Mummy (and Movie) Debates
Our showing of “The Mummy” Saturday night was certainly a landmark- even playing against a Chicago Bears game,it got a huge rating (thanks to all of you for the support!) I guess my blog entreaty for those who’ve been complaining about “too many Mummy movies” must have been heard- as I said, this original, starring the great Boris Karloff, stands bandaged head and shoulders above all the sequels.The great response would seem to indicate that even our Sven viewers who have had enough of the other Mummy films must have given us the benefit of a doubt and tuned in, God bless ‘em.
I did get one response that kind of irked me, however- a guy claimed that we had “hacked up” the movie, thus ruining it.He said we removed a lot of scenes.He asked why we had to cut anything, since the show is 120 minutes, and the movie is much shorter than that?!
First of all, the timeslot is 120 minutes. Then you have to remove the commercial and promo time,and, yes, the time for my segments.(He did throw in that we could eliminate one “stupid Svengoolie joke” instead of editing the movie.) Dear sir, the show is a HOSTED MOVIE- which means, management WANTS my parts in the show.They could easily save money and just run the movie itself- but they don’t , which would indicate that what I do must have some value to them.
Quite honestly, the edits we made probably come in at about two minutes worth of content.Our critical viewer claimed we had edited out key moments, “just like editing the boat sinking out of ‘Titanic’”- please! I can categorically state that we take more care in editing our movies than almost ANY other station or network- I go to GREAT pains to make sure NOTHING critical to the plot is EVER removed.In fact, if you could see my edit sheet, you’d see that we do a lot of ten or fifteen second edits when we have to remove time from the films,in an attempt to keep the integrity of the film. We have also had to re-edit older, pre-network shows to fit into the newtork time parameters.
I don’t know if this guy is aware of it, but almost every movie that airs on TV is edited- usually for time rather than content. In my time hosting movies, we’ve gotten “TV edits” of movies direct from the distributor that have taken far less care as far as what they have cut out.BY the way- do you think we would have gotten such a great rating if we had indeed “hacked up” the movie as badly as you suggest?
I suggested to him the same advice I give to anyone who vehemently complains about the show- if you don’t like it- don’t watch.I get the feeling that these people continue to watch just so they can find things to complain about.I have no problem with anybody giving their opinion-and, very seriously, I do take constructive criticism to heart- but-if you are continually harping about the show- you don’t like it, so- why watch it? Rent or buy the DVD. We’re sorry you don’t like our show- but, obviously, if we can’t change your mind- you should stop watching.Also- I realize it helps your argument not to let the facts get in your way- like suggesting we removed something as critical to the movie as the ship’s sinking in “Titanic”.
I know- we only occasionally get a comment like this person’s- and , especially when it’s the ONLY complaint, I should always take it with a grain of salt- and usually , I do- sometimes, with the whole damn salt shaker. However, while I’m urged by others to just ignore it-there are times when I feel I have to stand up for myself…especially when someone states something that just isn’t true.
34 Responses to Mummy (and Movie) Debates
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May 25th, 2013
Sven, you certainly did a great editing job on “The Mummy” because I didn’t sense anything missing from it. I’m sure you regret the cuts that need to be made for time on the movies you present. But now I’m curious: How short a running time does a film have to have to avoid any editing at all for the show?
Congrats to the editing department. I did not notice anything missing from the movie. I did notice that the “Montego Bay” parody was missing unless I dozed off for a few minutes. At any rate, I’m glad you got a huge rating.
Rich/Sven – Don’t let the occasonal complainer get to you. There’s no debate here whatsoever. If you advertised your movies as being uncut and without commercial (or Svengoolie) interruption, then he’d have a reason to complain. But if he’s watching a HOSTED horror movie and gets up in arms over two minutes worth of careful edits – AND also complains about the comedy bits – then he’s watching the show for all the wrong reasons. As you said, he needs to go rent or buy the DVD, and stop with the ridiculous complaints. You do your show each and every week just the way your loyal fans have come to know and love. Don’t change a thing (except maybe putting the song parodies back in. I think we all miss those!).
Sven/Rich: I’m sorry you received such an unwarranted comment like that. I agree, you should ideally take such a remark with a grain of salt, but, hey, you’re only human! As for “The Mummy,” no, I really didn’t notice any major cuts per se. Again, though, why no song parodies recently? Is there a legal issue? Have the original artists and/or companies complained that you don’t t have the rights to the melodies and lyrics that you parody?
