What does the world need now? Love? Ha, that’s rich! How about a good old-fashioned ass-kicking by alien invaders a la War of the Worlds?
Yeah, that would shake us out of our complacency! Or would it?
See, not only were we attacked by H.G. Wells’ little green men in 1898 in a pre-iPad medium, but also in 1938 courtesy of Mercury Theatre on the Air. Then our fair city was attacked in 1953, in Technicolor no less. Most recently we were attacked in 2005, no thanks to the heroics of Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.
And what have we learned as a society? Not much.
But don’t let that stop you from heading to Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre tonight to see the 1953 filmed version of War of the Worlds, part of the American Cinematheque’s Gene Barry memorial double feature.
Los Angeles’ comeuppance begins at 7:30 p.m., Sam Fuller’s China Gate (1957) follows.
The 1953 version is a hoot, loved the special effects much better than the recent version with Tom whats-his-toes.
I’m actually one of the few defenders of Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds.” There are a few missteps, but in general I really like it. The effects, in particular, are some of the most impressive I’ve seen.
I really love the hookiness of the original, I remember it from a saturday afternoon showing on tv as a kid and it scared the bejeebers out of me. Now its just funny.
This is interesting:
http://marstimes.blogspot.com/2010/02/war-of-worlds-mock-documentary-on-way.html
That is interesting. Actually, now that I think about it, wouldn’t Youtube be a great way to release a series of videos that cover the Martian invasion of the Earth? Something like “Panic Attack!” but not as produced: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dadPWhEhVk