Pre-1980 Sci Fi Movie Thread

[ebort]

THX1138<br /><br />just discovered this stunning site dedicated to the newly re-released box set version of the original film by old G Lucas himself..the scene showing a TV screen displaying a chrome policeman robot beating endlessly a civilian has remained stuck in my brain ever since i first saw it as a youth..and i can't help but compare it as being the natural end point for what we call reality TV right now..if you could condense current reality TV down into one single repeating image then that Chrome Robot policeman beating someone for the rest of time is surely it.. i cannot watch reality Tv at all (and refuse to do so) because i cannot seperate the two in my mind..who says Sci Fi can't have an impact... <br /><br />one of the best sites i've seen for a while...even if i am stuck with a modem so need to have the patience of Job to load it..<br /><br />http://www.thx1138movie.com/<br /><br />speaking of patience!!!<br /><br />the orginal version of SOLARIS requires more than a smidgum of the stuff but pays off in dividends if you can cope with it..excellent stuff..<br /><br />http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069293/<br /><br />then there's <br />Logans run<br />the Omega man and Soylent Green...tons of stuff!!

 

[MeteorWayne]

One of my (and my Mom's) favorites! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Stumbled across this trailer for Formidden planet in imdb, where Robby the robot even has his own page! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Oh, this is just too good...<br /><br />Legends of the Superheroes, ca. 1979 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />Excellent! Where do we get a copy? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

Just watched 1954 film called<br /><br /><b>Killers From Space</b><br /><br />Another classic. This starts off with footage from nuclear tests in the Nevada desert. A plane carrying a scientist and pilot is circling a mushroom cloud. They see a flash below and fly down to investigate. The plane loses all power and crashes. They are presumed dead, when the scientist (Peter Graves of 1960s Mission Impossible fame), turns up seemingly uninjured at the army base gate, bearing a strange scar on his chest!<br /><br />He can't remember anything! He stays at the base, and steals some information from the safe, then drives out into the desert to leave the information under a rock. An FBI agent accosts him and he speeds away eventually crashing into the tree. Back at the base, they give him Sodium Amatol, and suddenly he remembers and is able to relate the entire story. Yes! He was kidnapped by aliens! (Films like this may have spawned the fantasies of alien abductees of today!). The aliens are men in black suits with <i>big googly eyes</i>. These monsters are so ridiculous, they like the Robot Monster discussed earlier in the thread are available for purchase as resin miniatures. <br /><br />Indeed the googly-eyed Killers From Space, are planning to destroy the planet. They are, wait for it, accumulating energy from the nuclear explosions, and using it to breed armies of giant monsters. Enter as usual stock footage of close-ups of lizards, fros, spiders and insects - GIANT TERRIFYING MONSTERS. Why the scar? Well the doctor died and they gave him a new heart as they wanted him to get information on the next test? Why? And the doctor quickly deduced this from looking at their machinery - - they can't overload their system or it will go off 'like a powder keg'. <br /><br />How will they defeat the monsters (warning: spoiler- do not rea <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

Don't know if this one really counts as SciFi, but watched again for the first time since my childhood<br /><br /><b>Journey to the Centre of the Earth</b><br /><br />This is a classic and was nominated for academy awards in 1959. Remember it? Members of the Lindenbrook expedition enter the Icelandic volcano, see all manner of wonders, fend of the evil Count Saknussem, find an ocean at the centre of the earth, wash up on the shore of sunken Atlantis and get shot out a volcano into the Mediteranean Sea. If you want to see lizards made up to look like dinosaurs - this movie is the one to see. The dimetrodons in this movie represent the pinnacle of reptilian hair and makeup achievement and if there was an academy award for this category, this movie would surely have won. Wonderful sets - a great old adventure movie. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[hracctsold]

Now that version of the show Journy to the CENTER of the Earth was the one to watch for me. The newer versions like the one on TV were I guess good, but nothing like the way they did that show. Pat Boone recently said he did not know much about the story then, but found he did enjoy working on it and with the people there.

