Since launching this blog in 2009, almost every movie and television series from the Space: 1970 era has made its way to home video in the digital format. There are still a few MIA titles (Starship Invasions, The Fantastic Journey, Project UFO, and...?), but it's really quite remarkable how many of our childhood favorites are now out there, considering how few were available back when I started this thing. I'd like to pretend that I helped some of those movies and shows escape from the studio vaults, but I know that's not so. Still...maybe I helped sell a few copies for those folks.
There are still some 70s sci-fi movies that I've barely touched on here (Silent Running, Rollerball, Soylent Green, CE3K, Moonraker, etc.), and lots of memorabilia (and memories) to unearth. In fact, I've got almost a dozen substantial posts in the works, just waiting for me to finish the time-consuming chores of researching and assembling material. I'll also have some new reviews as soon as I can make time to grab (and format) the screen shots to illustrate them.
For the next year (as I always hope), I'll try to post more essays, reviews and features (like Fave Fives, Polls and Space Babes). I know we all dig the posters, ads, magazine/comics covers and other pop culture artifacts - they're powerful memory triggers - but I want this blog to be more than just a scrapbook. We'll have to see how I do.
So, thanks to everyone who stops by Space: 1970 regularly, for your enthusiasm, encouragement, and (the most appreciated) your good manners. It's nice to have a place online where stuff like Quark, Jason Of Star Command, Buck Rogers and even my beloved Starcrash, can be discussed without undue condescension and cynical snark. I sincerely appreciate it.
I hope you'll stop by tomorrow for November's Space Babe....
And to celebrate your third anniversary, George Lucas and Disney announce another three 'Star Wars' films. Very nice of him
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice gesture on George's part, and I appreciate it. But I haven't much cared about anything Star Wars since 1983... :)
DeleteJust an AWESOME SITE, sir.. My humble thanks to you and all you do. I was never that far into sci-fi literature, but loved everything on television and movies.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your perspectives on our beloved past. Great group of regular contributors to the comment section as well.
Here's to FOUR MORE YEARS..!
Congrats Christopher!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled into the blog a few moths ago, and I love it as I grew up with all of the series, movies, magazines, etc that you write about. I usually check twice a day to make sure I'm up to date on what is being discussed.
Looking forward to many years of reading Space: 1970!
Happy Birthday, and thanks for the great work--and the always fascinating images!
ReplyDelete--Ivan
Christopher happy 3rd anniversary! Awesome site.
ReplyDeleteSGB
Happy anniversary! I get a lot of nostalgic joy reading your posts. I will enjoy "season 4".
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to another great year (and more Space Babes)! Would love to see some in-depth discussion of Rollerball and Silent Running.
ReplyDelete"Would love to see some in-depth discussion of Rollerball and Silent Running."
DeleteMe too! I better get on that.
Rollerball is great. I recommend the R2 (UK) DVD 'Special Edition' if you can get it. It includes a booklet with a little background on the film, and 25 minute or so retrospective feature called "Return to the Arena:The Making of Rollerball". In addition it has two commentary tracks (the US releases have only one), one with director Norman Jewison, and one with writer William Harrison. Harrison wrote the short story 'Roller Ball Murder' which the film is based on, as well as the screenplay. I got a copy a year or so back on ebay, for maybe US$10. I live in the US, by the way. Oh, as I look it up, it appears the R4 Australian "Special Edition" has the same features.
ReplyDeleteChris:
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the effort but into this. It isn't just the nostalgia either. Many of us were fired up in the sciences by these shows. Even today I find the Droids from Silent Running a more interesting Robotics story than the supposedly more serious treatments today. And- believe it or not- there is a group of stars in Virgo that amateur astronomers such as myself routinely show at our Public Astronomy nights or at School Math and Science Nights named after a special effect from Buck Rogers. Just Google "StarGate Cluster"
Thanks to this site, I picked up a copy of the Space Academy DVD set, which my nine-year-old daughter absolutely loves. Your hard work (and joyous lack of snark) is much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter has good taste! Space: 1970 will always be a "Snark-free zone!"
DeleteCongratulations on your anniversary! Your hard work and enthusiasm have made Space 1970 my favorite blog. I really look forward to seeing what happens next!
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd birthday blog...and congratulations to Christopher, the proud father! Space 1970 helps to brighten up the long, wet British winters, and I look forward to reading your "snark free" posts on Rollerball and Soylent Green - two of my all-time favorites! By the way, now that Darth Vader lives with Mickey Mouse, do you think there's any chance that the REAL Star Wars TRILOGY will get the blu ray treatment?
ReplyDelete"...do you think there's any chance that the REAL Star Wars TRILOGY will get the blu ray treatment? "
DeleteAnything's possible... especially if Disney's bean counters decide there's enough profit to be made."
More MIA titles:
ReplyDeleteGemini Man
Beyond Westworld
Yep. I already suggested Beyond Westworld to my friends at Warner Archive. As for Gemini Man...
DeleteI didn't know you could suggest anything to Warner. There are plenty of things I'd like to suggest they release.
DeleteI've had some direct dealings with them because of my reviews, but anyone can make suggestions. They pay VERY close attention to comments and suggestions made to their Facebook page and Twitter account. They rely pretty heavily on social media to determine what might sell.
DeleteOddly, I have a good feeling about the next three Star Wars films. Mainly because they won't be directed by George Lucas
ReplyDeleteLove your site. I do bring occasional snark, but it's just being honest because like any genre and time period not everything from this time was great. However there was plenty to like about 70's sci-fi and your site does a good job celebrating that. Keep up the fine work and hopefully some more 70's sci-fi continues to come out on DVD.
ReplyDeleteLove love love this site. Keep up the great work - it is appreciated and enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I'm really looking forward to reading a Silent Running article. For some reason that film aired a lot on late night TV in Canada back in the day, so I've seen it many times and have fond memories watching Huey, Dewy and Louie with my Dad.
ReplyDelete