That's No Easter Egg- It's "This Island Earth"- Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV- it's big problems for our big blue marble brought about by some big-headed aliens- as odd encounters result in the world's top scientists being summoned to a strange research compound – only to learn they are pawns in a galactic battle- that could lead to the conquest of "This Island Earth"!

It all begins when Dr Cal Meacham, a nuclear physicist, is flying his small plane home when it is enveloped in a greenish glow- taking the plane out of his control! Miraculously, the plane lands safely, but no logical reason can be found for the phenomenon. Returning to his lab, a second mystery is unveiled- his assistant Joe explains that. instead of the resistors he had ordered, they've received some sort of odd new solid-state type, unlike anything they've ever seen, with amazing unheard of capacity! Puzzled, Meacham wants to order another batch from the same mysterious company- but, instead of another batch of these odd resistors, he receives an entire shipment of unfamiliar parts, along with instructions on how to build them into some sort of machine whose function he can only guess at. He and Joe decide to get to work building the contraption- discovering it is some sort of communication device called an “interocitor”. It suddenly picks up a transmission from an odd looking individual with an impossibly high forehead named Exeter ( no, the forehead isn't named Exeter, the whole guy is...). The mysterious figure on the screen congratulates Meacham- saying that, by successfully building the device, he has “passed the test” – and proven himself worthy of becoming part of a special top secret project!

Following instructions, Cal boards an unusual - and unmanned- aircraft alone, and is brought to a remote research compound. He is met by fellow scientists- including Ruth, an expert on nuclear power, who claims she has never encountered him in the past- yet Cal knows he has met her before ( after all, he has a pretty good memory for attractive women)! Once onside the compound’s main building, he finally meets Exeter and his similarly-high-domed cronies-and joins the group of recruits- an international amalgam of scientists transported there just as he was. He bonds with Ruth, that female scientist and a fellow we recognize –(he's Russell Johnson-the Professor from “Gilligan’s Island”)-  a fellow scientist who's also curious and suspicious about what this place is all about. The three of them scheme to uncover what Exeter and his boys are actually planning, besides supposedly having the scientists attempting to create new forms of power. They soon learn that they are constantly under surveillance, and actually prisoners in the compound! They agree that they must escape, but their attempt results in Meacham and Ruth being captured and transported -via a spacecraft unlike any modern science has yet to create- to the far-off planet Metaluna ,which is quickly deteriorating -under siege by a powerful alien race. Along the way, they behold bizarre and dangerous mutants, used by Exeter's people as a slave labor force. As bombings by their enemy progress, and the battle seems lost, the leader of Exeter's group- the Monitor- reveals a new plan- to take over the earth as their new home, and reprogram the earth people's brains to remove their free will- and they will start with  the two visiting earthlings! Will Cal and Ruth become pacified pawns, forced to pave the way to the earth's conquest?

This 1955 Technicolor film is considered a landmark science fiction film, with a fairly sophisticated story line and quality special effects for the time period, and is best remembered for the big headed “Metaluna Mutants”- which are pretty much the prototype for the space creatures of the 50s labeled “bug-eyed monsters”. The cast includes leading man Rex Reason, the sultry Faith Domergue, and Jeff Morrow as Exeter. We'll talk about the cast, and provide some background on the film, as well as trying out our own Interocitor along the way. You will see our old set and coffin in this vintage Sven program, as well as a new segment with Kerwyn- working from home!

"This Island Earth" beams to your TV sets ( no Interocitors required) tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or, check for time and channel where you live in your local listings, or at www.metv.com . Don't forget that MeTV invites you to Tweet along during our broadcast on Twitter- just use the hashtag #svengoolie . We continue to be among the top trending topics being commented on nationally every week. Chicago area viewers can enjoy a second round of "The Mummy’s Tomb" at 11 am on the U!

A few things- we hope you are all staying home and keeping well in these trying times. Our Sven crew is fine so far- and anxious to be able to return to producing new programs as soon as the “all clear” sounds. And, to all of you who voted in the Rondo Awards this year- your votes brought us TWO awards- one for favorite horror host, and the other for “top event of 2019”- the city of Chicago’s celebration of my 40 year anniversary. My sincere thanks for your wonderful support-your kindness and loyalty are so appreciated! Finally, we hope you find some way to observe Easter and the Passover season in spite of the unusual circumstances. As our MeTV friends have been saying- we’ll make it through all this together- while staying apart.

Please join us tonight for the big broadcast, featuring big heads and ( hopefully) some big laughs!