Don’t Shake “The Mummy’s Hand” Tonight!
For Mummyphiles everywhere, Me-TV takes the wraps off another chapter in the Universal Mummy saga, as, on the day which marks EXACTLY 33 years that I have been the Sven character, we bring you the “sequel” to Boris Karloff’s original “Mummy” film- ‘The Mummy’s Hand”.
Why do I have “sequel” in quotes? Well, although the history given for the Mummy and his princess is pretty well lifted from the original Karloff flick- including repurposing footage from that film- “only the names have been changed to protect the innocent”, as they used to say on “Dragnet”… in this case, to protect the Im-ho-tep; the name of the Mummy and his princess are different from those used in the first film. Otherwise, they appear to be the same characters- played by other actors.
The story starts as a dying priest of the cult that has kept the Mummy Kharis (not Im-ho-tep…see?) alive to protect the tomb of the Princess Ananka (not Anksenahmen…double see?) passes on the secrets of the tanna leaves that keep the Mummy alive to his successor- and reminds him that, should anyone despoil the tomb of the Princess- the Mummy must be given the full count of tanna leaf tea to revive him fully and protect her burial place.
Naturally, we get the feeling that that just might happen, when a couple American archeologists discover an ancient vase in a marketplace that appears to be a clue to the location of the Princess’ lost tomb. In spite of opposition, they manage to secure funding for the expedition to locate the tomb from a fellow American- a goofy magician, whose daughter at first thinks the whole thing is a scam, but is won over by the handsome archeologist Steve.
Meanwhile- the protective cult has caught wind of the plan to locate the tomb, and brings the Mummy back to full strength-and soon, the shambling menace is killing off members of the expedition- and the lovely magician’s daughter ends up in mortal danger!
This 1940 film- made about eight years after the original- stars cowboy star Tom Tyler under the bandages and make-up as the living Mummy. We’ll fill you in on what the deal is with an unusual effect done on his eyes! (You might consider him a “transitional Mummy” since , in the next film, 1942’s “Mummy’s Tomb”, Lon Chaney Jr. takes over the role of Kharis, and continues in that role for the rest of the sequels. )George Zucco takes his place as the new high priest, who will be showing up in sequel after sequel (as will the footage from the beginning of the film of him walking up the stairs to the ancient temple!) Leading man Dick Foran and love interest Peggy Moran are joined by comic relief sidekick Wallace Ford, and additional comedy comes from the bankrolling magician played by Cecil Kellaway.
This film also seemed to set the trend for the sequels of rehashing the original “Mummy” origin, often including the footage from the original film, sometimes augmented with added cuts of Tom Tyler to replace the Karloff shots. Hence, when we’ve shown movies from this series close together, some viewers feel they’re sitting through the same movie over and over again. Once again- you have to remember that there were years between these films, so the repetition was necessary to remind movie-goers of the previous action, and educate those who hadn’t seen the films.
YOU can see the film tonight on Me-TV- 10 pm eastern, 9 pm central, 1 am on San Francisco’s KOFY, or, please check your local listings.
In Chicago, please enjoy “I Saw What You Did: at 11 am on WCIU- the U- and , at 3 pm on U Too, in honor of my 33rd anniversary as Sven, we’ve got our 30th anniversary show , featuring “Attack of the Puppet People”!
I just might write a little about this anniversary in tomorrow’s blog…
35 Responses to Don’t Shake “The Mummy’s Hand” Tonight!
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this sounds like an interesting movie, sven.
i’m new to this whole internet thing, surfing with my phone. but that hacker bit stunk. i’m really glad you’re back, sven. a history note, there was a fat albert episode that had a boy in it, that was a hacker. even back then in the 70′s. maybe one day they’ll fade into the past.. on the munsters i can’t see it lasting if its a drama instead of a comedy. look how they reversed engineered dark shadows and how it failed. forget nbc its a stinker of an idea. finally, i can’t wait to hear all those “hand” jokes for this movie. lets give the mummy a “hand” he could use a “hand” up. go for it, sven!!
Once again, Happy Anniversary. I’m looking forward to tonight’s show, and since it’s a short movie, I know you will provide lots of entertainment.
