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http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Passenger Information >> Boarding Deck - Forward Section >> Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1330189472 Message started by L.A. Connection on Feb 25^th, 2012 at 12:04pm

Title: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 25^th, 2012 at 12:04pm

A place to post your memories of the Previous Marathons and Marathon films.

Ran across this detailed article on one of the most bizarre films to ever play at the Marathon - SF/6's THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE. A Documentary about Insects! And, a loosely defined Doc that also went on to win an Oscar.

I remember it as a then pretty innovative nature film with a bizarro on screen narrator (actor Lawrence Pressman playing a scientist), insanely detailed photography and too close for comfort sound effects. Worth catching.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7608725/the-hellstrom-chronicle-one-most-bizarre-films-win-best-documentary-feature-oscar

Title: ISLAND OF LOST SOULS: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 4:22pm

Article on this year's fave, ISLAND OF LOST SOULS. In England, it has gone from a completely banned film (barred from exhibition for over a Quarter Century!) to a cut version to...PG! Oh, the horrors!

I do disagree with the point made in the article that the film no longer "pack(s) a real punch". Though mild in terms of graphic visual horror, the whole vivisection and the Panther Woman's sexuality are still pretty "punchy" in my book!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17315918

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by Roger van wagyu on May 16^th, 2012 at 12:17am

Evile Dade a more painful horror film.

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by L.A. Connection on May 16^th, 2012 at 7:03pm

Assume, it's "EVIL DEAD". Not shown at a Marathon, although ARMY OF DARKNESS was. Not a fan. And, it was more than a bit of a stretch including it at an SF marathon.

Title: Re: ISLAND OF LOST SOULS: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by Dragonator on May 28^th, 2012 at 6:50pm

L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 4:22pm:

I do disagree with the point made in the article that the film no longer "pack(s) a real punch". Though mild in terms of graphic visual horror, the whole vivisection and the Panther Woman's sexuality are still pretty "punchy" in my book!

Yes, this movie was one of my highlights from SF 37. Still creepy and perverse after all these years. Very nice BW print too!

Title: Re: ISLAND OF LOST SOULS: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on May 29^th, 2012 at 8:14pm

And, with all the studios going to an almost exclusive "all digital" distribution model, it was imperative that it be shown in 35MM while prints still can be rented!

It has shown up on TCM a couple of times since the Marathon, but, it can't be beat on the big screen.

Dragonator wrote on May 28^th, 2012 at 6:50pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 4:22pm:

Yes, this movie was one of my highlights from SF 37. Still creepy and perverse after all these years. Very nice BW print too!

Title: 2001: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Ye
Post by L.A. Connection on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 1:47pm

What if 2001 had to be given the hard-sell of today's Blockbusters? Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSGsh9so_dA

But, sad news. There are some wonderous 70mm prints of 2001 out there, but now, the most recent screenings in L.A. are in Digital. >:( :( :( :(

Title: VIDEODROME: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Fil
Post by L.A. Connection on Aug 27^th, 2012 at 4:12pm

On the heels of the announcement of a VIDEOROME remake (http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1318294276/192#192), I, by coincidence, happened to stumble across an old issue of Cinefantastique that had a long article about the Making of the original VIDEODROME (Vol.14.2 Dec./Jan. 1983/4).

A few things popped out.

First, of course, is how difficult the special effects were in those Pre-CGI days. Just a simple effect of having an image on a TV set as it dropped into a bathtub of water was a huge deal because they had to actually have the TV set plugged in with electricity to have the picture on the screen (and, natch, make it safe for the actors and crew!).

Second, the long-held myth that there wasn't a completed script when the film began is just that, a myth. There were actually a few drafts that were done. What IS true, is that a lot of changes occured during the prep, shooting and post-production. Budget had a lot to do with the alterations, but so did Cronenberg's tinkering with how the tale would be told. In those pre-NC17 days, VIDEODROME also got slapped with an X-Rating when first submitted (Cronenberg claims he only had to change part of a torture scene so that the man being brutalized got electrocuted in the EARS and not his....uh.....vitals).

One major set of changes ocurred after a Test screening in BOSTON in April 1982! Anybody go to that, or knew somebody who did??? (I went to the Press screening of the completed film, but had never heard of this test showing). The screening went ok, but, a lot of folks were confused. Part of the confusion happened because Cronenberg and his editors cut out most of the first reel of the movie so it wasn't clear who the Renn character (James Woods) was. Not even that he was a TV producer. Debbie Harry/Blondie's character Nicki also disappeared from that version of the movie without explanation. So, it was back to the editing room and most of the first reel was put back in. Also, new bits and pieces were filmed to try and make the story clearer and to also explain where Nicki had gone.

