Before the Next Heat Blast
It’s nice to have this respite from the high temperatures- especially after being out in the heat all weekend at the Little Boots Rodeo in full Sven regalia. I was trying to come up with a cooler Sven outfit for days with temperatures like those- do I switch from the tuxedo coat to a vest? Wear a Sven t-shirt without the coat? I don’t think I’m going to go the Bermuda shorts route, nor get a WHITE summer jacket…plus, I think a lot of people who come to see us and want to take pictures with me really want me to look the way I do on TV-with the complete familiar costume. I’ll have to think about this- meanwhile, let’s hit a few random thoughts before the next heat wave comes through our area…
I have to say, I’m getting some decent reviews of “Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter”! No, not as a great landmark of a film, but as a fun, entertaining summer movie. People who have read the book, as I have, noted that not everything from the book made it onto the screen- but, that’s pretty typical of the transition from book to movie. In case you hadn’t heard, it came in 3rd at the box office this past weekend- making 16.5 million. The joke going around is, at least there’s not much chance of a sequel- what with the Ford Theater and all…but, don’t be too sure! Taking a page out of the “True Blood” playbook- what if, after Honest Abe was shot, a pro-Union vampire decided he could save him by “turning” him- which would have an Undead Abe living through the centuries, perhaps secretly affecting history all the way up to present day?! Hey, it might be worth a shot (oops- bad choice of words- sorry, Mrs. Lincoln…)
We’ve gotten quite a few comments on last weekend’s “Son of Dracula”- with various viewers weighing in on whether or not Lon Chaney Jr. was a suitable Count. While most people agreed that it was a pretty solid story, and enjoyed the bat transitions and “mist” transformations, some felt that Lon Jr. seemed rather “stiff” as Count Alucard. My personal feeling is that he was trying to make his Dracula more formal, especially to contrast it from his “Larry Talbot” characterization, possibly in hopes that he would continue playing both in future films, and wanted filmgoers to see a definite difference between the two characters. Just as Bela Lugosi’s foreign origins and his trying to adapt his stage acting to the smaller screen worked in making his Dracula seem more “otherworldly”, Lon’s methodical calm and restraint as Alucard added some of that quality to the role. I think it was a decent effort, but I don’t think he was really best suited to playing Dracula. Since John Carradine took the role in the next movie in the Universal monster series, someone in the studio hierarchy must have agreed.
Game show host Alex Trebek had a heart attack- supposedly only a minor one- last weekend. It was not his first- he had one back in 2007, also a minor one. He’s expected to be back on the set when shooting of “Jeopardy” continues next month. Here’s a short passage from the medical transcript:
TREBECK: “Doctor, I’m surprised to be back in the hospital again.”
DOCTOR: “…just another coronary episode.”
TREBECK” “I’m sorry, you did not phrase that in the form of a question…”
Actually, I shouldn’t be making jokes about this, since I’m due for another round of heart tests… what is “crossing my fingers that things are stable”?
14 Responses to Before the Next Heat Blast
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May 25th, 2013
Sven-
Alex seems like a classy guy, very well read, in great shape for an older guy, appreciative and humble personality, amazing track record in TV, class act. Sven, love your humor so much and you are the king of gracious with fans and in your writing… this seems like a bit of an over-step in good taste today for the first time. Hate to be critical… maybe the up-coming heat and I am off base, have a great day!!
I don’t know what to tell you about getting a hot weather suit. Maybe just have a rider in your contract saying that you need to have lots of water and kept in shade when outside.
What a a great take on Lon’s performance in “Son”. I’m inclined to agree with you, Svengoolie. He is trying it’s clear, however the role really isn’t him. Bela’s iconic portrayal of the Count would nearly impossible to follow. Carridine capture Bela’s elegance but he wasn’t as creepy or menencing.
… and what is all this I heard about somebody trying to “AUCTION-OFF” Elvis Presley’s CRYPT !?!?!?
It’s true… it’s true… the real world IS wierder than Sven’s movies !!!
This is my two cents: Yes, we all enjoy the full Sven regalia, but what the true fans most care about is you being well, comfortable, and certainly not taking unnecessary health risks. Please come up with a hot weather look that reflects Sven and protects you. Perhaps work it into a few on-air clips, and everyone who is coming to see YOU will be just fine. We are trainable!
Sven/Rich: Very insightful comments about Lon Chaney, Jr.’s portrayal of Dracula. He DOES have his moments, and his “methodical calm and restraint,” I agree, helps to convey an interesting “otherwordliness”–different, though not necessarily better than, Lugosi’s. I also agree with the authors of UNIVERSAL HORRORS, who feel that the force and strength Lon displays as Dracula–especially in that scene where he seizes Frank (Robert Paige) by the throat and flings him halfway across the room like a rag doll–foreshadows Christopher Lee’s more physically imposing portrayal of the Count in the Hammer films. May I ask what you think of that observation of theirs?
I’ve always thought Lon Jr. did a good job in “Son of Dracula”. Of course he wasn’t Lugosi…but there’s no way Lon could have played it like Lugosi did. And Dale Uhlmann brings up an excellent point: Lon’s Dracula does have a lot in common with Christopher Lee’s version of the character.
In 1966, the movies “Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter” and “Billy the Kid vs. Dracula,” with John Carradine portraying Dracula, played on a double bill. They should put “George Washington – Zombie Killer” and “Abraham Lincoln – Vampire Hunter” on a double bill! As for Lon Chaney, Jr., he never fully emerged from his famous father’s shadow. In my opinion, he was underappreciated as an actor during his lifetime. Keep cool during the summer, and keep those classic horror movies coming!
Hmmm….I’ve been mulling over the idea of a summer “suit” for Rich/Sven to wear at the hot & humid outdoor appearances.
What if you wore some type of light weight black cape instead of the heavy tux jacket? It would still have that dark, spooky vampire look, but you’d be less restricted and hopefully cooler.
Here in Arizona, it ‘s always a challenge to find Halloween costumes that will “breathe” and won’t be too heavy and warm since it’s often still a nice, toasty 95 degrees even at the end of October.
I hope you can come up with something that’ll work because you deserve to be comfortable!
Dale-definitely a valid point- Bela didn’t have that type of display of brute strength, and Lon, like Christopher Lee, was a larger, more formidable count- so, you certainly believed he had such power.
David- seriously? That offended you? I guess I really have to be careful about my jokes…
One scene I wish had been included in “Son of Dracula” is the marriage ceremony of Dracula and his bride. I picture them both stifling chuckles when the JP got to the words: “Till death do you part…”
Not to mention: “Hold hands, you lovebats!”
Sven: In my opinion only I would say rock a Sven t shirt and be comfortable out in the humidity. I don’t think anyone would hold that against you and deny you a little comfort.
Sven-
You never offend! Never be careful, just be Sven!
SVEN… sorry, I’m yelling again…
How about a light-weight, yet VERY spooky burhka?
I’m picturing the harem-girl that drops her veil for Curly…
AND HIS REACTION… classic.