Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner

Star Trek Menagerie 200th Episode Celebration

In space, no one can hear you scream. Oh, wait a minute. That’s August.

Following a month’s silence, during which Roy and I went our separate ways to pursue our personal passions, or at any rate family obligations, we’ll be back to direct our screams at one another for our 200th EPISODE. What better way to celebrate “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner” than with a spirited discussion of “Star Trek?”

The point of departure will be the classic two-part episode “The Menagerie” (1966). Our special guest will be Chris Hunter, son of “King of Kings” Jeffrey Hunter, who plays Captain Christopher Pike in the “flashback” sequences – actually scenes from the original series’ unaired pilot, ingeniously interpolated.

That’s right, this is the mind-reeling episode in which we watch the cast of “Star Trek” watching an episode of “Star Trek.” You have to admire Gene Roddenberry’s chutzpah. Actually, it’s said that the “gimmick” of reusing footage from “The Cage” was formulated so that the series could keep up with an accelerated production schedule.

But I don’t want to talk it out! Tune in tomorrow, when the floodgates will be opened.

For now, scream it from the rooftops! Join us in celebrating our first 200 YEARS! I mean 200 episodes. Our veins will be standing out on our heads like a couple of Talosians on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Flash once for “yes” and twice for “no” in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, YouTube, etc., this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

September 7, 2023
Pink Panther Strikes Again Apocalyptic Slapstick

Uproarious set-pieces? Check.

Apocalyptic slapstick? Check.

Outrageous disguises? Check.

Puerile schtick? Check.

Hoary punchlines? Check.

Inappropriate humor? Check.

Over-the-top accents? Mais oui!

Roy and I discuss the most flamboyant of the Inspector Clouseau films, “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” (1976). Former Chief Inspector Dreyfus goes to insane lengths to eliminate his bumbling nemesis, ramping up the violence and destruction and throwing the door open to the broadest of gags.

Some may regard the humor as dated, but it’s still funny as hell. If we’re not laughing, we’re crying or fighting. Personally, I’d rather laugh.

Here’s last night’s conversation on Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.

This Friday, Roy’s special guest will be filmmaker Jeffrey Morris, who’s now deep into his “Space: 1999” documentary focusing on the Eagle.

There may be one or two other interviews during the month of August, but in all likelihood Roy and I won’t reunite (on the show, anyway) until September for our jaw-dropping 200th episode.

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer!

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

July 31, 2023
Dr Goldfoot Bikini Machine A Goofy 60s Review

Lame (the gags) or lamé (the bathing suits)? I think you should be able to divine from the title whether or not this is the movie for you. Here, for you delectation, is Roy and my discussion about – and often around (there were certainly plenty of digressions) – “Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine” (1965). At the end, I share my annual “fan art” in celebration of Roy’s birthday, also now posted on the Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner Facebook page.

The show is barreling down on its 200th episode. However, the coming weekends will be busy ones. It’s possible Roy may conduct an interview or two in the meantime, but we might not reach that milestone until September. Watch this space for further developments!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

July 23, 2023
Dr Goldfoot Bikini Machine Review

Approached in the right frame of mind (half asleep in the air conditioning on a Sunday afternoon), I suppose it’s an agreeable enough diversion from the summer heat. Not that it’s anywhere near as good as “Goliath and the Vampires,” mind you. (Both films achieved their greatest success in Italy.) And I probably wouldn’t recommend it for anyone born in the 21st century. But as a time capsule of another era, “Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine” (1965) is a pretty good fit. Roy and I will be slathering on the suntan lotion for a heated discussion of this half-forgotten classic on the next “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.”

American International Pictures took elements from its two most lucrative cash cows – Frankie Avalon “Beach Party” movies and the Roger Corman Edgar Allan Poe cycle – added a dash of James Bond (without the dash), and whipped them into a frothy drive-in milkshake. At the cost of one million dollars, it was the most expensive A.I.P. film released up to that time. Vincent Price must have been looking for some extra cash to add another Rembrandt to his art collection.

The film was directed by Norman Taurog, very far away from his Academy Award, for “Skippy,” in 1931. By the 1950s and ‘60s, Taurog was churning out Jerry Lewis comedies and Elvis musicals. Art Clokey, of “Gumby” fame, designed the opening credits, and the title song is sung by the Supremes. Watch fast for cameos by “Beach Party” regulars Annette Funicello and Harvey Lembeck.

What could have made it better? If it were a musical, I guess. In a 1987 interview, Price lamented, “It could have been fun, but they cut all the music out.“

Nevertheless, Mike Myers must have loved it. It’s clearly one of the influences on the Austin Powers series. Yeah, baby!

We’ll be peering over our sunglasses and donning our curly-toed slippers for an examination of “Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine,” on next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Shimmy along in the comments section, when we livestream on Facebook, YouTube, etc., this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

The Vincent Price art collection… from Sears

The Vincent Price Museum

http://vincentpriceartmuseum.org/

“Vincent Price is an actor, no doubt about that…. But there can be and is doubt about whether he uses acting simply as a means of supporting his expensive habit – the habit of pursuing and collecting art treasures wherever he finds them.”

July 20, 2023
Indiana Jones Nostalgia Roy’s Sci-Fi Corner

No snakes were harmed in the making of last night’s episode of Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, which was essentially two children of the ‘80s reminiscing and sharing their observations about the Indiana Jones series. The emphasis of the discussion was on the first three films, and there were no spoilers about the latest installment, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” now in theaters. So if your concern is choosing wisely, you can guzzle from this grail with confidence! If nothing else, follow the link to see how dapper I look in a fedora and thrill to my amazing approximation of Raymond Scott’s “Powerhouse” (on which John Williams’ dad played the drums).

Speaking of dads, I’d like to direct your attention to a special belated Father’s Day edition of the show, as tomorrow night, Roy will be joined by his dad, Ron, and his son, Ryan, for an intergenerational discussion of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963). Okay, not a lot of science fiction in this one, but it’s a milestone in a genre of behemoth comedy that 16 years later spawned Steven Spielberg’s “1941.” It’s also the grandaddy of all scavenger hunt films, and the characters destroy as much stuff as the Blues Brothers.

It’s fun to see all these mid-century comedians do their thing, even if a lot of the gags have whiskers, alongside dozens of blink-and-you’ll-miss-them celebrity cameos. It’s what I call a good Sunday afternoon movie. So watch the film, and then tune in for commentary by three generations of mad, mad, mad, mad Bjellquists, on the next “Roy’s Tie Dye Sci Fi Corner,” this Sunday evening at 7:00 EDT!

July 1, 2023

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