Sven: “Happy 33rd anniversary to you! … Happy 33rd anniversary to you! ….” For ME TV viewers, a classic Universal horror film like “The Mummy’s Hand” is a wonderful way of commemorating this milestone.
Once again, Svengoolie provides the TV viewer with an oasis in the desert of mediocre network and cable shows. I can’t wait for you to unwrap this movie tonight!!
Sven/Rich, Congratulations on your 33rd Anniversary! Nearly a full one-third of a century!
Attack of the Puppet People ! Hooray for the two Johns, Agar and Hoyt.
HAPPY SVENIVERSARY!!!
Speaking of pyramid schemes…
Daddy’s gone, but I’ll be watching tonight with my mummy… ooo, that joke really “sphynx”…
And I’ll give my review tomb-morrow…
so much for humor… goodnight everybody…
Sven,
Thanks for bringing all these classic horror films to Me-TV. The family will have the popcorn ready tonight for The Mummy’s Hand.
Lance, Louisville, KY
Happy Anniversary Sven and tell Kerwyn I said “hi”! I’m 9 years old and I love the show especially if I can stay awake!
Happy anniversary, Sven! Maybe four months from now you can have a 33 and a 1/3 anniversary and do something long play.
Today also marks the 26th anniversary of Ohio’s Son of Ghoul – on the air since June 16, 1986. You guys are the two longest running costumed horror hosts still on the air! June 16 must be a lucky date.
Congratulations on a VERY successful run. Here’s to even greater success in the future!
The hand give me the hand. Will be looking for the hand tonight.
Let me chime in with everyone wishing you a delightful 33rd anniversary, Sven. I really appreciate all that you do. And yes – you can bet I’ll be watching tonight – what fun!
Happy Anniversary, Sven. Thanks for so many years of making me laugh and making Saturdays so Koz(y) for us all.
happy anniversary!! may there be many more to come! from me and on behalf of those at wlwt channels 5.1 and 5.2 in cincinnati, ohio.
The Mummy’s Hand is great fun, I can’t wait to see what Sven does with it. I never got to see horror hosts showing growing up, so I’m making up for lost time. Viva La Sven!
Is this the one where the Mummy can only get around by using a walker?
Happy 33rd Anniversary, Sven!
I hope you’ll be around to entertain us for at least 33 more.
I’m looking forward to tonight’s Mummy film….I’m all “wound up” just thinking about it.
Happy 33rd, Svengoolie! Enjoyed watching you as “The Son…” way back, back home. P.S. Any word on that shirt size?
love your show. I grew up with chiller theatre in huntington w.va. in the 60′s. I also play in a local rock/cover band and when we dont have a saturday night gig I tune in to your show. that being sad I missed the creature from the black lagoon seguel. any chance of seeing it again any time soon ?
Sven, thank you for your awesome show and congrats on 33 years of keeping a piece of culture alive with in its proper format. You bring my household a great treat every Saturday night as well as several of my friends and relatives who also enjoy your show. Mummys Hand is a goody and a good selection to celebrate your quality work. Thanks again!
Any chance of seeing any Hammer films – of the 60′s? As I recall, there was a whole slew of Dracula movies with Christoper Lee. Let’s NOT forget Peter Cushing, either.
This is dallas belcher from summerset ohio and I’ve been watching ur show since I was 7 I’m 14now and I’ve alwase wanted u 2 say something bout me and well I watch and u alwase pick someone else I finaly posted this because I look up to u ur like a fauther to me I even have 3 of ur shirts and a rubber chicken =) well even if u don’t read this it took me a lot to say this.
Thank you so much Sven, for your 33 years of ghoulish humor.
.
Me and my dad love to watch you every Saturday night.
Memories in the making
Just wanted to say thanks for all the time and effort you put into it to bring us something special.
I can tell you really love what you do.
Keep up the good work!
Taylor
Did anyone ever watch this (alsome) tv show and wish he would acknolage u well today I decided to finnaly step up and stop being so shy about myself and today my mom is with me and we r watching this and I’ve alwase wanted her to be proud of me and this would mean so much to me sven =) happy 33aniversery
I am new i love old black and white scarey movie and i will be a faithful watcher
I am new i love old black and white scarey movie and i will be a faithful watcher. Thank you svengoolie
Happy after Anniversary Sven., Im a day late . Tho 33 years, to me your still a pup. Not to be confused as a puppet people person. I watched The Mummy”s Hand last night, you”ed think victims would step aside as the Mummy attacks. He moves slower then my grandma with her walker. Tho you”d have to watch out for grandmas striking hand, which usually held an implement of disaster. Be happy.