You be the judge of how well it all worked out. As I noted when we showed the film at SF/35 (February 2011): "This was never my fave Cronenberg, but I hadn't seen it in over a quarter century so I was willing to give it another shot. Although it's tech is certainly dated - Big Dish Satellite TV? VHS Tape!? - Cronenberg's film actually makes more sense now than when it was released with the proliferation of the internets and other social media. He truly was ahead of his time in many aspects. Debbie Harry isn't the surest of actresses, but her sexy presence is effective. Unfortunately, the last third drags and gets bogged down in one level of (un)reality too many with the "Long Live the New Flesh!" stuff. And, this must be one of James Woods' weakest perfomances - he never seems sure of what the hell Cronenberg expects of his character. The dark ending is brave and nasty, but, the film had already lost its way by then. Still, chilling."

Title: RoboPresident?: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 2:35am

I don't remember this scene in ROBOCOP. Maybe, it was in the outtakes on DVD? (true story below the photo) What's even more unbelievable than a Nixon Meets Robocop scene, is that VHS tapes back then cost $90! :o

http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/48652/story-behind-richard-nixon-robocop-photo

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by R_F_Fineman on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 8:12am

It's true! Nixon had a great interest in cyborgs and robots.

Here is is with the Robot Enhidrain. :)

Title: New THUNDERBIRDS on way! Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 4^th, 2013 at 8:29am

A new THUNDERBIRDS series on the way!

http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/thunderbirds-are-go-itv-studios-to-reboot-classic-series/

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by Planeta Bur on Feb 11^th, 2013 at 2:03am

Was SF3 the year they got Christopher Lee on the phone in Cinema 1? As I recall, Lee was characteristically garrulous, and after quite a few minutes, with the start time of the next movie having been delayed, the emcee/announcer (can't recall his name - the guy who preceded Bruce Bartoo) was struggling to find a diplomatic way to wrap up the conversation.

Didn't they get Rod Taylor on the phone one year, too?

After perusing many of the threads here, I've realized that my Marathon memories aren't 100% reliable - I could have sworn that ENEMY FROM SPACE screened at a Marathon one year, but I see it's not on any of the lists or schedules for the years I attended. I'm guessing I must have caught it at the Somerville as part of a double bill during "normal" viewing hours. Though, if a print of such a desirable title was available, why wouldn't it have been booked for the 'thon?

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by Lile on Feb 11^th, 2013 at 5:02am

I think that was Bill Lee that was supposed to have called, but he spaced out.

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 11^th, 2013 at 8:28am

Planeta Bur wrote on Feb 11^th, 2013 at 2:03am:

I think you meant Bill Lee, not Christopher.
I don't think Rod taylor was ever contacted but we did talk on the phone to George pal who talked about Rod Taylor.

Rumor was someone had a contact for Barry Sullivan (Mark himself) but nothing ever came of it.

Enemy From Space was mentioned as a film they were having trouble locating. And this was back when there were LOTS of sources for 35 and 16mm prints.

Title: 2001 as seen by HoJo's: Ghosts of Marathons Past..
Post by L.A. Connection on May 15^th, 2013 at 3:22pm

Pretty remarkable relic. A free tie-in giveaway by Howard Johnson's pitching 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY! And, yes, it's a naive as you might think. The whole comic is worth checking out here:

http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.de/2013/05/2001-space-odyssey-howard-johnsons.html

But, here's a sample (I love the description, "...One of the rescue pods is quickly launched" 2001 may be a lot of cool things, but, NOTHING in it happens "quickly"!!!!)

Title: Re: 2001 as seen by HoJo's: Ghosts of Marathons Past..
Post by da_Bunnyman on May 15^th, 2013 at 8:26pm

L.A. Connection wrote on May 15^th, 2013 at 3:22pm:

Its attached to the CHILDRENS MENU?!?

"Debbie look! It's a galaxy in outer space!"

All in all though an interesting find.

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by kirok on May 15^th, 2013 at 10:09pm

"don't giveaway the ending"
when i saw it in 68 the entire audience walked out and said "what the heck does it mean?"

