Piunti's Latest Shines with Power Pop Brilliance

Nick Piunti is a maestro when it comes to crafting catchy, hook-laden songs that embrace the aura of classic power pop, while also providing a fresh take on the genre. He and his band, The Complicated Men, delighted and impressed fans with their last two remarkable full-length releases, Downtime and Heart Inside Your Head. Their latest album, Up and Out of It, is yet another exceptional collection of scintillating tunes that you'll without a doubt add to your list of power pop favorites. If you dig melodic, guitar-centric rock and roll, this fabulous record will definitely have you smiling from ear to ear.

Up and Out of It kicks off with the one-two punch of “Seasick" and “Bottle It,” a pair of fantastic tracks which are effervescent expressions of the band’s love for pop-infused rock, which is also evident on songs like “Get The Feeling” and “Rejection Letter.” There are also several excellent tracks on the album which offer a slightly different vibe, including the edgy “Above Water” and the reflective “Long Way Down.” These terrific tunes sound just as compelling as the group’s signature pop/rock tunes. As usual, Piunti composed the lion’s share of the songs on the record, but guitarist Joe Daksiewicz co-wrote the rocking  “I’m Ready” and the pop-tastic “Mind Reader,” both of which are highlights of the album.

Piunti's marvelous lead vocals and guitar are complimented by the superb work of The Complicated Men, whose all-star lineup consists of the aforementioned Daksiewicz on lead guitar, Jeff Hupp on bass, Kevin Darnall on keyboards and Ron Vensko on drums. The band obviously loves playing together, and their top-notch talents and undeniable chemistry are fully on display throughout the album. By the time you get to enjoying “Eyelids” and “On The Ropes,” the scintillating tracks which close out the record, you'll absolutely be reaching for that replay button so you can listen to this incredible record again.

The excellent songs on Up and Put of It amply display Piunti's growth as an artist and songwriter. He has found a way to evoke the classic power pop and modern rock sounds of the 80s while also creating earworm-laden tunes that sound fresh and original. These songs will absolutely get stuck in your head, and touch your heart. If you're already a fan, or even if you're new to Piunti and The Complicated Men, you owe it to yourself to check out this brilliant record. Up and Out of It will be released on JEM Records on Friday, October 18. For more info go to: https://jemrecordings.com/ and https://www.nickpiunti.com/. Here are links to "Bottle It" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gahDSxsfEP0 and “Get The Feeling” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PCsM0ih-fE.

"Alien: Romulus" Explores Familiar Territory

Not many cinematic franchises have taken the kind of wild stylistic swings throughout their existence as the Alien series. Starting with 1979's eponymous original, the films have shifted gears from visceral horror to action-oriented sci-fi and on to cyberpunk, and explored concepts like cloning and genetic experimentation, tossing in a bit of philosophical and religious discourse along the way. Acclaimed directors such as Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher and Jean-Pierre Jeunet have put their stamp on the series, some more successfully than others. Throughout all of its iterations, those menacing (and very agile) xenomorphs have loomed large in the center of the Alien universe. Alien: Romulus, the latest entry in the saga, takes a deep dive into the body horror and weird science angles of the franchise. The movie also features quite a few homages and callbacks to previous films in the series.

Directed and co-written by Fede Alvarez, Alien: Romulus tells the story of a young woman named Rain, who's stuck in a dead-end job on a mining colony. When the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (remember them?) unfairly extends her work contract, she gets involved with a group of co-workers who have hatched a plan to salvage cryogenic pods from a derelict ship in orbit around their planet. The idea is to use the pods to put themselves in cryo-sleep, and travel to a planet where they have a chance at a better life. Rain brings along her adopted brother Andy, who’s an android the group will need to interface with the ship's computer systems. There are just a couple of obstacles standing (or slithering) in their way.  The ship, whose orbit is decaying, turns out to be a space station, and it’s infested with some deadly (and very familiar) creatures. There's also an artificial crew-member aboard the station who clearly doesn't have the group's best interests in mind.

Alvarez proved with his Evil Dead remake and the offbeat thriller Don't Breathe that he knows how to build suspense and amp up the onscreen tension. He and co-writer Rodo Sayaguez have created a story that leans heavily into the body horror aspects of the series, and they do introduce a couple of cool ideas into the mythology. Alien: Romulus features several exciting set pieces, but there's a sense of deja vu to the movie, as some of these sequences echo things we’ve seen in earlier entries in the series. There’s also a CGI recreation of a character from the original film that some viewers may find distracting. On the plus side, the movie is undeniably well-crafted, and the cinematography, production design and the special effects (many of which were achieved in old school practical fashion) are quite impressive.

Cailee Spenny as Rain and David Jonsson as Andy are quite good, but the rest of the cast doesn’t get to make much of an impression in their roles before they’re killed by the aliens. Alien: Romulus is exciting and well-produced, and in addition to the visual callbacks to other films, the score by Benjamin Wallfisch does an excellent job of quoting some of the musical motifs from previous composers such as Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner. The movie, which takes place between the first and second films in the series, is worth checking out, though it doesn’t quite propel the saga as far forward into new territory as it could have. The next chapter of the Alien story will be Alien: Earth, a TV show from Noah Hawley, the guiding light of the Fargo TV series. Here’s the trailer for Alien: Romulus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzY2r2JXsDM.

Rule Britannia Blogathon: Moore is "Haunted"

Roger Moore is The Man Who Haunted Himself

 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be plagued by your doppelganger, a mysterious double that not only intrudes upon your life, but tries to take it over? That's the premise of The Man Who Haunted Himself, an offbeat thriller starring Roger Moore, which was originally released in 1970 by EMI Films.  Moore plays Harold Pelham, a London-based executive who has an accident while heading home from work. The circumstances of the accident are somewhat strange, as Pelham's personality seems to change during the drive. He starts speeding, ultimately running his car off the road. While Pelham's being treated for his injuries at the hospital, a monitor briefly shows two heartbeats side by side, before the readings return to normal.

Following his release from the hospital and return to work, Pelham is approached by friends and colleagues who claim to have seen him in places he hasn't been, and had conversations and interactions with him which he doesn't remember. Tensions are running high in both his professional and personal lives, as his company is involved in discussions regarding a high-profile merger, and his relationship with his wife has become strained and distant. Meanwhile, an attractive woman Pelham barely knows claims he's been having an affair with her. Is he going mad, or is someone impersonating him?

