Public Domain Drive-In: Quatermass Double Feature

Today, my father would have turned 60 years old. I wouldn't normally bring up that fact, but simply to relate the memory of how he described his father taking he and my aunt to see Forbidden Planet at the now torn-down Brighton Theater on Archer Avenue.

I say this because, had we lived in England, my father might have described how he and his family sat around the television and watched the adventures of Bernard Quatermass.

Much like Forbidden Planet influenced Star Trek, Quatermass had not only an effect on British Media, but also on Doctor Who, mostly in the late 1960s to 1980s. Stories such as The War Machines, The Invasion, Spearhead from Space, andThe Daemons "borrowed' images and concepts wholesale from the Quatermass serials. In fact, Quatermass could be seen as the "father" of Doctor Who - getting name-checked in Remembrance of the Daleks, influencing one of the early New Adventures, and even having a future Doctor guest-star in a 2005 revival of The Quatermass Experiment. And, of course, Torchwood (which will be the subject of this month's Comic Related TV Party column) pretty much updates the format for the 21st century - an "expert" on paranormal affairs leading a team to fight extraterrestrial menaces.

Unfortunately, due to the BBC's policy of destroying old shows - without necessarily checking for duplicates - we only have a two intact episodes of The Quatermass Experiment. (Most of the DVDs of this material - some painstakingly restored by the Restoration Team - are available in England). However, Quatermass 2 - which has been described as a British Invasion of the Body Snatchers - remains secure and intact. (And Quatermass and the Pit, in its tale of Martians influencing human development...well, the ideas proposed still chill to this day). If you are looking for groundbreaking television drama...well, both Quatermass serials show the limitations of 1950's live television. Nigel Kneale might be seen as a pioneer to some, but in many ways, his teleplays only reflect the outlook of postwar England. Look at it more like a British Twilight Zone or Outer Limits - staking out some unique territory and, in the process, laying the groundwork

And crackling good viewing.

(By the way, please hunt down Hammer's 1967 film version of Quatermass & the Pit, also known as Five Million Years to Earth. It's not public domain, but it's the closest we'll see to Doctor Who on the big screen)

Internet Archive - Quatermass II

Guba - Quatermass & the Pit

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & The Pit Part 6/Quatermass 2

First, happy Halloween!

As a special treat, not only am I showing the conclusion to Quatermass & the Pit, but you get - as a bonus - the prequel Quatermass 2 in its entirety. Enjoy!



 
Quatermass & the Pit, Part 6 - Internet Archive




 
Quatermass 2 - Internet Archive

Quatermass Monday - Quatermass & the Pit, Part 2

Just in time for Halloween...Quatermass & the Pit, Episode Two.






 
Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 2 - Internet Archive

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 1)

Yes, it's the day after New Year's Day, and you're looking for a way to kick-start the new year. Why not do it with some vintage British science fiction television?

For the next six weeks, I'll be presenting Quatermass 2, the "prequel" to Quatermass and the Pit (which was shown this past Halloween). Think of it as my way of providing cheap, free entertainment to the masses. 

Enjoy!

Go, Watch. Now - QUATERMASS & THE PIT (Movie Version)

Remember, back in the day, when I challenged all of you to seek out the Hammer Films version of Quatermass & The Pit?

Well, I found it via YouTube. Watch before it's pulled.


P.S. Click this link for more Quatermass shenanigans on the blog.

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & the Pit, Part 4

 
Quatermass & the Pit, Part 4 - Internet Archive

A Special Quatermass Monday Birthday Wish for Chuck Moore

As always, I am greatly indebted to pal Chuck at Comic Related - thanks to his willingness to take me on as a columnist and podcaster, I'm finding myself slowly (but surely) engaging an industry in a field that I dearly love.

It's also an opportunity to repeat something I did for him - and you - two years ago.

Since the first time I posted episodes of Quatermass & the Pit as a Halloween-themed countdown, the provider that allowed me to embed the videos either went out of business...or deleted the videos. Since they're now up on the Internet Archive for your viewing (and downloading) pleasure, here's a repeat performance.

