News

How Aliens Invaded B-Horror in the 1950s

Published

5 years ago

January 7, 2019

On June 24, 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold claimed that he saw a string of nine shining, unidentified flying objects during a clear-skied summer flight over Mt. Rainier. These reflective flying discs – which he estimated were traveling upwards of 1,200 mph – marked the first of many sightings to follow.

Naturally, there are reported cases of flying objects throughout history. For centuries they were usually attributed to ghosts, angels, and other supernatural beings. But as science fiction grew as a genre, the idea of these flying objects being of an extraterrestrial nature was more broadly accepted.

Image result for war of the worlds orson wells — via Today in History

In 1938, Orson Welles caused mass hysteria with his Mercury Theatre On the Air radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds – an adaptation of the novel by H.G. Wells. The radio play was structured as a normal evening of programming with news bulletin interruptions to provide updates on the fictional alien invasion in New York. The Mercury Theatre program was generally not subject to commercial breaks, adding to the realism of these news bulletin “interruptions”.

In the late 1940s – after WWII had subsided – the public was more tuned in to dangerous technological developments and the power they held. They all knew the mantra of “watch the skies”. They’d heard stories of the mysterious “foo fighters” seen by fighter pilots flying over Germany. So when Kenneth Arnold came forward with his report of a strange sighting, newspapers plastered his tale across the front page with a serious, even-handed tone.

The phrases “flying saucer” and “flying disc” entered the English lexicon, and a new fascination was formed. Science fiction had incorporated aliens as a threat in pulp novels and comics, but the complex ideas hadn’t shifted to the silver screen.

The fiendish monsters that haunted horror films in the 1940s were winding down in popularity, so the horror genre embraced science fiction, the Atomic Age, and their new audience; teenagers.

As teens piled into their cars and flocked to the drive-ins, films were made to cater to their pop culture preferences; fast-paced and violent with snappy dialogue and wild fantasy. Tired of melodramatic movies and TV nights at home, this new generation wanted new ideas.

Aliens and space invaders accepted that challenge. They provided new ideas that capitalized on the public interest in UFOs and abductions while lending their themes to social allegory. Films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1959), It Came From Outer Space (1953), The Blob (1958), and Invaders From Mars (1953) struck fear into the hearts of their audiences while subtly reflecting on McCarthyism and the Red Scare.

These films are now iconic in the genre. Even Plan 9 From Outer Space (1958) – though less successful with critics – has earned its place as a cult classic.

Image result for plan 9 from outer space — via IMDb

The interest in mysterious beings and unknown monsters fused into 1950s creature features as well. The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), The Thing from Another World (1951), The Alligator People (1959), and an adaptation of the aforementioned The War of the Worlds (1953) featured strange new creatures with otherworldly origins.

Humans get a charge from fear – we thrive on it – which is one of the reasons that horror as a genre is so popular. We like to feel scared. In a post-war era, the public didn’t have to stand on guard for a potential Earthly threat, so they followed the extraterrestrial lead as both a source and outlet for their anxieties. Sometimes, when you’ve spent so long “watching the skies” for potential danger, it’s hard to look away.

For more on extraterrestrial fears, click here to read about the 1957 abduction of Antonio Vilas-Boas.

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

8 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.