Captain's bLog: 1213.10

• The results of the first official Space: 1970 poll have been in for a few days, but I'm finally getting around to writing about it. The question was: What's your FAVORITE prime-time/syndicated Sci-Fi show originally airing between 1970 and 1980? A staggering two hundred and twenty-two Space: 1970 visitors voted.

Coming in at #1 was the original Battlestar Galactica, with 66 votes. In second place was Space: 1999, garnering 40 votes. The big surprise for me was that third place was taken by Gerry Anderson's other 70's live-action opus, UFO, with 30 votes, just barely knocking Buck Rogers in the 25th Century into fourth, with 29. Fifth place was The Six Million Dollar Man, with 26 votes.

So what does this mean? Well, that maybe I should write more about Battlestar Galactica and UFO, for starters. I'll post another poll soon.

• Starting on December 20th, I'll be running a week's worth of posts dedicated to the post-Apocalyptic science fiction of the 1970s: The End of the World as We Knew It. It's the first "theme week" I've attempted here, and I'm curious as to how it will be received. There will be seven days of reviews and articles about flicks like The Omega Man, The Ultimate Warrior, etc., running through the holiday.

• And speaking of the holiday, there's a chance that I'll be posting something special on the 25th as a present for all you loyal Space: 1970 readers. It depends on how much time I can scrounge up between now and then to pull it together....

•  I've posted my review of The Bionic Woman Season One DVD set from Universal over on my DVD Late Show site. You'll find it HERE. In rewatching the show for the first time in decades, I was pleased to find that I still really enjoyed it, and that Lindsay Wagner - who was almost too good an actress for this type of show - was still as lovable and admirable as Jaime Sommers as I remembered. A rare kudos to Universal, too, for including the Six Million Dollar Man episodes that introduced the character. I still cannot afford the Time-Life complete Man set, and I would have been more than a little annoyed if those episodes had not been included in the first season Bionic Woman package.

• Another recent review at my DVD Late Show site that might be of interest to Space: 1970 readers, is my coverage of the Space Precinct - Complete Series DVD set from Image Entertainment. Produced by Space: 1999 and UFO's Gerry Anderson, this 90's syndicated sci-fi cop show has a distinctly 1970's vibe. Review HERE.

•  Oh, and unless I've miscounted... this is my 200th post.

Coming Attractions: STAR TREK - THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) Theatrical Trailer

Thirty-one years ago today, Star Trek - The Motion Picture was released to American movie theaters. For Trekkies like myself, it was a huge event - I remember sitting in the theater at Augusta's Turnpike Mall, entranced. For a lot of years, the film got a bad rap - even by me - but over the last decade or so, its reputation seems to have improved substantially. I'm not sure if it's because the Robert Wise Director's Cut that was released on DVD was so much better than the original version or if we've just finally caught up with what is, at its best, a thoughtful science fiction adventure that exhibits a genuine sense of wonder about the universe.

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.

FLASH GORDON (1980) Theatrical Posters

Thirty(!) years ago today, the Dino deLaurentis-produced, Michael Hodges-directed 1980 feature film version of Flash Gordon, premiered at American cinemas.

I seem to remember going to the theater on opening night on a double date with my pal Pat and our girlfriends. Honestly, I don't think I saw much of the movie that night, but I did go back the following weekend and watched it again. It is one of my favorite movies ever - big and loud and colorful and fun, filled with outrageous characters and a great cast. In fact, the only one who isn't great is Flash himself - as played by Sam Jones, he's not exactly the most rugged of space heroes, and he's certainly no Buster Crabbe. But everyone else - lovely Melody Anderson, sultry Ornelia Muti, imposing Max Von Sydow, delightful Brian Blessed, stiff-backed Timothy Dalton, quirky Topol - is just wonderful.

Add in the awesome miniature effects and rousing score by Queen and Howard Blake... well, it's just a great entertainment, that holds up even now, three decades on.

The Perils of Geekdom: Summer 1978

In August of 1978, I spotted the third issue of Fantastic Films magazine at the local corner store. Fantastic Films (which eventually morphed into FilmFax, which is still around today) was a serious competitor to Starlog and Cinefantastique for about seven years. It was a bit more in-depth than Starlog, and a lot cheaper - and somewhat easier to find - than Cinefantastique. It still had spotty distribution here in Maine, but I bought it whenever I could.

This particular issue, though, nearly killed me.

I was at the store with my mom, and didn't have the money to buy it, so 14-year-old me sneakily tucked it behind something else on the newsstand, and made plans to come back and buy it later that day.

When I got home, I scrounged up the money from the various caches in my room and hopped on my bike. The store was about two miles from my house. It was an easy ride - I made the trip often.

