SVENGOOLIE'S APRIL MONSTER MOVIES

Last Saturday night, horror TV host Svengoolie treated monster fans with AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. There's three more to go this April and I'm looking forward to HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER at the end of the month. It's one of my favorite B-movie cheapies.

Svengoolie is shown on the MeTV network. I'm not positive that it's available in all areas, but you can check out the listings HERE.

SVENGOOLIE'S MONSTER MOVIES FOR MARCH

While we're on the subject of monster humor, TV horror host Svengoolie has announced his list of fright flicks for the month of March which include SON OF FRANKENSTEIN and THE MUMMY'S HAND.

After all these years, Svengoolie and his gang still serve up plenty of chuckles between commercial breaks and besides his comedic banter, he always provides viewers plenty of information about the films, actors and so on.

Here's the 411 from MeTV's, "Remind: The Home of Nostalgia" SITE.

PAINTING THE ADDAMS FAMILY HOUSE

As a follow-on to my post last week on matte painters and special optical effects technicians from the early days of Hollywood, here's an interesting piece from the popular 1960's TV show, THE ADDAMS FAMILY.

One of the matte painters for the Cosgrove-Fulton effects department during the production of RKO's release of JOAN OF ARC in 1948 (starring Ingrid Bergman with Jack Pierce in charge of makeup) was Luis McManus. Born in Mexico on May 31, 1898, the multi-talented McManus was at varying times an engineer, film editor, designer, commercial artist and fine artist. In the 1930's, he was employed by the Roy Seawright Special Effects Department at Hal Roach Studios where he worked on Laurel and Hardy films among others. For JOAN OF ARC, he is credited for painting the glass matte for the opening interior cathedral scene and most likely other scenes as well.

In the mid-1950's he was at Project Unlimited, a special effects company founded in 1956 by Wah Chang, Gene Warren Sr., and Tim Barr where he painted glass mattes for THE TIME MACHINE and JACK THE GIANT KILLER. Award-winning special effects man Jim Danforth later worked there as well. Danforth is recognized for his animation of the dinosaurs for Hammer's WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH in 1970.

He then made a move to television and in 1964 was hired by Filmways to paint the glass matte for the now-iconic shot of the Addams Family house. The house was real and stood at 21 Chester Place in Los Angeles (originally built in 1867, it was torn down in 1967). McManus added a gothic tower and a third floor to his glass painting.

Luis McManus is best known as the designer of TV's Emmy Award Statue, as well as the symbol for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1948. He based the images on his wife, Dorothy. He won the job out of 48 other design proposals. McManus passed away on April 17, 1968.

HAPPY 60TH ANNIVERSARY, 'THUNDERBIRDS'!

This is Assembly Control calling all Zero X units.

Assembly Phase One - go!

- Glenn Field Control

It's been 60 years since THUNDERBIRDS hit the UK TV airwaves and later to 30 other countries including the U.S. The following article offers a nice retrospective of the phenomenon created by the talented team of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.

'Thunderbirds' are 60! Looking back at the British puppet classic that was the 'Star Wars' of its day

A decade before George Lucas flew off to a galaxy far, far away, International Rescue introduced a generation to the coolest toys on the planet.

By Richard Edwards | September 30, 2025 | Space.com

"5… 4… 3… 2… 1. Thunderbirds are go!"

John Williams fanfares, opening crawls, and Star Destroyers chasing blockade runners are all very well, but Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's puppet classic still has the edge when it comes to bombastic opening sequences. The first 30 seconds of every "Thunderbirds" installment treat us to sightings of all five International Rescue craft, an action-heavy montage of clips from the episode to come, and a blast of (quite possibly) the most exciting soundtrack music ever recorded. And that's before the actual opening credits — accompanied by Barry Gray's famous theme tune — have even started in earnest. Dr Tiger Ninestein implored everyone watching "Terrahawks" (Anderson's 1980s offering) to "Stay on this channel". If he'd been fronting "Thunderbirds", he wouldn't have had to.

