Who Was That Lady I Saw You With? That's No Lady- it's Lionel Barrymore and His Deadly- "Devil Doll"- Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV- just like last week, we find a scientist worried about the growing population of the world- but with a plan that is exactly the OPPOSITE of the previous show’s Dr. Deemer’s scheme! This time it’s size-reversal- which a prison cohort diverts to a means of revenge by creating more than one lethal “Devil Doll”!

There’s been an escape from Devil’s Island! The convicts on the run are scientist Marcel- and Paul Lavond, who was framed by his Parisian bank business associates for theft and murder. They manage to sneak off to where Marcel’s wife Malita is maintaining their secret laboratory, aided by a not-so-bright servant girl.  Marcel, though in ill health, shows Paul his amazing discovery- a way to shrink living things, with the idea of shrinking the earth’s population so that current food sources of normal size can feed many many more people- of miniscule size!

Paul thinks it’s a shocking procedure- until he realizes it is actually the perfect way to get back at the “friends” who sent him up the river! He returns to Paris, disguising himself – in a wig and dress -as “Madame Mandalip”, proprietor of a toy store that specializes in dolls. The only thing is- the dolls are real people that he has shrunken using Marcel’s procedure, who are completely under his control- and become the method of eliminating his enemies!

Paul sets out on his path of revenge while he keeps tabs on his beautiful daughter, who has been shamed by her father’s conviction and hates him for it. Meanwhile, the men who crafted the plot to have him blamed for the crimes they committed begin to fear for their lives, now that Paul is on the loose! Little do they realize that they are being targeted by  not only Paul- but a devil doll!

This 1936 horror film, directed by the legendary Todd Browning of “Dracula” and “ Freaks” fame, is based on a novel by Abraham Merritt entitled “Burn Witch Burn”- and has attained cult status. It stars the lovely Maureen O’ Sullivan as the estranged daughter- and the amazing sights of not only miniaturized people, but also a cross-dressing Lionel Barrymore ! The effects, mostly rougher versions of ones we have seen in later films like “Dr. Cyclops” and “Incredible Shrinking Man”, are still amazing for the times- especially when the actors are placed on actual over-sized sets and  props. We’ll talk about the effects, run down the cast list,  provide a new song – and have yours truly become a victim of the punifying procedure!

“Devil Doll” runs tonight on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central- for those unsure of where to find us in your area, please check your local listings or at www.metv.com . During the show, you can accept MeTV’s invitation to join the many fans on Twitter who live-Tweet during the show. Again last week, we were trending high nationally, thanks to our viewers using the hashtag  #svengoolie . In our Chicago viewing area, we have the encore of “Tarantula” at 11 am on our main local station, CW 26.

The new Svengoolie phone cases are a big hit-make sure you check the various styles at our store on our website- and rumor has it there will be more Sven merchandise coming fairly soon- perfect for holiday giving! So, make sure you check back at the store occasionally.

Join us tonight on MeTV – for a production that will NOT have you singing “Hello Dolly!”