 |
ALL SCI-FI
The place to “find your people.”
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Pow
Galactic Ambassador
Joined: 27 Sep 2014
Posts: 3739
Location: New York
|
 Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:30 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
Interesting that years later Disney would give us a friendly ant who saves the miniaturized kids in "Honey,I Shrink The Kids."
And the ant would battle a nasty scorpion reminding me of the classic "Black Scorpion."
The ant & scorpion appear to be done via a combo of a large scale animatronic practical prop & stop-motion animation.
It all comes together wonderfully & gives us a suspenseful & dramatic scene with both insects. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
________________________________
Agreed! And yet Disney STILL hasn't released a decent DVD of this movie, much less a Blu-ray! The DVD is in 4:3, dammit! 
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scotpens
Space Sector Commander
Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 919
Location: The Left Coast
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Bud Brewster wrote: |
. . . Out of the rising dust from the hole come dozens of the giant ants! Some of them are gripping soldiers in their mandibles — from privates to generals, and all the ranks in between! |
Now, there's a horrific thought. Imagine a giant ant with its mandibles gripping your privates! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gord Green
Galactic Ambassador
Joined: 06 Oct 2014
Posts: 3001
Location: Buffalo, NY
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 9:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Bud, is THIS what you had in mind??
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 8:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| scotpens wrote: | | Bud Brewster wrote: |
. . . Out of the rising dust from the hole come dozens of the giant ants! Some of them are gripping soldiers in their mandibles — from privates to generals, and all the ranks in between! |
Now, there's a horrific thought. Imagine a giant ant with its mandibles gripping your privates! |
Oh my God! 
Yes, in general that would be a major pain! It's sort of the ultimate in corporal punishment! Thank goodness this is fiction and there isn't a colonel of truth in it!
Gord, you're right! I'd forgotten that the Mars Attacks trading cards included the Army battling giant ants. I love the idea more than ever, now!
And just to show how wicked smart ants really are, watch the stunning video below about two ant colonies at war with each other!
It's awesome!
I wonder if our Them! remake might include a story element about a second colony of giant ants who covets the Las Vegas colony's prime location and bountiful food supply.
Remember, I said the military decided they couldn't nuke Las Vegas because there were still survivors trapped inside, and because it would destroy the city and all the riches it held.
So, when the military leaders learn that a second group of ants are headed across the desert towards Las Vegas, they initially assume this new group will just join the ants already there and make the problem even worse.
But our hero scientists realize that the second group is coming to attack the Las Vegas colony, so they convince the military to let the attackers go through the blockade that surrounds the city.
The ensuing battle would reduce the number of ants the military would eventually need to battle inside Las Vegas.
And there's our climax! An invasion of the city by the military, with hundreds of troops, tanks, and other armored vehicles moving down the Las Vegas streets as they battle the ants.
Naturally the scientist make it clear to the military leaders that they must find and destroy the queen ant. She would be carefully guarded by the ants in some large casino showroom (just because that would look the coolest).
What a great movie this would make! 
______ Natural World - Empire of the Desert Ants
__________ 
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sat Oct 29, 2022 3:20 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Robert (Butch) Day
Galactic Ambassador
Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 1377
Location: Arlington, WA USA
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Krel wrote: | Are you sure that, that isn't Tennessee Ernie Ford? 
David. |
Look more like Walt Disney to me:
"Tennessee" Ernest Jennings Ford, in 1954:
Maybe 3 babies separated at birth?
(Excerpt only)
| Bud Brewster wrote: | So, a large part of this new story would be about the Army versus the Army Ants!
What do you guys think?
|
[LARGE deletion.]
Very Good!! Warner Brothers Stdio left THEM! open for a sequel. When the order was given to ebter the sewers, there was a bit of dialog about not being able to contact one of the army units. Could that unit have run into a BIG "pic-nic" problem?
_________________
Common Sense ISN'T Common
Last edited by Robert (Butch) Day on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Krel
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 3:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Robert (Butch) Day wrote: | Look more like Walt Disney to me:
"Tennessee" Ernest Jennings Ford, in 1954:
|
Still looks like Tennessee Ernie Ford to me with that thin mustache. Disney had a fuller mustache. The wide-eyed look also helps with the TEF resemblance.
David. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scotpens
Space Sector Commander
Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 919
Location: The Left Coast
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Bud Brewster wrote: | | We love the giant monsters from our favorite sci-fi films, but just how much science and how much fiction is involved in these movies? |
Well, of course, an insect the size of a bus couldn't physically exist. Because of the way arthropods are built, such a creature would be crushed by its own weight. It also couldn't get enough oxygen to survive (an insect's respiratory system consists of a network of tracheal tubes with no lungs, gills, or muscular diaphragm to force oxygen into its bloodstream).
But we geeks already know that, right?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 11:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| scotpens wrote: | | Well, of course, an insect the size of a bus couldn't physically exist. Because of the way arthropods are built, such a creature would be crushed by its own weight. It also couldn't get enough oxygen to survive (an insect's respiratory system consists of a network of tracheal tubes with no lungs, gills, or muscular diaphragm to force oxygen into its bloodstream). |
One of the challenges (and the joys) of creating science fiction stories is addressing the problems and making their solutions a plus for the concept.
In this case, if we're talking about "mutated" ants, we can include more changes in their physiology than just increased size. Evolution proposes that species develop new traits that allow them to survive.