 

He meets with Dr. Harris, a psychiatrist who believes that the mysterious double is Pelham himself, and he's trying to break out of his dull and conventional lifestyle. After spending a few days at the psychiatrist's clinic, Pelham discovers that his double has been living his life while he's been away. The "other" Pelham has worked behind the scenes to finalize the merger at his company, and has also been spending time with his wife, re-energizing their relationship. He confronts his "double" at his home, culminating in a car chase down the same road where the story began; which version of Pelham will ultimately survive?

 

The Man Who Haunted Himself is an eerie, unsettling thriller which features an outstanding performance by Roger Moore as Pelham. He effectively conveys the character's increasing sense of distress and paranoia. Moore spoke in interviews throughout the years about the fact that Pelham was one of his favorite roles, since he got to stretch his acting muscles a bit, playing the two different sides of the character. There's also a fine supporting cast, full of familiar faces, featuring the wonderful Freddie Jones in a memorable turn as Dr. Harris, as well as strong work from Hildegarde Neil, Thorley Walters, Anton Rodgers and Olga Georges-Picot.

 

The film is based on "The Strange Case of Mr. Pelham," by British writer Anthony Armstrong. The story had previously been filmed by BBC Television in 1948 and 1955, and was adapted in the US for Alfred Hitchcock Presents as "The Case of Mr. Pelham," starring Tom Ewell, an episode which was helmed by Hitchcock. Production of The Man Who Haunted Himself was spearheaded by producer-director Bryan Forbes, who was head of EMI Films at the time. The movie was directed by Basil Dearden, who was also behind the camera for Sapphire, Khartoum and The Assassination Bureau. Dearden co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Relph and an uncredited Forbes. Sadly, Dearden was killed in a car accident in 1971, which occurred on the same road prominently featured in the movie.

 

While the film wasn't a huge success on its original release, it has picked up something of a cult following over the years, and has been released on both DVD and Blu-ray. I first saw it in my younger years when it aired as a Sunday afternoon movie in the New York area on Channel 9. I was captivated by its eccentric tone, the unusual visual style, courtesy of director Dearden and cinematographer Tony Spratling, and the excellent performances by Moore and Freddie Jones. If you only know Moore from his turns as The Saint or James Bond, or his roles in series like Maverick and The Persuaders, I urge you to check out The Man Who Haunted Himself. Here's a trailer for the Blu-ray release of the film from Imprint Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rCgP8hPXZI. This post is part of the Rule Britannia Blogathon, hosted by Terence over at A Shroud of Thoughts: I'm very happy to be part of the fun! For more info, and to check out the other posts: follow this link: https://mercurie.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-11th-annual-rule-britannia-blogathon.html.

These "Embers" Glow For A Worthy Cause

It's no surprise that musicians are often some of the first ones to step up and offer their assistance in the wake of tragedies which affect people's lives. One of the most recent examples of this is Artists for Maui – Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project, an album which was spearheaded by Lisa Mychols and Eddie Finley. The devastating wildfires that raged in Maui last year caused significant property damage, destroying homes and businesses, leaving many residents homeless. Longtime radio host and local resident Michael McCartney, whose own home was damaged by the fires, started a GoFundMe effort to aid island residents affected by these horrible events, and he kept people informed with updates about the fires and their aftermath.

McCartney's efforts inspired Mychols and Finley to create Artists for Maui– Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project, a 43-song digital compilation which is now available for digital download on Bandcamp. The album features a terrific roster of artists whose names will be very familiar to power pop fans, including Eytan Mirsky, Kyle Vincent, Seth Swirsky and David Myhr. The songs and sounds on the album span the spectrum of pop, rock and power pop, including all out rockers such as Danny Wilkerson's "Bye Bye" to Johnathan Pushkar's lovely acoustic tune "Isabella," and Cliff Hillis' tongue in cheek paean to "Evel Knievel."

 

The wonderful artwork and graphics for the album were designed by the talented Nadja Dee, who also aided Mychols and Finley in gathering the artists who generously donated their music to the project. The trio also worked with several record labels, including JEM Records, JAM Records, and Big Stir Records, in order to make the album a reality. Artists for Maui – Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project is truly a gift for power pop fans, and all proceeds from the sales of this fantastic record will go directly to aid victims of the Maui wildfires. Follow this link to check out the songs and order a digital download of the album: https://thetimemachine2.bandcamp.com/album/embers-of-aloha-a-maui-wildfire-benefit-project, and here's a link to a video about the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CwW83wlDEI.

Retro TV: Irwin Allen's Land of the Giants

Before he was the producer of disaster epics like The Poseidon Adventure, Irwin Allen was the pre-eminent purveyor of prime-time TV sci-fi in the mid to late 1960s, with several shows running throughout the latter half of the decade. Recently, I've been celebrating Allen's work here at Eclectic Avenue, and this week, I'm shining the spotlight on an episode of Land of the Giants. The series was Allen's fourth and final out of this world adventure series of the 1960s. Land of the Giants ran for two seasons, from 1968-70. The show featured the adventures of the crew and passengers of the Spindrift, a sub-orbital craft which passed through a strange spatial disturbance on its way to London. The space warp transports them to a world where they're mini-sized, and everything else is well....gigantic. The cast included Gary Conway, Don Matheson, Deanna Lund, Don Marshall, Stefan Arngrim, Kurt Kaznar and Heather Young.

 

Each week our heroes would try to evade capture by the giants, while trying to repair their damaged ship and return home. In the first season entry "On A Clear Night You Can See Earth," the captain of the Spindrift, Steve Burton, is captured by a scientist named Murtrah, who's trying to create a special set of glasses that will allow him to see our miniature heroes in the dark. In the series, the giants are aware of the existence of Earth and its superior technology, and rewards are posted for the capture of the "little people."  Murtrah is a particularly mean-spirited and sadistic individual, and he's also jealous of a fellow scientist who he believes is trying to steal his work. 

Steve plays on Murtrah's insecurities, while the rest of the Spindrift crew try to rescue him. "On A Clear Night You Can See Earth" is an action-packed and exciting episode. It's somewhat unique in the canon of Irwin Allen's series, which were generally family-oriented entertainment. The denouement features our heroes rigging an explosive device to kill Murtrah and destroy his lab. They take this drastic step in order to prevent him from completing the creation of his device, so that it can't be used to reveal the Earth crew's location to the giant authorities. Rarely on any of Allen's series, including Lost In Space, Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea, and The Time Tunnel, did the heroes kill someone in cold blood, even if that person or alien being was an outright villain.