Title: 2001: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Ye
Post by L.A. Connection on May 15^th, 2013 at 11:54pm

Yup, children's menu! You gotta wonder if anybody at Ho Jo's even saw the film before agreeing to the campaign! I'm sure there were a few confused kids who went expecting something like STAR TREK or even LOST IN SPACE and got 2001 instead! Then again, a couple might have gotten their minds sufficiently blown that they ended up working for NASA or something!

And, I actually was a bit surprised to see the 'spoilers' explaining the alien connection and all. I bet one or two kids pointed that out to their confused parents: "See Dad, it's simple, the moon signal was sent by aliens!"

Title: Timecop -Ghosts of Marathons Past -Earlier Films,Y
Post by L.A. Connection on May 23^rd, 2013 at 8:52am

Ready for another "reboot"? How about the perfectly mediocre (although, somewhat entertaining) SF/21 entry TIMECOP?

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Timecop-Being-Rebooted-Jean-Claude-Van-Damme-37707.html

Title: Wizard : Ghosts of Marathons Past -Earlier Films,Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Jun 8^th, 2013 at 2:16am

WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME came up on a cool blog: http://rupertpupkinspeaks.blogspot.com/2013/06/favorite-underrated-comedies-aj-hakari.html

Found the original 3 minute short on youtube. I think some of the shots were used in the feature as well. It captures the charm of the movie in just a few short minutes. Too bad, Jittlov seems to have dropped off the face of the earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoLhLn9hVkE

Title: Re: Wizard : Ghosts of Marathons Past -Earlier Films,Y
Post by da_Bunnyman on Jun 8^th, 2013 at 7:32pm

L.A. Connection wrote on Jun 8^th, 2013 at 2:16am:

Vanished but not forgotten.
This was made by fans in Japan as an opening film for a convention, and as an animated tribute to the original wizard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxB45SHGfrY

I fell in love with the original short more than 30 years ago when I caught it at the much missed 'Off The Wall' coffeehouse.

Title: Re: Wizard : Ghosts of Marathons Past -Earlier Films,Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Jun 9^th, 2013 at 3:09pm

I actually spoke with Mike Jittlov a couple of times after the marathon (he was in the phone book!). But, you could sense his nervousness and privacy, so we didn't stay in touch.

According to IMDb, Jittlov did some effects work for a few years. He has one of those 'zombie' websites (wizworld.com) that hasn't been updated in years. I know some folks who have tried to get in touch with him, but, he seems to be one of those tortured artist types.

But, his WIZARD OF SPEED & TIME short and feature live on. One of the nice hidden nuggets in Marathon history, too.

P.S. The theater in the trailer, The Clinton, is long closed, but it used to run double features, including the most bizarre one I ever saw:

Michael Caine's Oscar Nominated performance in the sweet EDUCATING RITA

with.....

Lucio Fulci's gory horror film, THE BEYOND (aka Seven Doors of Death)!

Have NO idea how that double feature came about...

Here's the great trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSB6ZRC-dyQ

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jun 8^th, 2013 at 7:32pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Jun 8^th, 2013 at 2:16am:

Title: THE THING-Ghosts of Marathons Past Earlier Films,Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Jul 3^rd, 2013 at 3:35am

Interesting piece by one of the Producers of Carpenter's THE THING (aka The Most Overrated SF Film Ever). Interestingly, it seems as though I actually agree with Carpenter's assessment of the film when he first saw a rough cut of it:

"The movie didn't work. Lacking the location footage and many special effects he found the cut to be long, dull, and, above all, lacking in tension - his biggest fear. The early scenes with the men were endlessly repetitive and dragged on forever. Most of the byplay and humor fell flat. The film felt formless and just seemed to drift along, with no one character breaking out of the pack to drive the action..."

As you will read in the article, Carpenter edited & tweeked the film and added a few scenes and shots, but, I still think his original assessment was spot on.

http://theoriginalfan.blogspot.com/2013/06/when-thing-became-john-carpenters-thing.html?spref=tw

Title: Re: Wizard : Ghosts of Marathons Past -Earlier Films,Y
Post by kirok on Jul 3^rd, 2013 at 6:29am

L.A. Connection wrote on Jun 9^th, 2013 at 3:09pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Jun 8^th, 2013 at 2:16am:

can someone find angelique pettyjohn in this? she was the bikini clad throll in "gamesters of triskellion"

Title: Quiet Earth: Ghosts of Marathons Past -
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 26^th, 2014 at 11:15pm

THE QUIET EARTH was just named one of the 10 Best New Zealand Films of all time by the locals. QUIET EARTH has played the Marathon twice - 1st right after its brief theatrical release at SF/11 (the last at the Orson Welles) and then again three years ago. It still holds up! http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/9642284/Kiwis-pick-their-favourite-movie

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 28^th, 2014 at 9:07am

Behold!
The SF2 marathons famous lost film.
Lost in the sense it seems to have vanished and no prints can be located for a DVD or cable release.
God knows we've had enough films lost in transit TO the marathon, this is one that vanished afterwards and now shows up on lists of lost films.
Maybe not as high on the lists as London After Midnight or Convention City, but it's there.