And if you're good, maybe on Halloween....you'll get an extra treat.




Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 1 - Internet Archive

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & the Pit, Part 3

Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 3 - Internet Archive

Watch THIS, Pal: Quatermass & The Pit, Episode One

First, very special birthday wishes to pal Chuck, and in celebration of that (and Halloween), a kinda sorta brand new blog feature.

Last year, I had attempted to create the "Public Domain Drive-In", and use works that are in the public domain. Much of it was put off due to time...but I wanted to create a way to help encourage people to use this material.

Fortunately, I had a thought - since pal Chuck is a big fan of British science fiction television (most notably Torchwood), and although I had blogged about it previously, just in time for Halloween, over the next six weeks, we're going to feature an episode of the classic Quatermass & the Pit, which has influenced not one, but two episodes of Doctor Who.

(And if you wish, please feel free to use this as an opportunity to blog/podcast/create more online fun)

So just sit back, relax, and enjoy part one of....Quatermass & the Pit.

(EDIT - Minor coding glitch in embedded video. Now fixed - enjoy!)

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & the Pit, Part 5

Hope you've been following....and after this week's episode, join us next week for the conclusion...and a very special Halloween treat.




Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 5 - Internet Archive

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 5)

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 4)

Watch THIS, Pal: Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 6

And now, in celebration of Halloween, here's the sixth - and final - episode of Quatermass & the Pit.

Happy Halloween!

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 6)

Yes, friends, this is the final episode - enjoy!

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 2)

Your Bad Fan Fiction Nightmare Fuel

Someone, somewhere is writing fan fiction about the time Professor Quatermass, the Master, and one of the Two Ronnies all went drinking to fight alien invaders:

(Screencap of Quatermass 2 via the Internet Archive; yes, that is Roger Delgado, and no, that isn't Ronnie Corbett)

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 3)

Hard Hitting DVD Reviews

Enough with the Marvel-style angst: you want reviews, you got 'em!!!!

(But first, be sure to check out Greg's contests. We'll still be here, and you can get free schwag).

The Young Ones: Every Stoopid Episode: the Generation X version of Monty Python, with enough anarchic British humor to keep you going (even if only 12 episodes worth). Also, check out disc 3 with the premiere episode of Bottom, where Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson have plenty of fun with pheromones!

Bamboozled: Dear Spike Lee - Yes, this is supposed to be a satire (however ripped off it is from better movies), but the main rule of satire is for the characters to have some redeeming value. (Tommy Davidson and Paul Mooney come close...and there is Savion Glover's tap dancing). However, this is an ugly, pretenious movie, with one-dimensional characters, a lack of irony, and Damon Wayans doing the worst William Shatner impersonation on the planet. (Plus, Hollywood Shuffle handed the same thematic material in a much stronger way). I want those two hours of my life back, dammit!

The Specials - if you're looking for special effects driven superhero fights, this isn't the movie. If you want a clever character study of dysfunctional superheroes, this is your movie. Written by James Gunn (Lollilove, Scooby Doo, Tromeo & Juliet), this is an understated movie. It's worth renting, and you'll dig it.

L.A. Confidential - The great thing about this movie is that, even though it's a Hollywood version of Ellroy's book, his hard-hitting style of writing still shows through. Noir at its best. If you don't like this movie, there is something seriously wrong with you.

Quatermass - The Thinking Man's Doctor Who. It's an end-of-the-world scenario first presented in the 70s (and seems somewhat dated). However, it's a clever bit of writing, and has Simon "Manimal" MacCorkindale. Take that, Sci Fi Daily!

(Just a side note - I think the first three Quatermass stories should be remade. With all the advances in science, this is a concept just waiting to become a new franchise. Please feel free to snark away in the comments if you do not agree).

Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive: Although cutting edge when made, this story (sadly) doesn't hold up well. Storywise, it is clever, but as the behind-the-scenes featurettes point out, the change of tone was not welcome by all. However, it does reveal something that a lot of 80s Who Fans suspected all along - JNT didn't care about telling a good yarn. Nevertheless, pretty decent - less City of Death than, say, The Sunmakers.

