---by Micheal
Destination Moon isn't technically a B-movie. It was in color and it won an Oscar. But it's a worthwhile starting point for a trek through 50s B movies because it was one of the first 50s science fiction flicks -- a topic which the B-movie industry jumped into with gusto. Unlike a lot of later movies, Destination Moon has no monsters or alien civilizations. Instead, it presents a fairly serious story of a manned expedition to the moon.
Why is this movie fun?
A rocket into space was not new to movie screens -- Flash Gordon had been rocketing around since the 1930s -- but Destination Moon was the "Star Wars" wow-movie that really touched off a decade of space-themed science fiction movies. Sure, the pacing is slow by modern tastes, and the special effects are hardly special by today's standards, but set all that modernist elitism aside. Destination Moon is fun to watch for knowing that it was the Star Wars of its day.
Quick Plot Synopsis
Private industry moguls decide that men must reach the moon as soon as possible. They build a rocket which does, indeed, make it to the moon. Due to landing trouble, the crew burn too much fuel to take off from the moon and return. After lightening the ship of all non-essentials, the ship is still 160 pounds overweight. One of the crew must stay behind. With some ingenuity and desperation, everyone does blast off for the return to earth.
Cold War Angle
Like a great many 50s sci-fi films, anxiety over the Soviets and nuclear war is woven into the plot. When several industrialists question the need to risk their millions on the outlandish moon project, the General Thayer character says: "We're not the only ones planning to go there. The race is on! And we'd better win it, because there is absolutely no way to stop an attack from outer space. The first country that can use the moon for the launching of missiles will control the earth."
Even though those sinister "others" are never mentioned again during the movie, the urgency driving the whole plot is the space race to beat the Soviets for national security reasons! -- ten years before that actual race really started.
Destination Moon is quite naive on what it really took to get men on the moon. (A dozen industrialists build a rocket within one year, and launch a crew to the moon on their first shot.) But in 1950, just five years after the end of WWII, audiences didn't know all that. Destination Moon showcases American optimism about the future in space. Some industrialists' deep pockets, a few clever engineers with slide rules and some talented aircraft workers can get the job done! You have to admire their spunk.
Next up in Joy of B: Same year, but opposite end of the quality spectrum.
8.13.2007
8.07.2007
VACATION
By Ron Dupuis
While on vacation, per order of my wife, and under penalty of marital torture, I was not allowed to watch a newscast on T.V. or listen to any political nonsense on the radio. I could not read any newspapers or magazines and was instructed to rebuff any efforts to discuss, with anyone, my take on current headlines that may impact our social, political, or economic well being. Vacation over and now firmly ensconced in my office, in front of the computer that I affectionately call “Rasputin”, here’s a succinct and hopefully mildly humorous take on some events that have caught my eye.
The Stock Market; has had more ups and downs than the Roller-coaster ride at Canobie Lake Park. Despite some declines in the mortgage and credit sector, for which liberal Democrats blame George Bush, the Dow had its largest point gain since 2002, for which the liberal Democrats attribute to their fiscal policies of raising taxes. I can’t wait until New York Senator and Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton raises taxes on the major oil companies simply for making too much profit. When will the Democratic Party learn that when you CUT taxes you raise revenues. Ronald Reagan realized that in the eighties. Even John Kennedy knew it in the sixties. Can you say $5 a gallon?
Minneapolis bridge collapse; is a major disaster where innocent people on there way to work died, for which liberal Democrats blame George Bush. It took all of ten seconds for local Democratic politicians to invoke the names of Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California for a possible solution to the “Bush” tragedy.
What they didn’t say is that Minnesota is awash with cash. There is a two billion dollar surplus in the budget this year. That particular bridge should have been inspected and brought up to standards years ago. Perhaps they should have called on the esteemed Sen. Kennedy of the one billion dollar cost over run, Big Dig fame. He has highway project experience. People died there also.
