“The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957) – Silver Screen Reflections (2025)

Fellow SuperSvengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be dancing and jumping for joy for his 2024 coast-to-coast classic mammoth double-feature monster and sci-fi masterpiece twinset showcase to start “Svengoolie’s Halloween Boo-nanza 2024;” plus the return of classic episodes of the Sven & “Toon In” cross-over series!

“Svengoolie” presents his big twinset of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) and “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957), plus classic “Sventoonie” for “Svengoolie’s Halloween Boo-nanza 2024”

Rare original 1939Universal Studiostheatrical trailer forRowland V. Lee’s classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece production installment of“Son of Frankenstein” withBoris Karloff,Basil RathboneandBela Lugosi.Sourced from a High-Definition transfer of an original/rare 35mm nitrate theatrical trailer film print from the collection of film archivist/projectionist Jonathan Froes.

Original 1957 United Artists theatrical trailer for “The Monster that Challenged the World.” Sidebar: This was from a trailer that was prepared by UA for worldwide distribution and/or for latter United Artists Television syndication packages of classic post-1952 UA films for local TV stations, as many of the titles/intertitles are missing.

The legendary and iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based classic mammoth monster/creature feature film masterpiece host will present his first 2024 double-feature monster/creature feature twinset masterpiece showcase of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) and “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957). The aforementioned Sven double-feature twinset festival will begin this Sat., Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

Svengoolie’s upcoming big broadcast twinset of the classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece production of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) and the classic mammoth United Artists creature masterpiece feature of “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957) will be the inaugural 2024 Sven double-feature twinset the Me-TV/”Svengoolie’s Halloween Boo-nanza 2024″ October festival and to tie-in with Svengoolie/Rich Koz’s 45th anniversary in the Berwyn/Chicago television big broadcast airlanes!

Before Sven’s Oct. 5, 2024 “Halloween Boo-nanza” double-feature twinset: Me-TV will begin Svengoolie’s “Halloween Boo-nanza 2024” this Sat. morning with a special “Sven Squad”-hosted presentation of select classic mammoth Warner Bros. spooky-themed cartoon masterpieces, titled “House of Svengoolie: Cartoon Boo-nanza” featuring Bill “Nostalgiaferatoo” Leff of Sven & “Toon In With Me” fame, “Gwengoolie” (portrayed by Sarah Palmer) and “Imp” (portrayed by Scott Gryder) this Sat. Morning, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. Eastern/8 a.m. Central on most Me-TV Stations!

Me-TV’s “Halloween Western Round-Up:” Me-TV’s Late Sat. morning/Sat. afternoon showcase of classic mammoth western masterpieces (“The Wild, Wild West,” “Wagon Train,” “The Big Valley,” “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “The Rifleman,” “Rawhide,” “Have Gun, Will Travel” and “The Rifleman”)- Sat., Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern/9 a.m.-5 p.m. Central on most Me-TV stations!

Me-TV presents “The Three Stooges: The Spooky Stooges:” A showcase of the Stooges’ classic mammoth spooky-themed Columbia Pictures comedy short subject masterpieces, Sat., Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. Central/5 p.m. Eastern on most Me-TV stations!

And after Svengoolie’s big “Halloween Boo-nanza 2024” twinset of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) and “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957), the big broadcast return of..

Classic “Sventoonie”/”Best of Sventoonie” Late-Night ‘Boo-nanza Binge’ overnight festival! Don’t tell the legendary and iconic Kerwyn about this- The return of the legendary and iconic “Red Tuna of Terror,” “Sventoonie” along with Blob E., Trevor and numerous surprises in select classic mammoth big broadcast masterpiece episodes of the limited classic mammoth “Sven”/”Toon In with Me” cross-over/spin-off masterpiece series! Latenight Sat. evening, Oct. 5/early Sun. morning, Oct. 6 from 1 a.m.-6 a.m. Eastern/Midnight-5 a.m. Central on most Me-TV stations!