But that was a very hot August afternoon. Sweating, I made it to the store, and bought the magazine. I rolled it up carefully and tucked it under the handlebars of my ten-speed, with the brake cables holding it firmly in place. I was hot and dehydrated, but I hadn't had enough money for both a drink and the magazine, and dammit - I had to have that magazine. Issue #3 of FF was full of behind-the scenes articles on special effects, with long interviews with Douglas Trumbull (2001, Silent Running) and John Dykstra (Star Wars). There was an article on the new Star Trek II TV show (sigh). Most importantly it had photos of the models from the upcoming television "event" Battlestar Galactica - the very first glimpses of the Viper and Cylon Raider - and I had to have those!

So, eager to get home and immerse myself in all that 70s sci-fi goodness, I pedaled furiously down the long, unshaded highway back toward my house. You could see the heat rising off the asphalt. Sweat was dripping in my eyes. Suddenly, one foot seemed to slide off its pedal, I felt myself falling - and then, blackness.

It is amazing how clearly I remember all this. I woke up on my back on the hot pavement, my head pounding. A man was standing over me, looking down at me, asking if I was all right in a voice I didn't know. The sun was so bright, I couldn't make out his face. I tried to stand up, and fell, dizzy. The guy lifted me up, and helped me to his car - a Volkswagen Beetle. His wife was in the passenger seat, and there was a girl about my age in the back. I think she was pretty, but I can't say for sure. She never spoke and I never really looked at her (clearly, I had brain damage!). He helped me into the car, all the while asking me if I knew where I lived. Woozy as I was, I remember still thinking that was a stupid question.

Anyway, this nice family - whose name I never learned - drove me home. My mother helped me in and onto the couch, whereupon she discovered that I had a bump on the side of my head about the size of a golf ball. After making me comfortable, she asked me what happened - and I remember anxiously asking her to send my dad to get my bike... and my magazine. I was very insistent on that point.

I had a mild concussion, but although I remember everything above very clearly, I don't recall if I was taken to the doctor or emergency room. I do remember lying on that couch on that hot August afternoon, my head throbbing, sipping cold Kool-Aid and pouring over my copy of Fantastic Films #3 - which survived the accident without so much as a crease - from cover to cover (including ads).

I still have that issue, no longer mint, but intact and in a box next to my desk.

More BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Art by Frazetta

I finally found a scan of the original painting by the late, great Frank Frazetta for the TV Guide ads used to promote the Battlestar Galactica two-parter, "War of the Gods." See the printed ads HERE.

As I noted when I posted the actual ads, by this point, Frank seems to have actually seen the series, or was at least provided with some costume reference, because, unlike his initial Galactica paintings, Apollo, Starbuck and Sheba appear to actually be wearing outfits that approximate the uniforms on the show (I bet Richard Hatch wished he had a build like that).

You know, I love Patrick Macnee, but wouldn't it have been cool if count Iblis had looked like this?

MESSAGE FROM SPACE (1978) DVD Review

In the wake of the unprecedented box office bounty of George Lucas' seminal Star Wars in 1977, filmmakers around the world raced to unveil their own epic space operas, all hoping to strike gold mining the same cosmic vein.  Among the most prominent of these international productions was Toei Studios' Message From Space (Uchu kara no messeji), released in the United States in the Autumn of 1978 by United Artists.

The planet Jillucia has been conquered by the Gavanas Empire, its natural beauty devastated after years of war. The few survivors call upon their gods and are given eight magic seeds (that look like walnuts), which they send out into the universe to find eight champions to help Jillucia overthrow its conquerors. The seeds end up in the hands of a motley crew - including a disgraced Earth general Garuda (Vic Morrow, Twilight Zone: The Movie) and his robot, a couple of young "space hot rodders" (Philip Casnoff, Dollhouse, and Hiroyuki Sanada, Lost), a thrill-seeking heiress (Peggy Lee Brennan), and an exiled Gavanas warrior prince (Sonny Chiba, Streetfighter, Kill Bill). Ultimately, all of these individuals embrace their destiny and unite to face the evil Empire and save Earth from destruction.

 

 

Fast-paced, absurd and fun, Message From Space is a giddily insane interstellar samurai fantasy, loaded with space dogfights, laser battles, swordplay and explosions. The miniature effects are extraordinarily well-crafted, and the production design is lavish. The cast is pretty good, too; I really like Morrow as the noble, drunken Garuda, and, of course, Sonny Chiba rocks as the ronin-like Prince Hans.  Etsuko Shihomi - better known to cult film fans as "Sue Shiomi" of the Sister Streetfighter films - makes a lovely space princess, even if her character is sadly under-used and she never gets to demonstrate any of her legendary ass-kicking skills.

The story owes as much to traditional Japanese chambara as it does to George Lucas' pulp space opera, and while Western audiences might find the plot both convoluted and juvenile (especially the magic, glowing walnuts!), I actually find it to be a rather charming outer space fairy tale.

 

"Viva Chiba!" 