Sven/Rich, Keep on doing what’s you’re doing!
I just want to remind the idiots out there that the program is called Svengoolie not Late night Movie- keep up the good work!
I love classic horror films. I have most of these films and could watch them whenever I want to. However I watch you show for the combination of the film and your comments/jokes/skits. Horror hosts add another dimension to the film, that’s the charm of it. Keep up the great work.
Sven, most of us look forward to the movie all week. We love the schtick and fun that goes with it! We get a great old classic and a bunch of fun with it. I don’t see his complaint as valid at all. He can always throw the DVD in…. and hit the bricks.
Sven, thanks for the work you do and the entertainment that we get!
Dear Sven/ Rich, Thank you very much for your wonderful movies that you show and the humor that you have with it in the genre of horror show hosts. brings back fond memories of when I was a kid and I watched Chiller Theater with Chilly Billy Cardille on Saturday nights on our Pittsburgh Station WIIC(now WPXI, or the Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show in Cleveland, Ohio on WJKW. The show later was renamed later, Big Chuck and Little John after Bob “Hoolihan” Welles left to pursue other interests. Anyhow hats off to you Sven. God bless you for having “shtick” in your show.
I hope you show the wolfman with Lon Chaney Jr.
Yeah, that would be great. I haven’t seen Wolfman in years.
A line from this movie where the female lead says, “Do you have to open graves to find girls to fall in love with” is sampled on the white zombie CD la sexorcisto track 1. welcome to planet MF/
psychoholic slag.
Hell, I always look forward to the Svengoolie scenes more than the movie itself.
I woke up Saturday night face down on the orange shag carpet in my neighbor’s kitchen. I crawled over to the dog’s dish and lapped up a little water till he came back into the room and gave me a dirty look, then crawled on my hands and knees into the living room.
I couldn’t reach the switch to turn on the tv so I tossed Legos at it till I hit the button and it turned on. The Svenster (he liked it when I called him that, or so I heard) was showing “the Mummy” which delighted me to no end. I curled myself up into a ball and made a pillow out of some old, plastic army men and settled in for a good nights viewing.
Yes, I do indeed have to open graves to find girls to fall in love with.
Haters gonna hate. At least he didn’t complain about the movie being in black and white.
No complaints here about the movie being “hacked up”, in fact I didn’t notice anything in particular missing. I have “The Mummy” on VHS and could watch it any time I wanted, but I would much rather watch it (or any of the other Universal monster flicks I have in my collection) on TV as part of a hosted show – it’s so much more fun to do it that way.
The fun of these movies is that they ARE dated and your little skits and comments make them more fun. You do good work and I love corny jokes. By the way, would still like to see some more oldy moldy science fiction on your show as well. Thanks.
Hey Rich,
Next time, cut The Mummy out of the whole damn movie! Who needs to see him anyway. Love you, love your show! Thanks Buddy.
Yeah, Sven, I understand – I don’t do well with unmerited criticism either. Especially if what I’ve done took more skill and/or caring than most people would guess. I enjoy you because you go out of your way to make everything seem effortless. I guess that because you succeed so well, that the most casual viewer supposes that he could do as well or better. Those of us here (and most viewers, I suspect,) know better. Read over all of the comments here, feel the love, and let this one negative one go. Whatever may be eating this guy is not your responsibility. Get out your chicken shield and fend this one off.
Sven, I have said this before but I will repeat it. I have all the classic Universals on DVD. I watch the Svengoolie show for…
Svengoolie. I do miss the songs, though. What is going on with them being deleted?
Dino, M. Oleman;: Yeah, I love that line, too: “Do you have to open graves to find girls to fall in love with?” Every time I hear that, I realize that “The Mummy” REALLY was a pre-code film! I’ve always wondered what the writers REALLY may have meant by Helen’s (Zita Johann’s) question!–LOL!
And Sven, I love your comedy bits, especially since you do them in outside-the-film segments, so we get the best of both worlds–untampered-with classics (while the movies are actually running) and clever, good-natured kidding of the films.
I’d also like to repeat my earlier comments, and second the advice of my fellow bloggers–we all love you, so please don’t let one sour apple ruin your day!
You don’t really need me to defend you, Sven, because I think that your response is pretty clear and to the point. If it comes as a shock to someone that films have often been edited or altered for various reasons, it doesn’t seem like they have been paying attention. When you watch Svengoolie, you expect to see Svengoolie. It’s Sven’s show! The bonus is that you get to enjoy a great old movie that might have been edited slightly for purely practical reasons. I’ve never been bothered by it and, honestly, have hardly noticed it. I’m grateful you’re showing these movies.
