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tom-1575
Reviews
The Wizard of Mars (1965)
We're off to see the wizard...
By rating this film as "excellent", of course, I mean a perfect example of this classic sci-fi space genre. As a collector of these films (I have over 100), this is one that I use as an example of just how "so bad it's good" can get.
The dialog is so terribly limited, and the action is so utterly action-less, that it truly IS hypnotic.
The parallel with "The Wizard of Oz" is just too precious for words. Hey, they even "follow the yellow brick road". No mention of the famous (non-existent) Martian canals, but they do run into a "tin man" in the shape of an old space probe from Earth...probably the best scene in the movie.
John Carradine's role as the Wizard is more like a reprise of his role of The Preacher (Grapes of Wrath) with none of the good writing. He drones on for minutes on end, talking about how the Martians became so smart that they distanced themselves from the Fabric of Time; and suddenly you find that you have, in fact, lost all track of time too. Brilliant.
I'm sure that the film makers were trying to make a serious statement...what that might be, I have no clue. That's not even important. Films like this are not meant to be compared to the post-Star Wars reality of space movies; not meant to be analyzed in a contemporary light.
For me, in the world of sci-fi space films, this one takes at least a tie for first place. Personally, I like to watch this (and most of the other pre-Star Wars space films) in black & white. They seem to make more sense that way. The original color print seems to want me to take this more seriously than I am able to. But the b & w viewing takes me right back to a Saturday Movie Matinée, and I'm 10 years old again.
I find this film particularly delightful when viewed from this nostalgic POV. It's why I collect, and why I whole-heartedly recommend this film.
Flying Disc Man from Mars (1950)
One of the all-time great serials!
This one is absolutely "so bad, it's good". The characters are wooden, the dialog stiff, the plot contrived. All in all, it's one of the most entertaining films I have in my vast collection of classic sci-fi space movies. Sure, there isn't a whole lot of outer space in it, and few rockets...and way too many fist fights where nobody's hat falls off. But the leaps in logic, the never-ending stream of vehicles that the characters drive, the bad line deliveries...all worth the price you pay. On the truly plus side: it is beautifully photographed, and the editing is pretty tight. Personally, I can't wait till this one comes out in DVD. I consider this one better than the Commando Cody serials (1951, 1953), and I'm a big Cody fan. The only thing missing is Judd Holdren (Captain Video, Zombies from the Stratosphere, etc.). Delightful.