Although the show debuted 60 years ago, at the very height of the Space Race, "Thunderbirds" was unconcerned by the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The show (a major hit for UK commercial channel ITV) didn't even bother with the usual skirmishes between good and evil — Anderson would explore those themes in his next show, "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" — as its heroes had rather more altruistic aspirations.

Set in a very swinging version of the 2060s, it's the story of the ultimate emergency service, as retired astronaut Jeff Tracy invests his tech bro-level fortune (seriously, this guy is rich enough to own his own private island) in a fleet of titular, state-of-the-art rescue vehicles. Their mission? To save the day when the everyday authorities can't.

He recruits his five similarly selfless sons (Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon, and John; all named after Mercury 7 astronauts), who'd all rather be out flying dangerous missions than doing the stuff 20-somethings usually do. Except for John, who's drawn the short straw with his posting to orbital listening station Thunderbird 5. What did he say to upset his old man?

Although the show is pure '60s kitsch, fronted by a cast who could literally be described as wooden, and ridiculously formulaic, "Thunderbirds" is built from the same timeless ingredients as "Star Wars". Because both Anderson and George Lucas understood that, in pop culture, packaging can be just as important as what’s inside the box.

Both commissioned killer theme tunes that burrow into your ear like a Ceti Eel in "The Wrath of Khan", and pushed the envelope for special effects in their respective medium. But most importantly of all, both "Star Wars" and "Thunderbirds" are the ultimate toy commercials, built on the realization that their star wattage comes from the planes, spaceships, and submarines that kids of all ages are desperate to own. If the sight of Thunderbird 2 or the Millennium Falcon taking off don't quicken your pulse, you're deader than a marionette with its strings snipped off.

Even beyond the eponymous International Rescue fleet, "Thunderbirds" is a marketing masterclass. Despite being a British show, its lead characters — aside from the uber-posh, pink Rolls-Royce-owning London agent Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and her rough 'n' ready butler, Parker — are all-American heroes. This was a cunning ruse designed to help the series appeal to the all-important US market, though it ultimately proved futile, as the series never achieved the same success Stateside as it did in the UK.

The show was also filmed in color at a time when British TV was resolutely black-and-white, meaning that fans had to imagine the vibrant green, orange, and yellow color schemes of Thunderbirds 2, 3, and 4, respectively, for themselves. (ITV wouldn't start color broadcasts until 1969, though "Thunderbirds" was one of the very first shows to air when it did.)

Over on "the other side", BBC stalwart "Doctor Who" — featuring, coincidentally, a similarly altruistic and pacifistic hero — was arguably at the height of its '60s popularity, with the eponymous Time Lord (then played by William Hartnell) and, of course, the Daleks, popular enough to spawn a couple of movies. Even so, residents of the usually studio-bound TARDIS could only dream of the money lavished on International Rescue's international rescues. The globetrotting "Thunderbirds" looked more like a James Bond film and, indeed, visual effects guru Derek Meddings would later go on to work on a succession of 007 outings — as well as several "Superman" movies — in the '70s, '80s and '90s.

Visually, "Thunderbirds" was a step up from Anderson's previous puppet-fronted shows like "Four Feather Falls", "Supercar", and "Fireball XL5". The previous year's aquatic action adventure "Stingray" had also been made in color, but its action was nowhere near as ambitious as the elaborate stunts Meddings and co created (to scale, of course) on an industrial estate in Slough (coincidentally, the home of fictional paper merchants Wernham Hogg in the UK version of "The Office"). From the bendy palm trees of Thunderbird 2's iconic launch sequence to epic set-pieces featuring collapsing skyscrapers and doomed hypersonic jets, this kids' show could go toe-to-toe with the big screen's best.