Thus a species of giant insects would not just be bigger versions of the ones that actually exist. The changes that produced their increased size would also include anything they needed to survive — like an exoskeleton made of a lighter-but-stronger form of chitin, and a respiratory system that's more efficient.
Actually, we'd be remiss if we didn't include changes in a mutated form, both because that's the way mutation works, and because we'd be making the creatures more interesting if they differed from the real ones we're all familiar with.
We can make an interesting change in the giant ants while also solving the respiratory system problem by giving them ten legs instead of six, and an extra thorax that includes a more efficient system for processing oxygen.
In other words, instead of this —
__________ 
— they look something like this. 
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sat Oct 29, 2022 4:40 pm; edited 4 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mach7
Quantum Engineer
Joined: 23 Apr 2015
Posts: 395
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
One reason the giant ants took so long after the atomic blast to show up? Evolution.
A rapid form of evolution. Caused of course by the radiation!
Many mutations, most failed.
The 1st colony was the 1st and largest nest to be successful.
The hair must be a form of external gill! Allowing extra oxygen collection.
Obviously the exoskeleton is much stronger, again through
mutation!
Anyway, I just watched this movie again. The 1st time since the early 70s.
Its held up very well! A good story, Very well acted and directed. The SFX are top notch for its time.
The ants are very well done with one exception. I don't like the eyes. They look toylike.
Thanks for reminding me of this old classic! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Krel
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 10:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| mach7 wrote: | The ants are very well done with one exception. I don't like the eyes. They look toylike.
|
The movie was originally suppose to be in color and 3-D, but the studio got cold feet and cut the budget. Fortunately they had already built the giant ant props, so no spliced in ant footage for giant ants. Because the movie was to be in color they came up with a coating to give the ants rainbow eyes that would be different colors depending on the angle. A color effect totally lost in a black and white image.
David. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Robert (Butch) Day
Galactic Ambassador
Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 1377
Location: Arlington, WA USA
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 10:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
Noted collector Wade Williams was reported to have some of the color test footage. I wonder if anyone knows how to track it down?
_________________
Common Sense ISN'T Common |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Krel
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 11:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
If they did a modern remake, they would have a problem. The U.S. Military stopped using flamethrowers and bazookas decades ago.
David. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17637
Location: North Carolina
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 4:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Krel wrote: | | If they did a modern remake, they would have a problem. The U.S. Military stopped using flamethrowers and bazookas decades ago. |
Hollywood has gotten really good at setting stories in past periods, like the NASA films set in the 1960s (The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, Hidden Figures, etc.) They spend the money necessary to provide the costumes, the sets, the vintage cars — everything required to create the right atmosphere for serious stories set half-a-century ago.
For years I've wished that Hollywood would make science fiction movies set in the 1950s, made more-or-less in the style of the classics, but with no trace of the campy crap we got in movies like Mars Attacks (which I hate).
I think a serious remake of Them! set in the 1950s and done with absolutely no tongue-in-cheek would be magnificent. High quality CGI ants and a story that uses the concepts we've discussed on this thread would be an exciting movie!
And setting it in the 1950s means we can borrow any ideas from the original we want — like flame throwers and bazookas.
The more I think about that whole idea of the ants invading Las Vegas, the more I like it. What could be more indicative of the 1950s lifestyle than Las Vegas, and what could be more frightening than an invasion of giant mutated ants which take over that glittering oasis in the desert?
It would be a battle between mankind and the monsters created by atomic radiation — right there in the city which was dangerously close to all those atom bomb tests in the dessert!
It's a natural, guys!
"The arrogance and decadence of mankind, pitted against the savagery and horror of nature gone berserk!"
Doesn't that sound exactly like the dramatic narrations in those great trailers for the 50s classics!
_______________ Them! (1954) Official Trailer
__________ 
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sat Oct 29, 2022 6:05 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bogmeister
Galactic Fleet Vice Admiral (site admin)
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 575
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 2:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
____________ 
________________________ THEM! trailer
__________ 
___________________ 
This begins as a mystery in the desert and escalates into a threat of worldwide proportions.
The film is a fine example of how to use sound and atmosphere, making this probably the definitive monster film of the fifties which warns us about the possible dangers of the atomic era. It also benefits from an excellent performance by James Whitmore as a local cop who is caught up in the whole nightmare of giant insects — ants.
Whitmore behaves as if it's all really happening, and he was one of the best actors around. He has great support from Edmund Gwenn as the scientific authority, Joan Weldon as Gwenn's daughter and fellow scientist, and a very tall tough guy — James Arness (just before Gunsmoke) as the FBI agent assigned to the 'case.'
There is also a one-scene role for Fess Parker just before Davy Crockett, and a brief scene with Leonard Nimoy, a decade before he first played Spock on TV. William Schallert also shows up in a scene.
Directed by Gordon Douglas.
Many years later, Director Joe Dante created scenes for a make-believe film from this era called "Mant" The scenes were in the film Matinee (1993). "Mant" was mostly a parody of THEM! and Schallert appeared in some of the scenes, playing a dentist.
Robert Cornthwaite (The Thing from Another World) is hysterical as a know-it-all scientists who loves to explains things to the less-knowledgeable folks around him.
BoG's Score: 8 out of 10
____________ 
 
Them Trivia: In the same year as THEM! was released, another film about killer ants also came out - The Naked Jungle. That one was less sci-fi and more jungle adventure, but was produced by George Pal, Mr. Sci-Fi of the fifties.
______ 
BoG
Galaxy Overlord Galactus
Last edited by Bogmeister on Mon May 20, 2019 2:22 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
