Notizie

Article by Dana Jung

The 1970s was a time of many cinematic styles and fads, and one of the most entertaining phases of the era was the Hitchcock-inspired movie. Through the popular writings of people such as Francois Truffaut and Richard Shickel in the 1960s, Alfred Hitchcock had rightfully and rather suddenly been elevated from mere shockmeister to Master Artist of the Cinema. Either intentionally or by cinematic osmosis, Hitchcock’s style became the fashion of the day throughout the 70s. From low budget exploitation such as Wicked, Wicked (covered in a previous Not Available on DVD), to arguably its peak in the work of Brian De Palma (Sisters and especially Obsession), several filmmakers basically ripped off one of the greatest directors in history throughout the 70s. Long camera tracking/dolly shots, first person perspective, and rapid editing started showing up in loads of films, even non-thrillers. But by the end of the 70s,...

Gene Roddenberry spent the 1970s attempting to create new series and while many got as far the pilot film, none ever went to series. By the end of the decade he was frustrated and gave up, tying himself to Star Trek, riding that cash cow to the end of his life.

His first attempt was 1973’s Genesis II, a take on post-apocalyptic life on Earth, starring Alex Cord as Dylan Hunt (a name that got recycled). The CBS movie of the week looked good and almost made the schedule when the network opted instead for Planet of the Apes. Roddenberry continued to rework the notion, revising it into Planet Earth, and switching from CBS and Cord to ABC and then rising action star John Saxon. After that aired and failed, Roddenberry wisely walked away from the idea in favor of Questor and Spectre.

Others, though, didn’t give up and...

On this day in 1921 the Great Bird Of The Galaxy, Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, was born in El Paso, Texas. Gene was known as a writer for Dragnet, Naked City, Have Gun, Will Travel, The Lieutenant, The Questor Tapes, Genesis II, Planet Earth, and Strange New World.

Oh, all right, Star Trek, Earth: Final Conflict, and Andromeda. And even a few comics series-- don't tell me you don't remember Gene Roddenberry's Lost Universe from Tekno Comics?

He died in 1991 and his ashes are in orbit now, so when we say the Great Bird Of The Galaxy watches over us, we aren't kidding. Thanks again for letting us all play in your world.