Like Toho's The War In Space of the year before, Message exhibits a distinctively Japanese aesthetic, with many striking images, including a schooner-like starship with solar sails. Interestingly, a number of scenes and images from this film were echoed in later American sci-fi films, like Roger Corman's Battle Beyond The Stars (1980), and even by Lucas' Star Wars sequels, especially Message's climactic bombing run, which is uncannily similar to the climax of The Return of the Jedi, released five or six years later!

Personally, I never imagined that Message From Space would ever be released on DVD in the U.S., and definitely not in widescreen, but, much to my surprise, the original Japanese/International uncut version is now available on an NTSC format, region-free import disc from Eastern Star. Presented in a nearly flawless, 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, Message From Space looks terrific! Both the original Japanese language track and the English dub are included, both in 2.0 stereo, although the English track is somewhat muffled and has a soft background hiss. English and Chinese subtitles are available. Special features include a still gallery, several original Japanese trailers for the film, and trailers for a couple other Eastern Star titles.

If you enjoy Asian fantasy films or 70s space opera, you owe it to yourself to check out Message From Space. If you're already a fan of the movie, I can't recommend the Eastern Star release more highly. It can be purchased from Amazon: Message From Space

December's Space Babe: Cindy Morgan

December's Space Babe is the lovely Cindy Morgan, who played the dual roles of Yori and Lora in 1982's TRON. With TRON Legacy coming to theaters this month, I started thinking about re-watching the original, and was reminded of Morgan and just how appealing she was. This sexy cyber blonde appeared with Tron himself, Bruce Boxlietner, in the same year's CBS adventure series Bring 'Em Back Alive, as well as Caddyshack, and numerous TV guest roles.

Her official website.

Obit: Irvin Kershner R.I.P.

The director of the best Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, has passed away. Veteran filmmaker Irvin Kershner, whose many credits include The Eyes of Laura Mars, A Fine Madness, Robocop 2, Never Say Never Again, and The Return of A Man Called Horse, died at his home in Paris today at age 87.

I watched Empire again on its anniversary last May, and was surprised to see just how well it holds up. Like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Empire is just so well-crafted and expertly paced, that every time I watch it, it's just as exciting and rewarding as the first time. It is the finest of the Star Wars films, and Kershner's experienced hand is a large part of its success.

Rest in peace, Mister Kershner, and may the Force be with you.

The SPACE: 1970 Poll

Back when I launched this blog, I ran a reader's poll asking "What's your FAVORITE prime-time/syndicated Sci-Fi show originally airing between 1970 and 1980?" Of course, back then, the site had only a fraction of its current readership, so I thought I'd try again. If people enjoy these polls, I'll post more of them - whenever I manage to think of a fun question to ask.

Feel free to suggest future questions in the comments, or explain your choice. Or complain that I forgot something - because that's always fun.

OOPS: I made a mistake in the Poll, so I had to delete it and start over. My apologies to the seven people who had already voted.

SPACE: 1999 Art by David & Dan Day

I stumbled across this piece on the web a couple days ago. It's by the late Gene Day, a comics artist probably best known for his work on Marvel's Master of Kung Fu, and for inking many issues of Star Wars over penciller Carmine Infantino.

I don't know if this was actually drawn for Charlton Comics and never used, or if it was a fanzine piece, but I thought it was pretty cool and wanted to share it here.

UPDATE: Apparently this art was misattributed by the site where I found it. It was actually drawn in the mid-80s by Gene's brother David Day and inked by his other brother, Dan:

My name is David Day, I am the youngest brother of Gene Day. I was 16 years old when my brother Gene passed away in 1982. I am also a professional artist with a 25 year career in the business. I have worked for Marvel, DC Comics on such characters as X-Men, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk and Batman...but I am most remembered in comics for working on licensing.. such as Man From Uncle, Sherlock Holmes, Lost In Space, Quantum Leap, Mr T and The T-Force, Nightmare on Elm Street to name a few. I drew the Space 1999 piece above for Sword and Stone Publications who bought the rights from Charlton Comics Archives. It was not Gene that created that picture. I drew it and my brother Dan inked it...it was done in 1986... I was 20 years old. Nice to see that someone has found it... I do not even have a copy of it.
All the best,
David Day

My apologies for the mistake, and my thanks to David for clearing it up.

THE STARLOST (1973) Movie: "The Beginning"

Like many other sci-fi shows from the era (Battlestar Galactica, Planet of the Apes, Space: 1999) several episodes of the Canadian series The Starlost, were also edited into TV movies for syndication. Apparently these cobbled-together telefilms didn't get much airplay in the U.S., but ran for years and years in Canada.

This is the opening narration and credits for the first of these, "The Beginning," which incorporated the episodes "Voyage of Discovery" and "The Goddess Calabra," which guest starred Space: 1970 favorites John Colicos and Barry Morse!