Obama war talk: According to liberal Democrats we are losing the war in Iraq. Again, for this war and all the subsequent chaos in the Middle East, the liberal Democrats blame George Bush. Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has a solution. He wants to send U.S. combat troops to neighboring Pakistan. Pakistan! One of our allies! This proves, beyond a shadow of doubt, that the young inexperienced Senator from Illinois has absolutely no concept of foreign affairs, statesmanship, or loyalty for that matter.
Immigration; Liberal Democrats feel that all illegals that have entered our country in the past twenty one years should be allowed to stay. Of course they blame George Bush for the entire problem. In this case they are not to far off. President Bush and his guest worker program have divided the Republican Party. Most conservatives want immigration, legal immigration. They want hard working, law biding families to come here and achieve the same success most of our forefathers attained. What they don’t want is the 250,000 illegals currently serving time in our prison system. What they don’t want is the burden these illegals place on our health care system, our school system, and our economy. Finely, what they don’t want is an open porous border in order for those bent on doing harm can come and go as they please. Immigration, instead of being a major issue in the 2008 election, should have been resolved years ago by maintaining safe secure borders.
**************************
The radical left has taken over the Democratic Party. They engage in hateful, partisan politics, and promote class warfare. They tell people that there is a “Robber Baron” atmosphere in the country and that the rich are getting richer on the backs of the poor. They tell us that the economy is stifling and that thing will get worst unless they control the White House. To quote a line from an old Temptations song they claim that “More taxes will solve everything.”
All nonsense.
I wish the Democrats would go back to being the party of the people, the poor and middle class. It will be then, and only then that we can all engage in a meaningful dialog and continue on the road to a safer more secure America.
Next vacation I’m going to read the papers and watch the news no matter what my wife says.
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail address is drcdupuis@comcast.net Other thoughts and writings may be viewed on his blog which may be found at imho-nh.blogspot.com.
While on vacation, per order of my wife, and under penalty of marital torture, I was not allowed to watch a newscast on T.V. or listen to any political nonsense on the radio. I could not read any newspapers or magazines and was instructed to rebuff any efforts to discuss, with anyone, my take on current headlines that may impact our social, political, or economic well being. Vacation over and now firmly ensconced in my office, in front of the computer that I affectionately call “Rasputin”, here’s a succinct and hopefully mildly humorous take on some events that have caught my eye.
The Stock Market; has had more ups and downs than the Roller-coaster ride at Canobie Lake Park. Despite some declines in the mortgage and credit sector, for which liberal Democrats blame George Bush, the Dow had its largest point gain since 2002, for which the liberal Democrats attribute to their fiscal policies of raising taxes. I can’t wait until New York Senator and Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton raises taxes on the major oil companies simply for making too much profit. When will the Democratic Party learn that when you CUT taxes you raise revenues. Ronald Reagan realized that in the eighties. Even John Kennedy knew it in the sixties. Can you say $5 a gallon?
Minneapolis bridge collapse; is a major disaster where innocent people on there way to work died, for which liberal Democrats blame George Bush. It took all of ten seconds for local Democratic politicians to invoke the names of Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California for a possible solution to the “Bush” tragedy.
What they didn’t say is that Minnesota is awash with cash. There is a two billion dollar surplus in the budget this year. That particular bridge should have been inspected and brought up to standards years ago. Perhaps they should have called on the esteemed Sen. Kennedy of the one billion dollar cost over run, Big Dig fame. He has highway project experience. People died there also.
Obama war talk: According to liberal Democrats we are losing the war in Iraq. Again, for this war and all the subsequent chaos in the Middle East, the liberal Democrats blame George Bush. Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has a solution. He wants to send U.S. combat troops to neighboring Pakistan. Pakistan! One of our allies! This proves, beyond a shadow of doubt, that the young inexperienced Senator from Illinois has absolutely no concept of foreign affairs, statesmanship, or loyalty for that matter.
