MovieChat Forums > Flight to Mars (1951) Discussion > 'Fifty years into the future!'? Boy, 20...

'Fifty years into the future!'? Boy, 2001 sure looks like 1951.

posted 16 years ago by hobnob53
32 replies | jump to latest

I never quite got the tag line of FTM -- "Fifty Years Into the Future!" So, according to that, in 2001 we'll all be driving 50-year-old automobiles, and the war correspondent played by Cameron Mitchell will either have had a lot of plastic surgery to keep him young-looking, or reported from WWII battlefronts at the age of about 3, in order to look even remotely youthful enough to fit his character. Not to mention the professor played by Richard Gaines doing a TV interview for $3000 that he wants to have to leave to his family in case he gets aboard the RXM by mistake and doesn't come back. $3000! Wow. That's certainly standard TV pay for 2001, not to mention way more than enough to house, feed, clothe and educate his entire family, and allow them to comfortably retire on with enough left over for a summer home, new cars and annual round-the-world cruises.

Ah, the future never looked so bright! Unless, of course, we run out of corium.

[–] BijouBob8mm 16 years ago

I'm still waiting for that orbiting wheel between here and the moon that Kubrick promised by "2001"

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Hell, George Pal promised one in Conquest of Space in 1955, and that one never materialized either. Maybe they were blown up by the same Venusian ray that knocked out the station in Queen of Outer Space? (Both of which, oddly enough, were due in 1985.)

[–] babettegillette 14 years ago

George W. would have cancelled the mission in order to "get Sadaam!"

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

Nah, he'd have equipped it with a death ray and zapped Iraq in one fly-over. Hell, I'd've been fine with it if he'd gotten Bin-Laden!

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 13 years ago

He didn't but somebody with a love of edible underdrawers did.

Let it be unsaid: insignificance is the locus of true increpation.

[–] hobnob53 13 years ago

Anthony Weiner killed bin Laden?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

I'm a little late in getting around to seeing this piece of slop, perhaps only 60+ years, but finally I got to it this afternoon. Besides being astoundingly dull with almost no action, it makes "Rocketship XM" a true masterwork by comparison. Why bother to make it in a sort of color? I know, foolish to ask after all these years cuz there's nobody who can answer. Just bits and pieces taken from other drive-in trash fests, but not even entertaining in a silly way. I am so disappointed! The best part for me, besides the "girls" costumes, was Morris Ankrum as the villian. Oh, and how could I forget, an ending that was beyond meaningful. If U want more, go read the trivia box;I'm off to find something else more richly rewarding.

To understand is the opposite of existing.

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

May I recommend Frankenstein Island?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

I will watch that again some nite, but since I have no one to watch it with, its down the road a bit. I bet U have not glanced at it as yet. Enjoying yer firehouse visitations?

To understand is the opposite of existing.

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

No, haven't yet sat through FI. I'm in England now. Just before I left Thursday, we did have a fire, but I couldn't go as I was about to leave, which sounds like something Groucho said.

Back on topic, while Flight to Mars is kinda, shall we say, ridiculous, albeit much fun, I take planetary exception to your poor attitude toward its Morris Ankrum co-feature, Rocketship X-M. That one just gets better and better, notwithstanding Wade Williams's unforgivable tinkering with the FX. Quite atmospheric, for a planet without an atmosphere (almost).

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

I don't remeber putting that one down as I said it is much better than Flight to Nowhere. Perhaps jet lag has misplaced your memory. My harangue was about FTM not, as I said the more ernest Rocketpocket XM. Did Yer movie collection burn up? Hope not. Have fun in wherever UR and return anonce or osmething. I R a mess with keybored sticking.

To understand is the opposite of existing.

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

Actually, you wrote (in post #1 dated Dec. 13, 2011), in decimating FTM, that "it makes 'Rocketship X-M' a true masterwork by comparison." A back-handed compliment [sic] if e'er there 'twere one.

Luckily, it was somebody else's houses that burned down, neither of which contained The Collection. To paraphrase Homer Simpson, "It's funny because I don't know them." For saying that, it'll doubtless be stolen or destroyed. Well, Pa, they cain't keep us'n down, because we're the People, and somehows, we jes' keep on a-goin'.

Mele Kalikimaka, in the words of Bing Crosby's tombstone, or whichever frozen pizza he choked on.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

Keep on a singin' and a dancin' and inbetween Mille Kakamamie, take time to revel in all that transatlantic hollyday bilge!

To understand is the opposite of existing.

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

Hey! --Keep it down you two! I could hear you all the way to the Rupert the Great page!

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

I was wondering where you were just last night! Welcome aboard the flight to Mars. At the helm, your great pilot, Kim Jong Il.

Don't tell me they've remade The Great Rupert?! (Sorry about that...!)

(closest I could find to a squirrel)

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

There you go! You two pratlin' knuckle-haids have gone and confused I, even I, to the point that I besmirch the very title of George Pal's beloved Christmas classic.

