ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

An odd little cinematic gift from England — but don't take it too seriously.

The story is set in an isolated inn located in the Scottish highlands, where a flying saucer lands and surrounds the area in an invisible force field. From the spacecraft emerges a fifteen-foot-tall robot and an evil Martian woman who announces that the matriarchal Martian society has sent her to select Earth men for breeding purposes.



The Martian men have been subjugated ever since they lost a war with the women, and during the intervening centuries the males have grown weak and useless. (All of this is played absolutely straight by the cast. No cutesy sex jokes).

Bear in mind that this movie predates the Feminist Movement — which began in the mid-1960s — by ten years.

On the negative side — bogus scientific terms saturate Miss Laffan's dialogue. The robot looks entirely too much like a refrigerator with a police light for a head. With the exception of a few scenes, the entire film is shot on an indoor set, causing it to resemble the original stage production on which it was based (yes, a British sci-fi play).

On the positive side — the interior of the ship is nicely done, with effective use of lighting.





The concepts described by the bogus scientific dialogue are key elements in the plot — which means the viewer has to pay attention to keep up with what's going on.





The spacecraft doesn't look all that great in the air, but on the ground it's very impressive.



The scenes of the woman and the robot coming out of the huge spacecraft are flawlessly matted. The scenes of the robot's demonstration of its death ray are well done for their era.





On the negative side (again) — Patricia Lafffan (the Martian women) overacts outrageously, but her performance is still enjoyable, in spite of the fact that she is decidedly unattractive. Her shiny black outfit consists of boots, short skirt, black pantyhose, long cape, and black skullcap. That might sound sexy to some male readers, but the results just don't live up to the billing.



On the positive side (again) — The supporting players do a fine job, including the lovely Hazel Court.



Praiseworthy musical score by Edwin Astley. The story contains some good concepts. For example, the spacecraft is made of "organic metal" which repairs its own damage. Unfortunately we don't get any special effects depicting this marvel. In the final analysis, this one is more fun to watch than some of the more well-regarded sci-fi entries from both America and Britain.

Director David MacDonald had a tough row to hoe with this one. He deserves credit for what he did with material given to him.
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[noetic_hatter]

Just watched this one the other night for the first time. The combination of leather minidress, boots, and cape on the Queen and the presence of Hazel Court (sadly, "covered up" the whole film ) meant that resistance was futile once I learned of its existence.

Great film? Nah. Bit slow - it sure feels like a stage play and could easily of have been one, what with only about 3 different sets. But the characters are amusing, and the acting is fairly decent.

And who wouldn't love that goofy Gort. . .I mean, robot?

[Bud Brewster]

Wiki says this about the movie in the Production section.

[orzel-w]

Here's Patricia Laffffan sans Devil Girl accoutrement:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0480784/mediaindex?ref_=nmmd_md_sm
_________________
...or not...

WayneO
-----------

[noetic_hatter]

[Robert (Butch) Day]

A lovely and gracious lady indeed. AND she tells some of the funniest BTS stories! She is still alive (at age 95)! Here is what she looked when she was roughly Bud's and my age (mid-60s):



Here are some publicity shots:










_________________
Common Sense ISN'T Common

[noetic_hatter]

Fantastic photos. And she looks like she aged very well indeed.

[Bud Brewster]

__________________________________

The trailer for this classic is just as much fun as the movie itself (only shorter).
__________________________________


_______________ Devil Girl From Mars - trailer


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

[orzel-w]

Make me write bad checks!
_________________
...or not...

WayneO
-----------

[scotpens]

[Zackuth]

I've never seen the movie, or at least I don't remember ever seeing it. It sounds like it might be a bit fun to watch as long as it is not taken seriously.

[Brent Gair]

I have three identical DVDs of this movie.

After buying the first DVD, it was later offered as part of a two-pack with another movie that I wanted...so I bought the two pack. It was subsequently offered in a three pack with two other movies that I wanted...and I bought that as well.

Net result: three DVDs of DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS.

[orzel-w]

[bulldogtrekker]

Here is a look at the dancing refrigerator. Imgur

IMDB notes this mistake:When the "indestructable" robot Chanti leaves the spaceship, a close-up of his feet reveals paint scraping off where the joints of the suit and the boots meet.

Bud gave me a copy of Devil Girl from Mars.

[Gord Green]

The spaceship and the robot were of such a unique design that I can't help but like them.

Definitely very Roccoco or Art Deco to have an unworldly look.