We know the greats; movies like Metropolis (1927), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Star Wars (1977).
And there are those films which maybe didn’t achieve cinematic greatness, but through their inexhaustible watchability became genre touchstones, lesser classics but classics nonetheless, like The War of the Worlds (1953), Godzilla (1954), Them! (1954), The Time Machine (1960).
In the realm of science fiction cinema, those are the cream (and below that, maybe the half and half). But sci fi is one of those genres which has often too readily leant itself to – not to torture an analogy — producing nonfat dairy substitute.
During the first, great wave of sci fi movies in the 1950s, the target audience was kids and teens. There wasn’t a lot in the way of “serious” sci fi. Most of it was churned out quick and cheap; drive-in fodder, grist for the Saturday matinee mill.
By the early 1960s,...
And there are those films which maybe didn’t achieve cinematic greatness, but through their inexhaustible watchability became genre touchstones, lesser classics but classics nonetheless, like The War of the Worlds (1953), Godzilla (1954), Them! (1954), The Time Machine (1960).
In the realm of science fiction cinema, those are the cream (and below that, maybe the half and half). But sci fi is one of those genres which has often too readily leant itself to – not to torture an analogy — producing nonfat dairy substitute.
During the first, great wave of sci fi movies in the 1950s, the target audience was kids and teens. There wasn’t a lot in the way of “serious” sci fi. Most of it was churned out quick and cheap; drive-in fodder, grist for the Saturday matinee mill.
By the early 1960s,...
- 3/17/2012
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Similar News
‘The Phantom Menace’ at 25: A Lover, Hater and Newcomer Debate Jar Jar Binks, Podraces, Droids and Darth Maul
- 5/11/2024
- by Adam B. Vary, Angelique Jackson and Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
The Most Valuable Star Wars Prop Ever Sold Cost $3.1 Million and No It’s Not the Iconic R2-D2
- 5/11/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Lucasfilm Exec Reveals Why George Lucas Has Called Obi-wan Kenobi "One Of His Favorite Things" From Disney Era
- 5/11/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Roger Corman, King of the Bs, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Tom Elrod
- Slant Magazine
“If you’re going to write about death, you should feel it”: George R.R. Martin Has a Valid Criticism for George Lucas’ Star Wars After Defending the Infamous Red Wedding
- 5/12/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
New Star Wars: The Acolyte Teasers May Confirm Recent Rumor Relating To [Spoiler]
- 5/12/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Justin Lin Believes Cultural Labels Can Hurt Careers: ‘I Do Think There Are Restrictions’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
One Of Star Trek's First Deaths In The Original Series Had William Shatner Cracking Up
- 5/12/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
How The Sci-Fi Series Farscape Set Out To Do The Opposite Of Star Trek
- 5/12/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.