Customer Reviews

Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties (2 Volumes in 1)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a fan, or even a casual watcher, of science fiction movies of the 1950s and early 1960s, this exhaustively researched, 2-1/4-inch-thick tome deserves a prominent place in your library. It is, quite simply, THE definitive reference book on the subject. Period. There is none better. The conscientious reviewer MIGHT point out only one minor "problem"--but more on that later.

Mr. Warren does an unbelievably thorough job of presenting the most minute details of virtually every American science fiction film produced from 1950 through 1962. The classics are all here, of course. "Destination Moon," "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "The Thing From Another World," "Forbidden Planet," "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and "War of the Worlds" each receive 10 or so pages of treatment (in very small, closely spaced print, mind you). Mr. Warren tells you everything you could ever want to know about the script, the director, the actors, the special effects (such as they were, in those days), the budget, the editing, the musical score and the reception that each movie got on its initial release. He includes meaningful, interesting details and fascinating anecdotes, many of which I can't imagine how he managed to dig up. Lesser films such as (to pick a couple at random) "Mesa of Lost Women" and "The Rocket Man" get only a page or so, but still with full discussions of each film's production and how it fits into the genre. Well-chosen still photos, typically printed in full-page size and in many cases not the same ones seen in other books, illustrate some of the movies.

I found that the best way to use Mr. Warren's monumental work is to refer to it just after watching one of the films that it covers (which means ANY science fiction movie of the era). With the screenplay fresh in one's mind, reading the relevant chapter adds immeasurably to the viewing experience, much as a director's commentary does on a DVD. You can, of course, read "Keep Watching The Skies" through from cover-to-cover, but only at the risk of information overload. Its usefulness is sure to last for many years--as long as there are VHS tapes, DVDs or (if you're very lucky) old 35mm prints of classic science fiction movies to watch and enjoy. It adds new meaning to the term "reference book."

Now, for the one and only "problem" with "Keep Watching The Skies." The book consists of two parts. Part 1 covers the years 1950 through 1957; Part 2 covers 1958 through 1962. Both parts were apparently once issued as separate volumes. For this reissue, both volumes are bound together. Each part has a comprehensive index, but ONLY for that part. Thus, it can be a little difficult to find a specific film if you don't know its year of release, especially since many films in Part 1 are referred to--and thus indexed--in Part 2, and vice versa. A single integrated index would make Mr. Warren's magnum opus much easier to use. With that single tiny quibble aside, I give "Keep Watching The Skies" the highest possible recommendation. Five stars is not nearly enough. It deserves a galaxy of stars.

Keep Watching The Skies! is the most detailed and engrossing survey of golden-age science fiction films I have ever read. No other film/video guide on the topic compares with it. Warren usually provides a synopsis of the plot, a discussion of the cast and how they perform in the film, and especially useful stuff about the writers and directors. We learn how the film was received in its time, and how well it's held up over the years. Warren is not the source for 1-5 star "ratings" of these films, or for smug quips about how awful some old movies can be, but the reader always gets an idea of how good the films are, or how bad. Overall the book provides the best reading I've found on these films individually and on the 1950s science fiction boom. Believe all of the rave reviews and buy this book!

Bill Warren's massive 1300+ page two volume set, "Keep Watching The Skies!: American Science Fiction Films of the Fifties", is by far the most comprehensive work of its kind, however, it is not completely exhaustive. Incredibly detailed - where else could one find a lengthy discussion of four different scripts by four different authors, each vying for the honors in "Conquest Of Space"? - the volumes include penetrating reviews of the "Big Five": "The Day The Earth Stood Still"; "The War of the Worlds"; "The Thing From Another Planet"; "Forbidden Planet" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", as well as a host of lesser heralded lights. Warren grew up during this era and his (self admitted) nostalgia creeps in periodically in an entertaining way, but not to the point of interfering with his objectivity. In fact, it's nostalgic passion that provided him the "rocket fuel" to tackle and complete such a formidable task. As well as the "Big Five", I derived considerable pleasure from reading Warren's favorable reviews of such spicy delectables as "The Man From Planet X"; "Kronos"; "The Creeping Unknown" and "The Incredible Shrinking Man" - films that made lasting graphic impressions upon me as a child in the 1950s. I have two quibbles - both relatively minor - with "Keep Watching The Skies!" - the first is Warren's inclusion of a small number of films such as "The Bowery Boys" and "Jungle Jim", where the sci-fi elements are so scant and peripheral as to hardly qualify them for the genre. The second is his choice of the subtitle, "American Science Fiction Films of the Fifties", which I feel is potentially confusing. Both volumes cover the period from 1950 to 1962, Warren says that "trends don't follow calendars", and while I don't have a big problem with inclusion of early 60's films, I think it would have been more appropriate and straightforward for the subtitle to have been something like "The Golden Age of American Science Fiction Films -1950-62". Quibbles aside, "Keep Watching The Skies!" is THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE GUIDE for the 1950's sci-fi film connoisseur/afficionado, and will remain so for many years to come.

