tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post4271062495705515270..comments2024-03-13T23:42:41.022-07:00Comments on We Are Controlling Transmission: Keeper of the Purple TwilightJohn Scolerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-49931825322662148342024-03-13T22:36:22.741-07:002024-03-13T22:36:22.741-07:00That comparison makes a lot of sense.
But I'm ...That comparison makes a lot of sense.<br />But I'm very fond of this one. As other people say, it's like a serious answer to MORK AND MINDY, with funny moments worked in.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-59843088038943674242023-06-27T22:15:58.514-07:002023-06-27T22:15:58.514-07:00To quote Columbo just one more thing. It kind of ...To quote Columbo just one more thing. It kind of worked in the context of this episode but I'm kind of tired of scifi movies with aliens coming to Earth and not understanding our advanced concept of "love" for example Keanu Reeves in the hideous remake of The Day he Earth Stood Still. Why would this concept be unique to humans? That smacks of Earth -centrism. Kind of like when politicians said the Vietcong and Chinese people did not see death the way Westerners did even when presented with evidence otherwise. Sorry if I got too political. But it's really ridiculous and writers need to come up with some other plot devices when portraying first contact stories. CNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-56414234917515802182023-06-27T22:06:16.170-07:002023-06-27T22:06:16.170-07:00I wrote my "review" before I list to DJS...I wrote my "review" before I list to DJS's commentary so I was pleased we are on the same wavelength as far as this episode.CNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-91217552296109001212023-06-27T21:31:09.094-07:002023-06-27T21:31:09.094-07:003 Zantis. I am surprised. I really liked this on...3 Zantis. I am surprised. I really liked this one.Cmacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-58107549743392801612023-06-27T21:28:22.435-07:002023-06-27T21:28:22.435-07:00Wow. I am surprised. I really liked this one. Y...Wow. I am surprised. I really liked this one. Yes it's kind of silly and doesn't make a lot of sense. Still it's very intriguing and actually a lot of fun. For me one of the better second season episodes. I like how the alien society is worked out, with the military aliens looking the same as the Webber character except they are taller and have more muscles. They were good at this in the second season, for example in Soldier we get a good understanding of the future society in just a few minutes. I thought Weber was quite good as was the rest of the cast, boy Platt was a jerk. I guess the censors didn't mind Webber sitting on the woman's bed in the middle of the night because he really was an alien so there could have been no hanky panky. Nice location shooting too. I wonder if the aliens will come back. It shouldn't be too hard for them to build their own ray gun. Now I'm starting to rethink how illogical this episode is so I f better stop before I give it less than 3 Zantis.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-56006787405429148852023-05-10T16:33:51.171-07:002023-05-10T16:33:51.171-07:00What works so much for me in this and almost all e...What works so much for me in this and almost all episodes was set director Chester (Chet) Bayhi, art director Jack Poplin and location manager Lindsey Parsons, though as I recall only the last two got honorable mention in David Schow's book. For me, numerous scenes in Keeper had great atmosphere; the night scenes, those at Eric's home and even the day shots during the picnic and alien showdown. Again Projects also did a fine job on the alien creations, especially the Ikar suite, given their deadlines and the budget which ABC had hacked down at least twice. Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-61079121975992085072023-05-10T10:27:59.879-07:002023-05-10T10:27:59.879-07:00I agree completely with that.
Even if I didn'...I agree completely with that.<br /><br />Even if I didn't like it in general, Gail Kobe would save it for me. I know she does the stereotyped thing and faints two different times, but when that isn't happening, Janet is a very interesting character,Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-16566305358608804432023-05-09T01:00:22.179-07:002023-05-09T01:00:22.179-07:00Say what you will about the looney title but this ...Say what you will about the looney title but this episode is long overdue for a Spotlight page. Meanwhile, please invite members from other forums to post questions and comments among these pages. This blog is too precious to die, however slowly. Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12007548640789388359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-9798801661528939682022-01-17T13:54:29.540-08:002022-01-17T13:54:29.540-08:00Yes, this does have something. Despite its flaws i...Yes, this does have something. Despite its flaws it works for me on a number of levels. And how different might it have been if it were a Season 1 episode?Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12007548640789388359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-63955030804711150832021-10-07T18:46:39.577-07:002021-10-07T18:46:39.577-07:00Yes, the episode’s title just is what it is. But l...Yes, the episode’s title just is what it is. But like in Duplicate Man and Expanded Human, I for one love some of Harry Lubin’s music here. During the evening scene outside of Janet’s home and when Dr. Karlin is confronted by the soldiers. Thanks SO much to the thoughtful and kind souls who’ve (somehow) acquired and posted several excerpts from Lubin’s library on Youtube that were pulled to score Season Two. If only there were more. Comparisons to Season One are pointless as both seasons are different animals in numerous ways. But don’t get me started on Dom Frontiere’s TV music library, circa 1960-63. I could go on for days. <br /><br />Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12007548640789388359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-59880588290870792412021-10-07T18:17:29.546-07:002021-10-07T18:17:29.546-07:00They certainly have their flaws but the entire con...They certainly have their flaws but the entire concept of the soldiers and especially how Ikar looks were unique and among the most memorable things John Chambers and/or Projects Unlimited had ever created. Ditto that cool death ray. Jack Poplin’s sets and that opening evening desert scene. Perfection! <br /><br /><br />Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12007548640789388359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-31832922964065631792018-09-15T06:07:56.198-07:002018-09-15T06:07:56.198-07:00The line "All good people are asleep and drea...The line "All good people are asleep and dreaming" from this episode is sampled and used by the band Skinny Puppy for their track Tin Omen. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-84208465683266043432017-03-28T21:44:22.019-07:002017-03-28T21:44:22.019-07:00Look at that strange backseat driver dont he know ...Look at that strange backseat driver dont he know better not to pick up hitch hikers especialy from another planetSwifty the Spacebirdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-2918507493825935342015-04-22T19:56:47.792-07:002015-04-22T19:56:47.792-07:00The mask interfering with the actor's mouth (m...The mask interfering with the actor's mouth (mentioned near the top of the page) is close to my only problem with the whole episode. As JS says, it's a real step down from the way the mouths were left free in THE CHAMELEON. But if you compare it to the no visible mouths at all in FEASIBILITY STUDY, it looks a lot better.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-27154965229100344052014-12-12T17:09:51.773-08:002014-12-12T17:09:51.773-08:00Okay, this is weird. I can't remember if I eve...Okay, this is weird. I can't remember if I ever saw this or not. Thought I do have a feeling I walked in in the middle... like, maybe, the last 10 minutes of it. Don't you hate when that happens?<br /><br />I loved Robert Webber's crime boss in "REVENGE...", where he hired a team of hit men to kill one man, who, it turns out, is the man he's actually hired to kill Clouseau. (He wanted a demonstration.) Later, he's so wrapped up in his work, his squeeze Dyan Cannon (a major babe) winds up with Clouseau instead. <br /><br />But my favorite film with Webber has to be "WRONG IS RIGHT", where (if memory serves), he plays the globe-hopping journalist Sean Connery's boss, who catches a sarcastic earfull when his TV star berates what the news game has become. The film ACCURATELY predicted incidents of the GWB administration, 19 YEARS before the fact. Scary.Henry R. Kujawahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607373491331529952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-87117607262857559412014-02-23T12:20:48.648-08:002014-02-23T12:20:48.648-08:00One of my favorite SMALL lines is Ikar's grudg...One of my favorite SMALL lines is Ikar's grudging compliment to Janet's fried chicken.<br /><br />Janet: Do you like it?<br />Ikar: It's a new taste.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-9090982137623804382014-02-02T22:42:17.888-08:002014-02-02T22:42:17.888-08:00Say what you want about Harry Lubin and his therem...Say what you want about Harry Lubin and his theremin, but I think what he did for "Keeper" was some of his very best-like that cue just prior to the bedroom scene. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-53405992342179280582012-11-12T19:23:43.530-08:002012-11-12T19:23:43.530-08:00hockey24hrs. mentions Janet's "I've g...hockey24hrs. mentions Janet's "I've given the love to others" line as looking ahead to the Sexual Revolution. Even if that's a joke, you hear something like that in her wary line to Ikar about how women live in his "ideal society." <br />Speaking of her reaction to him, one of Gail Kobe's best lines is incredibly simple. It's when Ikar tells Janet "I don't live to be liked or disliked."<br />She smiles and says "Oh." But in such a quietly sarcastic way, as though she's just heard the lamest remark in the world!<br /><br />A lot of Robert Webber's roles have been mentioned, but I've always liked him in the comedy "Don't Make Waves," where he played one of those comical swingers, the kind who passes judgement on that when it comes to EVERYONE ELSE in the story. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-12376467866889503152011-04-14T06:36:49.057-07:002011-04-14T06:36:49.057-07:00One odd moment for me is when Janet wakes up from ...One odd moment for me is when Janet wakes up from her faint and the ants are still swarming. I don't know if ants believe in guilt by association, but I wouldn't want to fall asleep right beside an anthill that's just been stomped by the person I was with.Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-56366853059566237682011-03-02T17:24:12.701-08:002011-03-02T17:24:12.701-08:00Ted--
