Classic Sci-Fi B/W Movies!

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Ok, found this long lost English Classic, from the 50's.

I haven't seem this in AU, for, phew 13 to 15 years l guess, well l haven't seem most great movies for that long on this converted penal colony!




Stars Alek Guiness, (you know Star Wars) look forward to seeing this one soon.

Enjoy!


PS if you spot any more buried B/W classic Sci-fi or Fantasy movies post them here!

PPS l tried to find a YT one, but they only had some dumb subscription version, the one above is high quality, and should play when clicked!

  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    On late Friday nights, when I was a kid..they played these 1940s-50s B& W Sci Fi movies. I loved them all, even the horrible ones. Maybe it's the memories they evoke. Maybe because none are really scary.

    But I really like watching them, even now. Give me a 1950 atomic powered giant spider any day.
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    • Profile picture of the author Midnight Oil
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      On late Friday nights, when I was a kid..they played these 1940s-50s B& W Sci Fi movies. I loved them all, even the horrible ones. Maybe it's the memories they evoke. Maybe because none are really scary.
      I watched Shock Theater late Saturday nights as a kid in the early seventies. It came in from Chattanooga and was hosted by Dr. Shock and Dingbat. Lots of great, old sci-fi and horror movies.


      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      But I really like watching them, even now. Give me a 1950 atomic powered giant spider any day.
      Tarantula! was great fun, as was THEM!





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      • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        On late Friday nights, when I was a kid..they played these 1940s-50s B& W Sci Fi movies. I loved them all, even the horrible ones. Maybe it's the memories they evoke. Maybe because none are really scary.

        But I really like watching them, even now. Give me a 1950 atomic powered giant spider any day.
        Yes, we used to have classic movies as well on Friday! But they were mainly musical comedys, (fred Astaire, and Carry Grant got thrashed, but that was ok, although some musicals were a worry).

        Like the Posters Midnight Oil, pretty cute spider!

        It is probably because the had to rely on clever story telling, since you can't do much in B/W!

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    • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      On late Friday nights, when I was a kid..they played these 1940s-50s B& W Sci Fi movies. I loved them all, even the horrible ones. Maybe it's the memories they evoke. Maybe because none are really scary.

      But I really like watching them, even now. Give me a 1950 atomic powered giant spider any day.
      In my youth I used to watch reruns of The Bald and The Beautiful. Oh, wait....
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        They were and always will be may favorites.








        And way too many more to list here. These were defining cinema classics of my childhood. There wasn't a Saturday that didn't go by where I wasn't watching something on either Chiller Theater or Thriller.

        Great stuff no matter how bad the movie itself was.

        One of the few things I miss about being a kid.
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        • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          They were and always will be may favorites.

          The Giant Behemoth Trailer - YouTube

          Gorgo Trailer - YouTube

          Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) - Trailer - YouTube

          Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957) trailer - YouTube

          The Crawling Eye Trailer - YouTube

          Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers trailer - YouTube


          Invaders from Mars (1953) Trailer - YouTube


          And way too many more to list here. These were defining cinema classics of my childhood. There wasn't a Saturday that didn't go by where I wasn't watching something on either Chiller Theater or Thriller.

          Great stuff no matter how bad the movie itself was.

          One of the few things I miss about being a kid.
          Yes, l watched the 50 foot woman one, when l was a teenager, and lets just say l didn't get much sleep afterwards!

          Seen the flying saucer one, classic!

          Invaders from Mars, eh, must have some rabbits in it somewhere?

          Giant Behemoth, sounds interesting, and good for a laugh, no doubt?

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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Nearly all of the old Hammer Horror films were excellent too. And the originals of the classic monster movies are good enough, tat I'll record them and watch them...even though I've seen them dozens of times.


            When I was a kid, Friday night was monster movie night (for me and a few of my friends), we would watch Ghoulardi..and later Hoolihan and Big Chuck. They hosted the terrible monster movies that we loved.

            I'm guessing that every area of the country had their own versions of the host in monster makeup. Even William Shatner (when he was slumming) had one of those jobs.
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            • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
              Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

              Nearly all of the old Hammer Horror films were excellent too. And the originals of the classic monster movies are good enough, tat I'll record them and watch them...even though I've seen them dozens of times.


              When I was a kid, Friday night was monster movie night (for me and a few of my friends), we would watch Ghoulardi..and later Hoolihan and Big Chuck. They hosted the terrible monster movies that we loved.

              I'm guessing that every area of the country had their own versions of the host in monster makeup. Even William Shatner (when he was slumming) had one of those jobs.
              Around here it was Zach. Can't find any original footage from the 60s but did find this.

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              • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                The original The Day The Earth Stood Still with Michael Rennie may be my favorite.

                Other favorites of mine...

                20 Million Miles To Earth
                Earth VS The Flying Saucers

                Any Hammer film with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
                Invaders From Mars
                Doctor Cyclops
                The Tingler
                (and any Vincent Price movie)

                The Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman was probably every 13 year old boy's fantasy.
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                • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
                  Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                  The original The Day The Earth Stood Still with Michael Rennie may be my favorite.
                  I prefer the original as well.

