Tag Archives: martians

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“The War of the Worlds” (1938) – A Very Fine Radio Drama

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This radio play, based on author H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” novel, has stood the test of time. We are presented with a gripping tale of alien invasion by a seemingly unstoppable force that brings the Earth to its knees but not before a wholly unexpected ally assists us in eluding planetwide destruction.

Based loosely on Wells’ classic science fiction novel, upstart talent, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater production cast of radio and ultimately theater and film performers, craft a masterful adaptation of the story. America is the spot of a succession of meteorite impacts across the country which house metallic vessels hiding Martians. Not only are the Martians intent on dominating our planet and its resources but they have a penchant for human flesh as well. Not a pleasant prospect for the average Earthling.

This is a well-paced and cleverly designed radio program that initially masquerades as being a typical evening in front of the radio (These were the days before television and computers and when the mind’s eye was actively utilized to visually interpret the words coming out of the radio’s speaker.): Dance band music is interrupted by increasingly intense news broadcasts and the interjected opinions and reporting from experts who are analyzing what the whole invasion thing means and if the Human Race stands a chance of survival.

Very vital and well structured, this is one of the best radio plays in my mind. Not only that, but this production caused quite a stir with late tuners-in of the broadcast back in 1938. An actual panic ensued in certain populations of listeners who actually believed the radio drama was truly happening! What better endorsement to the authenticity and melding of fantasy radio play, gritty news programming, and outrageous showmanship. Hollywood was soon to open its doors wide to welcome Orson Welles’ creative vision and bless him to bestow his magic on Tinseltown. He managed to pull off another legendary artistic masterwork with film “Citizen Kane” but after that, the door slammed shut on his theatrical nose.

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“The War of the Worlds” (1953) – Pretty, 1950’s End of the World Yarn

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H.G. Wells wrote the science fiction classic “The War of the Worlds” back in the 19th century and the setting was England. It seems that a civilization had evolved on the planet Mars and the inhabitants of that planet hatched a plot to conquer our planet. Falling stars land on Earth and reveal encased cylinders that house slimy Martian creatures and Martian war machines that proceed to decimate our world.

Along comes this picture to update the story to the United States in the 1950’s. The screen is filled with dazzling color film work and a different continent to disrupt and demolish. We are also subjected to some mighty wooden acting by our leading couple Gene Barry and Ann Robinson. The United States utilizes its latest military weapons on the aliens who are now operating evil looking flying craft equipped with a goose necked appendage that fires off a vaporizing ray.

There are plenty of histrionics in this science fiction actioner: two mighty military forces battling it out, explosions, heat rays, cities on fire, flying wings, atomic explosions, three eyed creepy creatures, shouting expressionless actors, pontificating egghead scientists, hardheaded career military minds ranting, blood thirsty mobs on the rampage, a war between two celestial bodies!!!!

Come to think of it, you’ll have a great time viewing this. Knock yourself out.

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“The Day Mars Invaded Earth” (1962) – Our Cinematic Visit to the Red Planet is much too short

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“The Day Mars Invaded Earth” starts out promisingly enough with footage of a rover device scooted across the surface of the Red Planet. The film is in black and white so we take it on faith that we are actually on Mars. Har-har. This segment of the film is my favorite part of the movie as too soon we see the probe destroyed and we come back to earthly maters for the remainder of the film. It seems that the scientist who is chiefly responsible for the project is psychically invaded by some form of life from Mars and his family is similarly taken over.

The majority of this movie is set within the scientist’s vast country estate and while it is picturesque and grand, the action plods as we maneuver about the estate and witness the absorption of the humans present. It all gets a bit boring for me but there is a nice effect at the end that metaphorically encapsulates what has taken place on the estate.

Some call it a classic science fiction film but I do not. Maybe a hint of what the Martians actually looked like would have helped or more suspenseful scenes. It is though not an unpleasant way to spend 90 minutes for the speculative film fan.

action, end of the world, entertainment, halloween, haunted places, Horror, horror movie, monster movie, mysterious places, outer space, science fiction, science fiction films, suspense

TOP 5 MOVIES FOR MY HALLOWEEN VIEWING

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I have given a minute or two of thought to what I would enjoy most viewing on Halloween.  I would most definitely need to take the day off of work because this lineup would probably consume a good 10 hours.  Sacrifices must be made!  Granted this is the first of what may be a series of some of my most adored movies piled together in one marathon viewing.  These movies are what came off the top of my head at the time and can definitely be mixed and matched and replaced with other selections.  I think that makes sense.

  1.  5 Million Years To Earth – 1967 – A Hammer Films science fiction entry that postulates that some long ago Martians visited our remote ancestors and planted the seeds of intelligence in our shaggy, far removed, ancient ape-like relatives.  Is the recently uncovered spaceship located in the London underground still harboring a Martian presence?
  2. The Mummy – 1959 – This is a great one to curl up with your favorite snack and beverage and soak up the suspense.  Very entertaining and satisfying mummy on the loose tale.  Christopher Lee is mainly silent and heavily bandaged as the title character.  Peter Cushing is out to stop The Mummy’s diabolical rampage.
  3. The Fearless Vampire Killers – 1967 – Roman Polanski directed and co-starred in this hugely atmospheric comedy/horror piece about a couple of bumbling monster hunters who try to rescue a damsel who is fortified in a castle full of undead vampires.  Great sets!
  4. Horror Express – 1972 – Another Cushing/Lee vehicle set aboard a trans-Siberian train that transports an ages old ape man found frozen in ice.  The recently unearthed specimen seems to not be fully dead and can swap human hosts!  A true hoot.
  5. Invasion – 1966 – A hospital is literally held hostage as an alien presence temporarily makes a stop on Earth and has to recover its lost property before it can again go back to outer space.  It’s bad enough being in a hospital, as it is!

Like I said, I will make another list of five more films that it would be Heaven to just spend Halloween day watching back to back.  Maybe I’ll defer it until Thanksgiving or Christmas.  I’ve got time off then.  Check some of these films out and enjoy!