Tonight on MeTV, we bring back one of Universal’s 1950s sci fi classics- featuring a man who discovers the world is getting too big for him- because he is becoming smaller! It’s another story created by the great Richard Matheson, in which we join a normal man in his descent into the abnormal- embarking on a journey that includes lonely isolation and the transition of normal everyday things into objects of terror for “The Incredible Shrinking Man"!
This 1957 science fiction favorite starts out with Scott Carey and his wife relaxing and lounging on their boat off the California coast. When wife Louise heads to the galley to grab some drinks, hubby Scott remains topside, only to find an approaching unusual mist that briefly envelopes him, then abruptly fades away before Louise comes back up on deck. The couple is confused, having no idea what the glittery fog might have been, or where it came from.
The strange incident seems to be forgotten until a few weeks later- when Scott notices that his clothes don't seem to fit right. It isn’t simple weight loss, though- his whole body seems to be a little smaller than usual! He heads to his doctor, whose tests show that he's in perfect health- with the doctor stating the fact that, never in medical science has anybody started to get shorter (other than through something like osteoporosis, of course- but this movie isn’t titled “The Incredible Guy with Loss of Bone Density”) ! Scott, however, disagrees with what the doc is telling him- especially once he's noticed that he and his wife are now suddenly the same height- when, previously, he was taller than she.
Eventually, all the concerned parties must agree that something strange is happening to Scott- and he should be transferred to a medical research lab. After undergoing a battery of tests, it is confirmed that Scott is getting smaller-and a theory connected to an earlier incident may be the reason why.
Things take a bad turn for the diminishing dude when, in circumstances very familiar to our modern world, the media get hold of the story- and he is plagued by paparazzi. All Scott can do is live in isolation, remaining a prisoner in his own home- unable to work or move freely around the outside world. His frustration soon becomes obvious to his wife, who can’t find a way to help him.
And yet-possible hope for a cure comes from a winsome little person Scott meets by chance in a rare trip out into the public- but the reality that he still is continuing to shrink brings an end to any hopes he had of returning to a normal life. The world around him continues to become larger and more threatening at every turn and various aspects of his home become a savage new world he must face alone- as Scott finds simple everyday objects and creatures are now an incredible danger -as he fights to survive in a land of giants!
This movie has always been a big (sorry) favorite of our viewers- not just for the effects, but also for Grant Williams’ outstanding performance as Scott, who convincingly conveys his frustrations, fear, and sense of isolation. We will brief you on the cast members, including a few familiar MeTV faces, including a future “Beverly Hillbillies” actor- a famous TV father, and a small star with a large resume! Also among the cast members are a horrifying housecat (with its own Hollywood resume) and a tarantula (which, in the original script, was supposed to be a black widow spider, but that breed proved to be, ironically, too small to work with in what they were trying to do). We’ll also present a dating app for lonesome little people, see the Sven Squad get unwillingly involved with the whole shrinking trend, present a very special “Too Drawn Out” game, revisit a chat with our pal beloved voice artist Rob Paulsen, and even more!
“The Incredible Shrinking Man” starts tonight on MeTV at 8pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, and, to find out time and channel where you are, please check your local listings- or find your local info at www.metv.com . The live-Tweeting during the show on Twitter continues to flourish-with us among the top trending topics, so feel free to join in, using the hashtag #svengoolie. Our Chicago area viewers get another performance of “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” at 11 am on WCIU, The U!
More Sven anniversary merchandise is on the way- including some connected to the “Too Drawn Out” in tonight’s program- with more very special offers coming soon. Also, the next Svengoolie comic book will be available at favorite comic book shops the first week of October! October, of course, will feature a few select Sven public appearances – including one at the Joe Bob Briggs “Drive-In Jamboree” in Las Vegas the first week of October! Watch for information posted soon in the “appearances” section of our website.
Be watching tonight for the man whose size diminishes- while dangers increase- from the ever-larger world he faces!
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For those who are interested, here’s a description of the car, design features, and views from different angles… https://www.hotcars.com/a-detailed-look-back-at-the-1951-gm-lesabre-concept-car/
Don’t ask me cause I’m not very diverse,
But if you pour me a dram of something not worse,
You just might be able to Coerce.
But I am different from the rest
I tell a 90 minute story
In four lines of poetry
I discovered it was missing when I went to watch it Wednesday evening. Very disappointed.
Also working tomorrow -- I really do need to establish a stricter leave policy -- but Mrs Drang will record The Night Stalker, which, of course, I have already seen...
