Stalk Like an Egyptian-There's Doom in the Tomb When "Dr. Phibes Rises Again"-Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV-find out what gets a rise out of Vincent Price’s disfigured “dead-again/live-again” villain- as we pick up where last week’s movie left off- only a few years later- when the killer keyboardist is restored to life- and sets out on a quest to return his beloved wife to the realm of the living- while racing against an anxious adversary to a certain spot in Egypt that promises eternal life- as “Dr. Phibes Rises Again”!

After a brief recap of the last film ( narrated by Garry Owens), we pick up three years after that- when the position of the moon sets off the revival process that releases Phibes from the grave! He now feels the time is right to use a manuscript he has in his safe to find a hidden temple through which flows the River of Life- which can restore his wife Victoria and provide him, as well, with eternal life. He again has the assistance of his female accomplice Vulnavia ( with no excuse given for why she is alive and beautiful as ever after her dousing in deadly acid in the previous film!)

There is only one problem- the manuscript is gone! Phibes realizes there can only be one man behind its disappearance- one Biederbeck, who has the same pressing need to find the River of Life, after having stayed alive for centuries thanks to the use of a unique elixir- but his supply of the elixir is running out!

Naturally, the cunning Phibes regains the manuscript, in his usual devious and deadly manner, and sets out across the sea to Egypt- with Vulnavia and his wife’s comatose body in tow- but Biederbeck and his beautiful red-haired love, Diana, are aboard as well making the journey to remote Egypt. A strange shipboard mishap clues in Phibes’ old adversary, Inspector Trout, that the fiend is back- and soon he and his superintendent Waverly head out to the desert in pursuit!

Biederbeck already has a crew hard at work at the mountain that is supposedly the site of the temple- in which Phibes sets up a new headquarters upon his arrival! Phibes must find the key that will open the gates to the River of Life- returning to his old ways, but this time, instead of using Biblical plagues to defeat his enemies, using methods inspired by Egyptian mythology! Time is running out for Biederbeck- as well as the lives of his associates- as he and Phibes face off -with the lovely Diana’s life used as the ultimate bargaining chip!

This film, released in 1972, the year after “The Abominable Dr. Phibes”, continues the saga with the same black humor of the original. Vulnavia actually was not going to be a part of this film- for obvious reasons- but American International demanded she be in it- though the original’s actress, Virginia North, was pregnant at the time, and so Valli Kemp was cast as Phibes’ silent associate. We’ll talk about others in the cast, including Robert Quarry as Biederbeck- and several actors returning from the original film. We’ll add some behind the scenes information- plus lead you through one more round of our drawing game “Too Drawn Out”, a tabloid TV-type expose of the undead Doctor, more info about what caused the conflict between Robert Quarry and Vincent Price, and more!

“Dr. Phibes Rises Again” will arise on your TV tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time. For those who may not be able to get MeTV via over the air broadcast or on cable or dish, we should remind you that MeTV streams in real time on the FrndlyTV app- where you can also have a DVR to save the show. Please know that there is a nominal monthly charge. Viewers will again be active on Twitter during the show, live-Tweeting about the program, and you are invited to do the same- make sure you add the hashtag #svengoolie . Chicago area viewers can get an encore of the first part of this series, “The Abominable Dr. Phibes”, at a special time- starting at 10:30 am ( due to high school football quarter finals) on our main local station, WCIU-the U!

We want to thank you all for the overwhelming reactions to our new Freddy Cannon song “Hey Svengoolie”! We heard from so many of you about how you love the music video, and how amazed you were by some of the celebrity cameos!  If you missed the video last week, see it now on YouTube!  Then visit Yikesgeist to see if you spotted all the celebrities.

We had an amazing experience last Saturday night at the iconic Auditorium for the North American premiere of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” with live orchestral accompaniment by the Chicago Philharmonic. We especially enjoyed the many fans who came to say hello at the VIP meet and greet. Tonight, it’s a different kind of event- the big birthday bash for the beloved retro diner Ed Debevic’s here in Chicago! You can meet me tonight from 5 to 7 pm for pictures and autographs- not the mention the great food and the wise-cracking wait staff! This event is for customers only, and you’ll find more info under the “appearances” tab here on our website.

Join us tonight when Dr. Phibes returns from the crypt, proving that you can’t keep a bad man down!