring him that he does NOT think as Kirshner does.

Williams agrees reluctantly- but, before the second operation can take place- Jack manages to take control of “their” body, and soon, they become a two-headed fugitive, forcing Williams to join them as they escape, with Jack determined to prove he is innocent of any crime. Can he get exonerated- and separated- from his hateful co-headliner?

This film, like “Blacula”, makes some social commentary- while delivering some pretty amazing special effects. We’ll talk about them, including some done by a master effects artist who is a fan of our show, talk about the cast, which includes Roger Perry an Don Marshall, and come up with some other two-headed combinations- including a couple familiar noggins from our show- plus a new song and more!

(We should point out that people do confuse this film with another movie- “The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant”- which starred Bruce Dern. This is NOT that one!)

“The Thing with Two Heads” heads your way tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time. YOU can head over to Twitter to live-Tweet during the show- using the hashtag #svengoolie- and join in comments that have again kept us in the top Tweeted-about topics in the nation! Locally, Chicago viewing-area fans can catch an encore of the beloved Don Knotts comedy “Ghost and Mr. Chicken” at 11 am this morning on CW 26. ( And- for those who as why we repeat that film every year- once again, its run last week on MeTV drew huge ratings nationally!)

We would like to thank the generous contributors who joined in the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications’ auction by bidding on the opportunity to join us in our dungeon studio for a taping of the show, and the chance to hurl rubber chickens at me! The final winning bid was over six thousand dollars, and we are very grateful and honored by this great show of support for the museum.

Be sure to check our appearances listing on this website for the information on our next public appearance with the Windy City Thunderbolts for some fun baseball action!

Tonight- it’s a definite double-header- with “The Thing with Two Heads”!