 

[jmilsom]

Another weird one from my Science Fiction pack. I guess it was SciFi back in 1945! There have been lengthy debates between creationism and evolution here on SDC. Well, the missing link has been found. It's... <br /><br /><b>White Pongo</b><br /><br />A classic jungle flick where an expedition goes in search of the missing link. A white gorilla with almost human intelligence. Perhaps some racist overtones here, the missing link just happens to be a white gorilla and is constantly harangued by the normal black gorillas. Their African guide is called....wait for it....Mumbo Jumbo!!!! Basically they trek into the jungle, set up camp, but before they catch the gorilla, their German mercenary companion cheats them and runs off with their supplies leaving them for dead. He takes the girl. We've also wondered on threads here whether neanderthals and humans interbred. White Pongo certainly seems to think it is possible. He takes the girl from the bad guy. Good guys catch up, rescue girl while White Pongo is distracted fighting a normal gorilla, they capture him and ship him off to London. Bit dull really, but interesting to wtach such an old film. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[yevaud]

<i>...and is constantly harangued by the <b>normal</b> black gorillas.</i><br /><br />"Pongo, you have to stop just hanging around in your room and listening to <i>that</i> music. And those friends of yours. Have you been doing drugs?" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

"You don't want to stay in the jungle forever with those common riffraff. If you study hard...we may all get to go to London." <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />ahem...<br /><br />I am afraid this next one does not get a wooden spoon. It does far better than Killers from space above, for this is the 1953 film:<br /><br /><b>Phantom from Space</b><br /><br />This is another of the 'what if' movies that speculates on visiting ETs. A rather obscure film and cast, the plot and dialogue is remarkably tight and the story coherent - characteristics somewhat rare in these early SciFi films. A UFO is tracked and disappears off the West coast of the US. Then there are strange magnetic disturbances and Government agents go to investigate triangulating in on the interference epicentre. They soon come across a trail of murders and explosions and stories of a man in a strange suit with a strange helmet. They finally corner him and there are some amusing scenes where they chase the dude in the strange suit. When they have cornered him in a room, he takes off his suit and is invisible so eludes them. They take his suit to a science laboratory with him invisibly tagging along and so begins intrigue and speculation at the space centre as they try to figure out who / what he is and where he came from. Won't say any more. This film actually works and isn't to bad to watch. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Holy ragglezzin! I've seen that one!<br /><br />Cheese like Limburger... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

I won't discuss it at length as you posted it above, but I just saw "Creature from the Black Lagoon" on free to air television. <br /><br />I am starting to feel sorry for all these rare, missing link species. They certainly fare the worse for their contact with humans. And all seem to have the same achilles heel - a penchant for carrying off beautiful women!<br /><br />Think I'll go get me a beanie version.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[hracctsold]

Your movie poster reminded me of several things. <br />That ape monster in the top left looks alot like the "Magoto" monster from the original ST, except it does not have the unicorn horn. The one with Kirk's friend, Tyre and his soceress mate I think it was, where Kirk was mauled by the monster.<br /><br />I was also reminded about a series, or a movie, from that time frame where the star turned into a gorilla in the jungle while his human part slept in his tent or by the jungle fire. I don't know if "Jungle Jim" was the one or if that was another jungle righter of wrong done.<br /><br />I would have posted earlier, but had to prepare for and deal with a tax class I was leading.

 

[specfiction]

I've got to say, I've rarely enjoyed reading a thread in any forum as much as I've enjoyed this one. Too bad as time passed into the 90's and beyond more excellent films, like the ones presented in these posts weren't made. There are so many excellent SF novels that could have served as the basis for tremendous SF movies. I wonder what went wrong? <br /><br />Also, as my contribution: Has anyone ever seen the Mysterians? Probably the best Japanese SF movie.