But wait.. there’s more! Alongside the aforementioned Oct. 5, 2024 “Svengoolie’s Halloween Boo-nanza 2024” Line-up, Here’s a brief rundown of the upcoming 2024 “Svengoolie’s Halloween Boo-nanza” big broadcast masterpiece festivals on the airlanes of Me-TV:

Sat., Oct. 12: Svengoolie’s “Halloweeen Boo-nanza 2024” big broadcast twinset beginning with the classic mammoth Alan Rafkin-Universal spook comedy masterpiece and of Sven’s many-requested classic mammoth feature film masterpieces, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” (1966) with Don Knotts and Alma Stanley (at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, “Attaboy, Luther!”), followed by the classic mammoth Richard Gordon/Arthur Crabtree sci-fi thriller masterpiece, “Fiend Without a Face” (1958) with Marshall Thompson and Kim Fields (at 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT), followed by the the big broadcast return of the classic mammoth Me-TV documentary masterpiece on the life and career of Sven/Rich Koz, “Svengoolie: Uncrypted” (2022) featuring guest cameos by fellow wonderful legendary friends/Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super readers of “Silver Screen Reflections” Sarah Rhodes/Sarahgoolie, Nanette Keir and Brian Bernardoni with the classic collection of Son of Sven/Sven memorabilia via fellow wonderful legendary friends/Super SvenPals/Super Tooners/Super readers of “Silver Screen Reflections” Dave Fuentes of “Terror From Beyond the Dave” fame and Warner Todd Huston (at 1 a.m. Eastern/Midnight Central)! Plus, a Late-Night ‘Boo-nanza Binge’ overnight festival of select classic mammoth episodes of Rod Serling’s classic mammoth CBS supernatural masterpiece series, “The Twilght Zone” (2 a.m.-6 a.m. Eastern/1 a.m.-5 a.m. Central)!

And be on the lookout for details in the next edition of “Silver Screen Reflections” on an upcoming Sven online big broadcast showcase right before the Oct. 12 “Sven’s Halloween Boo-nanza” big broadcast! -C.H.

Sat., Oct. 19: Sven’s “Halloweeen Boo-nanza 2024” big broadcast twinset beginning with Andre de Toth’s classic mammoth Warner Bros. thriller masterpiece adaptation of “House of Wax” (1953, presented in 2-D) with Vincent Price, Phyllis Jones, Frank Lovejoy and a pre-“Addams Family” Carolyn Jones (at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT), followed by the Me-TV big broadcast premiere of “Svengoolie presents: House of Svengoolie” featuring the Sven Squad (Nostalgiaferatoo/Bill, Gwengoolie and Imp) with the big broadcast premiere of Jim Henson and George Lucas’ classic mammoth Henson/Lucasfilm/Tri-Star fantasy masterpiece production of “Labyrinth” (1986) with David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly and Frank Oz (at 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT)! Plus, a Late-Night ‘Boo-nanza Binge’ overnight festival of select episodes of the classic mammoth 1974-75 Universal Studios “Kolchak” supernatural masterpiece series with Darren McGavin and Simon Oakland, “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” (from 1 a.m.-6 a.m. ET/Midnight-5 a.m. CT)!

Sat., Oct. 26 (Finale): Sven’s “Halloweeen Boo-nanza 2024” big broadcast twinset beginning with Sven’s big broadcast premiere of the official restoration of William Cameron Menzies’ cult classic mammoth sci-fi masterpiece, “Invaders from Mars” (1953) with Jimmy Hunt, Helena Carter and Arthur Franz (at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT) followed by the “House of Svengoolie”/Sven Squad big broadcast premiere of Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s classic mammoth fantasy masterpiece, “The Dark Crystal” (1982) featuring the vocal stylings of Henson, Oz, Dave Goelz and Steve Whitmire (at 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT)! Plus, an additional Late-Night ‘Boo-nanza Binge’ overnight festival of select episodes of “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” (from 1 a.m.-6 a.m. ET/Midnight-5 a.m. CT)!

The classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece production installment of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) was directed and produced by veteran feature film director-producer Rowland V. Lee. Lee previously directed the classic mammoth RKO Radio Pictures adventure-comedy masterpiece with Cary Grant,Edward Arnold,Frances FarmerandJack Oakie; “The Toast of New York” (1935). One year before he directed the classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece production of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939), Lee directed his classic mammoth Universal comedy masterpiece production of “Service de Luxe” (1938) with Constance Bennett, young Vincent Price in one of his earliest feature film appearances, Charles Ruggles, Helen Broderick, Mischa Auer, Joy Hodges, Halliwell Hobbes and Chester Clute. The same year that he worked on “Son of Frankenstein,” Lee also directed the classic mammoth Universal drama masterpiece production of “Tower of London” (1939) withBoris Karloff,Basil Rathbone, youngVincent Price,Barbara O’Neil,Nan Grey,Leo G. Carroll,Lionel BelmoreandDonnie Dunagan.

The screenplay for Lee’s classic mammoth Universal monster masterpiece production of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) was written by veteran writer/screenwriterWyllis Cooper. Two years before writing the screenplay for Lee’s classic mammoth 1939 Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece installment, he served as a contributing screenwriter with screenwriters Lynn Root and Frank Fenton for The same year that he wrote the screenplay for “Son of Frankenstein,” Cooper wrote the original story treatment for Alfred L. Werker‘s Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios) western-comedy production of “Wild and Wooly” (1937) with Jane Withers, Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer (of Hal Roach‘s “Our Gang/The Little Rascals” fame), young Lon Chaney Jr., Walter Brennan, Pauline Moore, Berton Churchill and Jackie Searl. The same year that he wrote the screenplay for “Son of Frankenstein” (1939), Cooper wrote the screenplay forFord BeebeandSaul A. Goodkind’s classic mammoth 12-chapter Universal horror serial masterpiece series withBela Lugosi,Dorothy Arnold,Regis ToomeyandEdward Van Sloan; “The Phantom Creeps” (1939). Cooper’s screenplay for Lee’s classic mammoth 1939 Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece installment production of “Son of Frankenstein” was inspired by Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel, “Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus.

The classic mammoth 1957 United Artists creature/sci-fi feature film masterpiece production was directed by veteran TV and film producer-director Arnold Laven. Throughout the majority of feature film & TV producing-directing career, Laven was mostly known for his collaborative works with veteran producers Arthur Gardner and Jules V. Levy. According to the official website for the producing trio of Jules V. Levy, Arthur Gardner and Arthur Laven and IMDB; the three met while they served in the United States Army Air Force’s First Motion Picture Unit in 1943 during World War II. Under the the formation of Warner Bros. studio head and studio co-founder Jack L. Warner, the U.S. Army Air Force’s First Motion Picture Unit produced training films for the U.S. Armed Forces. Laven, Gardner and Levy were stationed at the unit; which was at the now-former Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, California- it was mentioned that the three were stationed with Capt. Clark Gable, Lt.William Holden and Capt.Ronald Reagan.

When Laven, Gardner and Levy were discharged after the end of World War II in 1945; the three worked in the motion picture industry. The trio decided to start their own production company; Laven-Gardner-Levy Productions, Inc. in 1951 for the motion picture and growing television industries. Laven-Gardner-Levy Productions is known as one of the longest-lasting motion picture & TV production partnerships.

The trio’s company is best-known for their association with Four Star Productions, Inc.- notably for two classic mammoth TV western masterpiece series; “The Rifleman” (1958-63 with Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford) and “The Big Valley” (1965-69, with Miss Barbara Stanwyck, Lee Majors, Linda Evans, Richard Long and Peter Breck).

Both Arthur Gardner and Jules Levy co-produced Arnold Laven’s feature production of “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957). The production was not listed under the “Laven-Gardner-Levy Productions” moniker, but was listed under the name of Gramercy Pictures/Gramercy Productions for theatrical release through United Artists Corporation, according to IMDB. Sidebar: The “Gramercy Productions/Gramercy Pictures” moniker for the 1957 Laven-Gardner-Levy- United Artists feature of “The Monster that Challenged the World” was not connected to the later “Gramercy Pictures” that was established as a joint venture between Philips/PolyGram and MCA/Universal in 1992 (PolyGram bought MCA’s remaining share in the Gramercy venture in 1996, Seagram also acquired MCA/Universal in 1995 and later acquired PolyGram from Philips Electronics of the Netherlands in 1998 by merging it into Universal– Universal Studios briefly re-established the “Gramercy Pictures” moniker under the studio’s “Focus Features” moniker in 2015. -C.H.

