tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post7138114694203317094..comments2024-03-13T23:42:41.022-07:00Comments on We Are Controlling Transmission: Spotlight on "The Galaxy Being"John Scolerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-52040319945352460242018-05-28T07:05:56.191-07:002018-05-28T07:05:56.191-07:00I too, saw the series first run as a 9 year old. S...I too, saw the series first run as a 9 year old. So many episodes stayed with me for 50 years, so when I binge watched them all again, I got SO much more out of them this time, and the series blew me away now that I'm an adult. I believe the long version of the theme was only used on the first 3 eps.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06899760253608859423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-3703344387406235712016-05-09T00:33:59.051-07:002016-05-09T00:33:59.051-07:00Thanks for the memories, Gary. I saw The Galaxy Be...Thanks for the memories, Gary. I saw The Galaxy Being first run, too.<br /><br />BTW, do you know when The Outer Limits shortened the introduction? I like the longer one. It's how I remember the series, yet I believe they only actually used it for the first few episodes of the first season.<br /><br />I wonder what the first episode was that didn't feature that fluttering screen, the somewhat truncated intro...<br />john kenrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00710666533854296630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-54598786141545304152015-05-19T18:33:06.281-07:002015-05-19T18:33:06.281-07:00When Alan Maxwell asked the Andromedan as to the e...When Alan Maxwell asked the Andromedan as to the existence and/or nature of God, the Alien answered "God is Infinity, Infinity is God." How does one interpret that? Well, the way I would interpret it is that God is Not a Being but instead an IMpersonal FORCE. It seems to refer to HINDUISM in which it is believed that ALL of us, i.e., we humans, the planets, the animals, the plants are ALL God. I don't know how the others among you interpret it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-12569606960731469462014-10-20T19:19:43.338-07:002014-10-20T19:19:43.338-07:00Even though I'm referring to it very late, I r...Even though I'm referring to it very late, I really liked the comments by ZZZZZ about intentional vs. unintentional humor. When it comes to that, there's seems to be a really annoying rule that people go by - if the piece of entertainment is from another decade, any SUBTLE kind of funny moment (like those smoking doctors) is probably UN-intentional, because of how incredibly naïve everyone was "back then." Even people who were around THEMSELVES "back then" do this! Which can be a really aggravating rule to hear people go by, just as ZZZZZ says.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-77050253027697872422014-09-28T04:21:09.613-07:002014-09-28T04:21:09.613-07:00“we must explore… we must reach out,” while at the...<i>“we must explore… we must reach out,” while at the same time destroying the transmitting/receiving tower that would enable us to do just that… contradictory advice, to say the least</i><br /><br />I'm pretty sure Andy/Spotty knew that we had more than one antenna on Earth (and that Allan's could be cannibalized to use as a target for his awesome powers demo).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-8231217138316090192013-10-16T16:07:31.050-07:002013-10-16T16:07:31.050-07:00Peter & John---we forgot to "sign" o...Peter & John---we forgot to "sign" our just-posted comment. It Is Us: bobbrakemanmovies.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-89957181912721366142013-10-16T16:02:51.032-07:002013-10-16T16:02:51.032-07:00Hi Peter & John, You'll recall that we wer...Hi Peter & John, You'll recall that we were able to give you a nice review of theThriller project a while back. If you'll now check #792, you'll see a new pat on the back for WACT. Keep up the (very) good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-14964026790605691672011-09-15T14:07:18.996-07:002011-09-15T14:07:18.996-07:00From me too. Among so many other things, he was th...From me too. Among so many other things, he was the Big Kahuna himself.Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-47975339754557165062011-09-12T23:27:32.076-07:002011-09-12T23:27:32.076-07:00RIP, Cliff. My condolences to your family.RIP, Cliff. My condolences to your family.Reese Fowlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06138534697475907588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-54540460301690768152011-09-12T23:24:16.549-07:002011-09-12T23:24:16.549-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Reese Fowlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06138534697475907588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-54614636301506451532011-09-12T10:53:49.146-07:002011-09-12T10:53:49.146-07:00Cliff Robertson passed way over the weekend. RIP, ...Cliff Robertson passed way over the weekend. RIP, Cliff. Thank you for your outstanding performance in this episode.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-84424925033652864322011-06-25T08:30:03.974-07:002011-06-25T08:30:03.974-07:00these outer limits dvds of the 1 season are framed...these outer limits dvds of the 1 season are framed tighter its like a pan and scan why do think heads are cut off why hasnt anyone else seen this mgm sucks the outer limits are the best but this dvd sucks its on zoom dont you all see what im talking about compared to vhs these are chopped around the edges why did they do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-17275955421611600872011-06-20T03:17:45.646-07:002011-06-20T03:17:45.646-07:00Gary Gerani says: "This always gets a big lau...Gary Gerani says: "This always gets a big laugh from audiences, who aren't sure if it's a clever touch or a dumb one."