I haven't seen either film, but Planet of the Vampires sounds like it might have been more of an influence on another O'Bannon-scripted movie, Lifeforce (a film I can't help liking, despite it being objectively terrible).
Fun newsletter edition, Alec! I love watching classic sci-fi pulp whenever I get a chance. I'm adding these 2 to my list. One of my favorite pastimes when I don't have the time, however, is admiring the amazing poster art.
Thanks, J.Q.! I love the posters for these too! Especially love the lines about insuring patrons against being scared to death. Real P.T. Barnum stuff. Hoping to do more of these.
Van Vogt was Canadian, and he was one of the country's most successful writers in the SF genre.
Very thorough coverage of the influences on Alien. I really love Voyage of the Space Beagle. We covered similar territory in our podcast:
https://unknownorbits.com/0021-black-destroyer-by-a-e-van-vogt/
Started listening this morning. Great so far! Thanks, Patrick!
I haven't seen either film, but Planet of the Vampires sounds like it might have been more of an influence on another O'Bannon-scripted movie, Lifeforce (a film I can't help liking, despite it being objectively terrible).
Never seen Lifeforce, but I know it’s a bit of a cult movie these days. That’s the Tobe Hooper one, right?
That's the one. Like I said, objectively awful, but entertainingly awful.
Fun newsletter edition, Alec! I love watching classic sci-fi pulp whenever I get a chance. I'm adding these 2 to my list. One of my favorite pastimes when I don't have the time, however, is admiring the amazing poster art.
Thanks, J.Q.! I love the posters for these too! Especially love the lines about insuring patrons against being scared to death. Real P.T. Barnum stuff. Hoping to do more of these.
Fantastic article, Alec! I'm big fan of (some) of the Alien franchise and I've learned a few things from this essay. Cheers!
Was unaware of these influences! Am now interested in seeking out the Mario Bava film.
Definitely think the Space Jockey was best left a mystery, at least given how Prometheus turned out.