We made it there and back again last night in our discussion of “Destination Moon” (1950). But unlike the astronauts in George Pal’s scrupulously scientific sci-fi classic, we were blithely unconcerned about stripping down our vessel for the return journey. For one thing, with a cup of coffee in me, there was no chance of running out of fuel. Hence, another two-hour conversation about a 90-minute movie.
Highlight of the night: when Roy’s dad joined us by telephone to share his recollections of seeing the film in the theater on its original release as a ten year-old boy – the same age Roy and I were when we first saw “Star Wars.”
Check out the movie, if you’ve never seen it, and marvel at everything they got right, even as you acknowledge everything they didn’t, years before anyone had ever been to space. And note the difference in tone from that of the grim world we live in today. A more hopeful time? Or an optimistic pose to suit the story?
Then enjoy our exchange, with contributions from Mr. Bjellquist and viewer commenters, at the link.
Next week, we’re very excited to welcome Patrick Read Johnson, whose own youthful obsession with science fiction propelled him to a career in Hollywood. His pet project, “5-25-77” (2022), reflects his coming-of-age as an aspiring filmmaker in a small Midwestern town around the time of the release of “Star Wars” (on May 25, 1977). A couple of weeks ago, we used the film as a springboard to discuss our own boyhood fascinations with “2001,” “Planet of the Apes,” “Star Wars,” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and how they informed our parallel experiments making Super-8 films.
Now we’ll have a chance to hear all about Johnson’s career (including his work on the “Dragonheart” franchise) and hopefully plenty of behind-the-scenes morsels, like the details of his real-life meetings with Douglas Trumbull, John Dykstra, and Steven Spielberg – and what it was like to be one of the first people to be shown a rough cut of “Star Wars” before it ever reached a theater.
Bring your nostalgic awe to the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, and bring your questions to the comments section, when we livestream on Facebook, YouTube, etc., next Friday evening at 7:30 EST!