Behold "Hu-Man"

The only film I can remember being treated as a sneak preview at it's showing, we were asked to fill out comment cards on it.
It never opened in the Boston area for a regular run and from what I've read played very few cities ever.
Today it might go over at the festival but was way too arty for the thon.
Particularly annoying was its habit of a characters dialogue being repeated in a screaming whiny voice as a time distortion effect (I guess.)

Interesting source article here.
http://io9.com/5877874/lost-films

Title: HU-MAN Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 29^th, 2014 at 10:52pm

Soooooo jealous that it was before my Marathon time! It indeed has become one of 70s cinema's most obscure titles. A few clips showed up on French TV a few years ago, so hopefully that means it still exists!

And, for anybody interested in Marathon memorabilia, check out Da Bunnyman's collection:

http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1334368597

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 28^th, 2014 at 9:07am:

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by R_F_Fineman on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 7:17pm

This year's lineup promises lots of excitement!
Just like the 38 years before it....well, almost. ;)

By the way, who was it that talked Garen into running "Terminal Man"?

Title: I Married A Marathon: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 9:03am

Nice piece on three time Marathon film, I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE:

http://blackholereviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-married-monster-from-outer-space-1958.html

Title: Re: I Married A Marathon: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by Frank on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 12:46pm

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 9:03am:

Nice piece on three time Marathon film, I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE:

http://blackholereviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-married-monster-from-outer-space-1958.html

It’s a terrific movie and one of the chief reasons why I attended my first marathon, SF3. I missed seeing this one in my youth and was determined to catch up with it as the look of the aliens always fascinated me. I have watched it dozens of times since then and I like to say that had Douglas Sirk directed a science fiction movie it would have been much like IMAMFOS.
***********SPOILER****************
An alien race has lost its’ females and they are looking for a way to carry on the race by attempting to mate with earth women. They slowly begin to abduct and impersonate the human males through a combination of a weird cloud and some sort of transference device that allows them to copy the humans. They take over the body of a character (played by Tom Tryon). He is engaged to marry the heroine (played by Gloria Talbot – stalwart 50’s science fiction female lead). Their plan to propagate the race through human females is not working. They are unable to get the earth women pregnant. Gloria Talbot’s character soon catches on that something is very wrong and her alien husband reveals the plot to her. She tries to get help but quite a bit f the town has been duplicated. Themes of sexual repression, frigidity and rape are touched upon but never explored (after all, this was the 50’s).
The town itself is populated with all manner of sordid and unsavory types. There is a cheapness and squalor in the downtown area. Nasty, angry men and women all on the make for something or other populate the town. Underneath the shiny suburban exterior, this is not a pleasant burg, by any means.
The plight of the aliens is not ignored either and there is a touching moment wherein one of the aliens in its’ true form is looking through a store front window at a child’s baby doll and you can sense the desperation in the race as they approach extinction.
The cast is uniformly solid in this low budget affair. The budget is low but the few effects are mostly well done. The ray guns and transmitter devices are very effective as are the devices that hold the hosts in suspended animation. The lighting is top notch for setting the mood. The entire town feels unfriendly and folks appear cold and calculating. The sense of formless fear and menace is palpable.

Title: Re: I Married A Marathon: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 7:07pm

Frank wrote on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 12:46pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 9:03am:

Nice piece on three time Marathon film, I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE:

http://blackholereviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-married-monster-from-outer-space-1958.html

Let's be honest Frank, nothing you write could be more of a spoiler than the title of the film itself. :)

Title: I MARRIED: Ghosts of Marathons Past -
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 27^th, 2014 at 10:36pm

Very nice piece, Frank. I really held up better on repeated viewings than I would have thought.

I think the vivid title has diminished serious analysis over the years

Title: SPLIT! Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films,Ye
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 1^st, 2014 at 12:47pm

One of the most obscure films to ever grace the Marathon screen was SPLIT! way back at SF/15. It had a short life on VHS, and has all but seemed to have disappeared from view.