Murtrah is played by Michael Ansara, who specialized in playing villains in a plethora of television series and films from the 1960s through the 1990s. He guest starred in all of Irwin Allen's series, and had a featured role in the 1961 big-screen version of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, a film in which he appeared with his then wife Barbara Eden. Ansara is also well known for his portrayal of the Klingon Kang on Star Trek: The Original Series and Deep Space Nine, as well as his role as "Killer" Kane on the 1980s series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. 

 

"On A Clear Night You Can See Earth" was directed by Sobey Martin, who was frequently behind the camera for episodes of Allen's shows. The episode was written by Sheldon Stark and Anthony Wilson. The memorable theme music for Land of the Giants was composed by none other than John Williams of Star Wars and Superman fame, who also wrote the themes for Lost In Space and The Time Tunnel. Land of the Giants, like the rest of Allen's series and movies is entertaining, well-produced and a lot of fun. Here's a trailer for the Season One DVD release of the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oint3j4HlA.

A Trio of Investigators Search for True "Evil"

Mike Colter in Evil

Does true supernatural evil exist in the world, and if it does, what form does it take? What can be done to combat it? These are some of the questions and themes explored in Evil, a thought-provoking, chilling and entertaining series from Robert and Michelle King, who also created The Good Wife. The series stars Mike Colter (aka Marvel's Luke Cage) as David Acosta, a man who's studying to be a priest. David is trying to reconcile his belief in God with some doubts he has about his faith based on his personal experiences. He's been assigned by the Vatican to investigate supernatural occurrences, such as possible cases of demonic possession, to determine if they are real, and can be verified.

Helping David in his task are Ben Shakir, portrayed by Aasif Mandvi, an avowed atheist who's the team's technical and scientific expert, and their newest member, Dr. Kristen Bouchard, a forensic psychologist who's testified as an expert witness at a number of high profile murder trials. David initially asks Kristen to help out with the case of Orson LeRoux, a man who's committed several brutal murders. His wife claims he's possessed by a demon, but the prosecution believes he's a serial killer.

The LeRoux case brings the team into conflict with Dr. Leland Townsend, a clever psychologist who seems to know more about the LeRoux case than he's telling. The sinister Townsend appears to possess otherworldly powers, and definitely has malicious intent. He undermines Kristen's professional standing, and sabotages her testimony. Meanwhile, the team tries to determine if LeRoux actually is possessed, or faking the symptoms as part of an insanity plea. It's just the first of many cases that the team will study together, many of them bringing them into conflict with the manipulative Dr. Townsend.

Evil has a bit of an X-Files vibe, combined with the horror content of films like The Exorcist and The Omen. David is the Mulder-esque believer of the group, while Ben and Kristen are the more skeptical, Scully style members of the trio. What's refreshing about the series is that while there's a lot of eerie content, and some truly terrifying scenes, there are no easy or concrete answers to the mysteries the group investigates. The conclusions about what really happened are often left up to the viewer. 

Mike Colter is terrific as the troubled David, and Katja Herbers is fantastic as Kristen, who's propelled into a world she doesn't understand, and haunted by forces that threaten her life, and the safety of her family. Aasif Mandvi is wonderful as Ben, imbuing the tech expert with a sly wit that belies the character's own doubts regarding the veracity of the team's odd experiences. Michael Emerson is superb as the diabolical Dr. Townsend, who just might be something more than just a wicked human being. The talented supporting cast includes Christine Lahti, Boris Ingster and Peter Scolari, as well as many other familiar faces.

The direction and cinematography for Evil are excellent, and the writing is superb. The series features some truly frightening moments, but also takes time to get into the hearts and minds of the characters, and offer some thoughtful examinations on the nature of faith, and the notions of good and evil. If you're looking for something a little different in your horror television diet, Evil is worth seeking out. In fact, Stephen King, the Master of Horror himself, recommended the series in a recent interview. Evil just completed its fourth and final season on Paramount +, where it's currently streaming. You can also find the first two seasons on Netflix. Here's a trailer for the first season of the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpB5t1ku--4.

Spelling Blogathon: Satan's School For Girls

Pamela Franklin and Kate Jackson

If you were a television viewer from the mid 1960s and on through into the1970s, 1980s and 1990s, chances are you watched weekly series such as The Mod Squad, The Rookies, Starsky & Hutch and The Love Boat, or checked out made for TV movies like The Ballad of Andy Crocker, Murder on Flight 502 and The Boy In The Plastic Bubble. All of these projects (and many, many more) were produced by the one and only Aaron Spelling, who had a long, prolific, and much celebrated career in the entertainment business.

Spelling produced series and films that sprawled across many genres, including comedies, romance, action-adventure tales, thrillers, detective stories, and science-fiction and horror. One of his most fondly remembered telefilms is the 1973 terror tale Satan’s School For Girls, which first aired on ABC in 1973. When her sister Martha’s mysterious death is ruled a suicide, Elizabeth Sayers enrolls in the exclusive Salem Academy For Women, where Martha was a student. She’s determined to find out what really happened to her sibling. Elizabeth is befriended by several of the students, but as she settles into her surroundings, it becomes crystal clear there are a lot of odd things going on at this very private school. 

As Elizabeth’s investigation continues, eerie occurrences and further deaths occur. Who’s behind it all? Is it Mrs. Williams, the quirky and ineffectual headmistress? Perhaps it’s the acerbic Professor Delacroix, who verbally torments the students in his classes? Surely it can’t be the handsome Dr. Joseph Campbell, the well-liked teacher who regularly holds all the students in his class spellbound? Well, this is of course, the Salem Academy For Women, so it’s just possible that that some of the students and the staff know a lot more more than they’re telling. When Elizabeth discovers the frightening truth lurking behind the doors of the school, it all leads to a hellish finale.

Satan’s School For Girls features a superb cast, filled to the brim with faces that are quite familiar to fans of classic television and film. Horror veteran Pamela Franklin (The Legend of Hell House) is excellent as Elizabeth and Roy Thinnes (best known as David Vincent on The Invaders) is fantastic as Dr. Campbell. Lloyd Bochner (who was often cast as a villain on 1960s and 70s TV series) is delightfully over the top as the ill-fated Delacroix. The cast also includes Kate Jackson (The Rookies) and Cheryl Stopplemoor (aka Cheryl Ladd) who would later team up on Aaron Spelling’s hit series, Charlie’s Angels. 

The atmospheric direction by David Lowell Rich, the enjoyably creepy script by Arthur Ross, and the top notch cast explain why Satan’s School For Girls is fondly remembered by many of us who saw it on its first run, or subsequent rebroadcasts during afternoon and late movie showcases later in the decade. Lowell Rich was also behind the camera for another classic small screen tale of of the supernatural, The Horror at 37,000 Feet, which featured William Shatner, Tammy Grimes and Salem Academy's favorite teacher, Roy Thinnes.

