If you get the chance, catch the documentary "Memory," which goes into heavy detail on the writing process behind "Alien." O'Bannon admitted that "Queen of Blood" was another influence, as well as sharing that he proudly stole ideas from everywhere. (I've become firmly convinced that "Alien" would have been a forgotten flop had it not been for the exactly perfect crew of available cast, available director, available art designers, and a crew of set and model artists freshly laid off with the completion of "Star Wars" and the cancellation of "Space: 1999.")
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.
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).
If you get the chance, catch the documentary "Memory," which goes into heavy detail on the writing process behind "Alien." O'Bannon admitted that "Queen of Blood" was another influence, as well as sharing that he proudly stole ideas from everywhere. (I've become firmly convinced that "Alien" would have been a forgotten flop had it not been for the exactly perfect crew of available cast, available director, available art designers, and a crew of set and model artists freshly laid off with the completion of "Star Wars" and the cancellation of "Space: 1999.")
I’ve not heard of that documentary! The search begins… :D
The trailer: https://youtu.be/m6H_FPvKpWI?si=6DuYpv9A4rl6E6e9
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.
Fantastic article, Alec! I'm big fan of (some) of the Alien franchise and I've learned a few things from this essay. Cheers!
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.
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.
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!
Van Vogt was Canadian, and he was one of the country's most successful writers in the SF genre.