The other night I pulled out my DVD of FIRST MAN INTO SPACE(1959) because I couldn't remember if I had watched it yet. When I first
purchased the four movie Criterion set it is a part of I know I watched the two
Karloff films and I vaguely remember THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE (1959) but FMIS was not bringing back any images
linked to the title. Now that I have watched (rewatched ?) it I can say that
the reason it might not have stuck with me is that it is pretty much a remake
of Hammer's THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (1955). The plot of both films are almost
identical with only a few character's relationships slightly changed to
differentiate things. I wonder if Hammer or Nigel Kneale ever thought about
taking legal action. Adding to my amusement in comparing the two films is that
both were made in Britain
but FIRST MAN INTO SPACE tries (and fails) to maintain the idea that it takes
place in New Mexico .
Sorry, but New Mexico
is just not that cold in the middle of the day, folks. Seeing Marshall Thompson
bundled up in a parka and everyone's breath steaming around was quite funny.
Of the two THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT is much better but it's
unofficial remake isn't terrible.
1 comment:
I had The Atomic Submarine on tape and it had the trailer for First Man into Space. The trailer makes it look like a pretty cool monster movie. I bought the same set you did and was slightly disappointed with FMiS. The pacing was a little slow. I liked the ending though. When I watched FMiS I was reminded heavily of The Incredible Melting Man. You are right about The Quatermass Experiment though. Now the only thing I liked about The Incredible Melting Man was the excellent makeup.
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