Difference between revisions of "Space invaders from Hollywood"
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A few years ago, former Gemini and Apollo astronaut Jim McDivitt told me that the moon-race space program was important not because it led to the discovery of Teflon and Mylar but because it gave Americans something to fight for. After World War II, he said, we had a whole generation of Americans who needed to put their energies into something besides battle. A space race with the Russians proved to be the perfect, non-violent solution. What we really need now, he said, is a manned mission to Mars. | A few years ago, former Gemini and Apollo astronaut Jim McDivitt told me that the moon-race space program was important not because it led to the discovery of Teflon and Mylar but because it gave Americans something to fight for. After World War II, he said, we had a whole generation of Americans who needed to put their energies into something besides battle. A space race with the Russians proved to be the perfect, non-violent solution. What we really need now, he said, is a manned mission to Mars. | ||
| − | In the 1980s, when much of the Third World is rising in anger against the United States, there is a renewed need for peaceful combat. As in the '50s, relations with Russia are approaching Cold War status. Paranoia about the red menace in Nicaragua, the Mideast, Africa and even Europe is growing. Ever since Ayatollah Khomeini rubbed Uncle Sam's face in the dirt, there | + | In the 1980s, when much of the Third World is rising in anger against the United States, there is a renewed need for peaceful combat. As in the '50s, relations with Russia are approaching Cold War status. Paranoia about the red menace in Nicaragua, the Mideast, Africa and even Europe is growing. Ever since Ayatollah Khomeini rubbed Uncle Sam's face in the dirt, there has been a deep national need to reclaim the national honor. |
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| − | has been a deep national need to reclaim the national honor. | ||
Ronald Reagan tried to repair the wounds with Grenada. Perhaps many more Americans would choose another space race. | Ronald Reagan tried to repair the wounds with Grenada. Perhaps many more Americans would choose another space race. | ||
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The "Star Wars" camp is comprised of 12-year-olds, including those who were born in the '50s. | The "Star Wars" camp is comprised of 12-year-olds, including those who were born in the '50s. | ||
| − | For the sake of practicality, this article will concern itself with the | + | For the sake of practicality, this article will concern itself with the moderate-to-serious science-fiction fan, the average buff who isn't too proud to use the sci-fi label (but prefers the SF tag), who saw all three "Star Wars" films (but still complains about them) and who has a special place in his or her heart for the films of the '50s. |
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| − | moderate-to-serious science-fiction fan, the average buff who isn't too proud to use the sci-fi label (but prefers the SF tag), who saw all three "Star Wars" films (but still complains about them) and who has a special place in his or her heart for the films of the '50s. | ||
There's a pleasant irony to the fact that most fans of this most forward-thinking art form are hopelessly devoted to the past. At Hanley's Books, 1750 W. Jarvis, owner Florence Hanley can rattle off her list of best-selling authors: Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Frank Herbert. Talk about going back to the future! | There's a pleasant irony to the fact that most fans of this most forward-thinking art form are hopelessly devoted to the past. At Hanley's Books, 1750 W. Jarvis, owner Florence Hanley can rattle off her list of best-selling authors: Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Frank Herbert. Talk about going back to the future! | ||
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| − | Captions: | + | Captions: Patrick Troughton. ABOVE: Sigourney Weaver returns as Warrant Officer Ripley in "Aliens," the sequel to the 1979 sci-fi hit "Alien." RIGHT: Krites, creatures with lethal appetites, come to Earth for a little snack in "Critters," opening Friday. BELOW: For the remake of "The Fly," Jeff Goldblum takes on the David Hedison role as the scientist who mutates into an iridescent insect. Several sci-fi films have bombed at the box office, only to go into orbit high on the video charts: "Dune," the Frank Herbert classic starring rock star Sting (above left), and "Lifeforce," the interglactic tale of astronauts exploring an alien vessel hidden in Halley's comet. |
| − | Patrick Troughton. ABOVE: Sigourney Weaver returns as Warrant Officer Ripley in "Aliens," the sequel to the 1979 sci-fi hit "Alien." RIGHT: Krites, creatures with lethal appetites, come to Earth for a little snack in "Critters," opening Friday. BELOW: For the remake of "The Fly," Jeff Goldblum takes on the David Hedison role as the scientist who mutates into an iridescent insect. Several sci-fi films have bombed at the box office, only to go into orbit high on the video charts: "Dune," the | ||
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