I hope you're both very pleased with yourselves! Ruining Christmas for little, innocent children ALL AROUND THE WORLD!

Is THIS the Future we were all looking forward to all those years ago? Seriously?

Well! Listen to me and I will tell you! Mars is a grand objective, but a meatier goal would be to achieve PEACE ON EARTH right here on old Terra Firma.

I suggest we all try and remember that, for the Future yet to come, we should expend our time planning for a better Future for we are all interested in the Future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, Future events such as these will affect you in the Future.

I think I've made my point in grand fashion.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am spent. I'll return to The Great Rupert (we've ALL learned something today, haven't we? Hmmmm?) and to dreaming of the day when I'll actually see Flight to Mars so I can join in on the fun you two pratlin' knuckle-haids are having!

I can't wait! (and there's nothing I can do about it!)

(All seriouness aside, Happy Christmas, my friends. Happy Christmas)

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

Peace on Earth? Talk about science fiction! You must be a Martian agent.

I take it your post was all based on sworn testimony from those miserable souls who survived the shower curtain?

FYI, you can get the DVD of FTM red-dirt cheap, just in time for Christmas, like the one they celebrated on Mars in George Pal's Conquest of Space. (This is called a tie-in.) It's a surprisingly poor print, unlike the excellent VHS (yet both from Wade Williams), but adequate. Then you can jump in on the lunacy. Another Pal tie-in, with apologies to Destination Moon, especially as FTM uses the same spaceship interior as DM's spacey rival, Rocketship X-M.

It's all just one great big orbit, with films colliding.

Oops! Pal again.

See you, pal.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

Glurg.

To understand is the opposite of existing.

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

What a chump I am to waste so many words when you say it all in one.

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

Another thread on this page kindly provides a link to an on-line opportunity to view Flight to Mars for unfortunate souls like me who, through no fault of their own and circumstances prevailing, can join the throngs of happy peppy people that have done so and done so numerous times without feeling even the pink tinge of guilt.

So! -- I may just do that one of these days soon (I watched Manos: The Fickle Fingers of Fate 1966 in that manner recently).

Hot dog, Uncle Jed! Then I'll be in the position to speak with authority and no longer live in shame!

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

I read the thread, Fred. You might get a better print on line than on the DVD.

Let us know when you've stepped ashore on the island of lost minds.

(remember -- closest icon to a Martian we can find)

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

Judging from the trailer, the vey sleek and pointy spaceship lands near the Pan Pacific Auditorium that is apparently hosting a visit from those high kickin' Radio City Rockettes. Danger follows.

Looks like my kind of movie!

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

As Marguerite Chapman, playing a Martian named Alita, says (no doubt employing a thoroughly convincing Martianism), "Beautiful performance!" You'll see.

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

"Fahrvergnügen!"

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

Nothing but nausea here in old Space Patrol outfits! It makes me wonder what kind of "dudes" I got mixed up with. U guys seem to go for women in 1950's so-called future clothes or lack of them. Put that in yer interrocitors and blast off!

Decent clothes...a car, but what's it all about?

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

Ruffffffffff!!!!!

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

tweetsie, glurg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whole sight; or all the rest is desolation.

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

Say, hob, did you ever notice that a clip from this title is in that favorite of motion picture fans, your friend and mine, Killers from Space (1954) ?

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

I did indeed, esc, the shot of the Martians' cartoon city, with that rocket firing by from lower left to upper right. Supposedly one of the three civilizations "closer to our [the Astron-Deltans'] sun" conquered by the ADs in KFS.

At least both films spared us any further use of stock footage from One Million B.C.!

[BTW, did you see that actor Warren Stevens died this past Tuesday, March 27? Most famous, of course, as "Doc" Ostrow in Forbidden Planet. He was 92.]

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

About Warren Stevens -- yes and when I read the headline, don't get me wrong, but I thought of our old friend hob! I know you "follow the stars" and keep track of their doings and their goings. It would seem Mr. Stevens lived a full life.He seemed like a nice guy and was certainly a versatile actor.

And seeing that clip from Flight to Mars in Killers from Space made me wonder if those flying saucers and the other views of the alien civilization in the same scene were also from other movies.

Ah! -- "Stock footage"! Mr. Wilder, you were King!

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

Also, Warren Stevens appeared in some Twilight Zones as well as in the second-season Star Trek episode, "A Rose by Any Other Name", as the commander of the aliens from Andromeda who take over the Enterpriase and turn the crew into styrofoam blocks. The paper said Stevens died of chronic lung disease. A connection?

"And our mission will be completed by a captain who is my descendant."

Something tells me that FTM clip was in another low-budget film of the 50s, but I just can't place it (I may be mistaken anyway). Have to cogitate on that one. Where'd I put my oxygen mask?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 11 years ago

Almost a year has passed or is that surpassed since last time we all collided here. What shall we do since someone still hasn't seen said rattletrap flick?

Pure logic is ruin.