Satan’s School for Girls was remade (also as a TV movie) in 2000. This version of the story starred Shannon Doherty in the central role and featured Kate Jackson in the role of the headmistress, played by Jo Van Fleet in the 1973 version. The cast also includes Taraji P. Henson and Julie Benz. Executive produced by Spelling, the remake lacks some of the retro charm and old school fun of the original, but is still worth a look for fans of the macabre. You might might be a fan of his glitzy series like Dynasty and Melrose Place, but when Aaron Spelling set out to scare us, he did a really good job. Other spooky tales of Spelling-branded television terror include The House That Would Not Die, Crowhaven Farm and Home For The Holidays.

This post is part of the (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, hosted by Gil over at his blog, Reelweegiemidget reviews. I’d like to thank him inviting me to participate! Follow this link for more info: https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/blogathons/blogathons-2024/news-whos-doing-what-in-aaron-spellingverse-blogathon-2024/.

Join Dillard & Clark on a "Fantastic Expedition"

Country rock flourished in the late 1960s and on into the mid 1970s, thanks to the work of artists such as Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Poco, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles and even ex-Monkee Mike Nesmith, all of contributed to the success of the genre. One of the best albums to come out of this era is Dillard & Clark’s 1968 release The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark. The group was founded by Gene Clark, a former member of The Byrds (no strangers themselves to the country rock sound) and Doug Dillard, who had just left his family’s bluegrass outfit, The Dillards. They recorded the album with some talented collaborators, including guitarist Bernie Leadon, who later went on to join The Eagles, and bassist Chris Hillman, who had also been a member of The Byrds. Hillman and Leadon would help to form The Flying Burrito Brothers, another well regarded and highly influential country rock band.

The album is awash with the sounds of banjo, fiddle and organ, and includes some incredible songs, such as the opening track “Out On The Side,” and “Train Leaves Here This Morning,” which was later covered by The Eagles during Leadon's stint with that group. Other notable tunes include the haunting “She Darked The Sun,” and Clark's melancholy “Why Not Your Baby?” (later covered by Velvet Crush)
included as a bonus track on the CD edition. The inspired songwriting by Clark, Dillard and Leadon, their stellar playing and those achingly beautiful harmonies combine to make this album a high watermark for the genre. 

 

The group recorded just one more record together, 1969's Through The Morning, Through The Night. That sophomore release leans even more towards the country and bluegrass side of the road. It wasn’t as well-received as their debut, but there are still some great songs to be found, including the title track and outstanding covers of The Everly Brothers classic “So Sad” and The Beatles “Don’t Let Me Down.” On both of these albums, you can hear the lasting influences these incredible musicians would have on modern artists who have visited these wide-ranging soundscapes in their own careers.

Gene Clark died in 1991, and Doug Dillard passed away in 2012. But they left behind a musical legacy that still enchants listeners and fans to this day. I first discovered The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark in the 1990s when I was going through a major Byrds phase, and it has remained a favorite of mine. If you’re a fan of country-flavored rock, which has seen a resurgence in recent years with the success of groups like The Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes, Mumford & Sons and The Nude Party, you owe it to yourself to check out this terrific record. It’s truly an aural journey worth taking. Both Dillard & Clark albums are available on a "two-fer" CD which can be found on Amazon and other online sites. Here are links to the songs “Why Not Your Baby?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JqEuUEHxCk and "She Darked The Sun" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9QENNNPwQ.

Retro Chiller: The Return of Dracula

Francis Lederer

There have been a number of cinematic variations on the story of Dracula, but do you recall the vampire tale whose story echoed that of a classic film by Alfred Hitchcock? That film is The Return of Dracula, an entertaining low budget chiller released in 1958. In order to elude a group of vampire hunters in Europe, the legendary vampire kills an artist named Bellac Gordal, and assumes his identity. Dracula visits Bellac’s family, who live in California, posing as their distant relative. The family consists of Bellac’s cousin, Cora, a widow who hasn’t seen him since they were much younger, and her two children; Rachel, a teenager who has ambitions to become an artist, and her younger brother, Mickey. Rachel is particularly intrigued and dazzled by Bellac's tales of his exotic life in Europe, much to the consternation of her boyfriend, Tim, who's pretty sure there is something odd about him.

Bellac has some strange habits; he sleeps all day, keeps his room locked, and only comes out at night. Of course, he’s got a coffin stashed in an abandoned mine shaft outside of town, and that’s where he’s really spending the daylight hours. Any self-respecting vampire needs his sustenance, so Bellac/Dracula slakes his thirst with the family cat, then hunts for bigger game. He feeds on Jenny, a young blind girl who lives at a parish house, which is run by the kindly Reverend Whitfield. Rachel volunteers there, and is distressed to see her friend’s failing health. No one can explain her strange condition. She tells Rachel she’s having eerie dreams and dark visions of her death. Jenny is later transformed into a vampire by Bellac.

Rachel (Norma Eberhardt) and her family continue to be charmed by Bellac, despite his eccentric behavior. Bellac wants Rachel to become his bride, and spend eternity with him. Meanwhile, the vampire hunters, posing as immigration agents, track Dracula to California, and try to locate his hiding place. Bellac discovers their presence, and dispatches Jenny to take care of them. Will Bellac’s true nature be revealed? Can Tim keep Rachel from becoming Bellac’s next victim? The Return of Dracula is a well-crafted B-movie that offers a slightly different spin on the story of the world’s most famous vampire. While the film is most definitely a low budget affair, it does have some interesting moments. In fact, Rachel’s fascination with her cousin is a neat parallel to a similar situation in the Hitchcock classic Shadow of a Doubt, where another young woman's charming uncle is later revealed to be a notorious killer.

Francis Lederer does a nice job in the role of Bellac/Dracula, radiating old world charm, touched up with an undercurrent of quiet menace. It’s not as florid as the performances by actors like Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee or Frank Langella, but it suits the film’s understated style. Lederer actually reprised the role in an episode of Night Gallery in 1971. The rest of the cast is solid; you may recognize character actor Gage Clark, who plays Reverend Whitfield. Clark also appeared in films such as The Bad Seed and The Absent Minded Professor, as well as TV series like Maverick and The Twilight Zone. The excellent black and white cinematography by Jack McKenzie includes a brief (and surprising) splash of color during a key sequence. The Return of Dracula is an effective chiller, and worth a look for B-movie fans, and those with a particular taste for vampire tales. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ULuL07ptuY.

