June 11- Beware the Body Snatchers- by the Book!
I’ve just read a really interesting book (yeah, I’m one of those people who still reads books- not just blogs) about the famous sci-fi film –“Invasion of the Body Snatchers”- and its remakes. The book, which I got at our sponsor Horrorbles, is actually a bunch of essays and interviews about the films and the original novel they were based on. Such genre names as Stephen King and Dean Koontz (by the way, another book plug- get Koontz’ s “Frankenstein” book series- it’s a great read, and updating of the Frankenstein legend to modern day action!) give their two-cents worth, along with others, and it’s a true education for fans of the movies.
We learn a lot about Jack Finney, who wrote the original story-and about other stories he authored. You learn that, for all the talk about its meaning, and the story being an allegory about conforming, or Communism, etc, Finney actually never intended that- it was just a story to him! Reading about him has made me want to search out some of his other works- as well as the movies made based on them- like “Assault on a Queen”- about guys who work to raise a sunken sub to rob the Queen Mary! Some of the stories seem fascinating, and ideas that would make for perfect “Twilight Zone” episodes- like “the Woodrow Wilson Dime”- in which a guy gets a dime with the visage of said president on it- that leads to a parallel reality!
We also learn about the actors in the classic original film and its remakes- especially the great Kevin McCarthy, who appeared in two of the films- obviously, the first one, where he was the main protagonist of the pod people, and the second, where he makes a brief appearance, running away from a group of pod people. McCarthy is a fine actor, and his sense of humor is very much in evidence as he talks about the films, and the people involved in the making of them. I understand that Horrorbles is bringing Mr. McCarthy to town in July for a special screening of the film at the portage Theater, as part of their monthly horror movie showcase- you can find more info at www.horrorbles.com …
We find out a lot about the Philip Kaufman remake from the 70s with Donald Sutherland- and the less-than-beloved recent remake. It also tells about differences between the movies and the original story- the written story had a great ending –and how the ending of the remake was a surprise to everyone!
The book is “Invasion of the Body Snatchers: a Tribute”- edited by none other than Kevin McCarthy (!) and Ed Gorman. If you’re a fan of sci-fi classics- please take the time to READ this book! Come on- you remember how to read, right? I mean, a whole book?
We learn a lot about Jack Finney, who wrote the original story-and about other stories he authored. You learn that, for all the talk about its meaning, and the story being an allegory about conforming, or Communism, etc, Finney actually never intended that- it was just a story to him! Reading about him has made me want to search out some of his other works- as well as the movies made based on them- like “Assault on a Queen”- about guys who work to raise a sunken sub to rob the Queen Mary! Some of the stories seem fascinating, and ideas that would make for perfect “Twilight Zone” episodes- like “the Woodrow Wilson Dime”- in which a guy gets a dime with the visage of said president on it- that leads to a parallel reality!
We also learn about the actors in the classic original film and its remakes- especially the great Kevin McCarthy, who appeared in two of the films- obviously, the first one, where he was the main protagonist of the pod people, and the second, where he makes a brief appearance, running away from a group of pod people. McCarthy is a fine actor, and his sense of humor is very much in evidence as he talks about the films, and the people involved in the making of them. I understand that Horrorbles is bringing Mr. McCarthy to town in July for a special screening of the film at the portage Theater, as part of their monthly horror movie showcase- you can find more info at www.horrorbles.com …
We find out a lot about the Philip Kaufman remake from the 70s with Donald Sutherland- and the less-than-beloved recent remake. It also tells about differences between the movies and the original story- the written story had a great ending –and how the ending of the remake was a surprise to everyone!
The book is “Invasion of the Body Snatchers: a Tribute”- edited by none other than Kevin McCarthy (!) and Ed Gorman. If you’re a fan of sci-fi classics- please take the time to READ this book! Come on- you remember how to read, right? I mean, a whole book?
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