favorite Mars movie

[Eric Chomko]

I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?

Also, there was a Mars movie that had a bunch of no name actors in it
that, while hokey, it was interesting in parts. I just can't remember
its name. I recall one bearded guy that was sort of a pain in the ass
and he ends up with all the girls which I found enviable but seemingly
unlikey in his case. :)

Also did James Cameron ever make his Mars mini-series? If so, where is
it? Google was no help...

Eric

[David Spain]

I'm all over this one.

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?

Robinson Crusoe On Mars

http://imdb.com/title/tt0058530/

Campy, not plausible and yet fun. Smatterings of science that actually
make some sense within confines of the movie plot. Maybe I vote for this
one cause it was among the first. The ones you mention above differ from
this one primarily only in special effects.

Then there's Aaarnold's:

Total Recall

http://imdb.com/title/tt0100802/

Not bad either...

Post by Eric Chomko
Also, there was a Mars movie that had a bunch of no name actors in it
that, while hokey, it was interesting in parts. I just can't remember
its name. I recall one bearded guy that was sort of a pain in the ass
and he ends up with all the girls which I found enviable but seemingly
unlikey in his case. :)

That'd be "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" ?

http://imdb.com/title/tt0058548/

Pia Zadora fans out there? I think this was her movie debut...

Dave

[Pat Flannery]

Post by David Spain
Robinson Crusoe On Mars

CPFM! Cute, Personality-Filled Monkey movie!
http://membres.lycos.fr/marsetsf/rc2.html
I've got a scratchbuilt model of the Mars Gravity Probe 1 (Eleanor M.)
hanging off the ceiling about eight feet from me as I type this.

Pat

[Jonathan]

Post by David Spain
I'm all over this one.

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?

Robinson Crusoe On Mars
http://imdb.com/title/tt0058530/

Crusoe On Mars I think was one of the first sci-fi movies
I watched as a kid, and it hooked me.
It gets my vote too.

[John]

Post by Jonathan
Crusoe On Mars I think was one of the first sci-fi movies
I watched as a kid, and it hooked me.
It gets my vote too.

I agree , , , its one of the first ones that I remember watching on
Saturday afternoon "Shock Theater." And any movie . .any movie at all
with a Gemini spacecraft, even so badly miscast, cannot be that bad
*S*

Take care all

John

[D***@gmail.com]

Post by John

Post by Jonathan
Crusoe On Mars I think was one of the first sci-fi movies
I watched as a kid, and it hooked me.
It gets my vote too.

I agree , , , its one of the first ones that I remember watching on
Saturday afternoon "Shock Theater." And any movie . .any movie at all
with a Gemini spacecraft, even so badly miscast, cannot be that bad
*S*
Take care all
John

Crusoe on Mars here also. It came out in the late Mercury early
Gemini period, and the technolgy, (that recorder, radar set he carried
with him was very cool) in the move kind of played into that. By the
way this is another movie I cannot get a DVD availability on, anybody
have any leads?..............Doc

[Vincent D. DeSimone]

Post by D***@gmail.com

Post by John

Post by Jonathan
Crusoe On Mars I think was one of the first sci-fi movies
I watched as a kid, and it hooked me.
It gets my vote too.

I agree , , , its one of the first ones that I remember watching on
Saturday afternoon "Shock Theater." And any movie . .any movie at all
with a Gemini spacecraft, even so badly miscast, cannot be that bad
*S*

Crusoe on Mars here also. It came out in the late Mercury early
Gemini period, and the technolgy, (that recorder, radar set he carried
with him was very cool) in the move kind of played into that. By the
way this is another movie I cannot get a DVD availability on, anybody
have any leads?..............Doc

All this, and Batman, too! Oops, I mean Catman (Fairy Odd Grandparents)...
Err, Adam West! That's it!

[Mike Combs]

Post by Vincent D. DeSimone
All this, and Batman, too! Oops, I mean Catman (Fairy Odd
Grandparents)...
Err, Adam West! That's it!

Catman if "Fairly Odd Parents" is your guide, Adam West if "Family Guy" is
your guide.

"Reality" is not listed, because who needs that stuff?

[Pat Flannery]

Post by D***@gmail.com
Crusoe on Mars here also. It came out in the late Mercury early
Gemini period, and the technolgy, (that recorder, radar set he carried
with him was very cool) in the move kind of played into that. By the
way this is another movie I cannot get a DVD availability on, anybody
have any leads?..............Doc

Most are in alphabetical order:
http://www.scifistation.com/shop/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=mmc.html&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!
Look what else they have:
Loading Image...
That movie was the inspiration for the Venusian Firewomen.


