Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Moon Zero Two

Moon Zero Two & Space 1999 Sci-Fi Talk

For Labor Day weekend, Roy and I discuss the groovy space western “Moon Zero Two.” James Olson plays a down-on-his-luck explorer – the first astronaut on Mars – now busting his hump collecting salvage around the moon. The film also stars Catherine Schell (“Space: 1999”).

Check out “Moon Zero Two” the movie here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEftsDL4Shc

Then eavesdrop on our conversation here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2085501458271267&ref=notif&notif_id=1630883235301760&notif_t=live_video

On Friday, our focus will be on the “Space: 1999” episode “The Black Sun,” in anticipation of the “Space: 1999” virtual convention, Destination: Moonbase Alpha, scheduled to stream all day on September 12. For more information, look here:

http://www.destinationmoonbasealpha.com/

Roy and I will be taking our show on the road, with appearances at Trekonderoga, hosted by the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga, New York, September 24-26. The weekend’s star attraction will be Mr. Sulu himself, George Takei. More information about the three-day event here:

Star Trek Original Series Set Tour

In the meantime, we’ll be playing in a nuclear waste dump on the far side of the moon, as we recollect the “Space: 1999” episode “The Black Sun,” on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. What could possibly go wrong, when you join us in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT?

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

September 6, 2021
Moon Zero Two A Groovy Space Western Surprise

With a dry name like “Moon Zero Two” (1969), I was expecting the worst. But you know what? It turned out to be a damned entertaining movie!

Groovier than “Barbarella” and less somber than “Journey to the Far Side of the Sun,” “Moon Zero Two” is a compelling adventure that pits Bill Kemp (“The Andromeda Strain”s James Olson) – an on-the-rocks, faded American hero, the first astronaut to land on Mars, now reduced to collecting space junk – against a nefarious millionaire, who presents him with an offer he can’t refuse.

Along for the ride is “Space: 1999”s Catherine Schell (here billed as Catherina von Schell), as Clementine Taplin, who also enlists Kemp for what he thinks will be a quick side-job. Their efforts to reach her brother’s claim on the far side of the moon prove to be a source of friction against Kemp’s previous arrangement.

Any movie that sports Pink Panther-esque opening credits animation and intergalactic go-go dancers (the Go-Jos!) can’t be all bad. With a whacked-out jazz score by Don Ellis of “The French Connection” and a title song sung by Julie Driscoll, this is one crazy Hammer film.

Marketed in the U.S. as a space western, there are also noir elements, but little of the grit desired by the writers. Personally, I think it would make a satisfying double feature with “Outland” (1981), Sean Connery’s “High Noon”-in-outer-space.

All in all, one of the less-deserving targets of “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” “Moon Zero Two” is wholly self-aware in providing an hour-and-forty-minutes of diverting entertainment.

Check it out here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEftsDL4Shc), and let us know what you think in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook. We’ll salvage what we can in our discussion on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, this Sunday evening at 7:00 EDT!

(PLEASE NOTE: Because of the upheaval of Hurricane Ida – and the resultant worn nerves – there will be no show tonight.)

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

September 3, 2021
Hulk & Moon Zero Two Discussion

Green with envy over missing last night’s discussion about “The Incredible Hulk?” Keep your shirt on! The show is archived at Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.

We’ll be back on Friday to talk about “Moon Zero Two” (1969), a British science fiction opus set in the year 2021! The film was slated for release three months after the Apollo 11 moon landing, so a couple of references to Neil Armstrong were hurriedly inserted during post production.

What did this visionary tale get right? Essentially, Catherine Schell.

We’ll be over the moon, I’m sure, when you join us in the comments section, as we all go Schell-hunting on the next “Roy’s Tie Dye Sci Fi Corner,” this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT.

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

August 30, 2021

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