The original story concept for the Laven-Gardner-Levy production of “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957) was written by veteran screenwriter David Duncan. Duncan previously wrote the dubbed dialogue material for the North American theatrical release of Ishirô Honda‘s classic mammoth Toho Studios kaiju creature masterpiece production of “Rodan” (released in Japan in 1956, released in the United States in 1957). Duncan also wrote the screenplay for Edward Ludwig’s classic mammothWarner Bros.sci-fi creature masterpiece, “The Black Scorpion” (1957) withRichard Denning,Mara Corday,Carlos Rivas,Mario Navarro,Carlos Múzquiz,Pascual García Peña,Pedro Galván,Arturo Martínez,Fanny SchillerandBob Johnson; the screenplay for Will Cowan’s classicUniversal Studioshorror masterpiece, “The Thing That Couldn’t Die” (1958) withRobin Hughes,Andra Martin,William Reynolds,Jeffrey Stone,Carolyn Kearney,Peggy Converse,James Anderson,Charles Horvath,Phil HarveyandForrest Lewis; Jack Arnold‘s classic mammoth Universal sci-fi monster masterpiece production of “Monster on the Campus” (1958) with Eddie Parker,Arthur Franz,Joanna Moore,Troy Donahue,Judson Pratt,Nancy Waltersand Whit Bissell; the screenplay for George Pal‘s classic mammoth Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) sci-fi masterpiece adaptation of H.G. Wells‘ “The Time Machine” (1960) with Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot (later of TV’s “Family Affair” fame), Tom Helmore, Whit Bissell, Doris Lloyd and the vocal stylings of Paul Frees; Edward Dein’s classic mammoth Universalsci-fi/fantasy masterpiece production of “The Leech Woman” (1960) withColeen Gray,Estelle Hemsley,Kim Hamilton,Grant Williams,Phillip Terry,Gloria Talbott,Paul Thompson,Harold Goodwin, Arthur Batanides,Murray AlperandJohn Van Dreelen and the screenplay for Richard Fleischer‘s classic mammoth Twentieth Century Fox (Twentieth Century Studios) sci-fi/fantasy/adventure masterpiece production of “Fantastic Voyage” (1966) with Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch, Edmond O’Brien, Donald Pleasence, Arthur O’Connell, William Redfield, Arthur Kennedy, young James Brolin and an uncredited appearance by James Doohan (of TV’s “Star Trek: The Original Series” fame and the 1979-94 Paramount “Star Trek” theatrical feature film masterpiece series fame).

For Sven/”Son of Frankenstein” (1939):This will mark Sven’s eighth coast-to-coast big broadcast of Lee’s classic 1939 mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece feature production installment of “Son of Frankenstein” on the airlanes of Me-TV. He previously showcased “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) as a Me-TV/coast-to-coast big broadcast premiere presentation back in May 2011* and as regular Me-TV big broadcasts back in Feb. 2012*,March 2013,April 2014 as part of “Rotten Relatives Reunion Month,”Sept. 2015, Aug. 2018 and Oct. 2021 as part of Sven’s “Franken-Fest” month-long big broadcast showcase of classic mammoth “Frankenstein” monster feature film masterpieces.

For Son of Sven/Sven’s previous Berwyn/Chicago big broadcasts of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939): During Sven/Rich’s WFLD days as the “Son of Svengoolie,” he previously showcased Rowland V. Lee’s classic mammoth Universal “Frankenstein” monster masterpiece production of “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) as a Berwyn/Chicago, Illinois “Son of Sven” Halloween 1980 special evening big broadcast premiere on WFLD/32 back in Oct. 1980 and as a Sven/WCIU big broadcast on his hometown TV station in Berywn/Chicago, Illinois; WCIU-TV 26/”The U” back in 2007, according to Rick Klein’s FuzzyMemoriesTV and additional details from IMDB.

For Sven/”The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957): This will mark Sven’s second big broadcast of “The Monster that Challenged the World” (1957) on the airlanes of Me-TV. He previously showcased the classic mammoth 1957 United Artists sci-fi creature masterpiece as a big broadcast premiere back in Feb. 2024.

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