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Logan's Run (1976)
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 15, 2019 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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I love the TOS enhanced special effects. They make the show look the way it should. I have no nostalgic feelings for FX that were done on-the-cheap and thus represent the "weakest link" in an otherwise fine production.

I wouldn't mind alterations in some of the less successful FX in Logan's Run or any other movie with similar problems. I'm not one of those folks who wants to "preserve the original" when that means keeping the aspects that could have been done better with more money or more advanced techniques.

I know that upsets some folks. Sorry about that, but it's just how I feel. Cool

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Eadie
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 10:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Logan's Run (1974) Deleted Intro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFHVkqUcm1c
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Bogmeister
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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I'll have to be honest here . . . the reason I went to see Logan's Run a 2nd time in theaters back in 1976 was Jenny Agutter . . . plain & simple. I couldn't get the picture of her in that diaphanous attire — hardly concealing anything in her first scene with Michael York — out of my mind.

That said, there were other very attractive elements to this. Big budget Sci-Fi pictures were still rather rare (just before Star Wars) and I was impressed with the scope. It all takes place in the far future of the 23rd century, showing us an enclosed Utopian society of exclusively young people (under 30 yrs old), but policed by a force of "Sandmen" — fairly ruthless, callous enforcers who hunt down "Runners" or those citizens who choose an escape attempt when their time in paradise is up. The society is run by some sort of super-computer to keep the population always correctly balanced; it's female-voiced.



Unfortunately, this film began on the downside with the opening credits — the shots of the multi-domed city were too obviously a model and threw me out of the picture before it even began, really. I tried to get those opening shots out of mind as the film progressed and mostly succeeded. Some of the interior long shots of the city weren't much better, however — though they looked OK back in the seventies.

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I'm also not too thrilled by the lack of any substantial backstory for this entire set-up. It's almost like some godling created this magical city one day and set up all the rules. Many details are missing — we see a baby hospital in the beginning, but rarely any adolescents or teens except as wild urchins in one section of the city no one else goes to. Who raises the kids here? (my guess is the computer).

Also, Logan himself (Michael York) is problematic. He's presented as one of the Sandmen villains at the start, then sent on a secret mission by the ruling computer. His motivations from then on are either ambivalent or self-serving. He is, after all, seeking to escape his own turn at Carousel (death) out of self-preservation — there's nothing heroic about that. Yet he is depicted as the hero of the story for most of it, almost noble in his attitude (this may be the fault of actor York, who can't help but act in a certain manner; he's British, you know — that D'Artagnan ideal).



But the film was quite entertaining. I was kept hooked for most of it, as Logan & Jessica began their quest and moved from one interesting locale to the next (and Agutter even had a brief nude scene later). There was always something strange or wondrous going on.

I liked the tense conflict that developed between Logan and fellow Sandman Francis (Richard Jordan). Farrah-Fawcett was already becoming famous in the first season of Charlie's Angels. And it was great to see Peter Ustinov appear amid all those cats in an otherwise-deserted Washington D.C. But again, there's a lack of details: why only Ustinov in this decaying city? (see ZPG-1972 for one intriguing possibility as a prequel).

BoG's Score: 7 out of 10

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Besides the short TV series which followed, Marvel Comics adapted this into a 6-issue series, art by George Perez. There were 2 more issues that attempted to continue the story without Perez (art by Tom Sutton), but the series was then canceled.


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Some Trivia on the casting:

Jon Voight was in talks to play Logan but nothing ever came of it. William Devane actually signed on as Francis but felt he was wrong for the part and bowed out. Lindsay Wagner was considered for the role of Jessica, the part that went to Agutter. William F. Nolan is very proud of his baby (Logan's Run and the sequel novels, Logan's World and Logan's Search), referring to it by such descriptions as a 'global phenomenon.'

I'm going by dim memory, but I think he (or Johnson) got very upset at writer David Gerrold way back in the day (late seventies) after Gerrold said some unkind words about the concept. Gerrold may have been referring more to the movie, less the novels.




