WFLD Channel 32 - Son of Svengoolie - "Beyond the Time Barrier" (Opening, 1986)

Here's the opening segment of the Son of Svengoolie presentation of the 1960 film "Beyond the Time Barrier" on WFLD Channel 32.

This was from within the last weeks of the program (for the record, it's Show #333, per Chicago EpGuides.com), prior to its cancellation in preparation for the transition in station ownership from Metromedia to Fox Television Stations. At this point, the show was switched to its final time slot at 11:30pm to conclusion.

This segment starts with a shot of a General Electric wall clock set stationarily at 11:30, with a recorded "Calling All Stations" notice; followed by the opening titles and Son of Svengoolie (Rich Koz) mopping up after the latest Mission: Impossible episode (and Sven complaining about all the props left behind - including wires, false noses, and dictators' hats - from said show).

He then goes on about the massive time shifts back and forth (in the manner of a roller coaster) from the show's 1979 debut to the present time, with voiceover (by Jim Barton) explaining the trajectory: starting out at 8pm - 10pm, then moved to 3pm - 5pm; 10am - 12pm; 2pm - 4pm; 11:30pm - 1:30am; 1:30pm - 3pm; and finally, 11:30pm - conclusion ("I can't even find 'Conclusion' on my watch," he plaintively notes) - after which the voiceover segues to the film at hand, dealing with the issue of time travel and shifting. Sven suggests that the way to the future for the pilots in the movie is to work at the station to see how his show was jerked around the schedule over the last 6-1/2 years.

After Sven says, "Just like that," the first 30 seconds' worth of the opening segment is repeated before we go to the first seconds of the "Beyond the Time Barrier" opening titles.

"Ah, the old time and space jokes are the best, aren't they?"

This aired on local Chicago TV on Saturday, January 4th 1986 during the 11:30pm to 1:30am timeframe.

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