Please bring back the singing, Svengoolie. I really miss the songs.
I would like to tell that guy to go out and buy the dad-blasted movie if he’s so put out. I would also like to say for the record that I own most of the movies Svengoolie plays on his show in some form or another, AND I STILL tune in every weekend to watch Sven’s show. That’s what we do, we diehard Sven fans, we crave seeing our beloved undead host talk about our favorite movies. He gives us insightful facts about the movie’s production, and he gives us comedy bits based on the subject. I also like to think that we all tune in to watch because in some small way it feels like we are all watching it together. I don’t want to get too fluffy cotton candy on you, but I feel like watching Sven’s show is joining a group of people across the land (or maybe a cult) of like-minded fanboys. I know that these days of Tivo’s and DVR’s is diluting the concept, but when I tune in to see Svengoolie (and I always try to watch during it’s broadcast) I feel the sense of community we fans have shared since the early days. Thank You Sven, for giving all of us that bond that draws us together every weekend.
As a follow-up to my earlier post, another favorite line of mine from “The Mummy” is Ralph Norton’s (Bramwell Fletcher’s) remark about one possible reason for Im Hop Tep (Karloff, of course) having been buried alive: “Maybe he got too gay with some of the vestal virgins in the temple.” Wow, Ralph! Hold it! I don’t think we want to go there, do we? (LOL).
I agree with you. I did not notice the movie being cut. We usually can’t wait to 9 so we can see the show. Yes, we are not huge fans of the mummy although Boris is the best one I think. We like the music also and do not know why it has dissappeared. Bring it back also universal must have alot of sci fi movies, anyway we will keep watching. Keep up the good work. And Sven soupy sales would love the door work!
is there a reason why the song parodies got cut from the shows
I really enjoy them
Hello there, Sven. I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Mummy on Saturday night. You’ll hear no complaints from me about the editing or anything else.
As much as I look forward to the movies that you show, I look forward to the commercial breaks, too, since I know you’ll be there before and after, with your many sidekicks ,to provide the comic relief.
You do a great job, Buddy. As Werewolf Jr. said, the critical dude can go out and buy the movie if he’s such a purist . For a lot of us, part of the charm each week is the “bonus entertainment” we get on your show: the personality, humor and trivia you add to the movie.
Thanks for what you do and for doing it so well.
Sven – To put it plain as possible…you and your show are awesome. Im a huge classic horror fan and i too own alot of the movies in the rotation. Regardless I do not miss your show. Neither do several of my friends and family. You bring talent, class and lots of fun to a genre that needs great people like you and your staff to keep it accessable to a new generation. Keep up the great show and dont change a thing!
I love The Mummy but you are the product on your show Sven! I have been tuning in since the early 70s and ever had a beef with any edits if it gets ore Sven content.
I didn’t notice anything missing from that movie. I enjoyed to movie a lot. Nothing wrong with the editing as far as I can tell.
I completely agree with those COMPLIMENTING your editing of the show, Sven! I am a huge Universal fan and a major Karloff fan…and have always loved “The Mummy”….and for the life of me, I don’t even realize anything was edited out! The Svengoolie Show is the party that it is because of you, Rich, and your team. It is so important that you have the fun with it that you do. We join you in that fun! Hey? By the way, I want to compliment you on the clever editing of each promo clip for the upcoming movie of the week “This week, on Svengoolie…” Darn good work! They are maximum cool in a 15 second or so package! Not easy to do! Love the Universal movies….they are the cornerstones of the entire Horror Show genre and legacy. I do understand that other folks have different favorites, such as a large Hammer films fandom. One last thing….you did a masterful job with the fun pre-show opening which is relatively new where you talk about horror show hosts, yourself, Berwyn, rubber chickens,etc.. It is a fun addition for those that have know you for your long tenure, but I also salute how outstandingly it functions as prerequisite background for new viewers in emerging markets! It really brings everyone “into the loop” in quick order! Nice, nice job! Best Regards and thanks for the legacy we love and share. – Jack P.
Your show is wonderful!! Thank you for bringing the “hosted” horror movie back to Scranton, PA on Saturdays!! ( :
You can’t go wrong with Universal horror. I think viewers would like MGM’s try against Universal:”Mark of the Vampire.” It has Bela and great MGM sets. it was the talky, of “london after midnight. “