Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Marooned

Marooned & Ghost Busters Sci-Fi Nostalgia

As Bugs Bunny would say, “What a maroon.”

We drift into Season 2 of Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner with a mug of water, a cup of coke, a pistol, and a single shot between us. Marvel at our meandering ruminations on “Marooned,” John Sturges’ 1969 stranded-in-space narrative.

Next Friday, we’ll be joined by Roy’s son, Ryan, for another trip back to 1970s Saturday morning television, and share our impressions of “The Ghost Busters.” No, not Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis. More like an “F Troop” reunion, with Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch, joined by Bob Burns as Tracy the Ape.

The most prevalent specters are those of Vaudeville, the Three Stooges, and the Bowery Boys, with plenty of silly schtick, surreal sight gags, and a forehead-slapping array of recognizable guest stars (including Billy Barty, Johnny Brown, Bernie Kopell, Ted Knight, Jim Backus, Joe E. Ross, and Bowery Boy veteran Huntz Hall).

It’s not every kids’ show that makes allusions to Sidney Greenstreet, Wagner, and Oscar Wilde.

Pour yourself a bowl of Cap’n Crunch and prepare to get busted. We’ll be chasing the ghosts of our youth, when we livestream on Facebook, next Friday evening, at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner/

April 10, 2021
Marooned Gene Hackman in Space!

In the old days, when you were marooned, at least they left you with a pistol, some rum, and a single shot. In space, all you get is… Gene Hackman.

Hackman’s character is the weakest link in a satellite mission overseen by temperamental Gregory Peck, in John Sturges’ “Marooned” (1969), our focus for this week’s Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.

Three astronauts are stranded in orbit, after their capsule’s retro rockets malfunction, making reentry into the earth’s atmosphere impossible. That means they basically have no choice but to sit around and try not to unravel as a rescue attempt is mounted. With David Janssen, Richard Crenna, and James Franciscus in the cast, space was never muskier.

Sturges, director of “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Great Escape,” here lacks his house composer, energetic Elmer Bernstein – or any musical score, for that matter – which is a pity, since if there’s one thing this movie needs, it’s a swift kick in the ass. (Just like Hackman.)

The would-be thriller was given clearance to launch, at the height of first-man-on-the-moon mania. Unfortunately, the special effects, coming so close on the heels of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” are not exactly stellar.

Man-up for our slow-burn conversation about “Marooned.” Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner drifts aimlessly into its second season. Squander your oxygen by shouting in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook. this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

April 8, 2021
Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner Anniversary & Marooned

Last night’s celebration of the one-year anniversary of “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner” was marked by misty reminiscences, some highlights slides, and plenty of laurels from the fans. Thank you so much for live appearances by, and well wishes from, Phil, Bill, Jon, Mary Ann, Eva, Liz, Ry, Lew, and Michelle.

The show ran to three hours, probably a little long for anyone except perhaps “Tie-Dye” die-hards. But the first third or so contains some solid background info about how Roy and I met, 40+ years ago, and how he arrived at the idea for a weekly livestream, as a way to alleviate lockdown anxiety and to reunite with friends he’s made on the sci-fi fan circuit. The show has attracted viewers from the all over the U.S., Canada, the UK, France, Australia, and Hell, Norway.

Cohosts for the first two months were drawn from Roy’s vast pool of acquaintances. Other guests continue to cohost on occasional Sunday evenings, and a number of actors, authors, and film and television technicians have visited for interviews.

By coincidence, last night happened to be my 50th show. Roy first invited me in June 2020, and I haven’t left since. Prior to my first appearance, we hadn’t seen one another in probably 34 years!

If, by Hour 3, you start to feel a little depleted, well, we’ve got the perfect movie for you. Next week, we’ll begin our second year by chatting about “Marooned” (1969). John Sturges’ slow-burn sci-fi thriller received clearance to launch thanks to first-man-on-the-moon mania. But don’t go into it expecting “The Right Stuff.” Think of it more as a proto-“Apollo 13,” but a lot more static. The central premise is the attempted rescue of three astronauts stranded in space.

You have to admit, it does have quite the cast: Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, David Janssen, James Franciscus, Gene Hackman, Lee Grant, Nancy Kovack, and a pre-Kodak Mariette Hartley.

It’s guaranteed to be more exciting than watching paint dry. I hope you’ll join us for our next slow-burn conversation, on Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, livestreamed on Facebook, next Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner/

April 3, 2021

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