Vintage Scripts (a collection of original amateur screenplays).

[Low_Roads]

A Shadow in the Sea.

It'll surprise absolutely no one that this shark-seeking screenplay was patterned after "Jaws"; not so much the Spielberg movie as the Peter Benchley novel (I'd just read the book over the weekend in my college dorm... all night long/10 straight hours, the longest piece of literature I've ever tucked away in a single sitting). I was quite taken with Benchley's colorful description of the titanic extinct Carcharodon Megalodon as a railroad locomotive lined with butcher knives. It didn't take much more prodding for me to produce this unfortunately derivative story. So little takes place in the early scenes, I imagine the finished product would have been a trial to sit through. I had scant hope of producing the film anyway: a believable ship-board setting would have been crucial... I didn't have one or any realistic prospect of procuring one. None of the roles were cast (GM told me he thought all the characters equally unpleasant) and not a second of film was shot. I did find a shark puppet, copped from the then-new Ideal "Jaws" board game (below, pictures 1 & 2), a miniature which wouldn't have held up under two seconds of scrutiny.

Note: this title was inadvertently lifted from Thomas Allen's 1963 non-fictional examination of sharks and shark attacks, "Shadows in the Sea":

http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Sea-Sharks-Skates-Rays/dp/1558215182

It's a book (quite good, too) which I'd read years ago, but had forgotten all about... that's the story I'm telling when the lawyers show up.

Part 1 of this screenplay is accompanied by three illustrations (below, pictures 3, 4 & 5), along with three rather more dramatic ones next week:

A Shadow in the Sea

a screenplay by
Foster Glenn Oakes​

CAST of CHARACTERS
Jerome Chambers
Capt. Michael Tobias
Robert Dobbs (Pike)
Thomas Mackenzie
D'Angelo
Mr. Piazza
Captain of second ship
Doctor of second ship
Bill
Laura

EXTERIOR. A beach. Two kids, BILL and LAURA, lie on a blanket, staring lazily out at the sea. On the ocean, a sailboat glides smoothly over the wavelets. Suddenly, Laura starts.

Laura: What was that, Bill?

Bill: What? I didn't see nothin'.

Laura: I thought I saw something on the water.

Bill: Aw, Laura. It was only a shadow or somethin'.

Laura: (after a pause, nervously) Bill! Where's that little sailboat?

They both look out over the surface of the water. The boat is nowhere to be seen. Change of location. A South American port, Puerto de Chanco. Cut to a small wooden office-building on the pier, with the sign "Capt. Michael Tobias - Freighting Service". INTERIOR. The inside of the office. Seated at a table is CAPT. MICHAEL TOBIAS.

Tobias: You're offering me a great deal of money, Mr. Chambers. More than I could make in a month with my freight business.

Reverse shot revealing JEROME CHAMBERS.

Chambers: I have specific needs that you are in a position to fill, Capt. Tobias. But I have to act quickly. If my proposition is not attractive to you, there are other ship owners--

Tobias: (quickly) No, sir. The deal's just fine with me. We can get underway as soon as you like.

The two men shake hands firmly. Dissolve. EXTERIOR. The next day, Tobias's diesel freighter is being readied for departure. Chambers and Tobias stand on the dock. Chambers holds a briefcase and a high-powered rifle.

Tobias: (after taking a side-long glance at the rifle) Figuring to do some hunting, Mr. Chambers?

Chambers: (with an air of intense mystery) You might say that, yes.

Onboard the boat labor D'ANGELO and ROBERT DOBBS.

Chambers: (voice-over) Who are the two men?

Tobias: (voice-over) That's m'crew, part of it. (indicating D'Angelo) That sullen one is called D'Angelo. He's a native, a mute. (indicating Pike) The other is Robert Dobbs, called Pike. Been with me a long time. He's a bit rowdy, but a good seaman.

Return to Chambers and Tobias.

Tobias: I don't see Mackenzie. He's the third member of my crew.

Cut to another section of the pier, more secluded. There, THOMAS MACKENZIE and MR. PIAZZA stand arguing. On a barrel, sits a small crate.

MacKenzie: No, Mr. Piazza, I want the whole five thousand for this haul. These deliveries I'm making for you are getting more risky all the time.

