Post by Cinemaniac on Jan 29, 2024 2:24:26 GMT
Has anyone here ever seen these shows?
I thought I'd bring this up since this subject has a lot to do with classic movies. There is this one channel known as Retro TV (it used to be known just simply as "RTV") that plays mostly classic TV programs and movies; mostly those that may be in the public domain. The quality of these shows are very evident of being public domain versions, since they appear to be rather grainy and faded, yet still watchable. The channel probably resorts to copies directed transferred from the original film print. I don't know how many people actually receive this channel through their cable provider, but it's been around for quite some time. Apparently, this channel feature a series of movie programs that are each hosted by some strange live costumed character who would introduce the movie shown each week, as well as provide commentary based off the film that's shown. This is sort of done in the same fashion as seen on some local TV network that would present an on-air personality (usually in character) introducing a movie to be played during a daytime or else late night matinee. I believe this is how "MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000" had begun on some locally-based channel before becoming a nationally broadcast series (which I believe used to air on Retro TV, incidentally).
Some of the programs seen on Retro TV consist of the following -
- "HARVEY'S FESTIVAL OF FEAR" - (Sundays at 10:00pm) this program is hosted by Harvey, or otherwise known as "Halloween Harvey", a strange zombie-like character with a pale facial complexion and well groomed and speaks as if Jackie Coogan's Uncle Fester from TV's "THE ADDAMS FAMILY" were impersonating Curly Howard of the Three Stooges. The movies presented on this program are, as one may figure, horror or else science fiction films. There seem to be different secondary characters accompanying Harvey on some occasions, but I honestly see this show as a low-budget and amateur version of "SVENGOOLIE" (as seen on MeTV Saturday nights).
- "SIX-GUN THEATER" - (Sundays at 4:00pm) a Western-themed program hosted by some "world champion sharp shooter" named Kelly Bob Stubblefield (yes, that's his name), who presents some of the best of the West preceded by a classic cartoon (sometimes an old Max Fleischer film or something else public domain) and an adventure serial.
- "WHO DUN IT THEATER" - (Fridays at 4:00pm) this show's hosted by some black guy (who's name I don't know) in a classy living room setting who shows some murder mystery films such as "DICK TRACY", "CHARLIE CHAN", and "SHERLOCK HOLMES", to name a few.
- "HORROR HOTEL" - (Sundays at 12:00am) just like the "Harvey" program this program presents horror films and is hosted by some young, woman (who's name I don't know) who appears to be an Elvira-wannabe. This program seems to shown retro 1950s animations announcing drive-in movie intermissions, and advertisements for concession stand snacks.
- "OFF-BEAT CINEMA" - (Saturdays at 10:00pm) hosted by a group of people (one woman and two men) resembling coffee-house beatniks who shows some rather unusual and underrated B-pictures and cinema cult classics.
I've only ever tuned into these programs just to see certain movies. I should also mention that this network airs varied classic Hollywood films each weekday at 4:00pm (Mondays through Thursdays) that are not associated with any hosted program. As mentioned above, the movies seen during this time slot are mostly public domain titles.
I thought I'd bring this up since this subject has a lot to do with classic movies. There is this one channel known as Retro TV (it used to be known just simply as "RTV") that plays mostly classic TV programs and movies; mostly those that may be in the public domain. The quality of these shows are very evident of being public domain versions, since they appear to be rather grainy and faded, yet still watchable. The channel probably resorts to copies directed transferred from the original film print. I don't know how many people actually receive this channel through their cable provider, but it's been around for quite some time. Apparently, this channel feature a series of movie programs that are each hosted by some strange live costumed character who would introduce the movie shown each week, as well as provide commentary based off the film that's shown. This is sort of done in the same fashion as seen on some local TV network that would present an on-air personality (usually in character) introducing a movie to be played during a daytime or else late night matinee. I believe this is how "MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000" had begun on some locally-based channel before becoming a nationally broadcast series (which I believe used to air on Retro TV, incidentally).
Some of the programs seen on Retro TV consist of the following -
- "HARVEY'S FESTIVAL OF FEAR" - (Sundays at 10:00pm) this program is hosted by Harvey, or otherwise known as "Halloween Harvey", a strange zombie-like character with a pale facial complexion and well groomed and speaks as if Jackie Coogan's Uncle Fester from TV's "THE ADDAMS FAMILY" were impersonating Curly Howard of the Three Stooges. The movies presented on this program are, as one may figure, horror or else science fiction films. There seem to be different secondary characters accompanying Harvey on some occasions, but I honestly see this show as a low-budget and amateur version of "SVENGOOLIE" (as seen on MeTV Saturday nights).
- "SIX-GUN THEATER" - (Sundays at 4:00pm) a Western-themed program hosted by some "world champion sharp shooter" named Kelly Bob Stubblefield (yes, that's his name), who presents some of the best of the West preceded by a classic cartoon (sometimes an old Max Fleischer film or something else public domain) and an adventure serial.
- "WHO DUN IT THEATER" - (Fridays at 4:00pm) this show's hosted by some black guy (who's name I don't know) in a classy living room setting who shows some murder mystery films such as "DICK TRACY", "CHARLIE CHAN", and "SHERLOCK HOLMES", to name a few.
- "HORROR HOTEL" - (Sundays at 12:00am) just like the "Harvey" program this program presents horror films and is hosted by some young, woman (who's name I don't know) who appears to be an Elvira-wannabe. This program seems to shown retro 1950s animations announcing drive-in movie intermissions, and advertisements for concession stand snacks.
- "OFF-BEAT CINEMA" - (Saturdays at 10:00pm) hosted by a group of people (one woman and two men) resembling coffee-house beatniks who shows some rather unusual and underrated B-pictures and cinema cult classics.
I've only ever tuned into these programs just to see certain movies. I should also mention that this network airs varied classic Hollywood films each weekday at 4:00pm (Mondays through Thursdays) that are not associated with any hosted program. As mentioned above, the movies seen during this time slot are mostly public domain titles.