My memories of it were that it was an ambitious but chaotic curio. I'm glad I saw it, but, couldn't exactly recommend it.

Here's a recent Daily Grindhouse article on it:

http://dailygrindhouse.com/2014/02/28/25th-anniversary-project-underrated-lo-fi-sci-fi-chris-shaws-split/

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by Frank on Mar 5^th, 2014 at 12:32pm

In light of screening The World, The Flesh and The Devil I would like to nominate a Marathon re-screen of The Day The Earth Caught Fire. This terrific end-of-the-world movie only played once at the marathon way, way back at SF5. . It is a minor classic. It is a nuclear disaster apocalyptic film starring stalwart Edward Judd, the incomparable Leo McKern and the marvelous Janet Munro. Directed and co-written by Val guest, best known for directing several Hammer science fiction classic films. The entire cast of actors is terrific in this movie.

*****************MAJOR SPOILERS STORY RECAPPED *****************************
The film begins with a man walking the deserted streets of London. The opening orange tinted sequence adds to the sense that temperatures are abnormally and dangerously high. Steps have been taken to remedy this crisis but it is as yet unknown if they will be effective. The story then reverts to several months earlier and the black and white film begins to revel the genesis of the apparent disaster.
Edward Judd plays once talented reporter Peter Stenning whose once finely honed journalistic skills have been dulled thanks to a bad divorce and a growing dependency on alcohol. His problems have led to his now being given secondary writing assignments. Frankly, he has lost his passion for reporting the news. His editor is, at last, starting to lose patience with his reporter. Stenning has one close friend at the newspaper, talented reporter Bill Maguire (so ably portrayed by Leo McKern).
Stenning is asked to get weather data from the Met Office. He calls over and has an argument with an operator who refuses to connect him with anyone other than the press office. He insults her and decides to go over in person. He gets nowhere fast and as he is shown the door he decides to try and obtain the information using deception. He then (unbeknownst to him) has another run in with the operator Jeanie (Janet Munro). They argue but eventually get together.
It is soon learned that the US and the USSR have simultaneously set off two nuclear bomb tests at different points of the globe. Initially, it is believed that the bombs have shifted the tilt of the earth causing the severe weather changes. However, the government is trying to hide the fact that the bombs have actually changed the orbit of the earth and that it is on a collision course with the sun. As scientists and the two superpowers try to fix the problem that they created, we get a glimpse of a world suffering from extreme heat and lack of water. The world goes a little mad and folks start disregarding laws that will soon not matter.
The Day The Earth Caught Fire was filmed in the middle of the Cold War and the arms race. Rather than having nuclear warfare wipe out humanity, the movie uses the novel concept of a nuclear test error as the cause of our end. Unlike many science fiction films of the 50’s, the story does not revolve around the people trying to “fix the problem” and save humanity. It is rather a story about a lonely, damaged man seeking comfort and salvation. He is at a crossroads in every sense of the word. The decisions and path he chooses will affect his career, his sobriety and his chance for any future happiness. Unfortunately, there may be no future and that decision is out of his hands. In a sense, Peter represents the larger world of humanity. He is bitter, cynical and prone to self-destructive behavior. His skewed and narrow vision of reality has led him to the brink. Our governments in the film have similarly led all of humanity to a brink. The movie leaves us without turning the final page. Will Peter and the world get a second chance at starting over?

Tidbits:
Look for Michael Caine as policeman in a very early role (Judd ad Caine were real life friends). Also, the woman who plays May was Judd’s real wife. Tragically she died of a brain hemorrhage at 34).
There is a scene in the movie wherein Janet Munro is drying herself off after a bath and there is a brief glimpse of her bare breasts. This would have passed muster in European prints but not likely here in the US. It’s a brief scene but it is there and I wonder if American censors caught it. Peeping Tom was released one year earlier and that is usually regarded as the first post-code English language film to have any nudity. A very brief scene of a bare breast exposed by actress Pamela Green. The Day The Earth Caught Fire is an early example of nudity in an English language film. It would be a couple of years until Jayne Mansfield would perform a nude scene n Promises…..Promises!

Title: Catching Fire: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 5^th, 2014 at 9:38pm

TERRIFIC film. 35mm prints have been spotted, too!

I'm 99% sure the nudity was only in the 'continental' version that didn't play the USA upon its original release.