<br /><br />This kind of thing always infuriates me. For example have you heard this one: When modern audiences are shown the scene in <b>The Day the Earth Stood Still</b> where just after the doctors have commented on the exceptional lifespan of Klaatu, they are seen to be lighting up cigarettes. I have heard that at this point the audience will "howl with laughter", presumably at how ridiculous/stupid these '50s filmmakers are (i.e., unintended humor). It just doesn't occur to most of the really so-much-more-knowledgable audiences of the 21st Century that maybe the people making the movie in the '50s KNEW that cigarettes were bad for you and they were making an ironic comment in the film, a little joke. But modern audiences can't laugh at those little in jokes, they have to laugh at it in a MST condescending kind of way.ZZZZZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05700823803506439684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-56884656480714800262011-03-17T23:20:01.202-07:002011-03-17T23:20:01.202-07:001,000 Days of the Dragon as one of the top 10? I d...1,000 Days of the Dragon as one of the top 10? I disagree. Here's my list:<br /><br />The Galaxy Being<br />The Architects of Fear<br />The Man Who was Never Born<br />OBIT<br />The Bellaro Shield<br />A Feasibility Study<br />Demon With a Glass Hand<br />Soldier<br />Cry of Silence<br />I Robot<br /><br />Seriously, thank you for doing all this. I love this site! It's a gold mine of information.<br /><br />ReeseReese Fowlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06138534697475907588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-7552389077011969922011-03-17T23:06:04.740-07:002011-03-17T23:06:04.740-07:00Your memories are a lot like mine, Gary. I remembe...Your memories are a lot like mine, Gary. I remember the ascending notes of "The New ABC" commercials with footage of the being the summer of 1963, when I was 8 years old. I remember the excitement of waiting for "The Outer Limits to premier. Finaly, September 16th came. My parents usually didn't watch science fiction, but they watched this with their mouths open. <br /> There are a few technical problems. Our nearest star is 4.3 light years away. It would take years to transport the being from another galaxy. Can you really transport somebody or something via a radio wave? ALso, once the being was on Earth, he knew the game was up. Why didn't he just do himself in? He didn't have to look for Cliff Robertson. <br /> Despite that, a good story with beautiful special effects and well acted. MY favorite of all the OL episodes. I'm surprised it's not rated higher by most OL fans.Reese Fowlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06138534697475907588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-59433901577548120132011-01-23T21:53:30.477-08:002011-01-23T21:53:30.477-08:00Hey Gary, you really capture what it must have bee...Hey Gary, you really capture what it must have been like in 1963 to have seen OL for the first time. If only we could have that time machine!! Your book, Fantastic Television, was the first book I ever had on all those great TV Series. It really got me curious about many of those shows (I was already familiar with OL, but not all of the others). Unfortunately, I lost the book through a misfortune, but not before Vincent Price signed it for me (on the page as Egghead in Batman) when he appeared here in Victoria B.C. back in the late 70's.Jim Barwisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06621993116774388708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-79707029588175531332011-01-07T07:50:33.730-08:002011-01-07T07:50:33.730-08:00Now, how perfect would it be for Gary to simply be...Now, how perfect would it be for Gary to simply be able to add his wonderful commentary here to a TOL Blu-Ray set. Schow and Gerani commentary on Outer Limits Blu-Rays...again, a dream.<br /><br />Gary, I have been buying the new Twilight Zone Blu-Rays as they are released and your commentaries on them are wonderful. Thanks!<br /><br />- Whitwhitsbrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171082058163775614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-70274909883442634382011-01-05T10:13:11.601-08:002011-01-05T10:13:11.601-08:00Holy cow! To think I almost missed this--glad I we...Holy cow! To think I almost missed this--glad I went back.<br /><br />Gary, thank you for such a vivid and entertaining recounting and review.Larry Blamirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-18049217278787921442011-01-04T03:27:30.702-08:002011-01-04T03:27:30.702-08:00Not only that, but I'm wondering how often Gen...Not only that, but I'm wondering how often Gene "Buddy" Maxwell plays that record album of military marches we see in the booth ...<br /><br />"The Galaxy Being," above all, makes the point that there would be no OUTER LIMITS without Leslie Stevens, though Leslie got downplayed when Joe Stefano creatively rose to the challenge. Leslie was happy Joe grabbed the reins to the degree he ultimately did. And Joe's hard work helped solidify OUTER LIMITS in public memory. It's interesting to speculate what Leslie might have captained, had he become the Quinn Martin-type figure he aspired to be. Either way, he sure as hell did not deserve to have his name removed from the "new" Canadian iteration of the series, mere weeks after he died -- a measure of the disrespect that makes the modern series unfit to bear the OUTER LIMITS name.