#35239 - 02/08/10 09:17 AM
Bizarre Little Films
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Jake999
senior member
Registered: 11/02/08
Posts: 2174
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Back in the 1950s and early 1960's there were some bizarre little films that you might want to check out, not because they are good, but because they were fledgeling little attempts to deal with things on an almost "off broadway" level, eventally making their way to TV. By "things," I mean the quirky and sometimes metaphysical.
1. The Twonky (1953)
A college professor finds that his new television set is not what it seems, but an alien come to control his life. "Twonky" is a word that means "I don't know what it is." Don't look for complicated plot lines... Hans Conried is the star, but special mention has to go to Myron McCormick who explains the concept of a Twonky in a flat tone that would make Ben Stein look like he was on speed. (McCormick would later go on to be the bumbling Training NCO Orvil King in NO TIME FOR SARGEANTS with Andy Griffith... another slightly bizarre flick.
2. HARVEY (1950)
It's a story about an invisible friend... in this case a Pooka, taking the shape of a 6' tall invisible Rabbit named Harvey, seen only by Elwood P. Doud, played by Jimmy Stewart. Harvey shows up and comedy ensues... no. You never see Harvey. He's invisible. Pay attention.
3. ZOTZ
Professor Jonathan Jones finds the ZOTZ! coin, and discovers its awesome powers. He attempts to make the secret available to the US government, but is brushed off as a lunatic. Jones has some fun with the power of Zotz. The discovery becomes the interest of foreign agents, who attempt to steal the secret any way they can. Tom Poston is Dr. Jones. There's a funny scene where he's looking at the ZOTZ! coin and reading the incantation from a book to make it work, not realizing that all of the actions necessary to activate it are happening.
These will all be very hard to find these days. None of them are Oscar quality, but look and listen and you might just find a gem or two.
_________________________
Bury your dead, pick up your weapon and soldier on.
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#35241 - 02/08/10 09:36 AM
Re: Bizarre Little Films
[Re: Jake999]
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Psychotic
stranger
Registered: 01/15/10
Posts: 16
Loc: New York
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they seem quite intresing. ill be sure to check them out when i get the chance
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#35504 - 02/12/10 01:09 AM
Re: Bizarre Little Films
[Re: Jake999]
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Michael A.Aquino
veteran member
Registered: 09/28/08
Posts: 1247
Loc: San Francisco, CA, USA
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Back in the 1950s and early 1960's there were some bizarre little films that you might want to check out, not because they are good, but because they were fledgling little attempts to deal with things on an almost "off broadway" level, eventally making their way to TV. By "things," I mean the quirky and sometimes metaphysical.
This brought to mind the original series of The Outer Limits, which was a fascinating effort to deal with speculative sci-fi concepts. Not to be confused with the recent slick revival-series, which is much more lavish but lacks the innocence and creepiness of the original. This little book tells the detailed backstory of all the original episodes, as well as the mindset of creator Joseph Stefano. There is also a more lavish update. Annoyingly both are out-of-print and expensive. I don't think I'd spring for one at these prices, but if you see a copy at a good price, and like the series, grab it. In the meantime, see the "1960s Classic Episodes" area of the above-linked series website.
"There is nothing wrong with your television set ..." 
_________________________
Michael A. Aquino
[On Ignore: Dan_Dread, 6Satan6Archist6, Caladrius, MindFux]
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#35551 - 02/12/10 01:35 PM
One Step Beyond & Sci Fi Theater
[Re: Jake999]
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Michael A.Aquino
veteran member
Registered: 09/28/08
Posts: 1247
Loc: San Francisco, CA, USA
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The Outer Limits (original series) was definitely a great one for all kinds of imaginative twists and turns to a story. Another one that I used to sneak a look at whenever I could was the series ONE STEP BEYOND with John Newland. It was only on from about 1959-1961, so I was supposed to be in bed at that hour... school tomorrow and all of that.
Right! Several clips of 1SB on YouTube. The show also had a superb soundtrack by Harry Lubin, of which there are some clickable samples here. "Fear" was the front/end title piece, and "Weird" was played when the spooky thing of the episode happened. I remember "Jungle Aire": a jazz musician snuck into a voodoo ceremony to steal their music, was caught and warned not to use it. He did, of course (this is a piece of his version), whereupon the Loa showed up and, well ...
Also one of my favorites from the late 50's (1955-1957) was SCIENCE FICTION THEATER with its host Truman Bradley, who was a TV commentator in his day job and lent and almost credible attachment to some of the incredible stories. I was always fascinated by the high tech looking things showing in the opening credits... for then, of course I was only 6-8 years old and seeing the wavy lines on an oscilloscope was intriguing.
Also devoted to that show, also ca. 6-8. Like an elementary school science class with shivers. Several pieces of it on YouTube, happily/nostalgically.
_________________________
Michael A. Aquino
[On Ignore: Dan_Dread, 6Satan6Archist6, Caladrius, MindFux]
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#35560 - 02/12/10 02:59 PM
Re: Bizarre Little Films
[Re: Jake999]
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Zorg
stranger
Registered: 08/30/09
Posts: 44
Loc: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
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Back in the 1950s and early 1960's there were some bizarre little films that you might want to check out, not because they are good, but because they were fledgeling little attempts to deal with things on an almost "off broadway" level, eventally making their way to TV. By "things," I mean the quirky and sometimes metaphysical.
2. HARVEY (1950)
It's a story about an invisible friend... in this case a Pooka, taking the shape of a 6' tall invisible Rabbit named Harvey, seen only by Elwood P. Doud, played by Jimmy Stewart. Harvey shows up and comedy ensues... no. You never see Harvey. He's invisible. Pay attention.
Harvey is on the top of my "must see" list.
My favoririte line: "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."
_________________________
"The average person thinks he isn’t" Father Lorenzoni
"Plato was a bore."
Friedrich Nietzsche
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#35605 - 02/13/10 03:28 PM
Yo, Rinty!
[Re: Jake999]
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Michael A.Aquino
veteran member
Registered: 09/28/08
Posts: 1247
Loc: San Francisco, CA, USA
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When I was a kid, I had to be in front of the TV to watch Sgt Preston and his mighty dog Yukon King as they battled eviloers in the Alaskan wilds. He was like a one man RCMP superman, and with Yukon King at his side, there was no beer drinkin', back bacon eatin', claim jumpin' bad guy he couldn't beat.
This thread is getting progressively more ECI by the minute. 
_________________________
Michael A. Aquino
[On Ignore: Dan_Dread, 6Satan6Archist6, Caladrius, MindFux]
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