tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post6543185016110398036..comments2024-03-16T10:03:59.180-07:00Comments on The Movie Projector: CMBA Guilty Pleasures Movie Blogathon: Flight to Mars (1951)R. D. Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-634616331032647992011-09-22T01:26:18.630-07:002011-09-22T01:26:18.630-07:00Haven't seen this and it probably wouldn't...Haven't seen this and it probably wouldn't be my kind of thing, to be honest, but I really enjoyed reading your review all the same, R.D. Great writing, as ever.Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-70932444849954951972011-09-21T16:38:21.587-07:002011-09-21T16:38:21.587-07:00I've never seen this one--these types of films...I've never seen this one--these types of films are not really my cup of tea, but your post, combined with the recent Monster Movie blogathon over at Forgotten Days of Yesteryear, are making me wonder what I've missed by actively avoiding such movies. This was such a wonderfully insightful post (as always!).Brandiehttp://trueclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-19298501375077713792011-09-20T16:36:08.290-07:002011-09-20T16:36:08.290-07:00The Martian political leaders are ordinary-looking...<i>The Martian political leaders are ordinary-looking middle-aged men and their garb may be strictly functional, but all the females on the planet appear to be in their twenties—slim, leggy, gorgeous, and dressed in tight, vaguely uniform-like outfits with outlandishly architectonic shoulder pads, super short mini-skirts, and shoes that resemble a cross between high heels and calf-height boots.</i><br /><br />Ray Bradbury is way off...Mars isn't Heaven, it's the Playboy Club.<br /><br />When Our Lady of Great Caftan mentioned that John Litel was in this (he doesn't play an alien lawyer, but you can't have everything) I marked it down as a must-see. The fact that Trevor Bardette, Stanley Blystone and Tris Coffin are present and accounted for in <b>Mars</b> just makes the cake icing sweeter.Ivan G Shreve Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04067177808320053382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-35075601821029226322011-09-20T15:30:56.746-07:002011-09-20T15:30:56.746-07:00Wonderful Post, brought back watching Tom Corbert ...Wonderful Post, brought back watching Tom Corbert Space Cadet on NBC. This film and Rocket Ship XM are early 50's favoritesPaul 2https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500682719536011343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-6162240122709059932011-09-20T13:43:24.904-07:002011-09-20T13:43:24.904-07:00David Thomson, in your beginning quote, has it rig...David Thomson, in your beginning quote, has it right on, that "real fans cherish bad movies, too" - I think, as you point out, it's the nostalgia factor and also the state of innocence in which these movies are made - they're not out to Make a Statement, but simply to provide entertainment and explore new and exciting subjects. It's fascinating that many B-level genres (Sci-Fi, Film Noir) are often the most adventurous and far-seeing in the stories they have to tell, as well as the most visually inventive. Most 50's science-fiction films were not the big-budget, big-star productions, but they were the ones already looking into the future. I haven't seen Flight to Mars, but it sounds like a lot of fun, and the costumes and decor in your photos look great. Thanks for your great post!Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-80483094924389337572011-09-20T00:59:47.076-07:002011-09-20T00:59:47.076-07:00R.D., I am a huge fan of these 50's sci-fi fli...R.D., I am a huge fan of these 50's sci-fi flicks. I too learned to love them as a kid. I dont' really remember this one, but boy did I love that picture of the astronauts in their bright color-coded suits - what a designing kudo!<br /><br />I know most of the guilty pleasures posts are funny, and yours has some great stuff, but my favorite piece of your writing is really a thoughtful one: "For the adult it is the equivalent of revisiting that innocent, pre-rational childhood state of mind in which anything that gives mental or emotional pleasure is accepted without thought, on that level of pure sensation in which the thing itself is its own justification." I've never seen this feeling put into words so well. Great post, R.D.ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-84974700619064740802011-09-19T23:01:30.457-07:002011-09-19T23:01:30.457-07:00Thank you to everyone who left a comment. I have t...Thank you to everyone who left a comment. I have to say that I am surprised at the level of response this post generated. When I first heard that the subject for this CMBA blogathon would be Guilty Pleasures, I wasn't sure about it. But in the end it did inspire me to do something different from what I normally do, and for movie bloggers those are good things--getting inspiration and doing something out of the ordinary. This was also a fun post for me, again something unusual for someone whose normal approach is a fairly serious one. I've read all the posts in the blogathon that have been published thus far and have enjoyed every single one of them. The unusual theme seems to have prompted others as well to take creative approaches, and this has paid off by increasing the enjoyment factor for readers.<br /><br />I'm also surprised that anyone else remembers "Rocky Jones." My brother told me he recently watched a couple of movies compiled from episodes of the show on Hulu, something I would never do myself. The important thing was the effect it had on me at the time, and I wouldn't want to disturb my memories of it. I guess I take my nostalgia seriously! <br /><br />Finally, I should repeat that my reaction to "Flight to Mars" is a strictly subjective one, and I don't want to oversell the picture. Unless you're a fan of this type of movie or like me have childhood memories of watching such films, I doubt that it would mean as much to you as it did to me.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-79037262462371884102011-09-19T18:59:10.287-07:002011-09-19T18:59:10.287-07:00Great piece. I really enjoyed your unique insight...Great piece. I really enjoyed your unique insights into the film and all that goes with the genre.Kevyn Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17840497589713234794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-52547146195394102692011-09-19T16:45:01.978-07:002011-09-19T16:45:01.978-07:00I wish I had written of my guilty pleasure pick th...I wish I had written of my guilty pleasure pick that "it's a movie-watching satisfaction that cannot be justified on aesthetic grounds." Alas, I am not so eloquent nor analytical...which one of the reasons why I seek out your reviews on THE MOVIE PROJECTOR. Jealously aside (oops, was trying to mask that), I had a grand time with your colorful review (and I don't just mean the space suits, though they are colorful). As Caftan Woman, the cast is certainly impressive. Arthur Franz did another entertaining sci fi film, MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS, in which secretions from a dead prehistoric creature turn him into a sorta caveman. But I digress...bottom line is FLIGHT TO MARS was a delightful review and a perfect pick for this blogathon.