As a matter of fact, in summer of 1981..hav...Ted--<br /><br />As a matter of fact, in summer of 1981..having seen "Jack" only once (a privately owned 16mm print shown in a home with the shades literally pulled down---in Cleveland, November '72) during the past 18 years, I was THRILLED to see it announced as a new feature on the Cinemax channel. My older brother, who had another cable channel, promptly switched to Cinemax. The night before the first showing of "Jack", I hauled my big old Panasonic VCR over to his place, hooked it up, set the clock for 6am, and slept on the floor next to the TV; my brother took off work. So the historic day dawns, we turn on the TV, fire up the VCR, and.....instead of Sawtell's robust, bracing main title with the gorgeous red velvet background, we get a stupid kiddie finger-painting and some pain-in-the-ass babe singing "Every little girl dreams of being a Princess". No kidding, it was like a nightmare...one of the worst days in my life.<br /><br />About five years later though, salvation came in the form of a 3rd-generation video-tape of the ORIGINAL version from a certain DJS...free of charge, and a few years after that, the first commerical release on tape.<br /><br />Incidentally, it was Steve Mitchell and Dave who informed me last summer of the March 2010 2-CD release of the complete "Jack" soundtrack on the Intrada lable. 1,000 copies only were manufactured, and they apparently sold out in a SINGLE DAY. I got one on Amazon. It's incredibly fabulous stuff. <br /><br />Note: the cd booklet actually lists all of the orchestra personnel from the 1962 sessions; turns out that the 2nd trumpet player was Bernard Adelstein, former principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra from about 1960 to 1980 or so. I used to talk with him all the time when I was a student at the Cleveland Institute in the early 70's; if only I had known then......Larry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-74213067391073419262011-03-02T13:22:42.217-08:002011-03-02T13:22:42.217-08:00Larry R---
Have you ever seen that god-awful &quo...Larry R---<br /><br />Have you ever seen that god-awful "sanitized" version of JACK, THE GIANT-KILLER, with the violence curtailed and that maddening replacement of portions of Sawtell's score with truly horrible kiddie songs to reassure the children who might be frightened by the film?! <br /><br />One of the most infuriating, pandering outrages in movie history.Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-56199300732762925152011-03-02T12:20:31.215-08:002011-03-02T12:20:31.215-08:00Oh, yes---
Who could forget "OCTAMAN".....Oh, yes---<br /><br />Who could forget "OCTAMAN"....as hard as one might try?<br /><br />LRLarry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-9350649605210575862011-03-02T12:18:31.153-08:002011-03-02T12:18:31.153-08:00I must add to my former comments about Kerwin Matt...I must add to my former comments about Kerwin Matthews; I love the guy. There was a big two-part interview with him in Starlog in the late 80's, which revealed him to be a level-headed, sensitive and genuinely nice person. He felt totally "at sea" working with Nathan "Jerry" Juran, who was not AT ALL an actor's kind of director. Kerwin disliked his performance as Sinbad, and when cast as Jack (The Giant Killer) by Juran 2 years later, realized that he had to take matters into his own hands as far as the character was concerned, since he knew Juran would not be of any help in that regard. So Kerwin decided to invest the character of Jack with more humor and likeability than Sinbad, and it really worked to the film's advantage. As a matter of fact, "Jack"---despite the inferior special effects---has what few Harryhausen films ever achieved: genuinely likeable and interesting characters and a genuine sense of charm. My all-time favorite childhood film to this day--with my first encounter with the great Walter Burke, Torin Thatcher (in a much less hammy performance than in Sinbad), Dayton Lummis as the King, Barry Kelly as Sigurd, the old Viking, etc. Only Anna Lee embarasses herself in her big scene....but it's a minor role. First-rate, rousing score by Paul Sawtell.<br /><br />Kerwin Matthews also had a nice write-up and cool pic (taken in Pierre Deux, his San Francisco shop) in Richard Lamparski's "What Ever Became Of...?" Eighth series.<br /><br />(Sometime in the early 90's, I called his home and left a message, citing the legions of fans [like me] from the old days who still enjoy and appreciate his onscreen work).<br /><br />LRLarry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-24160262973198019552011-03-02T08:54:03.342-08:002011-03-02T08:54:03.342-08:00I'm working on my "Expanding Human" ...I'm working on my "Expanding Human" post throughout the day -- I want to watch once again to savor it! :-) Glad you remembered my thing for Homeier!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00345830456539347899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-34631575471187895912011-03-02T08:38:35.012-08:002011-03-02T08:38:35.012-08:00Lisa---
I concur wholeheartedly with your feeling...Lisa---<br /><br />I concur wholeheartedly with your feelings about Kerwin Mathews. A fine actor and a wonderful screen presence. He always emitted positive vibes about his genre work and was particularly laudatory about 7TH VOYAGE in interviews (e.g., on the laserdisc SINBAD boxed set). <br /><br />Not all actors are so generous about their sf/fantasy ventures. Patricia Neal, for one, was always dismissive of DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL---to her, merely a place-holder for more "serious" work.<br /><br />Skip Homeier is next, Lisa!Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.com