Frank wrote on Mar 5^th, 2014 at 12:32pm:

Title: WAR OF THE WORLDS GOLIATH: Ghosts of Marathons Pas
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 7^th, 2014 at 11:21am

Last year's Marathon film, WAR OF THE WORLDS: GOLIATH is getting a limited release this week. The reviews haven't been kind.

It wasn't great, but not that bad:

http://www.metacritic.com/movie/war-of-the-worlds-goliath

Title: Mark!: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 14^th, 2014 at 2:08pm

Joe Dante takes on PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES on today's Trailers From Hell:

http://trailersfromhell.com/planet-vampires/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu1VOmwuHag&feature=player_embedded

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by Frank on Mar 19^th, 2014 at 4:49pm

Long overdue for a repeat marathon showing.

Five Million Years To Earth
For my money, the best of the Quatermass movies although I enjoy them all including the underrated Quatermass Conclusion see the entire TV mini-series not the butchered version that was released for the movies. The truncated version played the marathon. The Creeping Unknown and Enemy From Space (never shown) are both good but unfortunately, Hammer decided to go with a leading player who would be recognizable to American audiences in order to sell the movie in the States. Brian Donlevy was Irish born but he was raised in the States and was well known for playing tough guys in many terrific movies. He was a good actor but clearly he was not right for the role of Quatermass. His approach to the role seems half-hearted. He also enjoyed his drink and this may have caused a few problems off and on camera. However, the movies are well written and enjoyable despite the low budgets. When Andrew Keir stepped in to play Quatermass in Five Million Years To Earth or Quatermass And The Pit, they found someone far more suitable to the character. Quatermass was gruff and brusque but at the same time he was a top scientist. Andrew Keir delivers the goods. Along with the terrific James Donald, Barbara Shelley and Julian Glover they form a fine core of actors for this movie.
My chief complaint with the Quatermass series if that they tend to ignore the Professor’s previous adventures. In the films, the authorities are always astounded to learn of alien life. Clearly, the presence of the weird is present in the first two films, The Creeping Unknown and Enemy From Space. Yet with every film, the presence of alien life is met with skepticism. You would think that since the events of Enemy From Space took place wherein an alien invasion almost succeeds by taking control of the human populace, that a special group would have been created to deal with such matters. It’s a minor quibble, but it is a nagging one for me.

**************story overview spoilers******************************

A construction crew is working to add an extension to the London subway at Hobbs End. Workers unearth skeletal remains and work is stopped in order to investigate the find. Paleontologists determine that the skeletons are hominids far older than any previously found on earth. In fact, they are about 5 million years old. The mystery deepens when they unearth a metallic object in the ground. Fearing that it is an old UXB from WWII, the military takes control of the area and shuts done the dig. Quatermass becomes involved accidentally. He has been railing against his plans for moon colonization to become a military project with Colonel Breen. Colonel Breen is called in to the site of the UXB for is expertise and QUatermass accompanies him to the site. The Colonel insists that it is an UXB and that its’ strange look may have been one of the Nazis experimental bombs. Quatermass disagrees with the Colonel.
The situation intensifies when Quatermass and the paleontologist realize that one of the skeletons is found undamaged in an interior chamber of the object meaning that the object itself must be five million years old. It turns out that the object is a spaceship containing the mummified and preserved bodies of the alien crew. They are removed for examination. The military maintains that it was part of some elaborate Nazi hoax designed to frighten and bewilder the populace. As the rest of the film unfolds, we learn about the about the aliens, their purpose in coming to earth, the origin of man. We also discover tat unearthing the vessel, will give rise to a menace that may result in widespread death and destruction.

Title: Five Million: Ghosts of Marathons Past -
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 19^th, 2014 at 9:02pm

I second the motion!

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 21^st, 2014 at 6:59pm

SF4 had a schedule loaded with classic sci-fi titles like The Thing (1951) Body Snatchers (1956) Monolith Monsters, Forbidden Planet.
And then there was this one. The Bed Sitting Room is an absurdist comedy about a Britain that has pretty much been destroyed. But the remaining population, all 20 of them, try to pretend everything is fine.
The BBC goes door to door giving the last newscast, people mutate into apartments, furniture, parrots, dogs, etc. A man in a bomb shelter screams the question "have they dropped it yet?" a guy on an excercycle is the power company and a man is made prime minister because of his inside leg measurement. And of course the film ends with a rousing chorus of God Bless Mrs Ethel Shroake (last known distant relative of the royal family.)
Needless to say this film did not go over too well with the marathon crowd. But then this was a few years before the Pythons hit the USA. Wonder how it'd go over today?