Immigration; Liberal Democrats feel that all illegals that have entered our country in the past twenty one years should be allowed to stay. Of course they blame George Bush for the entire problem. In this case they are not to far off. President Bush and his guest worker program have divided the Republican Party. Most conservatives want immigration, legal immigration. They want hard working, law biding families to come here and achieve the same success most of our forefathers attained. What they don’t want is the 250,000 illegals currently serving time in our prison system. What they don’t want is the burden these illegals place on our health care system, our school system, and our economy. Finely, what they don’t want is an open porous border in order for those bent on doing harm can come and go as they please. Immigration, instead of being a major issue in the 2008 election, should have been resolved years ago by maintaining safe secure borders.
**************************
The radical left has taken over the Democratic Party. They engage in hateful, partisan politics, and promote class warfare. They tell people that there is a “Robber Baron” atmosphere in the country and that the rich are getting richer on the backs of the poor. They tell us that the economy is stifling and that thing will get worst unless they control the White House. To quote a line from an old Temptations song they claim that “More taxes will solve everything.”
All nonsense.
I wish the Democrats would go back to being the party of the people, the poor and middle class. It will be then, and only then that we can all engage in a meaningful dialog and continue on the road to a safer more secure America.
Next vacation I’m going to read the papers and watch the news no matter what my wife says.
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail address is drcdupuis@comcast.net Other thoughts and writings may be viewed on his blog which may be found at imho-nh.blogspot.com.
8.06.2007
The Joy of B-Movies
---by Micheal
I've recently rediscovered the joy of watching old "B" movies from the 50s and early 60s. In our modern media age of hyper-slick everything, there's actually something refreshing about those old movies.
I tried to share this joy with my kids (both teenagers) but they turn their noses up at them. My daughter has a rule that she won't watch anything that isn't in color. For her, movies are a visual landscape in which she can immerse herself. Black and white movies are barren deserts to her.
My son lives for spectacular special effects. They absolutely must be convincingly realistic. For him, movies are supposed to be alternate worlds of wonder. Low budget B-movies, with cheap effects, are like getting socks for Christmas. Bor-ring. If a special effect doesn't look 100% realistic, it ruins the whole movie for him.
Perhaps it's just because I'm an old coot that I still appreciate B movies. When I was a kid, these old Bs weren't so far behind the curve. Sure, the acting was often poor. Yes, you could sometimes see the little wires holding up the rocket ships -- but that was somehow part of the fun. We knew they were models. That didn't detract at all. What mattered was the story.
As a kid, I would immerse myself into the story. The actors, skilled or otherwise, represented characters -- much as a stage actor would "play" Henry V, or MacBeth. No one thinks the man on stage really is MacBeth, but they let him represent MacBeth in order to tell the story. It was the story that mattered.
The same goes for B-film actors. The villain in a B western didn't have to be convincingly bad on screen. I knew he represented human badness -- greed and treachery. The hero, likewise, could be stiff and wooden. It didn't matter. I knew he represented strength and courage. The story, and the interplay between the characters, is what mattered.
Similarly, the sets could be laughably sparse. A few flat wooden store fronts and a hitching post represented a whole western town. I could see it all in my mind. I didn't need to see it all on the screen. My imagination would even fill in the colors -- a yellow painted general store, a light blue saloon, etc. A few metalic walls and blinking lights represented the inside of a space ship. It didn't matter that the radio was navy surplus, or that they controlled the ship with big steam valves. It was just a place for the story to unfold.
Ah, but I've digressed. As I was saying, I recently rediscovered old B movies. I have been watching them and really enjoying them. In subsequent entries, I'll share a bit of the joy I found in some of my growing old film collection.
I've recently rediscovered the joy of watching old "B" movies from the 50s and early 60s. In our modern media age of hyper-slick everything, there's actually something refreshing about those old movies.
I tried to share this joy with my kids (both teenagers) but they turn their noses up at them. My daughter has a rule that she won't watch anything that isn't in color. For her, movies are a visual landscape in which she can immerse herself. Black and white movies are barren deserts to her.