 

[yevaud]

Oops, stumbled onto another Internet Gem:<br /><br />Theme songs from your favorite Cartoon TV shows <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Pish.... No Animaniacs or Pinky and the Brain.<br /><br />worthless <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?"<br /><br />"Yeah, but Brain...how are we going to get the leather chaps on the Chicken?"<br /><br />(That's from an actual episode) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

I finally saw a classic, which has been talked about already above:<br /><br /><b>Attack of the 50 Foot Woman</b><br /><br />I saw the original version from 1958. What a classic! If you haven't seen it, see it. You'll be treated to giant alien spheres, the big stitched hand, hypothesising by German specialists, cars that change model in mid-air and some groovy dancing by Deputy Charlie, and of course a 50 foot sultry, vengeful woman!<br /> <br />(PS Going through an intense period at Uni, so have been neglecting my SDC visits, but should be able to rectify that come March) <br /><br />"Heinrich - look at dat hand!!!!" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[etavaunt]

Yes, my plans are coming to fruition . . . . . Pinky, did you just eat the red button?.<br /><br />That was the pinnicle of cartoon humour, to me. I used to sit in front of it with my nephew when he was still small enough to like, and we would roar with laughter.

 

[etavaunt]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/resources/tvthemes/<br /><br />? No "Torchy the battery boy" ?.

 

[jimcolyer]

I must say the sci/fi films from the 1950s are the best.

 

[jmilsom]

I got a bit tired of the early B-grade stuff. I'll get into it again when the mood suits me. Recently I re-watched two classics:<br /><br /><b>Blade Runner</b> and<br /><br /><b>2001: A Space Odyssey</b><br /><br />I've seen Blade Runner perhaps 5 or 6 times. I think it is one of the best SciFi films ever made. So much modern SciFi is shiny and clean and clear cut with good guys and bad guys. Ridley Scott did a wonderful job adapting PKDick work and the dark world realised is perhaps far more representative of what we can expect in the future than most other works. And of course, the boundaries between right and wrong are grey, grey, grey.<br /><br />And 2001, well what can I say. Many people's favourite. For me Blade Runner edges it out. 2001 is like going to the opera - amazing for its time. I still do find some of the scenes a little drawn out... but well...the rest of it more than makes up for it.<br /><br />I will delve into 50s B again soon. Stay tuned..... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

I tired of watching my SciFi movie pack a while ago, and this movie makes me understand why. From 1954:<br /><br /><b>The Snow Creature</b><br /><br />It was a battle to get through this movie without falling asleep (and I challenge anyone reading to do so!). Remarkable in its dullness, this movie has some of the blandest sets and most repetitive scenes I have ever come across. Basically, a botanist goes climbing in the Himalayas, a yeti kidnaps the wife of one of their porters and the porter then hijacks the expedition to hunt for the monster. They end up catching one alive (after it conveniently knocks itself out by causing a rockfall) and bring it back to Los Angeles. Of course, it quickly escapes (just like in King Kong or Jurassic Park II) and they hunt for it, eventually killing it, which is the predictable fate of all such monsters in urban conglomerations. You thought King Kong was scary or perhaps the TRex in Jurassic park, well just wait until you see the <i>Snow Creature</i>. It is a Wookie with a short hair cut that has has had a fight with his barber. arrrgh.<br /><br />If you dare to watch this, you will have to endure watching the same scenes over and over. Walking up the same stretch of bland hill terrain. Walking through the same section of cave again and again. Watching the monster fade into and out of view again and again (the same scene must be played at least ten times during the film - and yes it is always the same bit of film - not a different take) but you will be rewarded with some incredibly silly dialogue, that will make you laugh at times. The customs officials debating whether it is an animal or a human. The world's worst attempt at light hearted banter as the esteemed botanist joins the police chief in the hunt for the monster. -1 out of 10!!!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[weeman]

<font color="yellow"> Pish.... No Animaniacs or Pinky and the Brain. <br /></font><br /><br />hahaha! I couldn't agree more Wayne!<br /><br />This is my first post in this thread. Lets see, pre-1980?<br /><br />I would have to say one of the WORST is "This Island Earth". I have never watched the movie itself, I just saw it in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 movie! <br /><br />Now, that was a good freakin show! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Techies: We do it in the dark. </font></strong></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>"Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.</strong><strong>" -Albert Einstein </strong></font></p> </div>