                  The original version of War Of The Worlds is way better than the remake as well. It's still the only film I've ever had nightmares about. Why? I've no idea. The film itself didn't scare me, but it made me have bad dreams when I first saw it at about 9 years old.

                  Any Hammer film with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
                  I loved them as well.

                  (and any Vincent Price movie)
                  A couple of weeks ago I was surfing around on YouTube, and they have the full versions of some of his films on there. I watched both Dr Phibes movies, Theatre Of Blood, The House Of Usher and The Pit And The Pendulum. No links, but I'm sure you'll be able to find them for yourself.

                  The Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman was probably every 13 year old boy's fantasy.
                  I haven't seen that one, however while we're on the subject of male fantasies and horror movie hosts, here is the ultimate:

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                  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                    Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

                    I haven't seen that one, however while we're on the subject of male fantasies and horror movie hosts, here is the ultimate:

                    Yeah, I loved the original War Of The Worlds. The original The Time Machine is also one of my favorites.

                    I saw Plan Nine From Outer Space. possibly the worst movie ever made. But it had Vampira in it. A teenage boy's first fantasy. Yeah, Elvira is sexy too.

                    I loved watching Mystery Theater 3000, and their lampooning of old terrible science fiction movies. I still can't watch This Island Earth, without laughing because of the funny lines MST3000 inserted in the movie.


                    The Hoolihan & Big Chuck Show....And Ghoulardi.
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                    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
                      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                      Yeah, I loved the original War Of The Worlds. The original The Time Machine is also one of my favorites.

                      I saw Plan Nine From Outer Space. possibly the worst movie ever made. But it had Vampira in it. A teenage boy's first fantasy. Yeah, Elvira is sexy too.

                      I loved watching Mystery Theater 3000, and their lampooning of old terrible science fiction movies. I still can't watch This Island Earth, without laughing because of the funny lines MST3000 inserted in the movie.


                      The Hoolihan & Big Chuck Show....And Ghoulardi.
                      Ghoulardi - YouTube
                      Here is one of the main actors from the original time machine!

                      Sorry guys. you have to watch this in parts, but it is still watchable, has a great twist or ending as well!


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                      • Profile picture of the author Midnight Oil
                        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

                        Here is one of the main actors from the original time machine!
                        Rod Taylor for the win! Great in The Time Machine (along with a great cast). Also starred in Hitchcock's The Birds (with another great cast). Nice filmography.

                        Is three "greats" overkill?
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                  • Profile picture of the author Midnight Oil
                    Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

                    The original version of War Of The Worlds is way better than the remake as well.
                    Agreed. However I did catch Spielberg's again over the weekend. It has some strong points. Visuals, for example.

                    Really wish someone would do a film that is faithful to the novel. An accurate period piece.

                    Bonus points for Jeff Wayne's musical version.
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                    • Profile picture of the author Midnight Oil
                      This guy. My favorite of the Universal Monsters.


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            • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
              Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

              When I was a kid, Friday night was monster movie night (for me and a few of my friends), we would watch Ghoulardi
              Who begat the Ghoul, who, in turn, begat Son of Ghoul. I was too young for Ghoulardi (possibly not even born yet...I forget his years of terror), but I loved the Ghoul and Son of Ghoul. Anytime I see someone walk into a room and close a door in a movie, I half expect to hear a toilet flush.
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post


            Invaders from Mars, eh, must have some rabbits in it somewhere?


            Ha! I could just imagine you saying this...




            The Horror Show Host when I was growing up was Sir Graves Ghastly but he came on Saturday afternoons though.




            And the first sci-fi I ever saw. It was at the drive in with my parents. It's not black and white though.


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            • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
              Did anyone outside the UK get this TV series, broadcast by the BBC in 1953? It was the first SF production written specially for an adult TV audience.

              The Quatermass Experiment tells the story of the first manned space flight. When the craft returns to Earth, two of the three astronauts are missing, and it transpires that an alien presence had entered the ship during the flight.

              The series was a big influence on later shows, particularly Doctor Who.

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  • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
    We used to have 'The Outer Limits' and 'The Twilight Zone' on TV when I was younger, late on Saturday nights in black and white. I have a feeling my mum only used to let us stay up and watch them with her because she was too scared to watch them on her own
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Diana Lane View Post

      We used to have 'The Outer Limits' and 'The Twilight Zone' on TV when I was younger, late on Saturday nights in black and white. I have a feeling my mum only used to let us stay up and watch them with her because she was too scared to watch them on her own
      I didn't start watching The Outer Limits until I was maybe 10-12 years old. And thought they were fascinating science fiction.

      But to a little kid? I watched The Twilight Zone, and thought they were real. Surreal...nightmarish....brilliantly written.
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      • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        I didn't start watching The Outer Limits until I was maybe 10-12 years old. And thought they were fascinating science fiction.