I've always liked it since seeing it at The Welles comedy festival months before. The weirdness makes it work for me.
Most frightening thing about it might be that the devastated landscapes and huge piles of shoes, plates and scrap metal were there all ready. Just waiting to be filmed as the end of the world.
Check out the truly odd trailer.
And remember Stretch and Repent!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AVBEwTIfDM

Title: BED SITTING: Ghosts of Marathons Past -
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 21^st, 2014 at 9:24pm

Hmm. Interesting note about an Orson Welles comic festival.

Might explain why this curio showed up so early in Marathon history considering the dozens and dozens of films (like WESTWORLD! that got skipped over in its stead).

da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 21^st, 2014 at 6:59pm:

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 21^st, 2014 at 9:44pm

As I recall it played in a double feature with Bedazzled so may have been a comedy, British film or British comedy festival.

Title: TRUMAN SHOW onTv?: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 9^th, 2014 at 10:11pm

Talk about coming full circle. A TV show based on THE TRUMAN SHOW which is based on a fictional TV show.........

http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/paramount-tv-unveils-first-development-slate-that-includes-series-takes-on-narc-truman-show-firms-up-executive-team/

Paramount TV Unveils First Development Slate That Includes Series Takes On ‘Narc’ & ‘Truman Show’, Firms Up Executive Team
By NELLIE ANDREEVA |

A year after Paramount Studios signaled its re-entry in TV with the relaunch of Paramount Television, the start-up division has set its first development slate. As expected, it includes mining well-known properties from the Paramount movie library. That includes a crime drama with roots in Joe Carnahan’s Narc, with Carnahan writing and directing the pilot, and a re-imagination of the Jim Carrey hit The Truman Show....

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by twocentsnonthewise on May 17^th, 2014 at 3:24am

More new on the Thunderbirds reboot - http://tuppencemagazine.co.uk/entertainment-news/thunderbirds-reboot-itv-2015/ - Former bond girl, Rosamund Pike, gets in on the action as Lady Penelope and Fonejackers' Kayvan Novak is lined up to play Brains apparently!

Title: CHARLY: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films,Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Jun 18^th, 2014 at 9:21pm

Daniel Keyes, author of the book FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON has passed on. The film CHARLY was based on the book and Cliff Robertson won a Best Actor Oscar for playing the leading role. Much of it was shot in and around Boston.

It played well in its Marathon showing at SF/30 in 2005.

RIP.

Title: GHASTLY: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films,
Post by L.A. Connection on Nov 4^th, 2014 at 9:13am

GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X - makes a list it probably wouldn't have wanted to be on:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/54571/11-movies-made-less-400-us-box-office

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eH22hqmAW9c

Title: STARCRASH! Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 3^rd, 2015 at 11:18am

Marathon flashback: the 1978 Star Wars ripoff, STARCRASH with Caroline Munro, Christopher Plummer and David Hasselhoff! The movie is a lot more fun than this writer got out of it. Worth a schlockly look.

http://actionagogo.com/?p=13277

Title: SPLIT! Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 25^th, 2015 at 4:59pm

One of the more obscure titles in the Marathon's history actually is being screened this week in Chicago - SPLIT!
This SF/15 oddity was crazily odd.

SPLIT! LIVES!

http://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/split-1989/

Title: Wizard of Speed & Time: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 30^th, 2015 at 12:53pm

Nice piece on the THE WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME along with the filmmaker Mike Jittlov. One of the 'sci-fi conventions' mentioned in the article was surely the Marathon!

http://nightflight.com/mike-jittlovs-the-wizard-of-speed-and-time/

Title: Stuart Gordon: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Jul 27^th, 2015 at 11:58pm

Nice interview with friend of the Marathon, Stuart Gordon. He discusses such marathon classics as RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND and ROBOT JOX.

I also think his DOLLS is underrated.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/07/horror-master-stuart-gordon-talks-re-animator-love.html?a=1

Title: Ghosts of Marathons Past - THE DISH sf/29
Post by L.A. Connection on Nov 22^nd, 2015 at 4:30pm

Nice nostalgic look back at the nice nostalgic SF/29 (the Dedham year) entry: THE DISH.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/nov/22/the-dish-rewatched-heart-on-sleeve-drama-with-a-splash-of-saucer-erotica

Title: Marathon movie SUED! Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 13^th, 2016 at 10:12pm

At SF/40, we showed the crowd funded "Prelude to Axanar". Now, Paramount Studios is suing the movie over copyright violation:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/paramount-claims-crowdfunded-star-trek-874985

Title: Re: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films, Years
Post by Jay Seaver on Mar 13^th, 2016 at 10:41pm

That's been ongoing for a while - the latest is CBS/Paramount (I think Star Trek now basically falls under CBS except for the new movies) basically calling the parasites' bluff and enumerating every single infringement in the picture. Honestly, when it played, I was kind of wondering how CBS hadn't already ground them to paste.