Piazza: Greedy Irish pig! Here, take it! (Piazza hands him an envelope.) Now, with these you must be most careful. (he pats the crate very softly) They are most strong. The slightest jar will set them off.

Mackenzie: They'll be safe enough for your revolutionary friends, señor. Pleasure doing business with a man o' your stature.

Mackenzie parts company with the fat Chilean and scampers down the dock with the explosives to Tobias's boat. Pike sees him coming. The Irishman hides the crate under his coat.

Pike: Come on, MacKenzie. Captain's in a sweat to go.

MacKenzie: How so, Pike?

Pike: Got a charter this trip, name of Jerome Chambers. (Pike and MacKenzie stow the rest of the equipment.) Says he has to get out to sea in a hurry. Says there's somethin' out there he wants to catch.

There is a dissolve. Tobias's boat is at sea. Chambers and Pike are on deck. Chambers has a pair of binoculars, and scans the surface of the water.

Pike: Just what is it you expect to be out there, Mr. Chambers? A sea monster?

Chambers: Perhaps. (he lowers his glasses) Be at ease, Mr. Dobbs. I'll explain my actions tonight, after dark.

Dissolve. It is late evening. The moon gives a silver outline to the boat and the waves. D'Angelo is at the wheel. INTERIOR. In the cabin, Tobias, Chambers, Pike, and MacKenzie are gathered around a table. Chambers has some papers out, while Pike and MacKenzie share a bottle.

Chambers: Gentlemen, it has become apparent to you that I am hunting something. Now, I will tell you what that something is.

Chambers unfolds a large sheet. On it is a scale drawing of a huge shark, with a man drawn in for comparison. Tobias looks at it critically.

Tobias: It's a shark.

Chambers: But a very special shark. It is the Carcharodon Megalodon, supposedly extinct for a million years. Few have ever seen it. My brother and I did... just before he died.

Tobias: It's a very pretty drawing, but the scale's not right. According to this, your fish is damn near as big as the boat.

Chambers: That's right, Capt. Tobias, seventy feet long. My scale is right, and you'll see that soon enough.

Pike and MacKenzie marvel at the size of the animal in Chambers' drawing. EXTERIOR. Outside, on the sea, a great fin breaks the surface, creating smooth ripples in the moonlight.


Next week... the conclusion.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Yeah, that shark wasn't going to be fooling anyone, even back then. Although, some of the props I've seen outside of their film homes have looked rather silly and yet they were completely believable in the movies. The magic of post-processing and lighting magic ...

These giant shark stories tug me both ways. On the one hand I always feel like smacking the director for how they kill it (exploding gas tank? not happening) but on the other I can't quite rule out such creatures existing. There are so many things in the depths we've no knowledge of. They keep finding bizarre things we never knew about, from the thought-extinct coelacanth to the amazingly creepy frilled shark. Even the Kraken may not have been entirely fictional, with colossal squid found that are upwards of 40 feet and estimates from beaks in Sperm Whale stomachs that they might be 60 feet or more. There might be C. megalodon in the depths yet!

How Chambers expects to kill it with a rifle is beyond me. I suspect, though, that the box of Piazza will play a role in that ...

 

[Low_Roads]

Super links, HDS! That antediluvian shark (if that isn't an oxymoron) is wild! Almost looks like a CGI creation... a measure either of how far special effects have progressed or real-life has receded! Japanese aquariums seem so much better stocked with exotic species than ours... they always seem to have whale sharks swimming in some corner tank. The giant squid's brawnier cousin is also a solid winner! I got hipped to the colossal one a few years back (random web find... that full body shot is the first image I ever sent to anyone over the internet, as a matter of fact). Loyalty to the more familiar giant squid (star villain in such films as "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and "Reap the Wild Wind") has kept me from rooting for it more fully... however, it's recently been featured in the BBC special "Ocean Odyssey" (a fanciful, fx-laden "documentary" about sperm whales), so it's making up ground quickly! As a PR response, the giant squid has resorted to personal appearances on Japanese deep-sea research film... can't wait to see where this rivalry leads next! Of course, the coelacanth beat 'em all, with its rediscovery back in 1938. Hardly anyone talks about the coelacanth anymore... the risk of cresting too early.