This point was best illustrated by a (possibly apocryphal) story about production company boss Lew Grade, who'd later go on to bankroll "The Prisoner" and "The Muppet Show". It's said that, on seeing a 25-minute version of "Thunderbirds" pilot episode "Trapped in the Sky", he exclaimed: "That's not a television series, that's a feature film!", and ordered it be extended to fill an hour of TV. Whether true or not, it's a measure of the show's ambition.

Like many visions of the future, plenty of "Thunderbirds" has dated very badly. It exists in a very white, very male world, with — Lady Penelope aside — women in supporting roles, and some very crude racial stereotypes; most notably arch-villain/master-of-disguise the Hood, and his half-brother, the Tracys' live-in servant Kyrano. There's also a surprising amount of smoking for a kids' show, remarkable considering the effort the production team must have put into engineering miniature cigarettes for their stars.

But although it only ran for 32 episodes (and two big-screen outings), few TV shows have left as big a mark on British culture as the Andersons' magnum opus. In fact, much like "Doctor Who", it's become part of the national lexicon in the same way "Star Wars" has across the world. Early '90s repeats (ironically, on the BBC) prompted an International Rescue resurgence, with the Tracy Island becoming the must-have toy of Christmas 1993. Long-running kids’ show "Blue Peter" even had its own "make", showing children how to build their own, significantly cheaper version of Thunderbirds HQ with toilet rolls, yogurt pots and papier maché.

British production company Working Title (most famous for rom-coms like "Notting Hill" and "Bridget Jones's Diary") attempted a live-action movie in 2004. Unfortunately, despite some recognizable faces in the cast (most notably Ben Kingsley as the Hood) and a theme song from pop-punkers Busted, this kid-fronted adventure couldn't recapture the magic of the original. Luckily, CG-animated TV update "Thunderbirds are Go!" proved rather more successful when it landed in 2015, and arguably deserved to run longer than three seasons.

Even so, it never stood of capturing the zeitgeist as its famous forebear did, but then again, how many TV shows have? "Thunderbirds" may be flying into its seventh decade, but this slice of '60s nostalgia is still F.A.B..

BONUS! THUNDERBIRDS THE COMIC #6 (ITC Entertainment/Fleetway Editions LLC, December 28, 1991-January 10, 1992).

View 7 more THUNDERBIRDS posts HERE.

HEADS UP, THUNDERBIRDS FANS!

Due for release soon is this trio of classic Gerry Anderson TV show boxed sets in Hi-Def and loads of extras.

.

Space Precinct 2040 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray Collector's Edition Box Set

Suggested retail price: $99.95

Step into the future of alien adventures and celebrate the past with our collector’s edition of Space Precinct. This fantastic 8-disc Blu-Ray set marks 30 years of Gerry Anderson’s beloved series, the definitive sci-fi police drama!

Presented in breathtaking HD for the first time, this edition is packed with every episode, every adventure and a galaxy of new, exclusive content. Highlights include a brand-new two-hour documentary by Gerry Anderson expert Chris Dale uncovering the creation and legacy of the show, and a delightful short film following everyone’s favourite robotic deputy, Slomo, in a thrilling new adventure.

Also included is an exclusive booklet written by Space Precinct cast member Richard James, offering behind-the-scenes insights to Demeter City. Plus a Space Cruiser Cutaway poster and Demeter City Money replica props, meticulously recreated for this anniversary edition.

This is the definitive collection every fan has been waiting for – a celebration ofSpace Precinct’s rich storytelling, imaginative design and enduring legacy. Whether you’re reliving the adventures or discovering them for the first time, this set captures the magic of Altor’s finest law enforcers in unprecedented detail.

