Rational Fears

Rational Fears
Author: Mark Jancovich
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Total Pages: 370
Release: 1996
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 9780719036231

This re-assessment of 1950s American horror films relates them to the cultural debates of the period and to other examples of the horror genre: novels and comics.

Return of the B Science Fiction and Horror Heroes

Return of the B Science Fiction and Horror Heroes
Author: Tom Weaver
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 900
Release: 2000
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 9780786407552

The people who directed, produced, and starred in the scary and fantastic movies of the genre heyday over thirty years ago created memorable experiences as well as memorable movies. This McFarland Classic brings together over fifty interviews with the directors, producers, actors, and make-up artists of science fiction and horror films of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. From B movies to classics, Samuel Z. Arkoff to Acquanetta, these veteran vampire baits, swamp monsters, and flying saucers attackees share their memories. This classic volume represents the union of two previous volumes: Interviews with B Science Fiction and Horror Movie Makers ("more fun than the lovably cheap movies that inspired it"--Booklist/RBB); and Science Fiction Stars and Horror Heroes ("candid...a must" --ARBA). Together at last, this combined collection of interviews offers a candid and delightful perspective on the movies that still make audiences squeal with fear, and occasionally, howl with laughter.

Hostile Aliens, Hollywood and Today's News

Hostile Aliens, Hollywood and Today's News
Author: Melvin E. Matthews
Publisher: Algora Publishing
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2007
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 087586497X

1950s Cold War-era monsters meet 21st-century terrorists: Matthews provides a thoughtful interpretation of sci-fi movies that examines the similarities and differences between the political environment and popular culture of two eras. This well-researched examination and appreciation of science fiction films includes behind-the-scenes tales about their production and many quotes from those who produced and starred in the films. The book will tantalize not only fans of the science fiction genre but also sociologists, film historians, and politicians. The author draws parallels between the Cold War fears of the 1950s and 60s and the constant "terrorism alerts" of the September 11th era, exploring how the politics and the psychological climate of the times influences and is reflected in this vehicle of popular culture. This book is the first of its kind, studying the pop culture genre in the wake of the September 11th tragedy. The alien invaders of the 1950s signified a Russian invasion of America, while other films of the genre such as "Invaders from Mars" depicted aliens utilizing mind control to manipulate humans to commit acts of sabotage, signifying Communist enslavement. If such a film were made now, such invaders could be seen as terrorist masterminds using human slaves to commit terrorist acts. "Them!" the 1954 atomic mutation classic, is the spiritual ancestor of the 2002 film "Eight Legged Freaks." Finally, several 1950s films depicted the end of the world at a time when Americans expected a nuclear war with Russia. Godzilla, the only 1950s-era monster to remain a "movie star" beyond that era, can be fashioned to reflect whatever issues dominate the times: nuclear war in the1950s, environmental pollution in the 1970s. Conceivably a Godzilla for the age of terrorism is soon to be released. The immediate pre-September 11th era witnessed films presenting galactic threats to mankind's existence ("Independence Day," "Armageddon," "Deep Impact"), while the early 2000s witnessed the popularity of the "Left Behind" Christian films dramatizing the Tribulation period in the Book of Revelation. It seems that whatever the era and whatever the challenges and crises confronting America, many entertainment themes remain the same, reflecting their respective times and the relevant issues. * Melvin E. Matthews, Jr. is a freelance writer and a horror movie aficionado who has been studying the genre for thirty years. In this work he shares his personal correspondence with film and television star Beverly Garland, and brings together a wealth of detail about the fun and the challenges of the costumes, stunts and special effects, as well as the actors' and producers' thoughts on the meaning behind the stories.

You Won't Believe Your Eyes

You Won't Believe Your Eyes
Author: Mark Thomas McGee
Publisher:
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2013-05-31
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 9781593932732

This was the day that engulfed the world in terror! Up from the forbidden depths comes a tidal wave of terror. What was this awesome beast born fifty million years out of time? It claws... it drains blood. Bullets won't kill it! Flames can't hurt it! Nothing can stop it! Body of a Boy! Mind of a monster! Soul of an unearthly thing! No girl was safe as long as this HEAD HUNTING THING roamed the land! Human emotions stripped raw! It happens before your horrified eyes! Amazing! Exciting! Terrifying! Thrills! Shock! Suspense! It can and DID happen! Based on authentic facts you're been reading about. The most amazing motion picture of our time! Like nothing your eyes have ever seen before! Uncut! Shown exactly as filmed! We urge you not to panic or bolt from your seat. Don't see it alone!

