Listmania!
I saw all these SF films in the 50s and I still love them.
By an Amazon.com customer
Destination Moon/Rocketship X-MDestination Moon/Rocketship X-M
My guide in this journey to the past is Bill Warren.We were born in 1943 and have similar tastes.I like this good film for its looks( Chesley Bonestell's ).I only saw "ROCKETSHIP X-M" decades later.
The Day the Earth Stood StillThe Day the Earth Stood Still
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $3.23
I saw this classic a couple of weeks after "THE THING...".A terrific beginning,don't you think?Fine&scary music by BERNARD HERRMANN. "KLAATU BARADA NIKTO".
The Thing from Another WorldThe Thing from Another World
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $4.90
The first SF film that I saw ( when 8 ) .Still the best , for me.With a creepy musical score by DIMITRI TIOMKIN. After I've seen it,I was terrified for 2 whole weeks."KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES!".
When Worlds CollideWhen Worlds Collide
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $3.74
I was enthralled with the spaceship depicted in this film.For all fans of 50's SF films ,I recommend Bill Warren's book "KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES"(MCFARLAND,1982/86).It's the best book on the subject.
The Beast From 20,000 FathomsThe Beast From 20,000 Fathoms
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $4.62
My first "Prehistoric Monster" movie.Screenplay suggested by Ray Bradbury's magazine short story of the same title.Bill Warren is a great Bradbury admirer.
Invaders from Mars (Special Edition)Invaders from Mars (Special Edition)
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $5.37
For us,kids,growing up in the 50's,many of these films were "A" pictures.For me,story was paramount(of course,the special effects were well liked)."INVADERS ..." was eerie,not realistic.Marvelous!
Donovan's BrainDonovan's Brain
Buy used from: $3.28
Based on a famous Curt Siodmak's novel.Want to know more about Curt ? Read his autobiography "WOLF MAN'S MAKER".
The War of the Worlds (Special Collector's Edition)The War of the Worlds (Special Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $4.19
A modernized Paramount version of one of the famous H.G.Wells' "Scientific Romances".With wonderful special effects,for the time.One of the classic SF movies of the 1950s.
It Came From Outer SpaceIt Came From Outer Space
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $7.29
One of the greatest SF films of the 50's.I love Jack Arnold 's eerie desert(real or builted at UNIVERSAL Studios).From a story by Ray Bradbury.
Phantom from SpacePhantom from Space
Buy used from: $1.49
One of the first SF flicks that I saw.A scary film(at the time).I still remember well the alien's bald head .
Them! (Snap Case)Them! (Snap Case)
Buy new: $17.49 / Used from: $6.79
The scariest of the insect movies.I remember that the shrill sound of the ants communicating between themselves gave me the willies.The film's beginning is just great.Dear old James Whitmore.
Creature from the Black Lagoon - The Legacy Collection (Creature from the Black Lagoon / Revenge of the Creature / The Creature Walks Among Us)Creature from the Black Lagoon - The Legacy Collection (Creature from the Black Lagoon / Revenge of the Creature / The Creature Walks Among Us)
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $16.45
SCI-FI is a term created by Forrest J. Ackerman,the famous collector of SF memorabilia.For me,this great,surreal picture,is an eternal Science-Fiction film(SCI-FI is a derogative term).
Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Two-Disc Special Edition)Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $7.59
Directed by Richard Fleischer,"20.000 LEAGUES..." is ,for me,one of the best adventure films of all time.A wonderful homage to the immortal JULES VERNE.James Mason is the definitive Captain NEMO.
It Came from Beneath the SeaIt Came from Beneath the Sea
Buy used from: $6.75
This film,produced by Charles H. Schneer,had special effects by RAY HARRYHAUSEN(I didn't noticed this ,then).Good old KENNETH TOBEY is the hero ,again.P.S.:I saw,too(at the time),"REVENGE OF ...".
Tarantula (1955) [VHS]Tarantula (1955) [VHS]
Buy used from: $5.99
A few days ago I revisited "TARANTULA".My VHS copy is a little battered, but the film still impresses me.Like in the good old times.Great JACK ARNOLD!
This Island EarthThis Island Earth
Buy used from: $9.51
One of my favorites .A lavish picture,then. Maybe because it was shot in color.Remember,almost all SF films, in the 50's,were shot in B&W.P.S.:I didn't saw in the 50's"THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US".
Quatermass Xperiment [VHS]Quatermass Xperiment [VHS]
Buy new: $17.08 / Used from: $9.98
God,how horrified I was seeing this film.I saw it with my mom,who was terrified too.Great story by Nigel Kneale and good direction by Val Guest.US title of this film:"THE CREEPING UNKNOWN".
Earth vs. the Flying SaucersEarth vs. the Flying Saucers
Buy used from: $9.07
In the 1950's I didn't saw all 50's SF films.But I saw "EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS".And for the first time I' ve noticed RAY HARRYHAUSEN'S name.
Invasion of the Body SnatchersInvasion of the Body Snatchers
Buy new: $14.49 / Used from: $7.45
I remember well the day I saw this classic of suspense&horror.Simply unforgettable.Later, I read,gasping,JACK FINNEY'S novel "THE BODY SNATCHERS"(in a "DELL" paperback).Shot in glorious B&W,thank God!
Forbidden Planet (Ultimate Collector's Edition)Forbidden Planet (Ultimate Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $43.99 / Used from: $19.90
Filmed in Color&Cinemascope(I liked Cinemascope,as all kids), FP was just the kind of interplanetary adventure we needed ,at the time.
Deadly Mantis (1957) [VHS]Deadly Mantis (1957) [VHS]
Buy used from: $5.91
I was a happy boy at the time.So, I' ve liked "THE DEADLY MANTIS".Later,I was sorry for not seeing films like "I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN" or "THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN( OF THE HIMALAYAS)".
The Incredible Shrinking Man [VHS]The Incredible Shrinking Man [VHS]
Buy used from: $8.29
I was thrilled when I saw this one.Many years after(1967),I read RICHARD MATHESON'S novel "THE SHRINKING MAN"(I still have the "GOLD MEDAL" PBO).
Monolith Monsters [VHS]Monolith Monsters [VHS]
Buy used from: $5.84
A meteor crashes in the desert...(JACK ARNOLD was one of the authors of the story)and,suddenly,the horror starts...A modest ,interesting picture with good special effects.
The Blob - Criterion CollectionThe Blob - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $31.49 / Used from: $22.00
"INDEPENDENCE DAY","ARMAGEDDON",MEN IN BLACK","THE MATRIX" ? ARRRGH...!I prefer "THE BLOB" (not the disgusting second "BLOB").
The Fly Collection (The Fly [1958] / Return Of The Fly [1959] / The Curse Of The Fly [1965])The Fly Collection (The Fly [1958] / Return Of The Fly [1959] / The Curse Of The Fly [1965])
Buy new: $28.99 / Used from: $29.98
Science-Fiction is not a realistic genre.It may be based on fact,but it is,mainly,fantasy.For this I abhor the pedestrian characters&dialogues of today's SF films."THE FLY" I'll always like.I miss the 50s.