Screenwriting : 1950s Sci-fi - I’ve been bitten by the bug by Geoff Hall

Geoff Hall

1950s Sci-fi - I’ve been bitten by the bug

I was home alone last night, eating my Achari Chicken Curry and drinking my Hobgoblin Stout. The ladies of the home were in London, at the Chanel Exhibition.

It offered me the perfect opportunity of looking at my collection of 1950s sci-fi. I love this stuff, how about you?

And so I decided to watch, ‘The Alligator People’ with Lon Chaney in a supporting role. A present given during my summer birthday, that I’ve been holding on to.

I love the world of 1950s films; the cars, the fashion, the buildings, oh yes, and the music. After I finished the film I thought to myself, “I’d love to write one of these films, with all these period elements”.

I will do so, at some point. It may not be high on the list, but it’s now on the list. I’ll do a bit of research into their tropes and delivery of expectations, but then bring them into the 21st Century. UPDATE - (Having read this back, I have to say that maybe I won’t bring it into this century, but keep it as a period film. It would be so much more fun).

What are your favourite 1950s sci-fi films? Have you written a script in the style of these films?

Let the fun begin!

https://youtu.be/bP7PpOyZ6Ac?si=6h-k_1EAEjh5T1hA

Mike Boas

Thing from another world. Invasion of the body snatchers. Them. Incredible shrinking man. Plan nine from outer space.

There’s one from the seventies I like, that’s kind of a throwback to the 50s. Night of the Lepus, about giant killer rabbits. I’ve thought often of writing a reboot of that.

Mike Boas

Just remembered The Killer Shrews. loved that one.

I’ve never watched The Alligator People, will have to check it out.

Bill Brock

I recently watched 1951's THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD for the first time ever. Enjoyed it, but the script needed work. It seemed as if the word COFFEE was on every other page.

David C. Velasco

The Day the Earth Stood Still has to rank as my fav 50s sci-fi. It also ranks as one of the best sci-fi films ever.

It also reflected one of the tropes of many 50s films- The Cold War and the treat of invasion/takeover by an outside force.

The other trope was corruption/misuse of science. Them is a good example of this, creating monsters due to our own creations. Today, many films reflect the same but AI is our Dr. Frankenstein.

Maurice Vaughan

I don't think I've seen any 1950s Sci-Fi films, Geoff Hall. I know which movies to watch if I write another Sci-Fi script so I can study Sci-Fi tropes.

Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan never seen any 1950s sci-fi! Gosh, Maurice. Yes, there’s lots to study and learn from these films.

Martin Reese

The 50's and 60's had the best Bug-Eyed Monsters.

Geoff Hall

Mike Boas Them I think, has the best opening of a film of this time and genre. To go for 30 mins without seeing the means of the devastation, is mood-driven cinema at its best. And this little girl gave an amazing performance.

https://youtu.be/cHMmafZOj4E?si=HJMqGCFeJ9zoOhH-

Martin Reese

THEM is one of my all-time favorites Geoff Hall. And yes it's also part of my collection.

Geoff Hall

Mike Boas oh yes, The Killer Shrews. That’s one that’s in my collection. Loved it.

https://youtu.be/nhG8vLz9PUA?si=JkBM0HyhMLxgEJ9c

Geoff Hall

Bill Brock perhaps the writer needed to be infused with caffeine to complete the script?!! The Thing is a masterpiece of unsettling atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/T5dwbZKd64Y?si=vo2hK0BMenpOVVP6

Maurice Vaughan

Wait. Is THEM about the giant ants, @Geoff Hall? If so, I think I saw that movie as a kid.

Geoff Hall

David C. Velasco ooh, nice one David. “AI is our Doctor Frankenstein.” And yes, Michael Rennie was wonderful as Klaatu and such a wonderful performance. Klaatu barada nekto, as they say in those parts. And it was made in 1951, 6 years after WW2. Loved the soundtrack too. Perhaps Klaatu would like to revisit us and sort out our current addiction to violence.

https://youtu.be/51JoEE_znyI?si=-YLb74pLQTYTj6Tq

Mark Giacomin

As it happens, I watched the original version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers this evening for the first time. I've watched The Thing from another World twice. I saw a random one called The Trollenberg Terror a couple of years ago. Also, enjoyed the original version of The Fly.

