that old B charm...

Dunners · August 04, 2003, 06:34:20 PM

anyoen else LOVE that old feeling on B movies from the 50's and forties? I just love the feeling the atmosphere of that era's monster flicks. The monsters are giant mutant rubber hell beasts, or stop motion playdough, or actors in unconvincing funny suits.

I dont know why but there is something thats just SO appealing about it. I've never understood why but its just so much fun to watch terror from the year 5000, I was a teenage werewolf, or even the unearthly.

its all so sweet, and yet I still havent grasped the answer yet. what do you guys think?

The Burgomaster · August 04, 2003, 07:04:25 PM

I agree. Give me a rainy Saturday afternoon and a few movies like THEM, BEGINNING OF THE END, and I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF, and I can stay entertained for hours.

Brother Ragnarok · August 05, 2003, 02:15:21 AM

They were doing what they could with what they had. Them's giant ants were genuinely scary back in the day. They were the equivalent of our giant computer-animated cartoon dinosaurs and space ships. Except they looked so much cooler because, even if they were goofy at times, they were real effects. A practical effect, no matter how bad, will always look better than the best CGI to me.

Brother R

Cullen · August 05, 2003, 02:54:14 AM

Brother Ragnarok wrote:

> They were doing what they could with what they had. Them's
> giant ants were genuinely scary back in the day. They were the
> equivalent of our giant computer-animated cartoon dinosaurs and
> space ships. Except they looked so much cooler because, even
> if they were goofy at times, they were real effects. A
> practical effect, no matter how bad, will always look better
> than the best CGI to me.

Them also had people who gave a damn about what they were making, that didn't feel like they were "above" what they were making (or if they did, didn't allow it to affect the film.) That helps a lot, too.

I like the "oldies", too. A part of me can still make that little leap and believe what I am seeing, no matter how cheap by today's standards, is the real deal. Especially with stop motion. Stop motion's cool as space. Not realistic, sometimes, but cool nonetheless.
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Flangepart · August 05, 2003, 12:22:52 PM

Dittos.
The classic B&W films still work, because of a mix of acting, story, and execution that trancend mere color.
My best : The Thing, Them, The monster that challange the world, Beast from 20.000 fathoms, 20 million miles to Earth, Attack of the crab monsters, Fiend without a face, The giant Behemouth, .....its a pretty good list, all in all.

Fearless Freep · August 05, 2003, 06:47:51 PM

Well, thanks to this thread, I picked up Them to watch with the kids this week. As they are big Godzilla fans, it should go over well. "Spaced Invaders" and "Batteries Not Included" have made appearances around here as well so...

Flangepart · August 06, 2003, 11:51:58 AM

I like "Spaced Invaders". The perfect blend of silly and weird. Good kids flick. My dvd has good sound....thank God! The Martians arguments and comments are the key to the comedy, here.
Mad-droid, and Blaznee the martian 's pilot are the best part.

Fearless Freep · August 06, 2003, 12:29:12 PM

I didn't snap to this at first but the martian's uniforms are all based on costumes from other movies. One is Marty McFly from "Back To The Future", another is a uniform from "Dune"..

I think my favorite exchange is toward the end....

"Did we win?"
"No, but if we think real fast we just might live long enough to lie about it"

Them went over very well with the kids last night

Scott · August 06, 2003, 12:59:00 PM

Here are some of my favorite atmospheric 50's films are:

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (classic)
Earth vs the Flying Saucers (a must see)
It Came from Outer Space (something about the cars, desert, and music)
13 Ghost (great ghost)
Tarantula (moster movie matinee)
Them (those L.A. tunnels)
Giant from the Unknown (still a great one)
The Blob (how bout that groovy music at the beginning)
I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (the alligator disposal)
The Screaming Skull (the skull rolling down the stairs)

Dunners · August 11, 2003, 12:51:17 AM

I think maybe it was all the restrictions that they ran into when trying to make these movies that inspired a lot of ( now silly)creativity.

its interesting what restrictions can do for a films creativity, the idea of shooting around something is kind of interesting.

I'll always love

Prince of space
tarantula
earth vs. the giant spider
terror from the year 5000
the sinister urge( shut up :P)
bride of the monster
the horror of party beach
attack of the giant leeches