Behind-The-Scenes Pix #47: THE HUMANOID

An Italian effects crew sets up a miniature shot during production of 1979's The Humanoid, director Aldo Lado's answer to Star Wars, starring Richard Kiel and Barbara Bach. I finally got to see the film last year, and while it's not as much fun as Starcrash, it is enjoyably goofy.

I actually thought the spaceship miniatures were pretty decent (as evidenced above), even if the effects techniques themselves were primitive in comparison to their Hollywood competitors.

THE HUMANOID (1979) Trade Ad

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Not too long ago, I finally got my mitts on a copy of The Humanoid, the Italian Star Wars knock-off starring Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach and Corinne Clery. I'd wanted to see it for years, and surprisingly, I was not disappointed.

While not quite as gleefully bonkers as other International space operas produced in the cosmic wake of George Lucas' box office megahit (I'm looking at you, Starcrash and Message from Space), The Humanoid does have its own Continental charms. It's also surprisingly watchable, with some cool production design and neat-looking spaceships. Of course, the shadow of Wars hangs over all of it (especially the archvillain's Vader-esqe helmet/costume), but there are some unique elements buried in there to enjoy as well. It's good, dumb fun.

Here's Ttitanus Studios' ad, printed in the May 17th, 1978 issue of Variety, announcing the Aldo Lado-directed (under the Anglicized nom de plume, "George B. Lewis") interstellar epic to the motion picture trade. Columbia Pictures ultimately picked it up for distribution in many International territories... but not the U.S., where it still has never received a legitimate theatrical or home video release.

Captain's bLog: Supplemental

•  I'm a big fat, lousy liar. I promised that if the world didn't end today, I'd post my long-delayed review of The Omega Man this afternoon. But I'm not going to do it. Not today.

Fact is, I'm not feeling well, and I just don't think I'm up to re-watching the movie, writing a long post, and then taking and formatting screenshots. Also, I have to make a long drive early tomorrow morning, so I think I need to get some rest this evening and hit the sack early tonight.

I'll try and get it posted right after the holiday (maybe before, but I'm not going to count on it). Your patience is appreciated.

•  In completely unrelated news, I received a copy of The Humanoid in the mail yesterday and watched it last night. I actually thought it was slightly better than its reputation.

The sets, locations, costumes and miniatures (derivative as many of them were) were surprisingly decent, and Barbara Bach as the evil Lady Agatha was just stunningly hot, even with her funky hairdo. Hell, I even liked the robot dog. My only real complaint is that there weren't enough space battles!

Ultimately, although it wasn't as much giddy fun as Starcrash, I enjoyed it, and am grateful to have finally seen it. One of these days (maybe after New Years), I'll write it up properly.

THE HUMANOID (1979) Lobby Cards

The one European Star Wars rip-off that continues to elude me is 1979's The Humanoid, starring Richard Kiel (The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker), Barbara Bach (The Spy Who Loved Me), and Corinne Clery (Moonraker).

I've read a lot about the movie over the years, and while I'm sure it's pretty cheap-looking and shamelessly derivative (just look at that Darth Vader clone!), I also suspect that it might have an eccentric 70's, Starcrash/Message from Space-type charm that would appeal to my arrested adolescent tastes. C'mon - it's got a robot dog! And Jaws! And a couple of Bond girls! In any case, it's a flick that I still want to see for myself one of these days.

I've occasionally come across gray market DVDs of the film being sold online, but I'm hesitant to spend money on something when I have no idea how it's going to look and no legal recourse if I'm dissatisfied. So... I guess I'll just have to keep hoping that some niche DVD outfit picks it up and releases a good quality, authorized version one day (preferably in English!).

In the meantime, I can keep looking at these mysterious lobby cards and keep wondering what I'm missing...

THE HUMANOID (1979) Theatrical Posters

I admit that I've never seen The Humanoid, another Italian Star Wars knock-off from 1979, starring Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach and Corinne Clery... but I desperately want to.