For anyone in the UK (although I think some content can viewed outside the UK), you can get some offbeat film viewing choices at https://www.tptvencore.co.uk. I watched one of Coppola's earlier films (produced by Roger Corman) on there recently - Dementia 13.

Geoff Hall

Martin Reese indeed, Martin. The Wasp Woman comes to mind!

https://youtu.be/RwwWehtYGko?si=JKlzMHgst-WVpM3o

Geoff Hall

Martin Reese yes, it’s part of mine too!

Dustin Richardson

I recently watched It Came from Outer Space and the original War of the Worlds and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I absolutely loved Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I had seen the 1978 version first and liked seeing the similarities and differences. There was a lot of cool inspiration from scenes that Spielberg took from the original War of the Worlds and put into his 2005 remake, too.

Geoff Hall

Mark Giacomin ah, Mark The Trollenberg Terror. A classic of the genre, as they say. Forrest Tucker?

But yes, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I also loved the remake with Leonard Nimoy and Donald Sutherland.

https://youtu.be/vc_0dlmSq7I?si=4H4MxTcOM8jO1UhW

Dustin Richardson

Martin Reese! THEM is great! I remember when I was little first seeing scenes from that in Lilo and Stitch. I enjoyed seeing the entire film later on in life, haha.

Martin Reese

Geoff Hall we definitely have the same tastes in the 50's sci-fi films. WASP WOMAN is another one.

Matt Watters

On the Beach with Gregory Peck was a near future sci-fi that I watched a few weeks ago and still stands up well. The Blob was always a fav as well.

Geoff Hall

Dustin Richardson Dustin, I would’ve loved to seen It Came From Outer Space in 3D. Wow, now that would have been quite something!

Geoff Hall

Matt Watters gosh, I’ve never heard of On The Beach, it looks great.

https://youtu.be/1DMbRm7HAQw?si=EWcg-XRDuziTL381

Geoff Hall

Martin Reese there you go, we must be twins. Although a 1960s film, have you heard of The Brain That Wouldn’t Die? It has to be one of the sleaziest sci-fi films I’ve ever seen.

https://youtu.be/1DMbRm7HAQw?si=EWcg-XRDuziTL381

Robin Gregory

I share your fascination with vintage sci-fi, Geoff Hall. Do you remember The Man with the X-ray Eyes? It terrified me as a kid.

https://www.tcm.com/video/1212398/x-the-man-with-the-x-ray-eyes-1963-mov...

How do you post the link in red?

Mark Giacomin

Geoff Hall I watched the 70s version of Body Snatchers near the end of last year. I thought I had seen it before, but as the only bit that I remembered was the final scene, I came to realise it was my first viewing and I had obviously read or watched something about it that featured the last scene. So, it was fun while watching it to see the Leonard and Jeff Goldbloom pop up in it. I already knew the main character from the first version had a cameo in the remake, which was a nice touch.

Mark Giacomin

And Geoff Hall The Brain etc. is one of the films on Talking Pictures Encore, with such a glowing recommendation, I will check it out... ha ha!

Martin Reese

The Brain That Wouldn't Die? Of course I've seen in Geoff Hall. And good Lord was it sleazy. LOL!

Martin Reese

Here's one for you Geoff Hall. It gave me nightmares as a kid yet I watched it whenever it came on: FIEND WITHOUT A FACE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTLRyLnqCH4

Geoff Hall

Hi Robin Gregory links show up as red letters in the comments. The Man With the X-ray Eyes (1963) with Ray Milland. I’d never even heard of it until you mentioned the film. One for the watchlist, I think! Thanks for the share. I love the poster for the film too.

Geoff Hall

Mark Giacomin yes, it was a nice touch to put Kevin McCarthy in that version. It was so eerie! And yes, Jeff Goldblum too. Awesome.

Robin Gregory

Cool Geoff Hall. Let me know what you think.

Martin Reese

We talking the 60s. Here's one from the year I was born: 1966. THE ISLAND OF TERROR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMPLzowjKQc

Geoff Hall

So, dear responders to my post. Are any of you tempted to write a 50s style sci-fi film? I love the fact that they take on the big issues of their day. The effects of atomic bombs (Godzilla, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Them!), messing with human nature (The Alligator People), the threat of Communism and alien invasion (Earth vs the Flying Saucers, Invaders from Mars), climate catastrophe and atomic experiments (The Day the Earth Caught Fire - although it’s a 1961 film).

Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 50s and that I love those big universal stories and concepts? How about you?

Geoff Hall

Robin Gregory will do. A friend and I have a ‘secret cinema’ once a month where we watch all sorts of films, including 1950s sci-fi films and the most outrageous B Movies. It will be put on our list. Plus, as a kid growing up, we loved Ray Milland in our house, so it’s a winner for me! Thanks again.

Maurice Vaughan

I might write a 50s style Sci-Fi film, @Geoff Hall. It'd be mixed with Horror. I'm sure I could figure out a theme that takes on a big issue of today. If I write the script, I'd probably submit it Stage 32's next Sci-Fi/Fantasy screenwriting contest, Horror contest, or Period Piece contest.

E Langley

I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE. An awful title but a good story line.

IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE. The inspiration for ALIEN.

Harryhausen's EARTH VS. FLYING SAUCERS.

ROBOT MONSTER is a hoot (if you're high).

Billy Kwack

Hi Geoff, I like the day the earth stood still

Shelly Battista

THEM, from 1954 with the giant ants.

Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan nice one, Maurice. I may consider that contest in the future, but current projects will take precedence. Although, I may start a research folder in my Notebook App and see when I get to the point when I can get my head around a story.

Geoff Hall

E Langley Hi E! Have you seen ‘Teenagers from Outer Space’? That is a hoot! I’ve not seen I Married a Monster from Outer Space. Robot Monster is on the list!

Maurice Vaughan

I'll probably do the same thing, Geoff Hall. I have a unique idea for the script.

E Langley

I have seen TEENAGERS..., Geoff. The SPFX are phenomenal. Especially the shot of the teenager firing a skeletonizing ray gun and cut to an anatomy class skeleton falling. Mind blowing. LOL

Forgot to mention another fave: ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS. The telepathic, brain-munching giant crabs are a don't miss. Watch for the talking ash tray.

Lots of other great B's in this era: THE CAPE CANAVERAL MONSTERS, HIDEOUS SUN DEMON, FIEND WITHOUT A FACE (with flying brain monsters), THE MANSTER, INVADERS FROM MARS - the US and UK versions have different endings.

On THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE, make sure to view the full version with the graphic scenes intact.

Geoff Hall

E Langley By SPFX what springs to my mind is the throwing of a model skeleton into the swimming pool. Ha-ha! Classic.

Ooh, I didn’t know ‘The Brain..’ had another version. Will check that out.

I’ve struggled to find some titles that are Region 2, as a lot are Region 1. But yes, ‘Fiend Without a Face’. Excellent! And for some reason, ‘The Earth Dies Screaming’ comes to mind, at this time in the life of planet Earth!

Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan Have fun with it, Maurice. I’m not plunging into putting something to paper, yet. I’m looking at the themes of scientific experimentation going wrong, including atomic bombs and rays, various transformations and our ‘messing with nature’. Then there’s things like the threat from outer space, either unknown phenomena as the Quatermass films, or aliens coming to threaten us (The Day the Earth Stood Still) or repopulate the Earth (Bodysnatchers). I think I’m going to do more research and list my top three, perhaps to then suss out the potential for a trilogy or 50s anthology. Who knows at this point where it will lead, but it will be fun!

E Langley

The SAME skeleton, I'd wager.

Ah, THE EARTH DIES SCREAMING. Another Brit SF that needs a 'Merican to ride into town and fix everything.

FIVE MILLION MILES TO EARTH aka QUATERMASS AND THE PIT is a fun flick. It seems logical Martians would look like crickets.

A-bombs are celebrated in the minor THIS IS NOT A TEST, and PANIC IN YEAR ZERO!. The latter is not too bad.

Geoff Hall

E Langley ha-ha! Yes, I’d wager that too. They could probably afford one with a $20k budget and an alien inspirationally called Derrick!

I came across a box set of three Quatermass films the other week. They will be part of me and my friend’s Secret Cinema next year. Can’t wait for 2024.

Geoff Hall

Martin Reese I like the trailers of these films. This one states that “fiction or fact, this could really happen”. Got to smile. Another one to put on the list and with a chance to see Peter Cushing again! Thanks for the share, Martin.

