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Godzilla vs the Thing (1964)/Voyage to the End of the Universe (1963) in the PNW
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- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 427
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "Godzilla vs the Thing" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. "Voyage to the End of the Universe" (1963) was the co-feature.
Click on images for larger versions.
Godzilla vs the Thing (1964)
“Godzilla vs. The Thing,” also known in Japan as “Mothra vs. Godzilla,” is a classic 1964 kaiju film that pits two of cinema’s most iconic monsters against each other. Directed by Ishirō Honda, the film is a thrilling entry in the Godzilla franchise and showcases the special effects wizardry of Eiji Tsuburaya.
The film opens with the discovery of a gigantic egg on the shores of Japan, following a destructive typhoon. The egg becomes the center of attention, drawing the curiosity of the public and the greed of an unscrupulous businessman who sees it as a lucrative tourist attraction. However, the egg is more than it seems—it belongs to Mothra, the giant moth deity, and is guarded by tiny twin girls from Infant Island who implore for its return.
As the human drama unfolds, Godzilla emerges from the mud, awakened by the typhoon’s aftermath, and begins a rampage through Japan. The situation becomes dire, and the people of Japan find themselves caught between Godzilla's destructive force and Mothra's protective might. In a series of spectacular battles, the two titans clash, with Mothra fighting valiantly to protect her offspring and the people of Japan from Godzilla’s atomic wrath.
“Godzilla vs. The Thing” is renowned for its dramatic showdowns and the moral questions it raises about human exploitation of natural wonders. The film’s portrayal of Godzilla as a force of nature and Mothra as a symbol of protection resonates with audiences, making it a memorable and influential piece of monster movie history
Director: Ishirô Honda
Writer: Shin'ichi Sekizawa
Stars: Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, Hiroshi Koizumi
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Voyage to the End of the Universe (1963)
“Voyage to the End of the Universe,” originally titled “Ikarie XB-1,” is a visionary 1963 Czechoslovak science fiction film directed by Jindřich Polák. The film is a cinematic adaptation loosely based on Stanisław Lem’s novel “The Magellanic Cloud.”
Set in the year 2163, the narrative follows the crew of the starship Ikarie XB-1 as they embark on an ambitious journey to the “White Planet” orbiting the star Alpha Centauri. The mission is a leap into the unknown, with the crew facing the vastness of space for a duration that, due to the effects of relativity, will see them age only 28 months while 15 years pass on Earth.
The film delves into interstellar travel's psychological and physical challenges, exploring the dynamics among the 40-strong multinational crew. As they adjust to life in space, they encounter a series of mysterious and potentially dangerous situations, including a derelict 20th-century spaceship and a risky “dark star.” The crew’s resilience is tested as they navigate through these hazards, all while dealing with the complexities of isolation and the strain it puts on their mental well-being.
“Voyage to the End of the Universe” is noted for its ahead-of-its-time production design and thought-provoking themes, which later influenced other landmark films in the genre. It stands as a testament to the era’s imaginative storytelling and the enduring allure of space exploration.
Director: Jindrich Polák
Writers: Pavel Jurácek, Stanislaw Lem, Jindrich Polák
Stars: Zdenek Stepánek, Frantisek Smolík, Dana Medrická
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September 2, 1964 ad (Seattle)
September 1, 1964 ad (Seattle)
September 3, 1964 ad (Seattle)
September 4, 1964 ad (Seattle)
September 21, 1964 photo (Portland)
September 22, 1964 article (Portland)
September 22, 1964 ad (Portland)
September 23, 1964 ad (Portland)
September 23, 1964 photo (Portland)
September 24, 1964 ad (Portland)
September 25, 1964 ad (Portland)
September 29, 1964 ad (Portland)
Godzilla vs the Thing (1964) poster
Voyage to the End of the Universe (1963) poster
Godzilla vs the Thing (1964) trailer
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Voyage to the End of the Universe (1963) trailer
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The Masque of the Red Death (1964) in the PNW
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- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 336
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle got Bava's "The Evil Eye" (1963) for a second feature while Portland got "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" from 1962.
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The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
“The Masque of the Red Death,” a 1964 horror film directed by Roger Corman, is a vivid adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story. The film stars Vincent Price as Prince Prospero, a cruel and debauched nobleman who retreats to his opulent castle to escape the deadly plague known as the Red Death. Inside, he hosts decadent feasts and perverse entertainments for his fellow aristocrats, all while the peasantry outside suffers from the merciless disease.
As the plague ravages the land, Prospero’s castle becomes a sanctuary for the elite, indulging in excesses and mocking the suffering of the less fortunate. The prince’s consort, Juliana, seeks deeper communion with the dark forces Prospero worships, while the innocent Francesca, brought from the village, becomes a pawn in Prospero’s cruel games.
The film culminates in a grand masquerade ball, a twisted celebration of life in the face of death. However, the revelry turns to horror as an uninvited guest arrives, cloaked in a costume that personifies the Red Death itself. This spectral figure brings a chilling revelation that not even Prospero’s wealth and power can protect him from the inevitable grasp of mortality.
Corman’s “The Masque of the Red Death” is a haunting tale of hubris and doom, a reflection on the futility of trying to escape the universal fate that death holds for all.
Director: Roger Corman
Writers: Charles Beaumont, R. Wright Campbell
Stars: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher
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The Evil Eye (1963)
“The Evil Eye,” also known as “La ragazza che sapeva troppo” (The Girl Who Knew Too Much), is a 1963 Italian film directed by Mario Bava. It is often considered the first “giallo” film, combining elements of horror, mystery, and romance.