My son lives for spectacular special effects. They absolutely must be convincingly realistic. For him, movies are supposed to be alternate worlds of wonder. Low budget B-movies, with cheap effects, are like getting socks for Christmas. Bor-ring. If a special effect doesn't look 100% realistic, it ruins the whole movie for him.
Perhaps it's just because I'm an old coot that I still appreciate B movies. When I was a kid, these old Bs weren't so far behind the curve. Sure, the acting was often poor. Yes, you could sometimes see the little wires holding up the rocket ships -- but that was somehow part of the fun. We knew they were models. That didn't detract at all. What mattered was the story.
As a kid, I would immerse myself into the story. The actors, skilled or otherwise, represented characters -- much as a stage actor would "play" Henry V, or MacBeth. No one thinks the man on stage really is MacBeth, but they let him represent MacBeth in order to tell the story. It was the story that mattered.
The same goes for B-film actors. The villain in a B western didn't have to be convincingly bad on screen. I knew he represented human badness -- greed and treachery. The hero, likewise, could be stiff and wooden. It didn't matter. I knew he represented strength and courage. The story, and the interplay between the characters, is what mattered.
Similarly, the sets could be laughably sparse. A few flat wooden store fronts and a hitching post represented a whole western town. I could see it all in my mind. I didn't need to see it all on the screen. My imagination would even fill in the colors -- a yellow painted general store, a light blue saloon, etc. A few metalic walls and blinking lights represented the inside of a space ship. It didn't matter that the radio was navy surplus, or that they controlled the ship with big steam valves. It was just a place for the story to unfold.
Ah, but I've digressed. As I was saying, I recently rediscovered old B movies. I have been watching them and really enjoying them. In subsequent entries, I'll share a bit of the joy I found in some of my growing old film collection.
7.28.2007
Someone is Going to Get Hurt
By Ron Dupuis
“Did you see that” I was asked?
“That airplane”, “Yes” I responded.
“That was no ordinary airplane” the speaker proclaimed excitedly.
“It was so low I could see the surveillance equipment on it.”
The event was promoted as a rally/barbeque in support of convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown of Plainfield, New Hampshire.
“You know they were taking pictures of us?”
“Yes, probably so” I responded somewhat indifferently.
“That plane was so low, about 500 feet and they want to see how many of us here are armed before they come in.” “Did you see all the surveillance equipment in the windows?” “Most likely military reconnaissance” my excited friend declared.
Its funny how two people, who observe the same incident, can draw such opposite conclusions? The plane was a small passenger jet making an approach to Lebanon airport a dozen or so miles away. As a former pilot I knew it was flying at about fifteen hundred feet, not five hundred as my friend exclaimed. Not an unusual altitude for an approach to a landing. I realize my eyesight may not be as good as my much younger, observant, current barbeque companion; however, the only surveillance from this particular aircraft might have been from a “Kodak moment” taken by the co-pilot.
”Let me get you a cold drink” I said as I walked away.
Throughout the day there were perhaps 250 to 300 people who visited the Browns home that day. They came from as far away as Montana, Chicago, Florida, and Texas. Many of them armed. There were people who detested the I.R.S. There were people who despised the Federal Reserve. There were people who hated politicians, judges, lawyers, police, and most of corporate America. There was even one individual from Rhode Island who hated women and blamed them for all the current world problems.
“The male of the species, in fact the male of all species, by nature and the natural order of the universe, are meant to be the providers, the hunters, and the protectors.” “It is only in the human race where the female gender has feminized the male so intently by taking away these responsibilities in both the family unit and the corporate world, have problems erupted.” “Women now control everything”, my misguided misogynic friend continued. “The family as a unit, the political world, the corporate world, and the economy.”
As scary as that particular individual was, he was far from the most troubling aspect of the attitude that this diverse group held. The common thread of all the I.R.S., Federal Reserve, politician, judges and corporate America haters, was their hatred of Jews. I’m not talking a few, I’m saying that 95% of the people I spoke with that day, and during my three other visits, blamed Jews for everything. Of course in order for them to be an equal opportunity bigot, they throw in the Freemasons.
