Classic Ross Amico

Tag: The Island of Dr. Moreau

Moreau Beast Makeup Outer Limits Preview

I had on my best Beast Folk make-up for last night’s exploration of the 1977 film “The Island of Dr. Moreau” – with side commentary on the 1932 and 1996 versions, H.G. Wells’ original novel, and the 1977 Marvel comics adaptation. That’s probably more Moreau than anyone needs to know.

Roy and I will resume this Friday, with a special Fakesgiving discussion of the justifiably-maligned “Star Wars Holiday Special” (1978).

Then on Sunday, Roy will be joined by special guests Dominic Stefano, son of Joseph – creator of the classic television series “The Outer Limits” – and David Rash, whose book, “From the Inner Mind to the Outer Limits… The Outer Limits Scripts of Joseph Stefano Volume One,” will be released in March, with preorders beginning in January.

Tune in and test your limits. Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner is livestreamed on Facebook every Friday and Sunday evening at 7:00 EST.

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

November 23, 2020
Dr Moreau Law & the Island of Lost Souls

WHAT is the law?

H.G. Wells’ “The Island of Dr. Moreau” strives for something more than South Seas gothic.

Translated for the screen most effectively in 1932 as “Island of Lost Souls” (which, by the way, Wells hated), the novel has never received a wholly faithful adaptation. The 1977 version, starring Burt Lancaster, Michael York, and Richard Basehart, hopes to skate by on some admittedly decent performances (especially once York begins to sprout hair) and John Chambers’ post-“Planet of the Apes” creature make-up.

Sure, the whole “Frankenstein” angle is intact, a warning against mad science for the sake of mad science, overweening brilliance courting madness and tragedy, the impetuous thirst for knowledge without long-term strategy or moral responsibility. But the story is also a political allegory, a nightmare commentary on colonialism, and a phantasmagoria of Darwinism, degeneration, and eugenics.

What does it mean to be human? Why do we need “law?” Are we indeed made in God’s image? What does it suggest when a creator lacks empathy?

I can’t guarantee that we’ll tackle all the big questions, but we will be tarrying in this inversion of paradise on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Join us for a vivacious vivisection of Dr. Moreau. We’ll be whipping you for your commentary, when we live-stream on Facebook, this Friday evening at 7:00 EST.

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

To the House of Pain!

November 12, 2020
Sean Connery A Life Beyond Bond and Moreau Preview

Here’s last night’s tribute to Sean Connery, in which we offer up such fascinating details as the fact that Connery’s ponytail in “Medicine Man” was a tribute to composer Jerry Goldsmith, and that before he broke into acting one of his occupations was “coffin polisher.” As a young man, he also punched out Lana Turner’s boyfriend, a hotheaded mobster who had exercised the bad judgment to pull a gun on him. From competing for the title of Mr. Universe to singing in the chorus of “South Pacific” to his Oscar-winning turn in “The Untouchables,” and beyond, Connery’s career is well-covered.

We’ll be taking a break on Sunday, but we’ll be back next Friday at 7:00 EST to tackle the 1977 version of H.G. Wells’ “The Island of Dr. Moreau.”

As may well be deduced from the thumbnail, I have developed a great deal of sympathy for the Beast Folk.

November 7, 2020

Tag Cloud

RECENT POSTS