Martin Reese

Quartermass. Loved those films.

Mike Boas

Ok, so say you write a new 50s monster movie. Do you make it a satire, go tongue in cheek? or start with a crazy premise and make it dead serious? In the 80s, we got remakes of The Thing, The Fly, and The Blob. All serious and effective.

I’m a be fan of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. Worrh seeking out— it’s a parody of 50s films and hilarious.

Bill Brock

I can remember watching the local CREATURE FEATURES show when I was a kid. It aired every Saturday night following the local news. It's where I discovered 1955's TARANTULA (Film debut of Clint Eastwood) and 1957's THE DEADLY MANTIS. Good times.

Eastwood in TARANTULA:

https://youtu.be/JBlumsniGko?si=I89BmULCZMUGotuM

Bill Brock

Geoff Hall Great post, Geoff. Attached is a trailer for 1993's MATINEE, starring John Goodman, who happens to portray a William Castle type of character. He's a real showman when it comes to presenting shlock horror films to theater audiences. The movie didn't get a wide release, having been reduced to my local art theater at the time. It was an enjoyable step in time, back to Florida of October 1962.

MATINEE trailer:

https://youtu.be/u4CaxFU56iI?si=uDbhPHqcDo-K1hGW

Maurice Vaughan

I'd start with a crazy premise and make it dead serious, Mike Boas.

Bill Brock

Mike Boas Hey Mike. I would go with a serious remake of 50s horror. Love the remake of THE BLOB. I own the blue ray and it's chock full of incredible extras!

E Langley

MANT! Half man, half ant.

Geoff Hall

Martin Reese did you ever see the Quatermass TV series (ITV, I think) with John Mills playing the titular role?

Geoff Hall

E Langley here you go, I just had to add the link to the trailer of Teenagers from Outer Space, just in case anyone was curious. I love the way these films put together promotional trailers. This one announces “Teenage Terror”! Awesome…we’ve all been there.

https://youtu.be/aJzAGF3XLSo?si=xGzI1q_LAfyBfcRP

E Langley

"Teenage hoodlums from another world on a horrendous ray gun rampage." Not only humans but dogs too...

Love the USAF pilot helmet that's worn. Proof that aliens shop surplus stores for their underfunded space programs. Thanks.

Geoff Hall

Bill Brock I just tried the link but got the message, ‘This video is not available’. Darn it!

Geoff Hall

Bill Brock but then searched for it and got the trailer. it looks like a fun film. I love John Goodman’s role. I wonder if my local view cinema would ever put “seat buzzes” in!

Debbie Croysdale

@Geoff I’m a huge fan of 50’s sci fi. Gotta be The Blob with Steve McQueen & Night of the Big Heat with Christopher Lee.

Ingrid Wren

I'm with you Maurice Vaughan ... I've never seen any 50's sci-fi either and can see I have some catching up to do! But reading books... that's a different story. Going to the movies was not a "thing" in our house when I was a kid, but I grew up obsessed with Dr. Who and Space Patrol which sparked my fascination with sci-fi. I can see a list for me to watch forming from the responses here!

Maurice Vaughan

I've heard a lot about "Dr. Who," Ingrid Wren. It's on my watchlist. I feel like I've heard of "Space Patrol."

Matt Watters

Maurice Vaughan you will need to reserve a few years to get through all the Doctor Who series from the start...S1 began in 1963 and still going today, 60 years later.

Maurice Vaughan

Whoa, Matt Watters! I better get started.

E Langley

There are 16 seasons of DR. WHO at: https://solie.org/alibrary/index.html

The Fifties and Sixties versions of SPACE PATROL as well. The Sixties version is aka PLANET PATROL.

Lots of other rare material at the site, too.

Matt Watters

E Langley this is a brilliant repository of old shows!! Supecar by Gerry Anderson before he and his wife made Thunderbirds!

E Langley

Glad you like the site. I'm always finding new gems.

Know the Anderson universe well. I'm a THUNDERBIRDS gal. F-A-B, Matt.

James Chesky

Okay, did you touch a nerve here? Obviously.. I love those earlier Sci-fis. The creeping unknown, the Invasion of the body snatchers, Frankenstein,, Today our sophistication often makes mondern sci-fi seem LESS believable, than some of the old.