“Centuries ago the Zionist were responsible for forming the secret society of Freemasonry” was one comment made by a principle of this event. “Today they are involved in a secret plan to form a new world order that will eventually enslave us all.” Not surprisingly this person finished with “An armed revolution is coming and we are prepared.” “Let in begin here in Plainfield, New Hampshire.”
In my humble opinion Ed Brown and his followers are using their argument with the I.R.S. as a means to promote some sort of future uprising. Their pretext is the protection of the Constitution of the United States. What they won’t tell you is that it is their interpretation, and only their interpretation, that is accepted too protect.
Not much good can come from the Browns armed holdout at their home. I can only hope the hateful rhetoric stops, the paranoia diminishes, and a peaceful solution is agreed to by both sides. Otherwise someone is going to get seriously hurt.
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His blog may be viewed at IMHO-NH.blogspot.com. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net.
“Did you see that” I was asked?
“That airplane”, “Yes” I responded.
“That was no ordinary airplane” the speaker proclaimed excitedly.
“It was so low I could see the surveillance equipment on it.”
The event was promoted as a rally/barbeque in support of convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown of Plainfield, New Hampshire.
“You know they were taking pictures of us?”
“Yes, probably so” I responded somewhat indifferently.
“That plane was so low, about 500 feet and they want to see how many of us here are armed before they come in.” “Did you see all the surveillance equipment in the windows?” “Most likely military reconnaissance” my excited friend declared.
Its funny how two people, who observe the same incident, can draw such opposite conclusions? The plane was a small passenger jet making an approach to Lebanon airport a dozen or so miles away. As a former pilot I knew it was flying at about fifteen hundred feet, not five hundred as my friend exclaimed. Not an unusual altitude for an approach to a landing. I realize my eyesight may not be as good as my much younger, observant, current barbeque companion; however, the only surveillance from this particular aircraft might have been from a “Kodak moment” taken by the co-pilot.
”Let me get you a cold drink” I said as I walked away.
Throughout the day there were perhaps 250 to 300 people who visited the Browns home that day. They came from as far away as Montana, Chicago, Florida, and Texas. Many of them armed. There were people who detested the I.R.S. There were people who despised the Federal Reserve. There were people who hated politicians, judges, lawyers, police, and most of corporate America. There was even one individual from Rhode Island who hated women and blamed them for all the current world problems.
“The male of the species, in fact the male of all species, by nature and the natural order of the universe, are meant to be the providers, the hunters, and the protectors.” “It is only in the human race where the female gender has feminized the male so intently by taking away these responsibilities in both the family unit and the corporate world, have problems erupted.” “Women now control everything”, my misguided misogynic friend continued. “The family as a unit, the political world, the corporate world, and the economy.”
As scary as that particular individual was, he was far from the most troubling aspect of the attitude that this diverse group held. The common thread of all the I.R.S., Federal Reserve, politician, judges and corporate America haters, was their hatred of Jews. I’m not talking a few, I’m saying that 95% of the people I spoke with that day, and during my three other visits, blamed Jews for everything. Of course in order for them to be an equal opportunity bigot, they throw in the Freemasons.
“Centuries ago the Zionist were responsible for forming the secret society of Freemasonry” was one comment made by a principle of this event. “Today they are involved in a secret plan to form a new world order that will eventually enslave us all.” Not surprisingly this person finished with “An armed revolution is coming and we are prepared.” “Let in begin here in Plainfield, New Hampshire.”
In my humble opinion Ed Brown and his followers are using their argument with the I.R.S. as a means to promote some sort of future uprising. Their pretext is the protection of the Constitution of the United States. What they won’t tell you is that it is their interpretation, and only their interpretation, that is accepted too protect.
Not much good can come from the Browns armed holdout at their home. I can only hope the hateful rhetoric stops, the paranoia diminishes, and a peaceful solution is agreed to by both sides. Otherwise someone is going to get seriously hurt.
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His blog may be viewed at IMHO-NH.blogspot.com. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net.
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