Pat

[D***@gmail.com]

Post by D***@gmail.com
Crusoe on Mars here also. It came out in the late Mercury early
Gemini period, and the technolgy, (that recorder, radar set he carried
with him was very cool) in the move kind of played into that. By the
way this is another movie I cannot get a DVD availability on, anybody
have any leads?..............Doc

Most are in alphabetical order:http://www.scifistation.com/shop/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=m...
Look what else they have:http://www.scifistation.com/images/mars/fire_maidens.gif
That movie was the inspiration for the Venusian Firewomen.
Pat

I've really struck out lately on my web searches, thanks again. I
ordered the Mysterians from Amazon and I succumbed and also ordered
Kronos along with it, should be here by next week! (also got to order
the original "The Thing", that was one tough one to watch on Saturday
morn). This site is great, now another to buy. Actually, been
looking a long time for it as well. You mean Firewomen have
precursors?, be damned you say, this is blaphemous.................Doc

[Pat Flannery]

Post by D***@gmail.com
You mean Firewomen have
precursors?, be damned you say, this is blaphemous

I saw that movie around 2 AM one dark and stormy night, and it was
every bit as good as you would think it would be. :-D
Their other natural predecessor is Zsa-Zsa Gabor, in "Queen Of Outer
Space", which is set on Venus:
http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue300/classic.html

Pat

[David Spain]

Post by Pat Flannery
http://www.scifistation.com/shop/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=mmc.html&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!
Pat

Pat what a great link thanks!

I *finally* can get my *own* copy of the Curt Siodmak classic
"The Magnetic Monster"!!!

"Now that's dia-magnetism if I ever saw it!"

SciFiStation.com is a P.O. Box in Santa Fe NM.
Hmmm, interesting co-incidence that...

:-0

Dave

[Pat Flannery]

Post by John
I agree , , , its one of the first ones that I remember watching on
Saturday afternoon "Shock Theater." And any movie . .any movie at all
with a Gemini spacecraft, even so badly miscast, cannot be that bad

It's like a Gemini, but it isn't a stock Gemini. The exterior isn't
corrugated for starters.
A nice touch were the burn marks around the hatch left by the explosive
bolts firing:
Loading Image...

Pat

[David Spain]

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?

The presumption here was by Mars movie you meant a movie on Mars.

Otherwise I'd have to go with the 1953 George Pal production of
H.G. Wells "War Of The Worlds".

http://imdb.com/title/tt0046534/

At the beginning of this movie there is some great artwork by
the late great Chesley Bonestell. One of which depicts a great martian
city with nearby canal. Which brings up a favorite recollection.

Back in ancient times (when I was a college student) our student union
would do $1 movie night on Friday nights. One night happened to be
this movie. These movie nights were the live precursor to MST{2,3}K.
Comments from the audience were not unknown.

Having arrived at the movie in a somewhat *altered* state of mind, when
this scene appeared I was "forced" to blurt out:

"This is the city, Los Angeles California. There are a million stories
in this city. Mine is one of them. I wear a badge."

Dave

[David Spain]

Post by David Spain
The presumption here was by Mars movie you meant a movie on Mars.
Otherwise I'd have to go with the 1953 George Pal production of
H.G. Wells "War Of The Worlds".
http://imdb.com/title/tt0046534/

Point of trivia here, Byron Haskin directed *both* the 1953 version
of War of The Worlds and Robinson Crusoe on Mars.

Dave

[Pat Flannery]

Post by David Spain
Point of trivia here, Byron Haskin directed *both* the 1953 version
of War of The Worlds and Robinson Crusoe on Mars.

Look familier?: Loading Image...
Loading Image...
They really do have those things up there. :-)


Pat

[David Spain]

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by David Spain
Point of trivia here, Byron Haskin directed *both* the 1953 version
of War of The Worlds and Robinson Crusoe on Mars.

Look familier?: http://membres.lycos.fr/marsetsf/rc2/snap01436.jpg
http://membres.lycos.fr/marsetsf/rc2/snap01416.jpg
They really do have those things up there. :-)
Pat

The whole War of the Worlds thing was a big misunderstanding.

Waving a white flag is the universal signal on Mars that one's
heat has gone out, please help!

Dave

[Eric Chomko]

Post by David Spain

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?

The presumption here was by Mars movie you meant a movie on Mars.

Yes, for the most part.

