That set the standard for all Sci-Fi to come, and very few movies have come close, but what about pre-Star Wars? Well, as it turned out, there's absolutley loads of old black and white B movies rarely seen by today's kids. Fortunately my nan used to let me watch them on BBC2 at 6:00pm, weekdays (she helped look after me while my mum was at work and a damn fine job she did, too).
This Island Earth, The Day The Earth Stood Still, and Forbidden Planet immediately spring to mind (I know FP wasn't B/W), along with such classics as War Of The Worlds, The Time Machine and The First Men In The Moon. I would disappear for an hour or so each day to another reality, my horizons broadening, possibilities without end. Thank you BBC2.
As I matured, 1950's Sci-Fi found it's way into my life through such authers as H G Wells, Jules Verne, Harry Harrison and the great Phillip K Dick. Who? Well, you may not recognize the last name but I'm sure you've heard of the movies made from his books. Remember Total Recall? Minority Report? Blade Runner? All were written many years before they hit the silver screen.
I think what I find so exciting about these stories, is that they were being written about the time we live in now, 2000 and beyond. Often, I would find myself reading about some futuristic device that I now have at home or even carry around in my pocket! But, somehow, owning the equivilant to Star Trek's Tri-Corder isn't quite enough.
The future isn't all I was hoping for, which is why I still read these books and watch these movies. Don't get me wrong, I think we are living in very interesting times. It's just not a patch on the dreams planted in my head by my literary heroes.
Philip K Dick was a brilliant writer (and not particularly well served by the silver screen).
ReplyDeleteYay for spreading the PKD love!