Customer Reviews

Earth Vs. The Sci-fi Filmmakers: Twenty Interviews

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When it comes to horror and sci-fi, there is no better writer than Tom Weaver, and his latest book "Earth Vs. the Sci-fi Filmmakers" is further proof. Similar to his "I was a Monster Movie Maker" Weaver this time presents 20 interviews with some of the men and women who worked on some of the great sci-fi films, primarily of the 50's and 60's. Actually Sci-fi is a bit of a misnomer since the interviews are conducted with people who have worked not only on sci-fi films, but also on horror and fantasy as well. The acknowledgements at the beginning of the book is like a who's who of these genres including Ted Bohus and Kevin Clement of Chiller Theatre, Jim Clatterbaugh of Monsters from the Vault, Buddy Barnett of Cult Movies, collector Bob Burns, and film historian Rudy Behlmer.

Weaver's knowledge of these films and the actors makes for interviews that are in-depth and informative, not the typical throwaway reviews you may get with some writers. Some of the actors you'll know, some you may not, but you're sure to know the films they helped to immortalize.

Gene Barry, who starred in the original "War of the Worlds" is the subject of the first interview and is actually probably the weakest of the group. You get the feeling that he didn't want to expound to much on that film and says quite candidly that he didn't care much for science fiction. Barry would go on to do numerous TV shows including "Bat Masterson", "Burke's Law" and "The Name of the Game"

Gary Conway is a great example of a guy whose name you might not know, but you know his role in "I was a Teenage Frankenstein" from the 1950's under that hideous mass of makeup. Conway talks about the ordeal of getting done up everyday and how hot and uncomfortable the mask/makeup was. He also discusses the lesser known sequel "How to Make a Monster" as well as his time working with Roger Corman on "The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent". How's THAT for a title. Conway provides one of the stronger interviews in the book.

The interview with the late Merian C. Cooper wasn't conducted by Weaver, obviously. The interview was taken from an audio tape from 1964 provided by Bob Burns who attended a small gathering of friends that turned into an impromptu Q & A session with the legendary writer/director of "King Kong". Cooper discusses the various armatures and different style heads used for Kong in the movie as well as the animation process among many other topics. The most interesting tidbit is that Cooper had an associate sign his contract for the film while he was out of town and it left Cooper without a financial cut of the film.

Donnie Dunagan is one of the most interesting interviews in the book. Dunagan played the much-maligned role of Basil Rathbone's son Peter Von Frankenstein, in "Son of Frankenstein". For years fans have argued how Dunagan's performance was the worst thing about the film so it was interesting to get his take on the performance and to also realize that he was five years old at the time. Dunagan would also share his thoughts on Karloff, Rathbone, and Lionel Atwill, although curiously, Lugosi is not mentioned. Dunagan would go on to become a career U.S. Marine, achieving the rank of Major and having three tours of Viet Nam.

Peter Graves is known to most people as the star of "Mission Impossible" and as one of the hosts of A&E's Biography. But before that, Graves starred in a number of great Sci-Fi "B" movies including "It Conquered the World", "Red Planet Mars', and "Killers from Space".

Other interviews include Arch Hall Jr. who starred in the cult films "Eegah!" and "The Sadist"; writer ken Kolb who wrote the fantasy epic "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad"; Mary Mitchel who starred in such "B" movie gems as "Panic in Year Zero", "Spider Baby", and "Dementia 13"; and Frankie Thomas who played Space Cadet Tom Corbett in one of TV's very first outer space shows from 1950 - 1955.

What I love about Weaver is that he never minimizes the contributions of his interview subjects. Most of these people have not been active in film or TV for decades but Weaver never handles them as if they were a novelty. He asks the right questions and the subjects seem generally surprised and delighted at his familiarity with their work. Throughout the book vintage photos from the films are included as well as many current photos of the actors today. This is a "B" movie fan's dream!

Another great title from McFarland Publications who puts out so many fantastic books on film and TV. Check them out!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Tom Weaver is running out of people to interview but that doesn't stop him. He continues digging and digging and comes up with with more amazing interviews. The Donnie Dunnagan interview is worth the price of the book alone. Hopefully Mr. Weaver will interview Amy Carter and - especially - Patricia Breslin. And Homicidal deserves a chapter all of its own. How was this most convoluted film ever made and how did William Castle get novice "Jean Arless" to give the most frightening and upsetting feminine performance in film history? Perhaps Ms. Breslin would know.