Disc Special Features

• I Love This Job – 120 min new documentary
• Lost Little Robot – new Slomo mini-episode
• Series 2 test footage – never before released test of the unmade second series
• Exclusive episode commentaries
• Music and effects audio tracks for The Witness and Smelter Skelter
• Space Police: Star Laws – HD upscaled pilot
• Space Police: Cutting Copy – HD upscaled materials
• Space Police: Rushes – HD upscaled rushes
• The Fire Within and Deathwatch – HD upscaled feature length compilation versions
• The Making of Space Precinct – HD upscaled documentary
• Space Precinct: Creature Tests – HD upscaled
• Deleted scenes – HD upscaled
• Space Precinct TV segments – HD upscaled promotional clips
• Space Precinct trailer – HD upscaled promotional elements
• Assorted textless elements
• And much more!

More Extras

• Welcome to Demeter City – new booklet written by cast member Richard James
• Cruiser Cutaway poster – by artist Graham Bleathman
• Demeter City money – as seen in the series
• Collectors slipcase box - designed by Marcus Stamps
• Classification: 12
• Number of Discs: 8
• Picture: 1.33:1 / Colour / HD
• Subtitles: English
• Region: ABC

Space: 1999 The Complete Series Blu-Ray Collector's Box Set with Extras

Suggested retail price: $99.95

Attention All Sections Alpha: Prepare For Transmission! From Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the legendary masterminds behind Thunderbirds, comes the epic sci-fi series, Space: 1999! September 1999: A nuclear waste dump on the lunar surface unexpectedly detonates, blasting the Moon out of Earth's orbit and taking the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha on an unbelievable voyage of discovery and adventure. Under the command of John Koenig (Martin Landau), the Alphans hurtle through the stars, encountering fantastic worlds and beings in a universe where peril awaits at every turn. Together, Koenig and the Alphans face the ultimate challenge in the farthest reaches of space: survive ... and find home. Also starring Barbara Bain as Dr. Helena Russell, Barry Morse as Victor Bergman, and Catherine Schell as Maya, Space: 1999 is a true classic of science fiction television, presented here in a deluxe box set with a galaxy's worth of special features that fans and newcomers alike will treasure. Strap yourselves in — the journey of a lifetime is about to begin!

A NOTE ON EPISODE ORDER Viewing Space: 1999 can sometimes be tricky for those looking to establish a clear, definitive timeline from episode to episode. This is due to a number of factors, including the nature of episodic television and its production at that time as compared to now, and the variance in airing dates from station to station and nation to nation. Ultimately, there are moments of character or storyline continuity that might seem out of place. While some fans have made excellent suggestions regarding a viewing order that makes the most sense, it is generally accepted that there is no single "correct" viewing order — only possibilities. With this in mind, we have presented Space: 1999 here in production order, as it is the most commonly accepted viewing order.

Space: 1999 features two DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, a 2.0 mono rendering presenting the show with its original broadcast audio presentation, and a 5.1 surround repurposing. The surround version is intermittently immersive, springing to life when there are sound effects (often in terms of spaceships or things like incoming missiles, etc.), but which doesn't really offer a consistent surround experience. Amplitude struck me as rather anemic on the surround track. The mono versions of the soundtracks actually suffice remarkably well for this series, with typically well done prioritization keeping dialogue mixed decently above sometimes cacophonous sounds of explosions and the like. The series' almost discofied score sounds fine and full bodied as well on the mono track.

UFO TV Series 1970 The Complete S.H.A.D.O. Files Blu-Ray

Suggested retail price: $153.99

Danger from the unknown… Menace from Outer Space… Fantastic new developments since man’s conquest of the moon… Unidentified Flying Objects have become established and are believed to be a threat to the safety of Earth.

Who are they? Where do they come from? Who are the occupants and what do they want? S.H.A.D.O. has come into being not only to protect Earth from danger from outer space, but to protect the public from realising that such a danger exists.

UFO became Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s first live-action series – the ‘supermarionation’ strings were gone but the incredible special effects-model work and exciting, intelligent storylines remained, with Ed Bishop leading a talented ensemble cast including George Sewell, Michael Billington, Gabrielle Drake and Wanda Ventham. This 8-disc Blu-ray collection brings together all 26 episodes and the 1980 film compilation version, restored in high-definition from the original film elements with an out-of-this-world assembly of brand NEW and archival Special Features. It’s no surprise UFO was lauded at the time as being “the greatest ever space series!”

