This Saturday Night: Lon Chaney Jr. Stars in "Man-Made Monster" on MeTV

What’s Happening This Saturday?

Get ready for a spooky Saturday night! MeTV is airing a classic 1941 horror movie called "Man-Made Monster" starring Lon Chaney Jr. This film is super special because it was Lon Chaney Jr.’s very first true horror movie—the one that helped him land his famous role as the Wolf Man later on!

Important Viewing Details

• When: Saturday at 8 PM Eastern/Pacific, 7 PM Central
• Where: MeTV (check www.metv.com for your local channel)
• Bonus: Chicago viewers can also catch Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter at 11 AM on WCIU the U
• Join the fun: Tweet live during the show using #svengoolie on X (Twitter) and Bluesky!

The Movie Plot (Explained Like You’re 5)

Imagine a stormy night. A bus crashes into a high-voltage electrical tower. Everyone dies—except one guy.

1. The Lucky Survivor

• The survivor is "Dynamo Dan"—a carnival performer whose act is literally getting zapped with huge amounts of electricity for entertainment.
• Doctors are shocked (pun intended!) that he’s barely hurt.
• Dr. Lawrence thinks Dan’s past electrical "training" saved his life.

2. The Secret Villain

• Dr. Lawrence invites Dan to stay at his home lab to study him.
• Everything seems nice—Dan likes the doctor’s daughter and plays with their dog.
• BUT… Dr. Lawrence’s coworker, Dr. Rigas, has a secret evil plan.

3. The Evil Experiment

• Dr. Rigas believes living things can be changed to survive on electricity alone.
• He’s been testing on small creatures—now he has a human test subject: Dan.
• He secretly zaps Dan with massive electricity without telling him why.

4. The Transformation

• The experiments change Dan physically and emotionally.
• He starts glowing eerily and has uncontrollable electrical power.
• He becomes a "Man-Made Monster"—an electrified zombie under Dr. Rigas’s control.

5. The Terror

• Dr. Rigas commands Dan to hurt anyone in his way.
• The "Man-Made Monster" terrorizes the countryside.
• He can’t be stopped or killed!

Why This Movie Is Special

• Cool 1941 Special Effects: For its time, the "glowing man" effects were impressive and scary.
• Lon Chaney Jr. Like You’ve Never Seen Him: Before he was the sad, brooding Wolf Man, he plays a happy-go-lucky carnival guy at the start.
• Career Maker: This movie is why he got cast as the Wolf Man!
• Svengoolie Extras: The MeTV showing includes:
  • Behind-the-scenes info about the cast
  • A visit to a weird sideshow
  • A song
  • Nostalgiaferatoo (Svengoolie’s vampire buddy)
  • Svensurround clips from the movie
  • Fractured Flickers silent movie silliness
  • All in a special two-hour format!

Behind the Scenes: Flashback Weekend Fun!

MeTV recently hosted Flashback Weekend where fans met stars like:

• David Naughton (American Werewolf in London)
• David Arquette (Scream)
• William Katt (Greatest American Hero)
• Pamela Shoop (movie & TV star)

They did a live talk show, met tons of fans, and held an epic costume contest. Highlights will be shown on future episodes!

How to Watch: Step-by-Step

1. Check your local listings or go to www.metv.com to find MeTV in your area.
2. Set a reminder for Saturday at 8 PM ET/PT (7 PM CT).
3. Grab snacks and maybe a blanket (it gets spooky!).
4. Tune in to MeTV.
5. Join the conversation on X or Bluesky using #svengoolie.
6. Enjoy the two-hour spectacle with all the extra Svengoolie fun!

Summary

This Saturday, MeTV brings you "Man-Made Monster" (1941)—Lon Chaney Jr.’s first real horror film that launched his monster career. Watch a carnival performer survive a deadly bus crash thanks to his "electricity act," only to be secretly experimented on by a mad scientist who turns him into a glowing, unstoppable, electricity-powered zombie. The broadcast includes special effects history, fun facts, songs, comedy, and more in a two-hour Svengoolie special. Don’t forget to tweet #svengoolie while you watch!

FAQ

Is this movie in black and white?

Yes! It’s a 1941 film, so it’s in classic black and white—which makes the "glowing man" effects even creepier.

Who is Svengoolie?

Svengoolie is MeTV’s horror host (played by Rich Koz). He introduces the movies, tells jokes, sings songs, and adds funny commentary. Think of him as your funny uncle who loves old monster movies.

Do I need to have seen other Lon Chaney Jr. movies to enjoy this?

Not at all! This is actually a great first Lon Chaney Jr. movie because you see him play a happy regular guy before he becomes the monster—very different from his famous Wolf Man role.

What is "Svensurround" and "Fractured Flickers"?

• Svensurround: Svengoolie’s silly version of "surround sound" clips from the movie.
• Fractured Flickers: Goofy redubs of old silent films with funny new dialogue. Pure silliness!

Can I watch this later if I miss it?

Check MeTV’s schedule at www.metv.com—they often rerun Svengoolie episodes. But watching live lets you join the #svengoolie social media party!