Post by David Spain
Otherwise I'd have to go with the 1953 George Pal production of
H.G. Wells "War Of The Worlds".
http://imdb.com/title/tt0046534/
At the beginning of this movie there is some great artwork by
the late great Chesley Bonestell. One of which depicts a great martian
city with nearby canal. Which brings up a favorite recollection.
Back in ancient times (when I was a college student) our student union
would do $1 movie night on Friday nights. One night happened to be
this movie. These movie nights were the live precursor to MST{2,3}K.
Comments from the audience were not unknown.
Having arrived at the movie in a somewhat *altered* state of mind, when
"This is the city, Los Angeles California. There are a million stories
in this city. Mine is one of them. I wear a badge."

C'mon, you forgot to add that the whole audience broke up being in
that same altered state of mind.

Eric

Post by David Spain
Dave

[Joe Strout]

Post by Eric Chomko
Also did James Cameron ever make his Mars mini-series? If so, where is
it? Google was no help...

It was originally supposed to air in 2001, but I don't believe it was
ever completed. Note this interview from 2004, where he says, "I've
done a tremendous amount of personal research for a novel, a miniseries,
and a 3-D film." <http://www.astrobio.net/news/article813.html>

[Reed]

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?
Also, there was a Mars movie that had a bunch of no name actors in it
that, while hokey, it was interesting in parts. I just can't remember
its name. I recall one bearded guy that was sort of a pain in the ass
and he ends up with all the girls which I found enviable but seemingly
unlikey in his case. :)
Also did James Cameron ever make his Mars mini-series? If so, where is
it? Google was no help...
Eric

"Robinson Crusoe on Mars" is my favorite -- although it was a bit hokey,
the evil aliens, escape through the Martian underground, and some
excellent matte work make it a fun movie to watch.

"The Angry Red Planet" has its moments (the giant rat-spider was great
nightmare fuel), but the dialog is hopelessly dated ("You know, I can't
say that I recommend spacesuits for beautiful young dolls.").

[Mike Combs]

Post by Reed
"Robinson Crusoe on Mars" is my favorite -- although it was a bit hokey,

I found it interesting that this movie seemed to accurately depict the color
of the sky on Mars. I could be mistaken, but I think space artist at that
time were still painting Marscapes with deep blue skies.

It also depicted the brightness of the sky as falling off rapidly away from
the horizon. Which I'm sure if these Mars rovers spent more of their time
craning their cameras up at the sky rather than the surrounding landscape
we'd see is spot-on as well.

[Pat Flannery]

Post by Mike Combs
I found it interesting that this movie seemed to accurately depict the color
of the sky on Mars. I could be mistaken, but I think space artist at that
time were still painting Marscapes with deep blue skies.
It also depicted the brightness of the sky as falling off rapidly away from
the horizon. Which I'm sure if these Mars rovers spent more of their time
craning their cameras up at the sky rather than the surrounding landscape
we'd see is spot-on as well.

Landscape was filmed in Death Valley; doing the sky was very difficult
as it had to be Rotoscoped in on every individual frame of the film
where it showed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotoscope

Pat

[John M. Darnielle]

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?
Also, there was a Mars movie that had a bunch of no name actors in it
that, while hokey, it was interesting in parts. I just can't remember
its name. I recall one bearded guy that was sort of a pain in the ass
and he ends up with all the girls which I found enviable but seemingly
unlikey in his case. :)
Also did James Cameron ever make his Mars mini-series? If so, where is
it? Google was no help...
Eric

I'll also vote for Robinson Crusoe on Mars. I'm 47, and 40 years ago or so,
it must have been on TV all the time for it to have sparked so many
responses in this thread.

John D.

[Steven L.]

Post by Eric Chomko
I'm curious what Mars movie people like best. Most are pretty bad. I
mean "Mission to Mars" with Gary Sinese and Tim Robbins (great in
Shawshank Redemption) was sort of silly with the "Face on Mars" being
real. "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss was slightly
better, but roaches on Mars? Anyway, what is your favorite Mars movie
and why?

"Conquest of Space" (1955). Way ahead of its time, with an orbiting
space station being used to assemble the Mars ship with materials
shuttled up from Earth, based on actual designs by Wernher Von Braun. I
liked the scene where the crew on the space station spot a hurricane on
Earth that's approaching land and they broadcast a warning in time to
save many lives--anticipating the use of weather satellites today.