James Chesky

It just dawned on me that most of those films mentioned where considered B films. When did sci-fi move to grade A? Star Wars for sure, but before that? Alain? Not sure

E Langley

A case can be made for the groundbreaking 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. It predates STAR WARS by nearly a decade. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE in 1971.

James Chesky

E. Langley, True on both counts. One Sci-fi the other dystopian

Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan if you are going to watch Dr. Who, Maurice start with the very first series, when William Hartnell was The Doctor in 1963. Of late the viewing figures are falling due to Russel T Davies playing identity politics with the characters. The long-term fans are not happy!

Geoff Hall

E Langley As a kid I grew up with Thunderbirds, along with Stingray and one of my all-time favourites, Captain Scarlet and The Mysterons (a classic!). “This is the voice of the Mysterons!”

https://youtu.be/URgxdgZuOGA?feature=shared

Geoff Hall

What my film-watching friend concluded, after many years of watching these films was that sometimes the poster art was better than the film! If I had a big enough study I think I’d have the walls covered in these posters. How about you?

Geoff Hall

Mike Boas No remakes for me. Why mess with B Movie perfection?! Neither would I make it a parody. I think I’d form it around the earnestness of those 50s films and develop the story in all the seriousness of its theme. It would still have a 50s style about it, so not using modern techniques or contemporary styles. Now it’s time to watch Doctor Cyclops for a few pointers. :-)

Oh yes and it would be rich in psycho-babble and scientific inaccuracies!

E Langley

Geoff Hall, recently saw the doc, FILMED IN SUPERMARIONATION. Fantastic behind-the-scenes stuff and the history of Anderson and Century 21. A must for any fan. I discovered these shows only a few years ago.

James, dystopia is a SF sub-genre.

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for the link, E Langley.

Geoff Hall

E Langley yes, I saw that many years ago now, it seems. It is such an amazing process. I've just watched this:

https://youtu.be/GnY7VqGSRkA?si=HcPf39ujBpuzFGmM

Ingrid Wren

I agree with you Geoff Hall about "Russel T Davies playing identity politics with the characters".

As a lifelong fan of Dr Who I've been disappointed with the most recent series. Up until now I loved the sense of adventure, the scariness of the baddies, and how the Doctor would solve the situation he found himself/herself in to keep their beloved earth safe. So, Maurice, please do start with the early shows!

My all time favourite Doctor is the urbane and charming Jon Pertwee, closely followed by the hard edged Christopher Eccelston. My favourite companion, on the other hand, is Leela, a savage from another planet, who was one of the few strong women I saw on screen as a child.

And thank you for the link E Langley to all those wonderful movies. I see I have a lot to catch up on and much to learn!

Martin Reese

My favorite Doctor was Tom Baker Ingrid Wren

E Langley

Thanks Geoff Hall. I love seeing things get blowed up.

E Langley

Welcome, Ingrid. The more you dig on that site the more you find.

James Chesky

E Langley, (James, dystopia is a SF sub-genre.) thanks for the awareness tip

E Langley

Welcome.

Ingrid Wren

I knitted myself a multi-coloured scarf just like the Doctor's Martin Reese. I wore it around university in the winter with a long overcoat and a hat with a feather on it that I brought back from Austria. So I guess I'm a fan of Tom Baker too!

Robert Sacchi

The one drawback of period pieces is money. There may be ways to get around it. The 1980 Jackie Chan movie, "The Big Brawl" was set in the '30s. The filmed most of it in Floresville, Texas. The town looked just like a Depression Era town. There were a few towns like that along the same stretch of highway. I hope you get to do this project. A lot of fun watching those '50s era movies. I also love "Ed Wood".

Martin Reese

That is awesome Ingrid Wren!

Geoff Hall

Tonight’s viewing. Digging deep in the collection and into the blood-suckers of nature!

Geoff Hall

Robert Sacchi I hear you, Robert. But I’ve just got to write it that way.

Geoff Hall

Robert Sacchi ah, Ed Wood. Yes we watched Plan 9 and had lots of fun with it.

Geoff Hall

Debbie Croysdale The Blob, yes I loved it. The Night of the Big Heat. I’ve not seen that one. So that’s another one I’ll have to check out. Sigh, the list is getting longer.