Retro Thriller: Pakula's "The Parallax View"

Warren Beatty in The Parallax View

The 1970s were the decade in which the conspiracy thriller film came into its own. In the wake of the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., the optimism of the 1960s gave way to feelings of distrust and paranoid thoughts. Theses negative thoughts escalated further when the United States was propelled into the aftermath of events such as the Manson murders and the Watergate scandal. Films like Executive Action, The Conversation, Night Moves, Three Days of the Condor, Winter Kills and Capricorn One focused on conspiracies, real or imagined, which exposed the dark underside of the American dream. No movie illustrates these ideas and concepts in a more chilling, effective and believable manner than The Parallax View, director Alan J. Pakula's terrific 1974 thriller.

Warren Beatty plays Joe Frady, a down on his luck (though talented and resourceful) reporter who, as the film opens, is nearby when a popular presidential candidate is assassinated. An investigative committee formed by the government finds that the murder was the act of a disturbed individual who acted alone. Lee Carter, a newswoman who witnessed the murder firsthand, visits Frady several years after the killing. She tells him that that something odd is going on, as a number of witnesses to the shooting have died, seemingly under accidental circumstances. Carter, a former flame of Frady's, is herself found dead of a drug overdose shortly after her visit to him. A shaken Frady decides to look into her claims.

What he discovers is that a mysterious organization called The Parallax Corporation is recruiting people who are on the fringe of society, that don't fit the accepted behavioral norm. These antisocial outsiders are given training, and new jobs, and are ultimately used as assassins, taking out politicians that don't fit the shadowy group's world view. The oddball loners are then framed for the crimes, taking the fall for the killings as a "lone gunman." Frady convinces his editor that he wants to go undercover in the organization, allowing them to recruit him. He hopes to ultimately expose their activities to the world. It's a choice that will prove to be Frady's undoing. 

In The Parallax View, nothing is quite what it seems. There are multiple layers of secrets, lies and misdirection at the center of this shadowy organization. As Frady digs deeper, he becomes caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy. Just how far do the tendrils of Parallax reach? The sense of unease and impending doom is palpable in this cynical thriller. The moody cinematography by Gordon Willis is superb, as is Pakula's tense direction, especially in the chilling sequence where Frady watches the Parallax training film. There's always something happening just outside the frame in this movie, and you're often unsure of exactly what's going on right before your eyes. The X-Files may have popularized the term "Trust No One" but in The Parallax View, there's a true feeling of dread throughout the story. You really can't trust anyone.

The cast is superb. Beatty delivers a solid, low key performance as Frady. The fine supporting cast includes Paula Prentiss, Hume Cronyn, William Daniels, Kenneth Mars, Walter McGinn and Anthony Zerbe. The intelligent, layered script is by David Giler and Lorenzo Semple, Jr. (with an uncredited assist by Robert Towne) and is based on the book by Loren Singer. Michael Small provides an offbeat score, which adds to the sense of unease throughout the film. Along with Klute and All The President's Men, which were also directed by Alan J. Pakula, this film is often referred to as part of his unofficial "paranoia" trilogy. The Parallax View seems even more relevant in our current environment, and is definitely worth a look. Here's a link to the trailer for the film, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzQRp0Fjpjg, and for an insightful look at the life and career of Alan J. Pakula, check out the 2019 documentary, Alan Pakula: Going For Truth.

 

Retro TV Episode: The Phantom Family

Lemnoc keeps an eye on Dr. Smith & The Robot

I've been doing a re-watch of selected episodes of all of Irwin Allen's classic TV series, and recently posted about "Visitors From Beyond The Stars," an episode of The Time Tunnel. It's been having a lot of fun seeing these shows again, and this time out it's a brief look at a selection from another one of Allen's iconic shows. "The Phantom Family" is of the better episodes in the second season of Lost In Space, the show which featured the Robinson family, whose ship, the Jupiter 2, is sent off course by a saboteur, Dr. Smith, causing them to become....Lost In Space! In its second year, the series switched from black and white to color, and the tone of the show veered wildly from outer space adventure to fairy tale themed outings, and other campy, comical stories which often focused on Will Robinson, Dr. Smith and the Robot. 

"The Phantom Family" concerns an alien named Lemnoc (played by Alan Hewitt) whose race has lost the will to live. He creates android duplicates of Dr. Smith, Don West, and Judy and Penny Robinson. Lemnoc wants Will to teach the androids about being human, and all about our strengths and emotions, especially our survival instinct. Lemnoc gives Will a 24 hour deadline, explaining that Will's family and friends will be destroyed, unless the alien transports the duplicates to his world within that time frame.

This enjoyable outing features much of the main cast having fun playing the stoic, emotionless androids. Jonathan Harris, who could often be theatrical and over the top as Dr. Smith, does a great job in a couple of low key scenes with Bill Mumy's Will, as the Smith android does indeed learn about being human from the youngest Robinson. Guy Williams and June Lockhart are absent for most of this entry, but they return for the final portion of the story, so that John and Don West, played by Mark Goddard, can do their action hero bit at the end of the episode.

There's are some fun easter eggs for Allen devotees, as Lemnoc's lab is filled with equipment and props which appeared previously on Lost In Space, as well as other Allen series, including The Time Tunnel and Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea. "The Phantom Family" was written by Peter Packer, who wrote the lion's share of Lost In Space episodes throughout the series run, and helmed by veteran actor and director Ezra Stone. You might also notice some similarities to a third season episode entitled "Target Earth," in which another alien race creates duplicates of the Robinsons, as part of a plot to invade the Earth. If you're a Lost In Space fan, "The Phantom Family" is definitely worthy of a re-watch.

Retro TV: Aliens Invade The Time Tunnel!

Robert Colbert & James Darren

In the mid to late 1960s, Irwin Allen produced and created a quartet of science-fiction series, including Lost in Space and Land of the Giants. I recently wrote a retrospective review of The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, an entertaining 1995 documentary about Allen's life and career. This time out, let's take a look at an episode of The Time Tunnel. While this series had the shortest run of Irwin Allen's shows, lasting only one season, it still has a devoted following, and was his personal favorite. The Time Tunnel starred James Darren and Robert Colbert as Tony Newman and Doug Phillips, two scientists who become lost in time when their time travel experiment goes awry. Every week the duo was propelled into the midst of a different real-life event, from the sinking of the Titanic, to the attack on Pearl Harbor, to the battle at The Alamo, while their colleagues at Time Tunnel HQ tried to bring them home. This clever concept allowed Allen and his production crew to make extensive use of 20th Century Fox's library of stock footage, inserting the duo into the midst of epic battles, volcanic eruptions, and a number of turning points in history.