        But to a little kid? I watched The Twilight Zone, and thought they were real. Surreal...nightmarish....brilliantly written.
        I think it was because I was too young to understand much of what was going on that it didn't really scare me (and I missed out on that brilliant writing too, because I didn't have what it took to appreciate it at the time). It just seemed like a lot of people running around screaming and being daft to me, with loads of men adopting really authoritative voices.

        The thing that actually scared me rigid as a kid was much more unlikely and on a lot earlier at about 6pm. Batman, specifically the bits where he and Robin would walk up walls while clinging onto ropes with their bodies at right-angles to the building. It makes me laugh to see how obviously artificial it is now, but to me as a kid it was unnatural to the point of horrific, and I'd just hide behind the sofa and scream the place down if I saw it.

        My mum refused to put it on after the first couple of times, but I'd refused to watch it by then anyway. Such is the terrifying power of men in tights
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        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by Diana Lane View Post

          I think it was because I was too young to understand much of what was going on that it didn't really scare me (and I missed out on that brilliant writing too, because I didn't have what it took to appreciate it at the time). It just seemed like a lot of people running around screaming and being daft to me, with loads of men adopting really authoritative voices.

          The thing that actually scared me rigid as a kid was much more unlikely and on a lot earlier at about 6pm. Batman, specifically the bits where he and Robin would walk up walls while clinging onto ropes with their bodies at right-angles to the building. It makes me laugh to see how obviously artificial it is now, but to me as a kid it was unnatural to the point of horrific, and I'd just hide behind the sofa and scream the place down if I saw it.

          My mum refused to put it on after the first couple of times, but I'd refused to watch it by then anyway. Such is the terrifying power of men in tights
          WOW, I guess it shows what difference sound and perspective can have! As for the tights? In the US, the idea of "men in tights" has NEVER been looked on as being very good, but superheroes always seemed to pull it off.

          Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Arslan Bhatti
    really cool stuff it is
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Midnight Oil View Post

      Agreed. However I did catch Spielberg's again over the weekend. It has some strong points. Visuals, for example.

      Really wish someone would do a film that is faithful to the novel. An accurate period piece.

      Bonus points for Jeff Wayne's musical version.
      Yes, someone did try to create a version faithful to the soundtrack story, but with high costs and backers pulling out, it is on ice at present!

      Well, best guess, there is no info, on it online.

      It would easily gross over a billion, so hopefully one day?

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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
    In our neck of the woods it was the perennial "Twilight Zone" vs "Outer Limits" battle.

    While I enjoyed Rod Serling's intro and TZ's stories, OL was just out there totally. To this day there has never really been anything like it. The stories were beyond surreal. The acting was incredible. And like TZ, some very big stars appeared on OL.

    But my favorite OL episode of all time, and one of my favorite episodes of any show ever, was the two part thriller "The Inheritors." If you weren't crying your eyes out by the end of if, there was something seriously wrong with you.

    Listen to the theme and imagine these poor sick, crippled and helpless children suddenly healed because of what had transpired over the previous 116 minutes. If you can find this episode on NetFlex, Blockbuster, wherever, get it. You won't be sorry. Steve Inhat and Robert Duvall were nothing short of brilliant.

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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Diana Lane View Post

      I think it was because I was too young to understand much of what was going on that it didn't really scare me (and I missed out on that brilliant writing too, because I didn't have what it took to appreciate it at the time). It just seemed like a lot of people running around screaming and being daft to me, with loads of men adopting really authoritative voices.

      The thing that actually scared me rigid as a kid was much more unlikely and on a lot earlier at about 6pm. Batman, specifically the bits where he and Robin would walk up walls while clinging onto ropes with their bodies at right-angles to the building. It makes me laugh to see how obviously artificial it is now, but to me as a kid it was unnatural to the point of horrific, and I'd just hide behind the sofa and scream the place down if I saw it.

      My mum refused to put it on after the first couple of times, but I'd refused to watch it by then anyway. Such is the terrifying power of men in tights
      Claude has that problem all the time, LOL!

      "Outer Limits", not sure Au, got that one,...is it as good as the B/W version of the Twilight Zone?

      Or worth trying to find online?

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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        Claude has that problem all the time, LOL!

        "Outer Limits", not sure Au, got that one,...is it as good as the B/W version of the Twilight Zone?

        Or worth trying to find online?

        OL is every bit as good as TZ. You can actually buy the complete series on DVD. As far as watching the individual episodes, I'm not sure where or if you can find them. Try Netflix or even YouTube.
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        • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          Try Netflix or even YouTube.
          We can't get Netflix down here. Well, not officially anyway.
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          • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
            Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

            OL is every bit as good as TZ. You can actually buy the complete series on DVD. As far as watching the individual episodes, I'm not sure where or if you can find them. Try Netflix or even YouTube.
            Must be quite a few, then, l will keep an eye out for them!


            Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

            We can't get Netflix down here. Well, not officially anyway.


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