Geoff Hall

Debbie Croysdale hmm, I think it looks the director must have smoked a little too much Maryjane! :-()

https://youtu.be/1OWsgPoyu0A?si=O7au5ebaGpqWPD-F

Geoff Hall

Martin Reese “It’s as if some mental vampire were at work!” That and other classic lines, Martin! Fiend Without a Face was one of our favourite secret cinema films. And Marshall Thompson, perhaps a B Movie alternative to Van Johnson?

Thanks for the scare! Sorry, share. And sorry it took me so long to respond.

E Langley

Ah to be the sound editor on FIEND... and creating squish effects for the monsters' blunt force demises.

Marshall Thompson's tour de force is certainly the disgraced captain of the first Mars mission in IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE.

Robert Sacchi

By all means write it as you like it and shop it. Hope you get produced.

Timothy Liebe

Mike Boas, you know NIGHT OF THE LEPUS is based on a satirical novel set in Australia, YEAR OF THE ANGRY RABBIT. I think the problem with LEPUS was that, as has been said countless times, even six-foot rabbits with fake blood on their faces inspire fear in no one—when you see the Slo-Mo "giant" bunniess hopping through (pretty decent) miniature sets, your reaction isn't "AGHH!" as much as "Awww, cute...!"

Timothy Liebe

Though it's really a Sixties movie, Hammer's adaptation of the BBC serial QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (known in the U.S. as FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH) is one of my favorites because it's genuinely smart and scary, and the hero, Prof. Quatermass, isn't really the hero, but more the observer and "figure-outer" of what's going on.

Roger Corman's X: THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES, as Geoff Hall said, is really great, too, as was Edgar G. Ulmer's THE MAN FROM PLANET X.

Geoff Hall

Timothy Liebe hi Timothy, I’ve just been watching X the Unknown, which was a Hammer Horror film that was supposed to be a sequel for The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), but its creator Nigel Kneale turned it down. It’s of course renowned for the special effects and injury detail and received and X Certification. What is it with titles and the letter X?

In X the Unknown there was of course Dean Jagger, who I loved as an actor. It’s the voice, I think.

And my gosh, Roger Corman. What an amazing producer. I’ve also recently watched The Attack of the Giant Leeches, and noticed that Corman was the Executive Producer. Now there’s a man with a prolific career!

Geoff Hall

PS - I think I may write a separate post on Roger Corman, because he seems to be a guy we could learn a lot from.

E Langley

Great doc about Mr. C: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGgpoVYvDzs

A genius in his own right.

Geoff Hall

E Langley darn it, there are territory restrictions on the video. Geoff slumps in his chair and feels rather sullen!!!

E Langley

How about a VPN? If you Google, you'll find one the integrates into Windows for free.

Mike Boas

I've been rewatching Mario Bava films (saw Blood an Black Lace on the big screen last week) and it came to my attention that Bava co-directed Caltiki: The Immortal Monster. I've never seen it, but look at that monster! I'll be watching it soon (it's on Tubi). Here's the Trailers From Hell post about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCt-qu0pBTo

E Langley

CALTIKI... is a tad anticlimactic, even for a 'B'. Have fun.

If you're further in the mood for Bava, I heartily recommend PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. The lurid, over saturated colors and a phenomenal set piece set it apart. Pretty silly story though with the usual Cinecitta dubbing due to no sync sound shoots in Italy.

Mike Boas

I love Planet of the Vampires! Anyone who likes Ridley Scott’s Alien should check it out, see where some of the plot elements were cribbed from.

E Langley

ALIEN also liberally borrowed a few plot points from IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE.

CJ Walley

Geoff Hall, I thoroughly recommend Roger Corman's book, How I Made A Hundred Movies In Hollywood and never lost a dime. Interestingly enough, he writes that he has technically never made a b-movie as all his drive-in screenings were as the main feature.

Geoff Hall

CJ Walley I will check that book out, thanks for the recommendation. I loved this anecdote about him:

A running gag in Hollywood was that Corman could negotiate the production of a film on a pay phone, shoot the film in the booth, and finance it with the money in the change slot.

Got to love that!

Robert Sacchi

Yes, that is a useful talent. Maybe second only to the talent to convince people to invest in movies.

Mike Boas

Great book. Much of Corman’s early work was financed by American International Pictures, where it was common to come up with a title and poster before writing the script.

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