"Visitors From Beyond The Stars," is a bit different from previous episodes of the show, as Tony and Doug aren't interacting with real life historical figures or participating in actual events. This time, our heroes venture into the territory of other Allen series like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, as they face off with alien invaders for the first (but not the last) time. As the story begins, our stalwart time travelers materialize on a spaceship which is orbiting Earth, where they encounter a pair of silver-skinned aliens. At first, our heroes think they've ended up in the future, but it turns out they're arrived in our past, during the nineteenth century. These not so friendly extraterrestrials plan to drain the Earth of all its resources in order to revive their dying planet, destroying our world in the process. It's up to Tony and Doug to stop them and thwart their evil plan.

The episode is an enjoyable, old school 1950s sci-fi tale, complete with a brainwashed Doug, and an Old West twist. "Visitors From Beyond The Stars" was directed by Sobey Martin, who was also behind the camera for a number of episodes of Lost In Space. The story was written by Bob and Wanda Duncan, who regularly penned scripts for that family-oriented space adventure series. The guest cast includes familiar faces Jan Merlin and John Hoyt, both of whom appeared in a number of science-fiction and fantasy films and television series. Irwin Allen had a group of actors, directors, writers and production staff that he liked to work with, and he'd often utilize members of this unofficial stock company for his television shows and movies. For example, John Williams, of Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars fame, composed the themes for Lost In Space, Land of the Giants and The Time Tunnel, as well as creating incidental music for those series.

At the conclusion of "Visitors From Beyond The Stars," after saving the day, our heroes are propelled into their next adventure, in which they meet "The Ghost of Nero." Doug and Tony would encounter aliens twice more during the run of the series, in "Raiders From Outer Space," and "Town of Terror." If you haven't previously seen The Time Tunnel, this entertaining show is worth checking out, especially if you really enjoy vintage science-fiction and fantasy television. Of course, if you're already a fan, or an Irwin Allen devotee, it's about time for an epic re-watch of the series, don't you think? 

 

Memorable episodes of the show include "Rendezvous With Yesterday," the impressive pilot, in which our heroes end up on the Titanic, and "The Day The Sky Fell In," in which our heroes encounter Tony's father (and Tony's younger self) just prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The complete series has been released on DVD and Blu-ray. I recommend the Blu-ray edition issued by Revolution Films in the UK in 2018. Though it's a Region 2 release, the discs will play on US Blu-ray players. Here's a trailer for the DVD release of the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIJRh5zinbk.

Dizzyfish Rocks with "The Best of the 70s"

Dizzyfish - photo by John V

Dizzyfish, a fabulous band led by guitarist/vocalist Eric Herbst, is a longtime fixture on the Connecticut music scene. This terrific group keeps the spirit of rock and roll alive with their show "The Best of the 70s," which is touring the area this summer. The band took the stage at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford this past Saturday, and wowed the crowd with superb performances of memorable tunes such as "The Weight" by The Band, "Lady Madonna," by The Beatles and "Desperado" by The Eagles. This wasn't just a concert, it was a rock and roll party where the audience sang along and danced to every song, including classic hits such as Cat Steven's "Wild World," Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" and Jim Croce's "Bad Bad Leroy Brown."

Dizzyfish - Photo by John V

Herbst is the energetic ringleader of this incredible group, and the entire band clearly enjoys performing these songs. Their enthusiasm for the music shines through in every performance. Angela Clemmons and Sharon Jerry-Collins wowed the crowd with their passionate backing vocals, while The Uptown Horns amped up the soul on tunes like Bruce Springsteen's "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind." The talented ensemble also includes the top notch work of Tim Lane on keyboards, John Zanella on bass, Tommy Nagy on drums, and Jon Saxon's incredible saxophone. One of the high points of the night was an extraordinary take on Led Zeppelin's "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You," featuring a towering solo from Saxon. That was just one highlight in a night filled with amazing music, including an outstanding version of Jimi Hendrix's iconic "Little Wing," and a lovely rendition of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight," which Herbst dedicated to his wife.

Dizzyfish - Photo by John V

Jeff Pitchell and his band performed a high-energy set of blues originals and covers to kick off the night, including a blistering run-through of Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Cold Shot." Pitchell later returned to the stage to join Dizzyfish for an epic version of Lynyrd Skynrd's "Free Bird," which closed out the night. If you're a classic rock fan, and enjoy seeing your favorite songs performed with true heart, real soul and high energy rock and roll power, then check out Dizzyfish and "The Best of the 70s." You can find out more about the band and this phenomenal show by following this link: https://www.dizzyfishmusic.com/.

Eric Herbst & The Uptown Horns - photo by John V

 

The Amazing Adventures of Irwin Allen

These days, when people hear the name Irwin Allen, they might recall that he was the producer of disaster films such as The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, but for a generation of television fans, he's also fondly remembered as the man behind four classic series: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants. If you're of a certain age, you very likely watched these shows during their original broadcasts, or caught them after school in syndication during the 1970s, and later on various cable channels. These memorable series were colorful, action-packed, and often featured wild plot-lines that combined science-fiction, fantasy and adventure. Allen's TV shows were often scoffed at by highbrow critics, but they're still beloved by their fans. While some episodes did go off the rails a bit story-wise, the shows were always well-produced and entertaining, providing thrills, action, humor and excitement to viewers.

If you're looking for a well-done overview of Allen and his career, seek out the 1995 documentary The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, which was originally produced for the Sci-Fi Channel. Hosted by June Lockhart and Bill Mumy of Lost In Space, this enjoyable tribute covers Allen's work in television and feature films, with special emphasis on his four classic TV series. There are insightful interviews with stars of Allen's shows and films, including Jonathan Harris, James Darren, Lee Meriwether, Gary Conway, Robert Wagner and Roddy McDowall. The creation and production of each of Allen's television series is extensively detailed, and there's also a look as his latter-day work for the big-screen in the disaster film genre. It's fun to see the behind-the-scenes footage and promotional material from Allen's TV series and feature films. Lockhart and Mumy do a fine job hosting the show. They also share some fond memories of their time working with a man who was as colorful and full of personality as his television series.