The Great Rock & Roll Swindle: Or, "How Much of a Talentless, Credit-Grabbing Wanker Malcolm McLaren is." Director Julian Temple later redeemed himself with The Filth & the Fury, and that's the DVD to rent, friends. Avoid Swindle like the plague.

Grace of My Heart - Thanks to Fred Hembeck, I saw this movie again. First time, I thought it was just a roman a clef of Carole King's life. The second time, I saw it for what it is: a well crafted love letter to Brill Building pop. A hidden masterpiece.

Watch THIS, Pal: Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 2

Here's last week's episode

Making (or Re-Making) History

It was the best birthday present I had purchased for myself...which is ironic, because the idea for this episode came to the producers arrived almost simultaneously with my arrival on this planet.

Imagine, if you will, a children's show that is in dire need of change, and is in danger of cancellation. Actors, production staff, are all rushed, and are literally stuck in a studio for the majority of the time. In addition, years afterward, two of the episodes are junked, and the remainder of the episodes are in poor quality.

It's amazing that The Invasion is being released on DVD - part of it is that it was a "pilot" for changes in Doctor Who (which came to fruition beginning with Spearhead from Space. Pulling from its Nigel Kneale/Quartermass roots, The Invasion is not so much an "instant classic" as much as "a pretty good Doctor Who" story.

Initially, I had owned the VHS version of this story - with Nicholas Courtney provided some swift links between episodes. However, having the two "missing" episodes animated - and the remaining ones with their soundtracks cleaned up and using VidFire to fix the picture - improves the story incredibly. However...at eight episodes, it is a bit too long. Think of it as two four parters - one focusing on who are the invaders (ultimately, it's the Second Doctor's most consistent enemy the Cybermen), and the other four about the actual nature of the invasion - and it works. However, some trimming and tightening of the plot would have resulted in a taut six parter, rather than a slightly padded eight parter. It could have been a easy contrast (the free-for-all swinging 60's London vs. a more technological, rigid Cyberfuture), but the pacing leaves something to be desired.

The performances are relatively solid, and help move the story forward. Kevin Stoney's performance as Tobias Vaughn - the human "ally" of the Cyberman - hits all the right tones, just barely reaching the top (rather than going over it). The Wendy Padbury/Sally Faulkner roles - not just as simple female companions, but as instigators and major role players - kind of foreshadows some of the more assertive/smarter companions (take that, Barry Letts!). Plus, having the cooperation of local armed units, and a smart yet economical directing style from Douglas Camfield, help to solidify the story.

When this DVD was announced, the "Age of Steel/Rise of the Cybermen" two-parter was being shown on the recent revival of Who. What made the recent story so flat was a lack of the very thing that "The Invasion" has - a sense of presence, and a sense of reality. Perhaps it is here when the "magic of Who" began, and the "magical things happening just outside your window" aspect began to emerge. Plus, having something happen in the "real world" gives it more menace - "Age/Rise" gave us a parallel world, with characters that were a little less than well drawn.

Ok, the real question - how do the animated episodes compare, and should the BBC animate further "missing episodes". The animated episodes (done in Flash) are simply OK - a lot of work went into them, and short of using CGI, help provide a great compliment to the remaining episodes. (Plus, there are two Easter Eggs/revisions in the first episode). In terms of "missing" episodes - should there be a complete "Dalek Master Plan?" "The Reign of Terror" Or filling in part four of "The Tenth Planet"?

At the risk of starting controversy...no. "The Invasion" benefits because only two episodes were missing, and even the two animated episodes stick out slightly. Restoring and animating other or full stories would be tricky, and reviewing the Doctor Who - Lost in Time Collection compilation, perhaps some stories ("Underwater Menace", anyone? Or even "Space Pirates"?) are best left lost.

Still, though, the restored "Invasion" is not an instant classic...but it is a pretty decent tale, well told.

And in the end, isn't that what Doctor Who is all about?

Postscript - a recent live revival of The Quatermass Experiment featured this slight in-joke/tribute. Enjoy.