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Gord Green
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had read the original first novel before seeing the movie and liked it very much. Upon first seeing the film I was thrilled to see the overall effect of it, but somewhat disappointed in the special effects and overall "slickness" of the production.

Box was just not portrayed realisticly and the city was just too "clean", looking more like a shopping mall (which it WAS!) than a real habitation.

The casting was fine....every major character was well represented. Peter Ustinov was a delight.

Overall, I would also give it a 7 out of 10. More for the effort and story than anything else.

And ...Oh yes, Jenny was a beauty!

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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Jenny was just as lovely in An American Werewolf in London. In fact, I thought she was even sexier!


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Gord Green
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 2:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jenny had a small part in CAPTAIN AMERICA;CIVIL WAR.

She’s part of a shadowy bunch of faces known (according to IMDB) as the World Security Council, which also includes Powers Boothe (Deadwood). Their faces appear on screens every once in awhile to give bad advice – well, orders – to SHIELD director Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson).. She is the one THE BLACK WIDOW impersonates to take over the HQ.



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ralfy
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 10:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Run, Runner! ‘Logan’s Run’ Star Michael York Shares New Tales on Film’s 45th Anniversary"

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/michael-york-logans-run-45th-anniversary-4168809/


Quote:
The Three Musketeers and Cabaret star initially had zero interest in the enormous sci-fi project, recalling that he was in Los Angeles at the time, starring in the play Ring Around the Moon at the Ahmanson Theatre. One day, a script arrived with Anderson attached to direct: Logan’s Run. York assures he had wanted to work with the director again after their collaboration on Conduct Unbecoming (1975). But after one look, York felt he was wrong for the film and was prepared to pass.
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Krel
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 11:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jenny Agutter has said that she did not like the mini dress she had to wear. But she ABSOLUTELY HATED the skimpy circuit costume. Laughing

David.
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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I completely agree with Miss Agutter. Sad

The only things about the dress that are appealing are the color and softness of the fabric. The fact that it tends to show so much flesh doesn't really make the dress better . . . it just makes the dress less. Rolling Eyes

A garment that fit better and accented her nice figure, without showing anything above the short hemline, would have been more appealing. And if it came with a matching pair of ankle-strap high heeled sandals that gave her a womanly walk, it would have been far more appealing.










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Krel
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jessica entered Logan's apartment through the Circuit matter transmitter. But she left his apartment by the apartment door. This means that she had to walk home through the city in that skimpy outfit, without any footwear. Good thing it was night. Hopefully she didn't have to travel far and they kept the city pathways clean. Laughing

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Pow
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smoke and Mirrors by Mark D. Wolfe.

---is seriously a puzzle. My disappointment in the film pertains to the inexcusably small scale miniature city, which is an unfathomable misfire considering L. B. Abbott's credentials. The model wouldn't have been allowed at a World's Fair display.

The tabletop further compounds its errors using real running water that kills the illusion by revealing its small scale. And who on earth painted that abysmal backdrop?

On the other hand, Matthew Yuricich's paintings are a highlight, and he deserved his Academy Award.

Sidebar: Ouch! True, the futuristic city comes off as exactly what it was; a model. As others have noted, the filming and lighting also contributed to its phoniness.

I did like the design for it, and, yes, it would have been accepted at the World's Fair given some of the photos I've seen of miniature futuristic cities at some real World's Fairs.

I know, Mark was being Don Rickles with that remark.
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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You're right, Mike. Despite the fact that the minaiture is totally unconvincing, it's still far more appealing than Mr. Wolfe's description.

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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2022 3:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Let's Create a Sequel!
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~ A Question for the Members: What would the citizens of the domed city do after they discover that (a) the computer would no long run their marvelous automated environment, and (b) they were going to have face the unpleasant rigors of aging?

~ Here's what I came up with.: Let's assume that the computer routinely trained enough people to maintain the automated systems and the A.I. itself to keep the whole thing running during the years of its previous existence.

If this is true, then after the Michael York crashed the system, these individuals would get to work repairing things. But now that they know the truth, they would insure that none of the old limits on lifespans were part of their culture.