Personally, I think parts of Star Trek should already be in the public domain if not for America's absurdly long copyright terms, although I can't say I'll shed any tears about these guys getting crushed. If director Christian Gossett is going to be adapting anything like this, it should be his own The Red Star comic, and this sort of project - filling in a piece of the fictional history with a war story - is both kind of pointless and missing a great deal of the franchise's appeal.

Title: Axanar: Ghosts of Marathons Past - Earlier Films,Y
Post by L.A. Connection on Jul 16^th, 2016 at 9:38pm

Update on the PRELUDE TO AXANAR battle vs Paramount and the Trek franchise:

http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/06/cbs-paramount-offer-rules-for-fan-film-makers-amid-axanar-dispute/

Unswayed by Axanar, CBS and Paramount offer 10 rules for fan film makers
New rules forbid unofficial merchandise, alcohol use, long episodes.

by Megan Geuss - Jun 26, 2016 10:38am PDT
143

CBS and Paramount, the two studios that own the rights to Star Trek, announced a list of 10 guidelines for fan film creators this week. The studios are saying that they “will not object to, or take legal action against” filmmakers that follow the new rules (although the studios added that “CBS and Paramount Pictures reserve the right to revise, revoke and/or withdraw these guidelines at any time in their own discretion.”)

The new rules come amid a dispute between the two studios and Axanar Productions, a production company formed by fans who raised more than $1 million in crowdfunding and donations to create a professional-quality Star Trek fan film about Garth of Izar, a hero of Captain Kirk from The Original Series. Axanar Productions boasted about the fact that it had hired people who had formerly worked on Star Trek, and it released a 20-minute film called Prelude to Axanar in 2014. The feature-length film, simply called Axanar, was supposed to debut in 2016...

Title: Tin Foil Scandal! Ghosts of Marathons PastEarlier
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 24^th, 2017 at 1:14pm

Hmm. Seen in the alley behind the Somerville Theater just moments before the Tin foil Hat Contest:

Title: Paper Mache: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 2:24pm

The 'hit' of last year's Marathon -This Giant Paper Mache Boulder is Actually Really Heavy - opens this week in theaters! Believe it, or not!

http://thisgiantpapiermacheboulderisactuallyreallyheavy.com/

Title: Re: Paper Mache: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by Lile on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 6:22pm

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 2:24pm:

I’ll recommend this to all my “friends” to see the sci fi comedy of the year.

Title: Censor PAPER MACHE!: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 11:38pm

I noticed that the running time has now been shaved by 13 minutes to 99. Censorship or mercy??

https://www.laemmle.com/films/43533

Title: Re: Censor PAPER MACHE!: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by Lile on Jan 19^th, 2018 at 12:05am

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 11:38pm:

I noticed that the running time has now been shaved by 13 minutes to 99. Censorship or mercy??

https://www.laemmle.com/films/43533

Probably the latter, I can’t imagine anyone would even watch this, never mind caring enough to want to censor it.

Title: Re: Censor PAPER MACHE!: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 19^th, 2018 at 11:50am

Believe it or not, it has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (of course, only 5 reviews).
Lile wrote on Jan 19^th, 2018 at 12:05am:

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 11:38pm:

I noticed that the running time has now been shaved by 13 minutes to 99. Censorship or mercy??

https://www.laemmle.com/films/43533

Probably the latter, I can’t imagine anyone would even watch this, never mind caring enough to want to censor it.

Title: Re: Censor PAPER MACHE!: Ghosts of Marathons Past
Post by Lile on Jan 19^th, 2018 at 5:16pm

Perhaps those reviewers would like Motivational Growth as well?

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 19^th, 2018 at 11:50am:

Believe it or not, it has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (of course, only 5 reviews).
Lile wrote on Jan 19^th, 2018 at 12:05am:

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 11:38pm:

I noticed that the running time has now been shaved by 13 minutes to 99. Censorship or mercy??

https://www.laemmle.com/films/43533

Probably the latter, I can’t imagine anyone would even watch this, never mind caring enough to want to censor it.