8-DISC BLU-RAY SET + 120-page collectable booklet in Limited Edition Hardbox packaging.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p high-definition presentation of all 26 episodes, restored from the original film elements with original LPCM 2.0 Mono audio and optional DTS-HD 5.1 Surround, in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio
• NEW! Grading work and updates have been applied to select episodes, correcting specific flaws in the original restoration
• Invasion: UFO – the 1980 feature-film version restored in high-definition from the original film elements, presented in a newly created 1.78:1 aspect ratio + original 1980 videotape version in 1.33:1
• Audio Commentary on Identified by producer/writer/director Gerry Anderson (2002)
• NEW! Audio Commentary on Survival by “Fanderson” members Ian Fryer and Chris Drake (2024)
• Audio Commentary on E.S.P. by actor George Sewell (2007)
• Audio Commentary on Kill Straker! by director Alan Perry and actor Michael Billington (2003)
• Audio Commentary on Sub-Smash by actor Ed Bishop (2002)
• NEW! Audio Commentary on The Cat With Ten Lives by “Fanderson” members Ian Fryer and Chris Drake (2024)
• Audio Commentary by guest artist Deborah Grant and Jonathan Wood (2007)
• Audio Commentary by co-creator/co-producer Sylvia Anderson and actress Wanda Ventham (2003)
• NEW! Audio Commentary on Invasion: UFO feature-film version by ITC historians Jonathan Wood and Rick Davy (2024)
• From Earth to the Moon – feature-length documentary on the making of the series including interviews with Gerry Anderson, Ed Bishop, Wanda Ventham, Ayshea Brough, Georgina Moon, Jane Merrow, Deborah Grant, Susan Jameson, Matt Zimmerman, Jeremy Wilkin, Shane Rimmer, Michael Jayston, Alan Shubrook and David Collings (2016)
• The UFO Documentary – “Fanderson” produced documentary on the making of the series, narrated by Shane Rimmer, including interviews with Gerry Anderson, Bob Bell, Ed Bishop, Delores Mantez, Derek Meddings, Christopher Penfold, Alan Perry, George Sewell and Vladek Sheybal (1993)
• The Women of UFO – documentary charting the female characters in the series including interviews with Wanda Ventham, Ayshea Brough, Georgina Moon, Jane Merrow, Deborah Grant and Gabrielle Drake (2016)
• Identified: S.H.A.D.O. New Recruits Briefing – featurette (2016)
• Meeting Commander Straker – interview with actor Ed Bishop
• NEW! Reality Sets In – interview with guest artist Jane Merrow (2024)
• NEW! The Man Who Came Back Again – interview with guest artist Derren Nesbitt (2024)
• Ken Turner: ISOSHADO interview with the actor
• The Doppelcars – featurette on the UFO vehicles, narrated by Ed Bishop
• 21st Century Craft Design – featurette on special effects designer Mike Trim, introduced by Ed Bishop
• Tomorrow Today: episode of the science magazine series featuring Sylvia Anderson discussing UFO fashions (1970)
• Rare Collectibles / Memorabilia Photo Gallery

Series Archival Vault Material:

• Identified: Original opening sequence and alternative ending / S.I.D. Voice Sessions
• Exposed: Extended scenes
• The Square Triangle: Clean closing credits
• Kill Straker!: Original raw studio takes (audio)
• Timelash: Day for night grading example / clapperboard sequence
• The Long Sleep: Unused footage
• Invasion: UFO – Full frame opening titles / closing credits & textless end credits
• Invasion: UFO Trailer
• Textless series end titles and textless episodic material/stock footage
• Original TV Spots for the series
• Italian Trailers
• Extensive Photo Galleries
• Plus a 120-page booklet featuring the extensive Pressbook information for the series + Story Information, all taken from the original studio files

IRISH BEFORE SHE WAS QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE

She was born Nellie Elizabeth McCalla, one of eight brothers and sisters in Pawnee, Nebraska on December 25, 1928. "Irish" McCalla frequently moved around the country while growing to the Amazonian height of 5' 9 1/2" by the age of fourteen. At 16, she filled out her statuesque, athletic frame into a 39 1/2-24-37 figure.

