MovieChat Forums > Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) Discussion > that 'flying saucer' sound... cicadas?

that 'flying saucer' sound... cicadas?

posted 20 years ago by rw_lynch
11 replies | jump to latest

Here we are in 2004, in the middle of the 'Brood X' invasion of the 17-year cicadas. It was pointe dout to me that when heard from a distance, the sound of those thousands of cicadas is a dead ringer for the whirring 'flying saucer' sound from 1950s-era movies such as Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

Could it actually be? The cicadas come in 17-year cycles, and three cycles ago was the year 1953. Perhaps some enterprising folio guy decided to record that sound for use in the movies of that era. Perhaps even with this one?

Curious if anybody has any anecdotal stories or other evidence.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] jleestjohn 19 years ago

As a movie fan I'm sure 'rw lynch' would be interested to know that 'Foley' (not folio) sound was named after the early sound effects and pioneering 'Foley artist,' Jack Foley. Look him up, and while you're at it, look up the origins of gaffer, best boy, grip, and all the other movie terms. I had a lot fun researching these, and I bet you will too.

[–] moondoggiedaddy2007 18 years ago

According to Ray's AN ANIMATED LIFE, as well as the limited FXRH magazine series by Ernie Farino, the sound effects for the flying saucers was a recording of the sewage being pumped and processed through the pipes at the Hyperion Water Treatment Facility at 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA. It "doubled" as the rocket base for "Project Skyhook". FYI, Dr. Marvin's Belmont Lab was really the UCLA Administration Building, per Joan Taylor, who acted as the wife.

MDD

[–] puirt-a-beul 17 years ago

he sound effects for the flying saucers was a recording of the sewage being pumped and processed through the pipes

Eeuuuuwwwww !!!!

Even if it's not accurate, I prefer to think of the sound as cicadas in flight, thanks very much !!

[–] obit1 16 years ago

moondoggiedaddy is right...it's the sound of sewage going through pipes at the treatment plant where they shot the Skyhook scenes. It was Charles Schneer's idea, once he heard it.
http://www.woodywelch.com

[–] Sprocket-man 12 years ago

the sound effects for the flying saucers was a recording of the sewage being pumped and processed through the pipes

Eeuuuuwwwww !!!!

Even if it's not accurate, I prefer to think of the sound as cicadas in flight, thanks very much !!

You can't make that sh*t up ...

[–] rwsmith29456 16 years ago

No it wasn't sewage! It was real flying saucers, right?! Please tell me so!

[–] iainhammer 15 years ago

It was REAL flying saucers. Honest. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise!

[–] andylib79 14 years ago

hah^^^
i don't know how they created the sound of the saucers but i'm pretty sure it was the saucer sounds from this movie that were sampled in the Prodigy's song Serial Thrilla: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbmAtXuK9v8

[–] krains 14 years ago

Check this out for sound effects for a later flying saucer probably based on the ones in this movie:

http://messages.tv.yahoo.com/tv/threadview?m=tm&bn=tvb-31829f1&tid=6&mid=7&tof=4&so=LR&frt=2

http://creatio-ex-materia.blogspot.com/2008/04/greatest-sound-effect-of-all-time.html

[–] 14 years ago

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