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-76308908947569064502011-09-19T16:33:11.459-07:002011-09-19T16:33:11.459-07:00Nicely done. I think many of our guilty pleasures ...Nicely done. I think many of our guilty pleasures are linked to films seen in childhood that we adored. I'm really intrigued by this film, particularly the fact you give it kudos for imagination over budget. I will have to seek this out.Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-40183579591744452772011-09-19T15:55:45.889-07:002011-09-19T15:55:45.889-07:00I think like a few of other girls here I'm not...I think like a few of other girls here I'm not a huge Sci-Fi fan either but I can appreciate campy fun and enjoy, laugh with everyone else at the hilarious special effects (laughed at your Ed Wood reference) Those costumes just themselves are hysterical. <br /><br />A beautifully written and interesting review that really does show your love for the film and why it's your choice for the Blogathon.<br />Well Done Space Cowboy,<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-11986895993953499222011-09-19T15:15:38.190-07:002011-09-19T15:15:38.190-07:00I'm not big on sci-fi films. But, I did want t...I'm not big on sci-fi films. But, I did want to come over and read your interesting, Flight to Mars, movie review.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-37698163199336216622011-09-19T14:17:12.561-07:002011-09-19T14:17:12.561-07:00Wonderful remembranhces of a time gone forever, bu...Wonderful remembranhces of a time gone forever, but as vivid as if it were yesterday. Your lead-in is priceless and your astute observations of how filmmakers of those kind of films stgaying within budget by using their imaginations is dead-on. I know FLIGHT TO MARS well, but I have my own guilty pleasures of the era which includes INVADERS FROM MARS, IT THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE, ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE, VOODOO ISLAND, DUNGEONS OF HORROR and I BURY THE LIVING,each of which would make for a separate post on this subject. I can also connect with your running home to watch television shows, as I remember much teh same with "Dark Shadows," and have a life-long affection for all the Star Treks, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and "Lost in Space" among the sci-fi entries.<br /><br />Anyway, this is (typically for you) an utterly engaging and fascinating essay.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-86109980231864054932011-09-19T13:58:32.975-07:002011-09-19T13:58:32.975-07:00R.D. - I really like your recap of your early yout...R.D. - I really like your recap of your early youth in front of the TV with Rocky Jones, Space Ranger and the realization you had about there really being actors behind the characters. I'm sure we all have moments like that in our lives. I love your line "The special effects of the rocket in flight are superior to those of an Ed Wood movie, but that's about the most that can be said of them." That is a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one(LOL). Have not seen this film buy many of them seem to have a similar set especially with only one woman on board. <br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-9468938793773905812011-09-19T13:01:36.744-07:002011-09-19T13:01:36.744-07:00I saw you were writing about this one and was very...I saw you were writing about this one and was very curious to read your views on this most curious and offbeat of 1950s science fiction films. <br /><br />About a quarter of the way into your essay, I soon realized I was thinking of "Red Planet Mars" with Peter Graves, which came out about the same time. <br /><br />So I'm afraid this one passed me by, but it sounds worth catching. I liked the stills of the mini-skirted women too. There's a flick called "Project Moon Base" from the early 1950s where the female astronauts are similarly attired. <br /><br />A really fun essay, R.D.Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-43486878370219105382011-09-19T12:50:23.093-07:002011-09-19T12:50:23.093-07:00I haven't seen "Flight to Mars" but ...I haven't seen "Flight to Mars" but I have seen "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" - ! I don't remember much about it, really, except that it was must-see for my brother and me in our earliest spellbound days in front of the TV set. That flickering box inspired so many flights of imagination, though I was less interested in leaving the planet than my brother.<br /><br />A most thoughtful and interesting post, R.D., and an excellent take on "guilty pleasures."The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-32203398049659635362011-09-19T12:03:03.633-07:002011-09-19T12:03:03.633-07:00I had to laugh when you described the Martians ult...I had to laugh when you described the Martians ultra modern furnishings and their inability to develop space travel: a society that can create Eames influenced dwellings doesn’t apply the same imagination to the heavens? The mini skirted outfits are hilarious; women got no respect in these sci-fi inspired carnivals, but that’s okay, it is all part of what makes these films so much fun. A film might be a guilty pleasure, but if it has the ability to transport us in memory to our childhood self, with little suspension of disbelief, this boarders on an art form. . .a wonder filled review on an obscure (for me) title.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-22442353179430266222011-09-19T09:25:44.322-07:002011-09-19T09:25:44.322-07:00Thoughtful piece about the fun we allow ourselves....Thoughtful piece about the fun we allow ourselves.<br /><br />Morris Ankum, John Litel AND Robert Barratt? Sounds like my kinda flick.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-75017762367851079412011-09-19T08:05:47.293-07:002011-09-19T08:05:47.293-07:00I've never seen this sci-fi adventure. I'...I've never seen this sci-fi adventure. I'm not big on these type of films. However, I have seen Metropolis and Forbidden Planet, so I got those references. LOL!!! Your commentary is precise and informative, so I really enjoyed reading your it. I have to say those colorful space suits made me think of Star Trek's uniform shirts, too. You are right about the SuperCineColor device--it fits this type of movie perfectly. Thanks for your contribution to the blogathon event.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.com