<br /><br />Leslie ALWAYS knew how to deal with the Suits.<br /><br />There's a writer on the East Coast currently working on a book-length biography of Leslie -- most interestingly, his career PRIOR to OUTER LIMITS.<br /><br />And Dominic Stefano -- Joe's son -- keeps teasing us with the promise of a Stefano biography, as well as the long-overdue publication of Joe's first and only novel, LYCANTHROPE.DJSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-16612713799964794882011-01-04T03:06:44.316-08:002011-01-04T03:06:44.316-08:00The dispersing crowd issue: Yeah, it is great to c...The dispersing crowd issue: Yeah, it is great to consider what those two old ladies are saying in that casual, nonchalant way as everyone walks off. "Y'know Ruthie, that murdering space monster has a point..." Two other funny bits: When the Being crashes Allan's testimonial, everyone's screaming and flailing about... except for that one dude on the right, with his eyes half-closed, who simply continues to dance! I mean, this guy is SO into it. Finally, when Allan doesn't get an answer on the phone, he hangs up, the coin comes tumbling back, and he darts off without taking it. But before we cut away, we have that fascinating moment of Gene retrieving his brother's dime, which is what we'd all do on reflex... yet it's something we never see in the movies, unless a special point is being made. This always gets a big laugh from audiences, who aren't sure if it's a clever touch or a dumb one. Even with all of the above, btw, I still stand by my statement that "Galaxy Being" is a beautifully directed little film. And while there may be certain technical flaws in actual execution, the special effects conception of the Being is still pretty amazing, even by today's standards.Gary Geraninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-60581965820823629262011-01-04T02:41:55.213-08:002011-01-04T02:41:55.213-08:00Thanks, guys. A little rougher than I'd like,...Thanks, guys. A little rougher than I'd like, but what the hell, at least it brought us back. Yep, I'll be doing a few more... Can't wait to see what other goodies Peter and John have in store for us (clips from THE HAUNTED, maybe?)Gary Geraninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-84775532023470044302011-01-04T02:39:09.932-08:002011-01-04T02:39:09.932-08:00Damn, I mean ... DAMN. Gary's recall of time,...Damn, I mean ... DAMN. Gary's recall of time, place and mood shames me. It's like he had all this memory, pent up for years, decades, and finally found a place to express it, right here.<br /><br />One thing that needs to be emphasized amid all this recollect is just how odd, how strange, how different and intriguing this series appeared to young, impressionable minds when it was brand-new. Viewers weren't nitpicking the seams on a costume or debating cutting rhythm and tone; they were watching with their mouths hanging open ... and thankfully, I still feel a twinge of that magic whenever I re-watch this episode, which I have easily seen several hundred times. (I do recall thinking that the alien reminded me a little bit of Alfred Hitchcock — compare Hitch's walk-on silhouette to Spotty's gait and you'll see.)<br /><br />Also, the amplified clarity of modern media exposes backdrops, sets, zoom-boxed shots and rear-projections more nakedly. None of this was visible at 525 scan lines received via rabbit ears (and sometimes, trusty tinfoil), where the darkest black was received as a light gray.<br /><br />And the zombiatic compliance of the dispersing crowd still bugs me, to this day.DJSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-69098876703068039052011-01-03T21:05:53.702-08:002011-01-03T21:05:53.702-08:00Gary--
Like, WOW, man...a fine summary of the epi...Gary--<br /><br />Like, WOW, man...a fine summary of the episode itself PLUS what it meant to you on a personal level. It's important for the young'uns to get a feel for the era in which OL was created, and you set the stage brilliantly. Hope you'll be doing more of these.Larry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-75454698835079448302011-01-03T19:08:28.665-08:002011-01-03T19:08:28.665-08:00I also liked this episode, though it didn't qu...I also liked this episode, though it didn't quite measure up to the later masterpieces (you refer to the expressionism of Conrad Hall et al.) It is nonetheless an excellent launching of a series that primarily slanted to sci-fi, during a time of astronomical curiosity and wonderment. The special effects were of course primitive (but heck they were also as much in the great DEMON WITH A GLASS HAND) but the thematic underpinning was a table setter for the entire series.<br /><br />Wonderful reflections here of a special time.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-37602822838177690262011-01-03T18:18:07.577-08:002011-01-03T18:18:07.577-08:00Wow, Gary. What an amazing memory of the premiere....Wow, Gary. What an amazing memory of the premiere. And a spot-on (Spot! Get it?) breakdown of the episode that, in just a few minutes, I plan to watch for the first time in about a year. Thanks for the fresh perspective that this EFX-rotted brain sorely needed.Peter Farrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08282435407442494330noreply@blogger.com