She graduated from High School in 1946 and moved to Los Angeles, landing a job at a McDonnell Douglas Aircraft factory, also working a waitress. During this period she was "discovered" (some reports say by a photographer who saw her throwing a bamboo spear on Malibu Beach) and signed a contract with Global Photo Syndicate.

Astoundingly photogenic, she quickly found herself on and in dozens of men's magazines, men's cartoon digests and became one of California's top pinup models.

Although she had no experience in acting, her break came when she was offered the role of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle for a TV series. Sheena, of course, originated in Fiction House's JUMBO COMICS and later in her own title. The show was cancelled after just 26 episodes, but during that short time she became the idol of untold numbers of adolescent boys and her likeness wearing her leopard-skin bikini has since entered the halls of popular culture. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960.

After a few roles in B-movies (SHE DEMONS, THE BEAT GENERATION, HANDS OF A STRANGER) and various TV shows, she failed to further her acting career. Moving to Malibu, she concentrated on raising her two sons and pursuing her love of painting. After marrying her third husband, she relocated to Prescott, Arizona. For a number of years she battled cancer and after suffering a stroke, Irish McCalla passed away on February 1, 2002 at the age of 73.

In the February 2008 issue of PLAYBOY, an article covered her career and included several nude shots never published before, taken in 1951 by Bruno Bernard (the famed photographer "Bruno of Hollywood") at the behest of Peruvian artist, Alberto Vargas to use as reference shots for one of his legendary pinups. McCalla never posed nude and this was the single exception. Vargas' finished product appeared in the men's magazine, CAVALIER. Needless to say, the aforementioned article and pictorial caused a sensation and brought McCalla back in the pinup culture limelight over 50 years later.

Her biography, "TV's Sheena Irish McCalla", was written by Bill Black and Bill Feret and published in 1992. In the book, looking back at her career, she modestly said:

"I never figured why it was so important to be bigger busted than someone else. I was full grown in height and had a thirty-nine-and-a-half inch bust at the age of 16 and I was very embarrassed by it all. I was always proud of my long hair and my flat stomach, but no one seemed to mention them, did they? But let's face it, if it hadn't been for my measurements I would have been just another pretty gal and possibly lived an average life, which wouldn't have been half as much fun."

TV Show Trivia:

• Anita Ekberg was originally chosen for the role of Sheena, but opted at the last minute to sign with movie production company. Debra Paget was also considered. McCalla actually signed Anita Ekberg's contract with her name scratched over Ekberg's.
• Both Will Eisner and Jerry Iger wrote numerous scripts for the series. The Eisner and Iger studio had originally packaged the JUMBO and SHEENA comic books for Fiction House.
• Brother of world boxing champion Max Baer, actor Buddy Baer was in two episodes. Baer played the "Diablo Giant" in GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN (1958).
• Charles Horvath was in two episodes. Horvath starred as "Mike" in THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE (1958).

Irish McCalla before SHEENA:

Photo-feature from EYE magazine (March 1954):

Irish McCalla models for Alberto Vargas (note Bruno Bernard in one of the photos) in 1951:

Irish McCalla as Sheena:

SHEENA TV show trailer (1955)

SHEENA TV (full episode) "Crash in the Jungle (1956):

"Sheena Battles the Vampire Vultures" from SHEENA, QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE #2 (Fiction House, Winter 1942), scripted by W. Morgan Thomas and drawn by Bob Webb. Included is a Sheena text story by Lynn Saunders.

See the Irish McCalla PLAYBOY article HERE.