The story follows Nora Davis, an American tourist in Rome who enjoys mystery novels. Her vacation turns dark when she witnesses a murder, plunging her into a real-life mystery. As the killings continue, Nora and her suitor find themselves entangled in the dangerous pursuit of a serial killer known as the Alphabet Murderer.
With its blend of suspense, stylish cinematography, and a plot that pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock, “The Evil Eye” is a seminal work that influenced the thriller genre.
DirectorL Mario Bava
Writers: Ennio De Concini, Sergio Corbucci, Eliana de Sabata
Stars: John Saxon, Letícia Román, Valentina Cortese
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The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
“The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” is a 1962 American science fiction horror film delving into scientific ambition's dark side. Directed by Joseph Green, the film tells the story of Dr. Bill Cortner, a surgeon with radical ideas about human transplantation. After his fiancée, Jan Compton, is tragically decapitated in a car accident, Dr. Cortner manages to keep her head alive in a laboratory setting.
Obsessed with finding a new body for Jan, Dr. Cortner scours various places, including a burlesque nightclub and a beauty contest, in search of a suitable “donor.” Meanwhile, Jan, now a disembodied head, experiences agony in her new existence and develops telepathic abilities, which she uses to communicate with a monstrous being locked away in the lab—a failed experiment of Dr. Cortner’s.
The film reaches its climax when Jan’s pleas to be allowed to die are ignored, and she calls upon the creature to help her. In a gruesome turn of events, the creature breaks free, leading to a violent confrontation that underscores the perils of playing God. “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” is a cautionary tale of science without ethics, exploring themes of identity, consciousness, and the limits of human power.
Director: Joseph Green
Writers: Doris Brent, Joseph Green, Rex Carlton
Stars: Jason Evers, Virginia Leith, Anthony La Penna
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The Masque of the Red Death (1964) poster
The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) poster
The Masque of the Red Death (1964) trailer
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The Evil Eye (1963) trailer
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The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) trailer
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Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) in the PNW
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- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 748
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest.
Click on images for larger versions.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964)
“Robinson Crusoe on Mars” is a captivating 1964 science fiction film that takes the essence of Daniel Defoe’s classic tale and launches it into the cosmos. The movie, directed by Byron Haskin, presents the story of an astronaut who becomes stranded on the Martian landscape after a series of unforeseen events during a space mission. With limited resources and only a monkey for company, the astronaut must use ingenuity and determination to survive the harsh conditions of the red planet. The film explores isolation, survival, and the indomitable human spirit, all set against a beautifully rendered Martian vista. It’s a tale of adventure and discovery that cleverly adapts the novel’s core elements to a new, extraterrestrial environment.
Director: Byron Haskin
Writers: Ib Melchior, John C. Higgins, Daniel Defoe
Stars: Paul Mantee, Victor Lundin, Adam West
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June 120, 1964 mini-review (Seattle)
August 4, 1964 photo (Portland)
August 6, 1964 photo (Portland)
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) poster
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) trailer
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The Last Man on Earth (1964)/Unearthly Stranger (1963) in the PNW
- Details
- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 844
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "The Last Man on Earth" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. "The Unearthly Stranger" (1963) was the second feature.
Click on images for larger versions.
The Last Man on Earth (1964)
“The Last Man on Earth” is a 1964 post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film that tells the chilling tale of Dr. Robert Morgan, portrayed by Vincent Price. In this bleak vision of the future, a devastating plague has swept across the planet, leaving Dr. Morgan as the sole survivor due to a mysterious immunity he acquired years prior. By day, he fortifies his home and hunts the vampiric beings that the plague’s victims have become, while by night, he endures the relentless assault of these creatures.
Haunted by the loss of his wife and daughter to the plague, Morgan’s existence is a lonely vigil of survival. His days are a repetitive grind of seeking out the undead to destroy them and burning their bodies to prevent their return. The film delves into Morgan’s past, revealing the onset of the plague and the tragic fate of his family, providing a poignant backdrop to his solitary struggle.
As the last man on Earth, Morgan’s life is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, even as he faces the horrors of a world overrun by the undead. The film explores themes of isolation, loss, and the fight to retain one's humanity in the face of overwhelming despair.
Directors: Ubaldo Ragona, Sidney Salkow
Writers: Richard Matheson, William F. Leicester, Furio M. Monetti
Stars: Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia, Emma Danieli
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Unearthly Stranger (1963)
“Unearthly Stranger” is a 1963 British science fiction film that delves into the enigmatic world of Dr. Mark Davidson, a scientist working on a groundbreaking spaceflight project. His life takes an unexpected turn when he marries Julie, a woman with an array of peculiarities that defy human norms. As the story unfolds, Dr. Davidson and his colleagues grapple with the implications of Julie’s mysterious past and her extraordinary traits, which raise suspicions and intrigue.
The film is a suspenseful exploration of the unknown, blending elements of mystery and romance with the tension of Cold War-era espionage. It challenges the characters—and the audience—to question the nature of identity and the boundaries of love and trust in a world where not everything is as it seems. “Unearthly Stranger” captivates with its atmospheric tension and thought-provoking narrative, all while maintaining a veil of secrecy that leaves viewers pondering long after the credits roll.
Director: John Krish
Writers: Rex Carlton, Jeffrey Stone
Stars: John Neville, Philip Stone, Gabriella Licudi
The Last Man on Earth (1964) poster
Unearthly Stranger (1963) poster
The Last Man on Earth (1964) trailer
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Unearthly Stranger (1963) trailer
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