You’ve Bugged Us for It- “Deadly Mantis” Tonight!

"It Came from the Drive-In" month would never be complete without a classic 1950s giant monster- especially one that Sven viewers have been VERY vocal about seeing again- I'd say you've been "praying" for it, but- oh, never mind- please welcome back- the "Deadly Mantis"!

The old '' for every action, there is a reaction" rule comes into play when a South Seas volcanic explosion sends seismic energy all over- including the frozen North- where ice  caps melt, freeing a prehistoric creature of amazing size! Of course, the valiant men posted  at Early Warning System DEW Line headquarters don't know this, and are concerned when guys at an Arctic outpost of theirs cannot be reached. Upon investigation- they find the outpost trashed, no personnel or even bodies- and one strange ominous big imprint in the snow! Radar then indicates some flying object aloft in the area- and when jets are sent to apprehend it, one plane is destroyed by the "thing". Checking the wreckage- an unusual organic object is found- and a call goes out to a noted paleontologist to identify what it might have come from.

The paleontologist, Ned, checks out the object- and is stunned by the mind-boggling possibility of what it might be- an insect known to be carnivorous- of amazing size! Meanwhile, there are more sightings, and more carnage up in the far North- and  Ned and his museum's magazine editor, the lovely Marge, head up to the Canadian DEW line base to try to find out the truth. There, they meet Col. Joe Parkman, who has been investigating all this mayhem- little do they all realize that the massive menace itself is approaching the base!

This begins a frantic effort to locate and fight the flesh-eating gargantuan which is heading southward- in search of warmer weather and- more food! Can they stop the mammoth mantis before it uses America as a cafeteria?

This 1957 feature is among the most-requested films from our viewers- and the cast, including "Peter Gunn"  Craig Stevens, "Perry Mason" veteran  William Hopper, and- believe it or not- an actual mantis, as opposed to the special effects creation that appears in most of the movie- have helped make this film a favorite. We'll talk a little about the cast, plus add some Sven shtick to complement the proceedings.

"Deadly Mantis" infests Me-TV tonight at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 pm central, and at whatever time we run in your area-please check your local listings if you're unsure. In Chicago, our Windy City Sven fans get a second look at "Island of Terror" at 11 am on our sister station, WCIU, the U!

Speaking of "Island of Terror"- our broadcast of that film last week on Me-TV brought us some record- breaking ratings, and we appreciate your support! Also, in case you missed the blog, we thank you for your votes that helped me again win the national Rondo award for this year as "favorite horror host"!

If you're near McHenry, IL, this afternoon, you have the chance to visit with me at Al N Ann's Collectibles in that town- I'll be there from 1 to 4 pm. All the information is under the "appearances" tab on this site- as well as info for next week's "St. Baldrick's" event appearance in Riverside!

Put up that "No-Pest" strip next to the television- and enjoy that "Deadly Mantis" tonight!