Sunday, April 19, 2020

The Bloody Pit #102 - X THE UNKNOWN (1956)


Although best known for their gothic horror films, Hammer made movies in many different genres. Before striking gold with their first Frankenstein film in 1957 they produced a trio of science fiction adventures that were big moneymakers and, in a different world, might have made Hammer into a very different studio. Their adaptation of Nigel Kneale’s 1953 television serial as THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (1955) left them wanting more such tales. But Kneale was wouldn’t allow the use of his character for a story he had not penned so they pushed forward with an original script of their own. First time scripter Jimmy Sangster stuck close to the basic template of the Quatermass film creating his own genius scientist who gets thrown into a terrifying encounter with a mysterious, unstoppable force. It’s a cracking good tale with a few surprising moments of gore for 1950’s sci-fi and enough spooky atmosphere for two movies.


Mark Maddox joins me to discuss X THE UNKNOWN (1956) and relate a few personal stories about his history with it. Here’s a hint - always accept an invitation to have dinner with Frazier Hines! We use an outline of the film’s plot to dig into the things that work and the things that don’t. We remark on the sometimes shockingly adult nature of the story’s choices with dead kids, randy nurses and melting faces being unexpected spices in the radioactive stew. We spend a little time on the impressive cast with attention paid to the amazing Leo McKern and Michael Ripper who gets to shout some fun threats at his soldier underlings. Mark is clear-eyed in his assessment of the film’s various special effects sequences and I lodge a few minor complaints about the first act’s pace and the script’s expository scientific babble. We do ramble off topic a few times – OK – several times! But we always link things back to the movie under the microscope. I promise.

If you have any comments or suggestions please write the podcast at thebloodypit@gmail.com and we’ll try to get you your thoughts on the next show Mark and I record in May. Thank you for listening!



  



3 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I don't like the idea that there are no 10/10 movies. For me, Bob Dylan as an artist is 10/10 but that does not mean "Murder Most Foul" or his Christian period work well for me. It means he is in the highest level of a songwriter and (scoff if you like) singer I can imagine. Daniel Day Lewis is seen as the most amazing of actors; he could not do the likable personality acting that James Garner does (who I would argue is just as good) but that is not seen as a flaw.

    I feel like there are tens all the time in what you are attracted to and it can vary from the cute, extra kind woman at the bank to Mae West for her humor or Susan Sontag for her intellect to 80's Bo Derek. People have no trouble saying their significant others are perfect to them, even as they don't end every argument satisfactory or don't buy good birthday presents.

    If the woman I chose to spend my life with can rack up a 10/10 surely a movie can. And I submit that a 10/10 film can even have flaws. Flaws are some time a given when a film is striving towards something little seen or attempted before. The Begotten, Zelig, Bulworth, Bonnie and Clyde, Wizards (Ralph Bakshi), Dr, Caligari. These are breathtaking for me, and I am sure you have equally brave films that push something or even just make you happier than any others and deserve not to be saddled with a nine.

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  3. The above comment was meant for Mr. Maddox of course.

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