The Fabulous World of Jules Verne: Czechoslovakia, Steampunk and Zamen in 1958
If you would like to support the podcast and get ad free versions you can subscribe for $3 or £3 a month at https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm You can follow the podcast on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky. Although science fiction cinema did not begin in the USA it seems that by the 1950s Hollywood had tapped into the ravenous appetite the public had for the genre. The period is now known as the Golden Age of Science Fiction with an array of films ranging in style, topic and quality. Themes of space travel, alien invasion, nuclear fears and cold war paranoia are strewn across the decade. Meanwhile in Czechoslovakia Karel Zamen was working on making some cinematic masterpieces made for children based on the works of Jules Verne and other late 19th century authors. In 1958 he made the film Invention for Destruction based on Verne’s novel Facing the Flag. In 1961 this was dubbed in English and retitled The Fabulous World of Jules Verne and distributed by Warner Bros. The visual style is based on late 19th century etchings and illustrations of Verne’s novels which you can take a look at on this Instagram post. The film went on not only to inspire many prominent filmmakers like Hayao Miyazaki, Tim Burton and Terry Gilliam but also a cohort of writers who cite his film as being the origin for the style of steampunk science fiction. I spoke to two wonderful guests to understand the historical context and ongoing influence of the film. Thomas Lamarre is a Professor of Film, Media, and East Asian Languages and Civilisations at the University of Chicago. He is also the author of the Steam Punk cinema chapter in the Oxford Handbook of New Science Fiction Cinemas. Mary Heimann is Professor of Modern History at Cardiff University. She is also the author of the book Czechoslovakia: The State that Failed. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the show and Karel Zamen03:51 Post War Czechoslovakia06:52 A Christmas Dream and Hermina Týrlová07:25 Global animation after World War 210:48 Journey to the Beginning of Time12:47 Why haven’t I heard of this film*?15:37 Science Fiction in Czechoslovakia18:27 Steampunk!23:08 Thomas’ experience of the film24:58 The Czech perspective26:12 The Czech New Wave and the Prague Spring30:58 Milos Forman and filmmakers in exile32:19 The messaging and nature of the film35:56 Legacy41:41 Recommendations for the listener44:44 Ads and subscription details NEXT EPISODE!Next episode we will be speaking about another lesser known science fiction film: The World, the Flesh and the Devil from 1959. You can find out where the film is streaming in your region on the Just Watch website and an internet search brings a few leads for the full film online. *Possibly because I am stupid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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47:46
The Mysterians: 1957 Sci-Fi Space Invaders in Postwar Japan
You can find the podcast on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky. In 1992 Ishiro Honda sat down for his final interview with journalist David Milner. When asked about which of his own films were his favourite Honda listed Godzilla (1954), Gorath (1962) and The Mysterians from 1957. The Mysterians is a visually beautiful film full to the brim with sci-fi tropes. A technologically advanced but desperate alien race, affected by radiation, is invading earth and wants to take our healthy women for breeding purposes. There’s also a groovy space station and the first mecha-kaiju in the form of Moguera. A film made at a time when Japan seems to be wrangling with what it means to be a post imperial, post nuclear tragedy country with a growing economy and a booming film industry. I have two wonderful experts to help shed light on the context of this trope laden sci-fi classic. Jay Telotte is Professor Emeritus of film and media studies at Georgia Tech. He has written/edited numerous books and articles about science fiction film including the 2023 book Selling Science Fiction Cinema. Yuki Miyamoto is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Humanities Center at DePaul University. Her work focuses on the ethics around nuclear discourse. Chapters00:00 Introduction01:56 Japanese Golden Age of Cinema: censorship, art vs big budget & the USA08:47 Pacifism and militarism14:04 Toho studios15:36 Glorious colour, Toho-scope and cinema culture19:57 Tradition, science and military might27:55 Taking our women: occupation, war & marketing36:55 Message of collaboration39:50 The US market44:51Battle of the Planets45:55 Shout outs: Akira Ifukube and Eiji Tsuburaya48:10 Legacy and Recommendations NEXT EPISODE!In two weeks we will be speaking about a film that shocked me with its striking visual style. The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958), also known as Invention for Destruction or in its original Czech: Vynález zkázy. You can look to find the film on Just Watch but people in mainland and central Europe may find it easier to find with mainstream streaming services. The Criterion Channel also has the film available and there may be some Central and Eastern European services that you may be able to sign up to. I believe there may be a copy on YouTube but I am unsure of its quality or validity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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54:49