My wife and I have been fans for about a year now, and every Saturday at 10 PM is our “date night” watching Sven on Me-TV on KVOS out of Bellingham, Washington. We love the old monster flicks and get a lot more out of them now than when we as kids watching on TV back in the 1960′s(!). We were long-time fans of Bob Wilkins and Elvira, and we’re so happy that you, Sven, are on (and congrats for the 33 years!).
We do have a comment about the “Mummy” series, something that has been troubling us for some time now. It seems to us that the early Priests of Karnac would have had to stockpile a heck of a lot of tanna leaves to keep Kharis “alive”. After all, the plant is now supposed to be extinct. The Priests have to make the tea with the tanna leaves each month – 3 leaves for a batch each night “during the cycle of the full moon”. How long is that? I think it was explained to be 3 nights on an episode of “Buffy”. But even if it is just one night, that’s 3 leaves per full moon, 12 or 13 times a year, so 36 to 39 leaves a year just to keep him alive. After 3,000 years (I think Kharis should actually be older than that, maybe more like 3,500 to 4,000 years), that’s at least 110,000 tanna leaves, assuming they aren’t using any now and then to revive him. And, that is only to make it from ancient Egypt to our 20th Century – I would bet that the ancient Priests had a much longer timeframe in mind, like eternity perhaps. Also, they might preserve well in the arid climate of Egypt, but I’ll bet that 3,000 year old leaves would quickly mold and fall apart being transported to the more humid climates of New England or Louisiana (depending on where story is set). Anyway, this might sound like we have too much time on our hands, and it is only a 1940′s movie, but it is something that we’ve wondered about and chuckled over. And honest, we’re really not geeks.
For Wayne. The priests have been cloning the leaves.
Wayne: Those are very good points. Also, I’ve always wondered what Kharis would have been like if he HAD taken more than nine leaves worth of tanna fluid at at any one time . What would the Mummy had been like high on tanna fluid?
Preacher: Your comment about the Mummy moving so slowly (I’ll bet after 3,000 years or more he must have horrible arthritis!) reminds me of a comment made by stand-up comedian George Wallace: “If you couldn’t outrun the Mummy, you probably deserved to get killed!”
And Sven: You’re right about Marta’s (Peggry Moran’s) ability to speak without moving her lips in that scene from “The Mummy’s Hand” when she suspects Steve (Dick Foran) and Babe (Wallace Ford) of being swindlers. Her line “I’ll fix them with my trick revolver!” was definitely dubbed in later, during post-production (not unusual for those times).
Wayne: Those are very good points. Also, I’ve always wondered what Kharis would have been like if he had ever consumed more than nine leaves worth of tanna fluid at any one time. What would the Mummy have been like high on tanna fluid?
Preacher: Your comment about the Mummy moving so slowly (“He moves slower than my grandma with her walker”) reminds me of a joke once made by stand-up comedian George Wallace: “If you couldn’t outrun the Mummy, you probably deserved to get killed.”
And Sven: You were right about Marta’s (Peggy Moran’s ) ability to speak without moving her lips in that scene from “The Mummy’s Hand,” when she suspects Steve (Dick Foran) and Babe (Wallace Ford) of being swindlers. Her line “I’ll fix them with my trick revolver” had been obviously dubbed in later, in post-production (not unusual for those times).
(Re-edited by the author for accuracy)
And speaking of Peggy Moran’s dubbed-in line: What did she mean by calling it a “trick” revolver? I thought she meant it was a phony gun or it shot blanks, but it seemed to do real damage to the door. Did they later decide to insert the dubbed line to camouflage the fact that the demure heroine went a little gun-crazy?
Another great show, Sven!
I didn’t think I’d enjoy the movie as much as I did (I’d never seen it before). It’s like the makers of the movie were trying to cram as many unnecessary elements into it as possible (like the Poopsie doll).
Here’s a good breakdown of the movie:
http://www.aycyas.com/mummyshand.htm
Great to see the movie