Моргус Великолепный: Жаңа Орлеанның ғалым-әзілкеші

Fictional character

Morgus the Magnificent, also known as Momus Alexander Morgus, is a fictional character created and portrayed by actor Sidney Noel Rideau (aka Sid Noel). From the late 1950s into the 1980s, Morgus was a "horror host" of late night science fiction and horror movies and television shows that originated in the New Orleans, Louisiana market. Morgus is a quintessential mad scientist, assisted by executioner styled sidekick, Chopsley (Tommy George). Morgus' well intentioned experiments often served as book end pieces to the late night films being shown, and typically went awry at the last minute.

A native of New Orleans, Sidney Noel Rideau (aka Sid Noel; December 25, 1929 August 27, 2020) attended broadcasting school and worked for radio station WWEZ AM before joining WSMB AM in 1956. While at WSMB, Rideau led a vocal group that recorded a novelty song called “Humpty Dump” with Atlantic Records. While Rideau was working as a disc jockey at WWL (AM) radio in 1958, he auditioned for a job hosting the new WWL TV show, House of Shock. Rideau was awarded the job, and agreed to do it "only if he could make the show funny". He created and performed as the host character "Doctor Morgus", however Rideau did not want to reveal his real life identity. According to Rideau, "being Morgus brought with it some challenges to say the least". For approximately 50 years, Rideau tried to keep his identity private, and reportedly didn't even tell his children he was Morgus.

Morgus first appeared on late night television on January 3, 1959, in the House of Shock that aired on WWL TV in New Orleans, hosting science fiction and horror movies "in between experiments". The set was styled to look like an upstairs garret supposedly located over the old city ice house, with a fire escape exit into Pirate's Alley in the old French Quarter.

In mid 1965, Rideau and Morgus Presents (aka ‘’Morgus The Magnificent’’) returned to New Orleans on WWL TV and remained on the air for two years. Morgus Presents reappeared as an afternoon show in 1970 on WDSU TV, but was discontinued in 1971. After another long hiatus, Morgus Presents returned in January 1987, on WGNO TV. Long time New Orleans television director and Morgus collaborator, Paul Yacich, directed all fifty two episodes. By 2005, Morgus Presents had gone into syndication and aired on various stations, such as Cox Cable channel 10, and WVUE Fox 8 in New Orleans. In 1964, the Detroit based Fulton record label released another single, "Werewolf", featuring Morgus and The Daringers, with an instrumental track ("The Morgus Creep") on its B side.

Morgus' first and only appearance in film was in The Wacky World of Dr. Morgus (1962), which introduced his "Instant People Machine" that could transform people into sand and back to their original form. In the film, Morgus was investigated by a stereotypical reporter known as "Pencils" and foreign agents from Microvania who sought to enter the United States by using the device. Instead of an invasion, its contents ended up as concrete, which was poured at a dedication ceremony for the fittingly named "People's Highway."

Sidney Noel Rideau, born December 25, 1929 (his name, Noel was inspired by his being born on Christmas Day), died on August 27, 2020.