I Married a Monster from Outer Space: Gender expectations in 1958
You can find the podcast on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky. I Married a Monster from Outer Space was released as part of a double bill (with The Blob) in 1958. The story focuses on newlywed couple Marge and Bill Farrell but unbeknownst to his new bride and the whole town Bill has been replaced by an alien on the eve of their wedding. Themes of marriage, resentments and gendered expectations are as rife as can be expected in the 1950s. We have two insightful experts help shine a light on these themes. The Experts Thomas Doherty is a professor of American Studies at Brandeis University, he is a cultural historian with a special interest in Hollywood cinema on which he has written extensively. Sherryl Vint is Professor of Science Fiction Media Studies at the University of California, Riverside. She has written/edited many books about science fiction. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:58 Science fiction golden age and the marriage melodrama 05:27 The female led sci-fi film and Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique 08:40 Patriarchal expectations of 1950s men 13:24 Changes in post war America 16:33 The Hays production code and the scandalous double bed 21:19 The Alien: looking good and learning to love 26:14 Marge’s dilemma30:42 Romantic, sexual and gendered anxiety 39:20 Devil Girl from Mars: Aliens are coming to take our men! 41:36 Legacy 45:59 Recommendations for the listenersNEXT EPISODE! Next episode we will be hopping slightly back in time and discussing The Mysterians from 1957. The film was made in Japan by Toho studios. It is quite difficult to buy or rent a copy but is available in some regions on FlixFling, The Criterion Channel and some other internet sites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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50:35
The Blob, Steve McQueen and the Rising Teen
As usual there are spoilers ahead! Somewhere in the late 1950s society began to come to terms with the idea of the teenager. Teens were heading to the cinema leaving younger siblings and parents at home. The Blob (1958) isn‘t a tale of rebellion or film warning about teenage delinquency but a thoroughly enjoyable time with a catchy theme tune. I have two wonderful guests to help us unravel this classic 1950s sci-fi. The Experts Roger Luckhurst is a Professor at Birkbeck, University of London. He has written/edited numerous of articles and books on cultural history and film. Matthew Rule Jones is a senior Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Exeter and the author of Science Fiction Cinema and 1950s Britain: Recontextualising Cultural Anxiety. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:22 The origins of the film 06:05 Moral panic, the teenager and the AIP film formula11:36 Red scare as red herring: Jello and suburbia 16:25 The intention vs the interpretation of films 17:32 The Blob 20:00 The theme song vs the earnest tone 24:15 The cinema scene and self-reflection 28:32 The double bill offering 29:56 Steve McQueen: The adult teen 39:10 What are we gonna do? 39:40 Legacy: Sequels and the education system 48:55 Recommendations for the listenerThe Next Episode! The next episode we will focus on the film I Married a Monster from Outer Space. You can buy or rent the film from many outlets or check the Just Watch website to see where it may be streaming in your region Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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52:45
McCarthyism vs Ed Murrow: History Daily
For this bonus episode I’ve teamed up with the excellent History Daily podcast. Very exciting! History Daily tells fascinating stories of what happened “on this day” in history with a new episode every weekday.The early 1950s in the USA stand out as not just a time of economic prosperity but also one of paranoia. The country faced the fear of the atomic bomb, the Red Scare and a moral panic around juvenile delinquency. (Teenagers were new and unpredictable!)During this time Joseph McCarthy’s power to seek out and persecute perceived communists was at its peak but the tide was about to turn. In 1954 it took journalist Ed Murrow guts to stand up to the influential senator.You can learn more about History Daily on their website here. (And please just indulge me in telling you that it is a complete coincidence that this episode release aligns with this day in history! 9th March 1954 is when Ed Murrow aired his report on Joseph McCarthy!)You can hear more from me on social media platforms Threads, Instagram and somewhat gingerly also on Bluesky. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever* podcast looks back at more than a century of films, beginning in 1902 and working towards the future. Each episode focuses on a film, director or theme and brings in experts to discuss the history, politics, and influences. Join sci-fi enthusiast Ayesha Khan as she travels through time and space, encounters aliens, and battles authoritarian regimes all from the comfort of your home planet. Released every two weeks*Almost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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