My father (an amateur diver) went apoplectic at the end of the movie "Jaws"! That business about the oxygen tank really doesn't make a lot of sense... either Bruce would have swallowed the damned thing or spit it out! To have it stuck in the corner of his mouth like a celery strand... let's just say only Spielberg could have pulled that off! Killing Bruces 2, 3 and 4 became progressively more asinine... a bang-stick is simply too prosaic and anti-climactic, I suppose.

Author Steve Alten finally went ahead and wrote a Carcharodon Megalodon novel: "The Trench". Also a couple of sequels, with which I'm less familiar... the first one has "Benchley" written all over it. We also get to see a great looking CGI example in the BBC "Walking With Dinosaurs" extrapolation "Chased by Dinosaurs". Look for the DVD... tons of fun!

I don't think that darned game prop would have looked acceptable no matter what I'd done to it! It was the only option I had, though. My model building skills at that time were impossibly crude... making a waterproof one would have stretched them too far!

How Chambers expects to kill it with a rifle is beyond me. I suspect, though, that the box of Piazza will play a role in that ...

Right on both counts: Chambers is an idiot and that box of nitro will definitely reappear! We'll find out how on Tuesday!

 

[Low_Roads]

-Part Two-​

The fin heads straight for the boat. INTERIOR. The cabin.

Pike: (slightly drunk, still staring at the sheet) Biggest shark I ever saw was a tiger...twenty feet. What a monster that was! And this thing here is nearly three times the size--

Suddenly there is a terrible jolt. The cabin tilts, and the men grab the table to keep from sliding. MacKenzie lunges for the crate of explosives which he has concealed carelessly under a blanket. Soon, all rolls level again.

Chambers: (very low, to himself) That's it! That's it! He's found me again!

Tobias: (choosing to ignore what Chambers just said) Ocean's tricky. I think that was a seiche wave. They come up quick, without warning. MacKenzie, go on deck and see about damage.

MacKenzie: Sure, Skipper. I'll bring D'Angelo the rest of the bottle.

MacKenzie grabs up the bottle and heads for the door. EXTERIOR. On deck, D'Angelo has been scanning the sea with a search-light, seeking the source of the disturbance. As MacKenzie nears him in the dark, a sudden splashing attracts the Irishman's attention. He goes to investigate. After a period of relative calm, D'Angelo's light is drawn in the direction of renewed, violent splashing sounds. He shudders, as the beam reveals the maw of a huge shark, with the mangled remains of MacKenzie clinging to its evil teeth. After snapping at its discoverer a few times, it disappears into the dark sea. D'Angelo slumps to the deck, his arms clamped about the base of the search-light, his eyes transfixed on the spot where the leviathan descended. He remains motionless. Dissolve. INTERIOR. Tobias and Pike sleep at the table, while Chambers has reclined on Tobias's bunk. It is morning. Slowly, Tobias awakens. He rouses Pike.

Tobias: Get up, Pike. (The seaman wakes.) Relieve MacKenzie at the wheel.

Pike makes his way to a door, through which the swells of the morning ocean can be seen. He stops halfway through the doorway and turns to speak to Tobias.

Pike: What about the ol' shark hunter? (indicating Chambers) Shouldn't we--

Suddenly, behind Pike, the great dorsal fin of the carcharodon megalodon cuts through the water, past the boat.

Tobias: (off) My God, behind ya!!!

Pike turns to watch the mighty fin sail by. Then he rushes onto the deck. EXTERIOR. Pike, followed by Tobias, rushes to the railing and the two men view the beast gliding effortlessly through the sea. D'Angelo is as he was when last seen, clinging mindlessly to the search-light.

Tobias: (staring in awe at the great fish) God, Pike. It's the Leviathan!

At that moment, Chambers comes onto the deck, hunting rifle in hand. His face is drawn with intense excitement.

Chambers: Leviathan. Mythological beast. That's what the marine biologists say. That's the reason I must kill it and bring it back, to prove it to those who scoff at me. (noticing Tobias's reluctance to move) Come, Captain. This is why I paid you! I must kill that monster!

Tobias: He's circlin' us, sniffin' us out. (shaking himself free from his awe) Let's move, Pike.