[Pat Flannery]

Post by Steven L.
"Conquest of Space" (1955). Way ahead of its time, with an orbiting
space station being used to assemble the Mars ship with materials
shuttled up from Earth, based on actual designs by Wernher Von Braun.
I liked the scene where the crew on the space station spot a hurricane
on Earth that's approaching land and they broadcast a warning in time
to save many lives--anticipating the use of weather satellites today.

I like the Blond Floozy...but but needs a monkey.

Pat

[Rand Simberg]

On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:47:09 -0600, in a place far, far away, Pat

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by Steven L.
"Conquest of Space" (1955). Way ahead of its time, with an orbiting
space station being used to assemble the Mars ship with materials
shuttled up from Earth, based on actual designs by Wernher Von Braun.
I liked the scene where the crew on the space station spot a hurricane
on Earth that's approaching land and they broadcast a warning in time
to save many lives--anticipating the use of weather satellites today.

I like the Blond Floozy...but but needs a monkey.

Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?

Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

[Greg D. Moore (Strider)]

Post by Rand Simberg
On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:47:09 -0600, in a place far, far away, Pat

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by Steven L.
"Conquest of Space" (1955). Way ahead of its time, with an orbiting
space station being used to assemble the Mars ship with materials
shuttled up from Earth, based on actual designs by Wernher Von Braun.
I liked the scene where the crew on the space station spot a hurricane
on Earth that's approaching land and they broadcast a warning in time
to save many lives--anticipating the use of weather satellites today.

I like the Blond Floozy...but but needs a monkey.

Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?
Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

Those just need more cowbell!

[Pat Flannery]

Post by Rand Simberg
Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?
Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

I think you'd be a lot less ill-tempered if *you* had a monkey; maybe
you already do:
Loading Image... ;-)

Pat

[Rand Simberg]

On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:06:58 -0600, in a place far, far away, Pat

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by Rand Simberg
Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?
Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

I think you'd be a lot less ill-tempered if *you* had a monkey; maybe
http://mavi888.wordpress.com/files/2006/10/bush-monkey.jpg ;-)

Well, it certainly looks personality filled.

Anyway, I'm *not* ill tempered. I'm actually a pretty happy guy. I
just don't suffer fools gladly.

[Eric Chomko]

Post by Rand Simberg
On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:06:58 -0600, in a place far, far away, Pat

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by Rand Simberg
Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?
Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

I think you'd be a lot less ill-tempered if *you* had a monkey; maybe
http://mavi888.wordpress.com/files/2006/10/bush-monkey.jpg ;-)

Well, it certainly looks personality filled.
Anyway, I'm *not* ill tempered. I'm actually a pretty happy guy. I
just don't suffer fools gladly.

Which for all practical purposes is a self-contradiction, you being a
fool yourself and all.

Eric

[Rusty]

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by Rand Simberg
Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?
Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

I think you'd be a lot less ill-tempered if *you* had a monkey; maybe
you already do:http://mavi888.wordpress.com/files/2006/10/bush-monkey.jpg ;-)
Pat

That looks like a bush monkey, but they don't have monkeys in
Australia.

Rusty

[David Spain]

Post by Rusty

Post by Rusty
That looks like a bush monkey, but they don't have monkeys in

Australia.
Rusty

And Bush isn't in Australia either. But this monkey definitely
looks like he's carrying the "decider-er" burden to me....

;-)

Dave

[Eric Chomko]

Post by David Spain

Post by Rusty

Post by Rusty
That looks like a bush monkey, but they don't have monkeys in

Australia.
Rusty

And Bush isn't in Australia either. But this monkey definitely
looks like he's carrying the "decider-er" burden to me....
;-)

And he's has lots to decide on. I mean we have the domestic and
foreign policy issues, like the problems in the Justice Dept and the
judge firings in which Gonzales is either a liar, or incompetent, or
both. The Valeria Plame thing in which she finally speaks and sort of
puts the whole thing on Cheney's lap. The Walter Reed Army Hospital
debacle, the war in Iraq which continues to stagnate.

Is there anything going right for this administration? C'mon all you
Bush apologists, surely you haven't given up yet? I want to hear about
the George W. Bush legacy being shaped.

Eric

Post by David Spain
Dave

[Eric Chomko]

Post by Rusty

Post by Pat Flannery

Post by Rand Simberg
Is there anything that you *don't* think needs a monkey?
Other than things that already have monkeys, that is...

I think you'd be a lot less ill-tempered if *you* had a monkey; maybe
you already do:http://mavi888.wordpress.com/files/2006/10/bush-monkey.jpg ;-)
Pat

That looks like a bush monkey, but they don't have monkeys in
Australia.

That's because he's in Latin America,

Eric

Post by Rusty
Rusty