When I first obtained the two thick yellow hardbound volumes of this book more than a decade ago, I could hardly express my delight at the serious and detailed attention given to those films I loved so much as a child and teenager in the golden 1950s. I still enjoy dipping into it. A relevant story... About a decade ago, my brother was visiting me for a week. My movie- and TV-related books were in what was then the guest bedroom. After his first night with me, I asked if he had had any trouble sleeping, since my neighborhood is sometimes noisy and he was in those days troubled with insomnia. He replied, "I never got to sleep." When I asked what the trouble was, he said, "No trouble, I just saw KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES on the shelf, got it down, and couldn't stop reading!" There is one problem with the first volume of the book, a problem the author himself points out--- it was written before the age of videotape, so that the author was unable to watch any of the films he discussed while writing the discussions, and was unable to see some of the films, such as DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS, at all. This is one reason the second volume is so much fatter than the first, because when it was written video tapes were becoming available for all the films being analyzed. One can only dream of what the first volume would have been like, had it been written in 1990, say. But we should be thankful for what we have. A detailed treatment of some of the best-loved films ever made, and a literate, thoughtful, informed and accurate treatment too. Highly recommended.

This huge book ( a collection of works previously published in two volumes) is a treasure trove for any film lover, but particularly those that have a special place in their heart for the classic and not-so-classic science fiction of the 1950s.

Bill Warren writes with obvious love for his subject and his enthusiasm for even the saddest and most inept films (and there are plenty of them) transcends whatever gripes you might have with his opinions. It's like sitting around with a good pal and shooting the breeze.

The scope is enormous. We should be grateful to Bill Warren if only because he sat through so many of these films, some of which are real stinkers, thus saving us the trouble. Of course, the worst films are often the ones we most want to see, right? In fact, it's good to have this book nearby when watching MST3K riff some cheesy old sf film.

As another reviewer said, hardly a day goes by that I don't dip into this book, even if only for ten minutes. Unlike a Leonard Maltin's Guide (which I notice Bill Warren is now a contributor to), that I tend to use only as reference if something is coming on TV that I want a rating on, this a book I delve into for the sheer pleasure of reading it.

Informative, filled with memories of misspent childhood in front of the tube and most of all fun. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

The best science fiction book I have ever read.A must-have for everyone fond of golden age movies and classic science fiction.
I read the book in one go.I wish I could read another book like this!

A book that is both compelling and humorous in its over-all dialogue. Bill Warren has done a fantastic job describing the movies and carefully dissecting its contents, plot, behind the scenes activities, and whether or not this movie is worth watching. I have the original two volume hardcover set. When my friends page through this tome, they constantly ask to borrow it, but to no avail. Gray's Anatomy? Pshaw! Encyclopedia Brittanica? Hah! The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire? I don't think so! This is the ultimate book for all die-hard sci/fi readers and movie aficionados. Whether it be hardcover or soft, get this in your personal library now!

I bought this book for my husband who loves old science fiction films. We already own many of them. He enjoys reading and watching the films at the same time. My husband doesn't really care for the writing and some the analysis, but likes the little historical parts. Unfortunetly, he is now on a quest to complete his DVD collection of that era by using the list in this book. It's a good thing most of these film aren't very expensive.

Now in an updated and revised 21st century edition featuring new entries on several films not listed in the original, Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties is an exhaustive reference compendium, arranged alphabetically by film title and illustrated with more than 270 photographs, some in color. Each entry includes a detailed synopsis, a summary of what various reviews said about the movie, and a credits listing. An easy-to-use index and nine handy appendices round out this one-of-a-kind reference perfect for public and college library collections, as well as the private libraries of sci-fi movie enthusiasts.

Five stars and absolutely worth the price. I first read the 2 volume original works just after the second volume came out; my housemate at the time was kind enough to lend them to me and I was hooked from the first review. I was never able to find my own copies and jumped at the chance to get this new, updated single volume version. It's a very impressive package; poster reproductions and stills supplement the individual film reviews. The paper is slick and heavy; the book is literally weighty. The film summaries and reviews are as witty and incisive as I remember from the original editions; he pulls no punches on the bad films, but can be lyrical about good movies or just the good parts of the putrid ones. While Bill Warren got to first see many of these movies in the theater, I was hooked by them as shown on a Saturday show on WSYE-TV in Elmira NY in the mid-60's called "Monster Movie Matinee", sourced out of Syracuse. It was a classic horror-host setup but the programmer had great taste; many Japanese monster movies, Harryhausen and Universal horrors, in fact a lot of the movies in this book. Bill Warren communicates the same sense of wonder I felt at 8-12 years old in front of my TV first watching these sometimes great, sometimes appalling movies. He turned me on to fun flicks like "Fiend Without a Face" and reminded me to search out old favorites like "Kronos." It's almost guaranteed to get you to search out as many as you can find on DVD. This is a book that equally rewards opening it at random to read, or reading straight through. Anyone with a love for imaginative films, unlike the soulless drek promoted by "SyFy" as their Saturday evening movies, should get a copy of this book. Two caveats: as mentioned, the book is very heavy, so the physical act of reading can be awkward. Also, I found to my dismay that the ink can smear if a page is pressed with a finger or knuckle to flatten it out (reaction to body oils?). I've taken to holding a tissue in case I need to press down a page. Minor issues aside - get this book! Support labors of love!