SPACE: 1999 Raw Effects Footage

This is pretty cool: raw effects footage from Brian Johnson's Space: 1999 SFX team, of various Eagle transporter landings, on Moonbase Alpha pads and alien landscapes. I think it really demonstrates the care and precision that went into shooting the miniature effects in those pre-CGI days.

FLASH GORDON (1980) SFX Models

"Dispatch war rocket Ajax to bring back his body!" 

I've had these photos in my files for a while now, and unfortunately, cannot recall where I found them. But in celebration of Flash Gordon's 30th Anniversary, I thought it was time to share these pix of the flick's funky, retro-rockets with all of you Space: 1970 readers.

Designed and built (or at least supervised) by the great Martin Bower, who also designed spaceships for Space: 1999, Into Infinity, Alien and Outland, these vessels really capture the romanticized, decadent technology of Mongo. I've always especially loved the classic lines of Ming's "War Rocket Ajax" (top two photos).

When I first saw the movie I was struck by the striking miniature effects, so different from most sci-fi fantasy films of the era, which generally aped Star Wars' functional, "lived-in" ship design. It was also cool to see these models flying against those swirling, multicolored skies of Mongo instead of the usual starfields.

MAN FROM ATLANTIS (1977) SFX Model

I stumbled across these photos online - auction house pix of the original special effects miniature of the submarine Cetacean from the Man From Atlantis television series. For those that might not remember, the unique, deep water submarine was originally owned by master villain Mister Schubert (Victor Buono) in the pilot film, but it somehow became the property of the Foundation for Oceanic Research in the ongoing series. I always loved this ship, and am quite struck by the evident scale; based on the windows, it looks like it would have been pretty cramped for the crew. I vaguely recall the interior sets being considerably more spacious....

I remember reading back in '77 that the underwater effects featuring the Cetacean were shot "dry," with the water and bubbles and such added in optically - unlike the submarine effects for Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea back in the 60s, which actually submerged the models in a huge water tank.

I'm fascinated by these photos - I've always been a fan and advocate of in-camera special effects work, particularly the use of miniatures. I have considerable admiration for the men and women who constructed, lit and photographed those detailed models, and am saddened that it's pretty much a lost art these days.