MovieChat Forums > On the Threshold of Space (1956) Discussion > 'Threshold' finally on FMC: 8/20/09

'Threshold' finally on FMC: 8/20/09

posted 15 years ago by hobnob53
11 replies | jump to latest

Coincidence of coincidences! Just as escalera-2 and I were speaking of wanting to see On the Threshold of Space, I discover it's finally going to be broadcast on Fox Movie Channel (FMC) this coming Thursday, August 20, 2009, at 10:30 AM EDT.

(Escalera is a good luck charm about discovering long-unseen movies just as we begin discussing them: for further proof, please see the board for Captive Women (1952).)

The one drawback to this broadcast is that, according to the satellite listings, it will not be shown in widescreen. This is unfortunate but not unexpected: for some mysterious reason FMC usually doesn't run CinemaScope movies in their proper widescreen aspect ratio for the first year or two (or more) that they show them...only to eventually relent and show them letterboxed. (Well, usually.) They did this with such titles as Violent Saturday, Night People, Woman's World, The Lost World, and many others. They're still running films such as Three Brave Men, Prince of Players and others currently or recently on the channel in pan-and-scan versions instead of widescreen. Why they do this is beyond comprehension.

Anyway, while this is not an incidental complaint, finally seeing this film -- even in p&s, and with the unavoidable graininess that inevitably results from such a format -- is better than not seeing it at all. As I wrote on another thread, I've never seen it and am looking forward to it.

As this is the first time FMC is running OTTOS, it's probable it'll continue to turn up on that channel once a month or so in the coming months...maybe. But in widescreen? That may be a much longer wait...if indeed ever. But still more likely than ever getting a DVD.

[–] escalera-2 15 years ago

"Always after me Lucky Charms!"

Well, congratulations are in order, hobnob. Congratulations! And thanks -- on behalf of myself and other interested parties -- for sharing the wealth of information!

Pan and Scan or no, it is, as I remember it -- well worth watching. In fact, I also am victim to the P&S syndrome since it was not only seen in Black and White by me back in the 60's, but most certainly in P&S.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy watching. Since Standard Cable is our only friend, I'll have to re-live the moments through your and other viewer's comments after the show.

And I look forward to it.

Enjoy!

[–] hobnob53 15 years ago

I can't do anything about it this time, but if it's run in coming months I'll see if I can get a DVD-R made...a technology I have not yet embraced, but plan to. And what better excuse to do so than to get a disc of a film abbreviated OTTOS??

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!

C'mon, men! Hit that threshold!

You! Hodiak! You fakin' that 'heart problem' again?

[–] escalera-2 15 years ago

These guys -- on the threshold of space! -- had plenty of moxie in them, one at a time. That was most appealing. We all needed our heroes. Heady days.

[–] hobnob53 15 years ago

Yes, absolutely. There's another film I've never seen called Bailout at 43,000 (1957), which apparently is a melodrama concerning the testing of new safety equipment designed to help high-altitude pilots -- not exactly a space (or threshold thereof) movie, but it sounds as if it has a slightly similar aspect or two. It starred John Payne and was the final film of actor Paul Kelly, who died of a heart attack on election day, 1956, before the movie was released. (Shades of what happened to John Hodiak in this film...another coincidence.)

Of course, Ivan Tors's weak sci-fi film Riders to the Stars attempted to detail (tediously, and with some inaccuracies) the training of pilots to fly into space -- in this case, to capture a meteor. Not a well-thought-through plan, but for 1954.... Anyway, that movie did show many aspects of primitive astronaut training...although the word "astronaut" didn't exist quite yet.

Meanwhile, looking forward to seeing OTTOS tomorrow. I may not have time to write a report on it here right afterward, but will do so in a few days.

[–] escalera-2 15 years ago

I had written a reponse to your last post but for some reason it got kicke doff the page. I'll put it together again some time.

I did look around for Bailout at 43,000 (1957) and found it, once again on Roberts Videos (Robert's Hard to Find Videos) but, as with Threshold, a mite pricey.

[–] hobnob53 15 years ago

Hi e-2,

I just posted a typically lengthy review of OTTOS on a new thread here. Hope it's of some interest.

Alas, I got my monthly satellite guide for Sept. and FMC is not running the movie again next month. This is not unheard-of but then they usually do run a film once or even more a month once thay start showing it. Unfortunately this may mean it was a one-off broadcast not to be repeated anytime soon -- perhaps not for months, even years again. Very disappointing. However, I shall keep a lookout. At least I've now seen it, and it's actually pretty good.

[–] escalera-2 15 years ago

Well, that's the way the mop flops.

I'll look for your other note and am glad you got to see it finally. I trust you were not terribly disappointed.

[–] laura-827 14 years ago

OTTOS is currently available for viewing on Hulu.

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

Thank you for the information, Laura, but forgive my ignorance: what is "Hulu" and where does one find it? (And have you any details about OTTOS on Hulu? Is it letterboxed, etc., do you know? Thanks!)

[–] laura-827 14 years ago

hobnob, hulu is a site that offers streaming video: www.hulu.com. You can watch videos there for free, so just hop over there and search for OTTOS. (I'm sorry I can't answer questions about it, I watched too many movies during vacation, and I'm not remembering details.)

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

Thank you, laura-827!