You Won't Believe Your Eyes! (Revised and Expanded Monster Kids Edition)

You Won't Believe Your Eyes! (Revised and Expanded Monster Kids Edition)
Author: Mark Thomas McGee
Publisher:
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2018-07-04
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 9781629333120

This book takes a light-hearted (and light-headed) look at those movies, as seen through the eyes of the children who saw them and the actors, directors, producers and writers who made them and some of the political and social events that influenced them.

A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde

A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde
Author: Tom Weaver
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 413
Release: 2014-01-10
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0786458313

In this jam-packed jamboree of conversations, more than 60 movie veterans describe their experiences on the sets of some of the world's most beloved sci-fi and horror movies and television series. Including groundbreaking oldies (Flash Gordon, One Million B.C.); 1950s and 1960s milestones (The War of the Worlds, Psycho, House of Usher); classic schlock (Queen of Outer Space, Attack of the Crab Monsters); and cult TV favorites (Lost in Space, Land of the Giants), the discussions offer a frank and fascinating behind-the-scenes look. Among the interviewees: Roger Corman, Pamela Duncan, Richard and Alex Gordon, Tony "Dr. Lao" Randall, Troy Donahue, Sid Melton, Fess Parker, Nan Peterson, Alan Young, John "Bud" Cardos, and dozens more.

Sci-Fi Film Fiesta

Sci-Fi Film Fiesta
Author: Chris Christopoulos
Publisher: Chris Christopoulos
Total Pages: 67
Release: 2022-12-31
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN:

The SCI-FI FILM FIESTA eBook series is intended as a salute to the pioneering work of science fiction film makers. May future generations have the privilege of enjoying your work and never stop wondering....What if? The classic science fiction films from the 1950s in this volume 8 “Big Bugs and Crazy Critters” of the Sci-Fi Film Fiesta eBook series, deal with forces of nature going haywire and seeming to strike back at humanity with a veritable menagerie of colossal critters, reminding us just how insignificant and powerless we are in the face of forces over which we really have little control. If humanity is not more careful, it could very well be…..The Beginning of the End!

Keep Watching the Skies!

Keep Watching the Skies!
Author: Bill Warren
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 3299
Release: 2017-01-12
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1476625050

Bill Warren's Keep Watching the Skies! was originally published in two volumes, in 1982 and 1986. It was then greatly expanded in what we called the 21st Century Edition, with new entries on several films and revisions and expansions of the commentary on every film. In addition to a detailed plot synopsis, full cast and credit listings, and an overview of the critical reception of each film, Warren delivers richly informative assessments of the films and a wealth of insights and anecdotes about their making. The book contains 273 photographs (many rare, 35 in color), has seven useful appendices, and concludes with an enormous index. This book is also available in hardcover format (ISBN 978-0-7864-4230-0).

The Golden Age of Science Fiction

The Golden Age of Science Fiction
Author: John Wade
Publisher: Pen and Sword History
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2019
Genre: Literary Collections
ISBN: 9781526729255

John Wade grew up in the 1950s, a decade that has since been dubbed the 'golden age of science fiction'. It was a wonderful decade for science fiction, but not so great for young fans. With early television broadcasts being advertised for the first time as 'unsuitable for children' and the inescapable barrier of the 'X' certificate in the cinema barring anyone under the age of sixteen, the author had only the radio to fall back on - and that turned out to be more fertile for the budding SF fan than might otherwise have been thought. Which is probably why, as he grew older, rediscovering those old TV broadcasts and films that had been out of bounds when he was a kid took on a lure that soon became an obsession.For him, the super-accuracy and amazing technical quality of today's science fiction films pale into insignificance beside the radio, early TV and B-picture films about people who built rockets in their back gardens and flew them to lost planets, or tales of aliens who wanted to take over, if not our entire world, then at least our bodies. This book is a personal account of John Wade's fascination with the genre across all the entertainment media in which it appeared - the sort of stuff he revelled in as a young boy - and still enjoys today.