However, the world outside the domes is never addressed in the movie. Logan and Jessica proved that the environment outside was perfectly habitable. We're never told why the sealed domed cities were necessary — which, frankly, really sucks in my opinion as a published science fiction author. Rolling Eyes

By the way, I read the summary of the plot of the novel on which the movie is based, and it's considerable more optimistic. For example, Francis 7 turns out to be a 42-year-old man whose life clock is faulty, and he maintains a youthful appearance with plastic surgery so he can masquerade as a Sandman while actually helping runners reach "Sanctuary".

And get this. folks. Sanctuary turns out to be Argos, a previously abandoned space colony near Mars! Shocked

Well, screw all that. Here's my ideas, which are a lot better. Very Happy

A global pandemic ravaged the world and drove the uninfected survivors into the domed cities to protect them from the rest of the morons in the population who refused to wear masks or get the vaccine.

Sound familiar? Obviously truth really is stranger than fiction.

But the pandemic virus has finally killed off all the brainless morons (wishful thinking on my part . . . ) and now the domed city dwellers can venture out and repopulate the Earth.

However, there will obviously be enclaves of survivors who've established rustic communities after the fall of civilization. The more technologically advanced "City People" will have quite a lot to offer these folks . . . if the City People are willing to overcome their previous pampered lifestyle and join forces with these less-advanced communities.

Guys, despite the recent drought of posts on All Sci-Fi, I know I still have a few intelligent members who are willing and able to contribute to this intellectual discussion.

And I know they also share my wish that we had a more folks like us . . . Sad

But having said all that, I'm looking forward to the replies of the few smart folks we still have. Confused

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Today I started pondering the premise of this movie and wondering about a few things.

For example, the story establishes that the population is perfectly balanced simply by killing off everybody when they reached thirty, and then allowing an equal number of new births.

But the babies obviously aren't born normally (we don't see pregnant girls), so the eggs are fertilized and incubated artificial, then the kids are raised separately from all the "adults" — whatever age that might be.

That brings up some interesting questions.

~ Does the A.I. that controls the city actually "predetermine" at birth the various professions needed to maintain the culture? If so, does this mean Logan 5 and Francis 7 are the 5th and 7th generation Sandmen of the Logan and Francis genetic lines?

~ Who tends to the kids until they're old enough to join the fun-loving folks we see in the movie? Are some people drafted into childcare service for a period of time, or is this profession also assigned at birth?

~ Are "predetermined professions" also the method used to recruit the technicians and other personnel required to maintain the hi-tech machinery?

Although this may be true in the fictional universe, it seems likely that a percentage of the population would actually find it more rewarding to learn a profession rather than just "play around", like most of the people we see in the movie.

The cosmetic surgeon we see in one scene would be an example of this. Perhaps people can request to be trained for a certain profession even if they weren't given one at birth.

~ How do men become Sandmen? That would seem to be a profession that some people would choose, since it requires complete commitment to the laws making if mandatory for people to "renew" when they become thirty years old.

And besides, some guys thrive on being in positions of authority . . . not to mention the nifty guns they get to tote around. Very Happy

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


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Pow
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have created some marvelous ideas and questions for this concept, Bud.

A sequel, expanding on your thoughtful concepts, could have teams from the domed cities, go on exploratory missions to attempt to aid those who live outside the domes.

Kind of like what Gene Roddenberry did with his SF TV-movie/pilots Genesis II, and Planet Earth. Saturday morning SF had a TV series called Ark II. The operators of the futuristic Ark II went out seeking human enclaves that they could assist in any way could.

These Dome-Teams could also have the mission of discovering anymore pandemics and attempting to prevent them from occurring. These teams could be attempting to solve the mystery of where this first pandemic arose that drove populations into the domes. Was the disease natural, or human-constructed? If concocted by scientists, was it a terrible accident that went awry, or did it have a deadly purpose. If humans did create it, do some still posses it?

Does the incredible AI computer play a role in any of this?

Are there other domes that have developed different kinds of social orders from Logan's dome city? Similar to Harlan Ellison's Starlost television series.
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