There Could Nevermore Be Terror Like Lugosi and Karloff in “The Raven”- Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV-we've brought back a 1930s classic that has not aired in a while- featuring Universal's two top horror stars of the era- as Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff show their Poe-tential in "The Raven"!

Though the credits say it was “suggested” by the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe, it only has minimal connections to that poem. You see, Bela is Dr. Vollin-a retired doctor who's obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe- so much so that he even has a sort of basement museum featuring various hideous torture devices from Poe’s stories ( I guess everybody has to have a hobby). Though retired and mainly doing research, he is approached by an old friend, Judge Thatcher, to operate on his daughter Jean, a young dancer who has suffered a terrible accident. Bela seems rather insensitive to the plight of others, but finally agrees to operate to save the young woman’s life.

And save her life he does- but, in the process, he becomes infatuated with the lovely, much younger, woman. He has hired her boyfriend Jerry as an assistant, but only as what he considers a consolation prize for when he, Vollin, steals his girlfriend. That may not be as easy as he seems to think, when Jean politely sidesteps his advances, and the judge expresses his disapproval of the much older Vollin’s pursuit of his young daughter.

There is a new arrival- a stranger (Boris Karloff) who turns out to be Bateman, an escaped murderer and thief who has heard of Vollin’s work, and wants him to do some plastic surgery on his face. Tired of his life of crime, he wishes to start anew, feeling that, without his recognizable ugly face he will be left alone. Vollin says he will do the surgery in exchange for some very illegal acts, but Bateman really does want to go straight, and refuses. The doctor finally consents to do the operation- but double-crosses Bateman with hideous results that Vollin will only undo if the criminal does what the asks. Bateman has no choice but to agree.

A fiendish scheme is put into action, as Vollin invites Jerry and Jean to join a group spending the weekend at his house, including Jean’s father the judge. Thus begins a dark and stormy night of horror, as Vollin carries out his dastardly plan, and utilizes his various Poe torture devices, like the blade from “Pit and the Pendulum” to get what he wants! Will he make poor Jean his own personal "Lenore"?

This 1935 Universal classic- the second to combine the talents of Bela and Boris as headliners- once again shows the creepy richness of atmosphere of that era's Universal horror films. We'll fill you in on the cast- provide some Poe-tential comedy bits, have a new visit with our friend “Lost in Space” star Bill Mumy, and – bring back a Sven featurette that many of our viewers want to see again-a chunk of the old "Flash Gordon" serial done completely in "Svensurround"! watch for a few highlights of the “Spawn of Svengoolie” auditions as well.

“The Raven” flies onto MeTV and lands on your TV screen tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time. For those wondering, yes, we are still on Twitter- as are the many viewers who continue to live-Tweet during the show, using the hashtag #svengoolie- and you are invited to join in. And our show returns to CW26 in Chicago this morning (after last week’s pre-emption for the high school football championships) with “The Crawling Eye” at 11 am.

Next Saturday, December 10th- Sventa Claus will be making his only public appearance for this year- at the Christmas Mystic Market, benefitting Sacred Space Animal Sanctuary and Rescue. It takes place at Soundgrowler Brewing Company in Tinley Park, IL, with Sventa only there from 2 to 4 pm. You can find more information under the “appearances” tab here on our website.

Sventa will also make a cameo appearance in the “Toon In with Me” holiday special “Tiny Toony’s Christmas Carol”- Monday the 5th on MeTV! Check your local listings for the time.

And, while we’re talking the holidays, let me again remind you that now is the best time to order your Sven merchandise gifts from the MeTV Mall! We have a wide variety of items, sure to please the Sven fans on your list! Click on the store tab and find the perfect gifts!

And- tune in to MeTV tonight- when, instead of the prancing and pawing of each little hoof- suddenly there will come a tapping, rapping at your TV screen- ‘tis “The Raven”!

PRE-ORDER! Limited Edition 4-Piece Enamel Pin Set

Available now for pre-order, there are only 3,000 of this limited edition set of pins! Open the coffin collector's box to reveal this spooktacular set of four enamel pins inspired by the premier horror program Svengoolie. Comes with Sven, Kerwyn, the Boddy Sorrell coffin lid, and the show's logo. Shop at Toynk.com