I've found that people are always jumping to wild conclusions concerning atomic reaction

[sovay]

As of this morning, I have a sore throat which I'm not thrilled about, but I still have a live computer, which is extremely cool. So now that I have my data back, here's the post I was going to make on Friday.

I do not believe the universe loves me and wants me to be happy. Based on the evidence of the last year and three-quarters, it's tempting to conclude that the universe hates me and wants me to disappear. In all reality, I expect it's indifferent. All the same, now and then it manages to furnish me with something that really does improve my mood, like the upcoming Halloween marathon at the Somerville Theatre.



I mean, I enjoy living in a town where the local theaters run this sort of programming. It delights me that the Somerville has been holding an autumnal horror-and-sci-fi marathon for the last two years, even if attendance has apparently been for bupkes. But there's also the fact that even if I didn't want to see West of Zanzibar (1928) and Seconds (1966) and The Lost Boys (1987), even if I didn't want to give Dracula (1931) another chance after being disappointed in college that it wasn't Nosferatu (1922), even if I didn't love Aliens (1986) so much that I've already lost track of the number of times I've seen it, I would still have marked this date on my calendar, because when am I going to get another chance to see a 35mm print of The Monster That Challenged the World (1957)?

I have mentioned this movie before. I love it unreasonably. It belongs to the 1950's atomic monster genre, although instead of a defrosted dinosaur or radiation-grown ants or a nuclear symbol rising from the depths of the sea, its human protagonists have to contend with giant prehistoric sea snails released by an earthquake into the Salton Sea (and made radioactive by irresponsible human experimentation, because this was the 1950's after all). It stars Tim Holt, Audrey Dalton, and Hans Conried in one of his rare substantial film roles—a dramatic one, not a comedic, although his lab-coated supporting scientist is pleasingly cranky enough to register as an individual and slightly eccentric person, not just a conduit for the necessary infodump about predatory molluscs. It's not a lost classic of its decade, but I don't care. The creature effects are entertaining and the plot does not require that you switch your brain completely off. I thought of it at the 'Thon this year. I figured I would have to harangue someone at the festival about it.

Instead I owe David the projectionist a lemon cake and I am encouraging anyone in the Boston area with even the slightest interest in any of these films to show up on October 31st and check them out. Attendance for bupkes does not a long-running tradition make and I'd really like to see this marathon continue. Noon to midnight, Halloween. I will no doubt signal-boost it again as we get closer. West of Zanzibar—directed by Tod Browning, starring Lon Chaney—doesn't play anywhere either, I'm told.

Comments

[yhlee]

Yay live computer!

[kore]

'SECONDS' ON A BIG SCREEN, OH MY FUCKING GOD. And I love Aliens and Lost Boys and Dracula but I've NEVER seen any on those on a big screen!


I think Nosferatu is the best Dracula adaptation too but omg come on, BELA

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

one needs to show the love for the predatory molluscs...

[gwynnega]

How great to get to see The Monster That Challenged the World on a big screen!

I would like to see Dracula (1931) on a big screen. Though what I'd really love to see in a theater is the 1931 Spanish-language version.

[seajules]

This looks like a fantastic tradition. I wish we had one like it down here, but we don't even have a neighborhood theater to run it; it's all movieplexes in new construction shopping centers.

[drwex]

I'm curious what it is you love so much about Aliens. I agree it's a great film but it's not one I'd watch over and over. But that's just me.

[spatch]

This is a great range of films, time periods, and styles of horror. As I shy away from horror marathons which only seem to feature slasher flix, I am very glad this is coming to the mighty Somerville. Center balcony ahoy!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Seconds is brilliant. An wealthy old man wants to get a second stab at life and allows himself to be remodelled on younger, fitter lines by the plastic surgeons. Who do you get to play the dreamboat he becomes? Why, Rock Hudson, of course.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I hope they get enough attendance to encourage them to continue the tradition. Maybe the lemon cake will help.