 

A comprehensive large format book, also entitled The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, was released several years ago by an independent publisher called Creature Features Press. This exhaustively researched coffee table book covered Allen's life and career, and featured an authoritative text by author Jeff Bond, as well as many exclusive photos. The book quickly went out of print, and used copies are currently fetching exorbitant prices online. However, there's some really good news for Irwin Allen fans. The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen is being re-issued in a new edition by Titan Books this October, and is currently available for pre-order online. In the meantime, you can catch all of Irwin Allen shows on cable channels like MeTV, or watch them on DVD. 

 

The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen is an informative and affectionate tribute to Allen's life and career. The film is well-produced by Kevin Burns, who was also behind the scenes for the later Allen centric TV special Lost In Space Forever. While it's currently out of print on DVD, used copies of can be found online. The documentary is also included as a special feature on the Blu-ray edition of Lost In Space: The Complete Adventures. The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen is a lot of fun to watch, as are all of Allen's classic TV series. I've been doing something of a re-watch of Allen's series recently, and I think that they still have strong appeal for the ten year old in all of us. Feel free to share a favorite moment or episode from one of Allen's series in the comments, and remember: "Warning! Warning! Alien Approaching!"

An Evocative Meeting of Poetry and Film

Drew Pisarra is a multi-talented sonneteer and playwright who's the author of the outstanding poetry collections Infinity Standing Up and Periodic Boyfriends, as well as the compelling short story collection You’re Pretty Gay. His work is clever, witty, erotically charged, sharply observed and infused with emotionally rich thoughts on life, love and relationships. His latest collection, Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems, is a series of bold, intelligent, razor-sharp and sensual pieces which celebrate Pisarra’s love for the work of avant-garde filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder, while showcasing his own gift for crafting exceptional pieces of verse-based literature.

Many of the poems in this remarkable volume share titles with films in Fassbinder’s celebrated cinematic output, including The Marriage of Maria Braun, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, and Fox and His Friends. Not only do these poems share the titles of classic Fassbinder works, they also examine many of the themes featured in those films, including loneliness, love, relationships, sex and the alienation felt by characters who feel they’re trapped on the fringes of society. The poems collected in Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems, are haunting, heart-rending, and harrowing. They are also funny, touching and soulful.  

These enthralling poems will vibrate through your being and echo across your soul. “The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant” and “In A Year Of Moons” display Pisarra’s innate gift for wordplay and vivid imagery, as well as his wry, ironic sense of humor. Captivating entries like “Theatre in Trance,” “Love Is Colder Than Death,” and “Das Kaffehouse: Director’s Cut” play with the general structure of verse, and are riveting in their own right. Every poem in this phenomenal collection strikes just the right note, and will continue to resonate with you as you re-visit them, which you will absolutely want to do.

Drew Pisarra’s intelligent and passionate poems are a joy to experience. He regularly challenges the conventions of the genre, as he did in the sonnet cycle Periodic Boyfriends, which used the periodic table of elements as a springboard for an evocative walk through his romantic entanglements. Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems is another superb work from a uniquely talented writer. You don’t need to be familiar with Fassbinder’s oeuvre to appreciate the brilliance inherent in Pisarra’s poems, but if you have seen some of those amazing films, you’ll discover an additional layer of resonance in the themes explored by both artists. If you’re not already a Fassbinder (or Pisarra) fan, Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems will inspire you to check out some of those terrific films, as well as Pisarra's other wonderful work.

Retro Movie: Colossus: The Forbin Project

Susan Clark, Eric Braeden and Georg Stanford Brown

There have been a number of films featuring sentient computer systems which attempt to take over, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Demon Seed, and The Terminator. One of the best examples of this science-fiction sub-genre is the 1970 thriller Colossus: The Forbin Project. The movie stars Eric Braeden as Dr. Charles Forbin, who's one of the minds behind Colossus, a powerful computer system which is designed to control the nuclear weapons of the United States. The idea behind Colossus is that it would take the human element out of the equation, utilizing a more logical thought process in case of a nuclear conflict, and hopefully minimize the threat of World War III.

Forbin and his team have done their job all too well. Once Colossus is activated, it quickly proves to be sentient, and more powerful than anyone initially thought possible. Colossus asks to be linked to Guardian, a similar system which has been developed in Russia. Colossus warns that if this task is not accomplished, there will be consequences, and the super intelligent computer happens to be in full control of our nuclear arsenal. Suddenly, it's a race against time for America and the USSR to turn off these renegade machines before they cause can death and destruction. But it might not be as easy as Forbin, his team, and their counterparts in Russia think. Can they stop Colossus from taking over the world, and enforcing its will on mankind?

Colossus: The Forbin Project is a thought-provoking tale. While some of the computer hardware, and the Cold War setting of the film, may seem be a bit dated, it's still a fascinating story of technology run amok. The themes of the film seem even more relevant in our modern world, at a time when we're more reliant than ever on technology to assist us in our daily lives, and the rise of AI brings up more questions about the proper use of technology. The movie works both as a cautionary tale, and a tense, well-paced race against time thriller. The rise of Colossus is portrayed in chilling, realistic fashion, and the threat to the human race posed by this sentient supercomputer illustrates the price mankind might pay if one of its own creations turns against it.

In addition to star Braeden, then best known for his role in the television series The Rat Patrol, the supporting cast features a number of familiar faces, including Susan Clark, William Schallert, Marion Ross, Martin E. Brooks, and Georg Stanford Brown. The film was directed by Joseph Sargent, who was also behind the camera for the original version of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. The screenplay for the movie was penned by James Bridges, who also wrote the scripts for The Paper Chase and The China Syndrome, a film he also directed. Colossus: The Forbin Project is based on the novel Colossus by writer D.F. Jones, who also authored two sequels, The Fall of Colossus and Colossus and the Crab, though only the first book was adapted for the screen.

Colossus: The Forbin Project is worth a look for science-fiction and thriller fans. Once seen, that darker edged early 1970s style ending is not soon forgotten. By the way, if the voice of Colossus sounds familiar, that's because those dulcet tones belong to veteran actor Paul Frees, who's known for his performances in a plethora of classic films and TV shows. The movie was one of my favorite genre films in my younger years, and it still holds up well today. It's available on DVD and Blu-ray, and also for rental on Amazon. Here's a look at a trailer for the film's Blu-ray release on the Shout! Factory label: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyOEwiQhzMI.

The Top Ten Posts: 2024 Edition

Last March, I wrote about the Top Ten most visited posts for this blog since its inception in 2011. I thought it might be interesting to see if things had changed in a year's time, so here's the Eclectic Avenue Top Ten as of this week:

1. It's A Terrifying Trilogy of Terror: Still at number one, this popular post was part of a blogathon, and it's a retrospective about the classic telefilm, Trilogy of Terror: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2019/03/its-terrifying-trilogy-of-terror.html.

2. Vincent's Dazzling "Whatever It Takes": Retaining the number two spot, a review of Kyle Vincent's album, "Whatever It Takes": https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/06/vincents-dazzling-whatever-it-takes.html.

3. The Bellero Shield: Hanging in at number three, a look at one of my favorite episodes of the original Outer Limits TV series: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2018/07/robert-culp-rocks-outer-limits.html.

4. Early Elton: This is a superb tribute band that I've seen perform a number of times throughout the years. They've been featured on the blog several times, and this review of a 2017 performance is still in the number four spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/06/early-elton-resurrects-madman.html.

5. Avengers: Endgame: My review of the Marvel superhero film from 2019 is a new entry on the list, flying into the number 5 slot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2019/05/action-humor-and-pathos-in-endgame.html.

6. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: my post about the classic made for TV chiller starring Kim Darby, which was part of a blogathon, is another new entry in the top ten, notching the number 6 spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/02/you-can-still-be-afraid-of-dark.html.

7. Andrew Curry of Curry Cuts Records: Andrew is the fabulous producer behind several outstanding tribute albums. We've talked several times over the years, and this chat from 2021 about a terrific Andy Gibb tribute record remains on the list: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/05/higher-than-mountain-songs-of-andy-gibb.html. 

8. Cinesavant: My look at the work of the excellent film writer Cinesavant shows up at number eight, retaining a spot on the list: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/12/cinesavant-trailers-from-hell-comfort.html.

9. Starting Over: At number nine, it's a look at musician and author Ken Sharp's insightful and revealing book on the sessions for John Lennon and Yoko Ono's album, Double Fantasy: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/10/an-in-depth-look-at-starting-over.html.

10. The Magnificent Seven: This look at the 1960 Western classic is another blogathon post, and it rides into the number ten spot as it debuts on the list this year: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/04/eli-wallach-vs-magnificent-seven.html.

As always, thanks for supporting this blog, and my writing, throughout the years. Please use the search function on the right side of the main page to check out some of the other articles from Eclectic Avenue!

Retro TV Episode: Space 1999's "Black Sun"

Barry Morse and Martin Landau in Space: 1999

Space: 1999 was one of the more ambitious science-fiction series of the mid-1970s. In those pre–Star Wars days, there were far less genre options on TV than there are in the current viewing landscape. The series, which ran from 1975-1977, was the brainchild of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, who had found fame with puppet-based children's adventure shows such as Thunderbirds. Their first foray into live-action sci-fi was the 1969 film Journey to the Far Side of the Sun, which starred Roy Thinnes. That big-screen adventure was followed by UFO, a television series featuring Ed Bishop as Col. Ed Straker, the head of an multi-national organization called SHADO, which protected our planet from villainous alien invaders.

UFO was a British production which aired in syndication here in the US. While it found some success in the ratings, it was not renewed for a 2nd year. Gerry Anderson retooled his concept for UFO’s second season, which would’ve centered on adventures on SHADO's base on the moon, into Space:1999. In this new sci-fi epic, our moon is blown out of Earth's orbit by a nuclear explosion. The runaway moon (and the crew of Moonbase Alpha) wander thru space, encountering aliens and strange phenomena as they try to find a new home. The series starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, the husband-and-wife team who had previously found television success on Mission: Impossible, and Barry Morse, then best known for his role as Lt. Gerard on The Fugitive.

Space:1999 featured spectacular special effects from Brian Johnson, who had worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey. The series contained elements of science-fiction laced with horror and even a touch of fantasy, and often dealt with heady concepts about our place in the universe, for which no easy answers or neat resolutions were provided by the end of the episode. This appealed to some fans but turned off other viewers, and that disparity in opinions regarding the quality of the series continues to this day. One of the best examples of this “metaphysical sci-fi” aspect of the show is "Black Sun," an episode from the first season, which originally aired on November 6, 1975.

In “Black Sun,” the moon encounters a "black sun" (essentially a black hole) which threatens the existence of Moonbase Alpha. The black sun is wreaking havoc with the base’s power systems, and Commander Koenig (played by Landau) is worried the moon may not survive the trip through the anomaly, because of its tremendous gravitational forces. Koenig and Dr. Victor Bergman (portrayed by Morse) hatch a plan to shield Moonbase Alpha from the black sun’s destructive power, but they're not sure their idea will succeed. As a backup plan, Koenig prepares to send an Eagle transport ship into space, with several crew members aboard, which will ensure that some of the crew will survive if the moon is destroyed.

The episode showcases a philosophical discussion between Koenig and Bergman about how they’ve survived their adventures thus far, and their thoughts about some kind of unknown force guiding the moon’s journey through space. As their fateful journey through the black sun grows closer, the two men share a mystical experience with a powerful entity. This 2001 style sequence (with spiritual undertones) deftly illustrates what many fans love about the show, and also what detractors of the series point to as one of its flaws: that nothing is ever really resolved, and we're left with more questions than answers. Doesn't science-fiction (at it best) make us think, and ask us to ponder the big questions about life?  In my opinion, “Black Sun,” is one of the finest episodes of the series, featuring solid work from the cast, excellent music and special effects, a fine script by David Weir (including an uncredited rewrite from story consultant Christopher Penfold) and strong direction from Lee H. Katzin.

The series was revamped for its second and final season, with producer Fred Freiberger (Star Trek, Wild Wild West) coming on board to guide the show. Barry Morse departed the series, and several other members of the supporting cast weren’t asked to return. Catherine Schell was added to the ensemble as Maya, an alien metamorph who could transform into any person or animal at will. Tony Anholt also joined the cast as security chief Tony Verdeschi. The sets were re-designed, and the somber mood of the first season was abandoned in favor of action-oriented stories, featuring more traditional TV style conflict between the characters. Fans of the series are passionate about which season they like best, with many favoring Year One's more serious approach, and others enjoying Year Two’s fast-paced outings, which also included more humor than the first season.

Whatever iteration of the series you prefer, it's available for viewing on various streaming services, and the show has also been released on Blu-ray and DVD. Space: 1999 is worth revisiting if you haven’t seen it in a while. The first season is better than it’s reputation among non-fans suggests, and there are even some solid outings in the much-maligned second season. If the show's reach sometimes exceeded its grasp, at least it was an ambitious undertaking that tried to bring something different to the genre. Here’s a trailer for a Blu-ray release of the series, featuring Barry Gray’s iconic theme from Year One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nciw0ALw0\.