The boat accelerates, moving laboriously out of the circle the shark has been drawing around it. Tobias applies more speed, and the freighter travels swiftly through the waves. The great marine horror gives chase, snapping its jaws viciously at its prey. Chambers makes his way to the back of the boat, and fires round after round into the squalis, to no good effect. Pike stands at the rail, gazing at the beast in morbid fascination.

Momentarily, the giant shark disappears beneath the ocean's surface. Then, without warning, it emerges directly beside the boat. It rams its great head into the hull, and Pike is hurled over the side. He does not strike the water, but clings to the railing and tries vainly to regain the other side. The Carcharodon Megalodon rises just behind the struggling man, lunging at him. Pike screams and kicks at his attacker. Soon, the huge sea animal submerges again and is lost from view. The exhausted Pike loses his grip and falls into the sea. Tobias cries out and pulls the wheel so as to come around in a circle. Once the boat is alongside the swimming seaman, the great fin once more cuts through the surface, headed for its stalled quarry.

Chambers and Tobias brace themselves, as the great bulk rams into the boat broadside, tipping it. INTERIOR. Inside the cabin, the crate of explosives falls from its resting place, crashing to the floor. EXTERIOR. The freighting boat is torn apart by the resulting explosion. Tobias's lifeless body plummets into the water and sinks into the depths. Chambers clambers aboard a sizable piece of wreckage, where D'Angelo hangs listlessly onto a cleat. The giant fish surfaces and snaps its jaws in defiance. Then it turns in the direction of the helpless Pike.

Chambers watches, horrified, as the screaming man passes into the savage maw, and in one spasm is gone. The monster sounds and, for the moment, the sea is calm. Chambers arises on the large section of decking and takes up a piece of drift as a weapon. D'Angelo hangs mindlessly to the cleat, his eyes taking in nothing around him. As Chambers turns to scan the sea, the shark explodes out of the water. As the snapping jaws bear down on the men, the scene dissolves into darkness.

INTERIOR. The infirmary of a U.S. Naval ship. The CAPTAIN and DOCTOR stand beside the bed of an unseen patient.

Doctor: He's been in this semi-comatose condition since he was pulled out of the ocean. I don't know whether it will pass or not.

The man on the bed is revealed to be D'Angelo. His eyes are open, but he perceives nothing.

Captain: (off) If he does revive, let me know at once. I want to question him as to what happened to that transport boat and the rest of the crew.

Return to Captain and Doctor.

Doctor: Aye, sir. Personally, Captain, what do you think took place?

Captain: A sudden waterspout, perhaps. I can't really say. I learned long ago that solutions to mysteries of this kind are elusive. As elusive and deceptive as a shadow.

The two men walk out of the room. D'Angelo rests on the bed, a mental vegetable... the final victim of the great shark.

-END-​

Next: "Lieutenant Martin Maxwell on the Moon".

 

[His Divine Shadow]

So the beast swims free, eh? This ending I can believe! No foolish trickery here, although the experience of Jaws had led me to believe said explosives would be turned on the shark, not the ship. Predictability and the LBH only go so far, it seems. 😛

 

[Low_Roads]

Thank you, HDS! Most happy you think so! It's probably a lot easier to take this concept seriously without the plastic toy snapping its cartoon rage... a project more pleasing in its anticipation than it'd ever be in clumsy realization (don't get me wrong... I'd be happy enough to try it with the proper budget. Anyone got a spare 40 million dollars they'd like to toss my way? I could be the new Uwe Boll! XD) A naive, anything-goes over-reaching is the only thing that saves some of these ideas from total worthlessness... at least their insane impracticality amuses in a radio show sense. By the way, I'll have an actual radio show to offer somewhere along the line (an Indiana Jones takeoff)... but that script needs a ton of overhaul first.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

A radio script, eh? You certainly are quite the connoisseur of media production! What haven't you made is my question. 😛

 

[Low_Roads]

Most kind of you, HDS! It's unfortunate, really, that I didn't take the radio-show option more seriously. Such projects are incredibly easy to put together: tape recording equipment, a few noise-making props (a slide whistle, a cinder block and a metal waste basket sufficed for the "Lost Ark" parody), some pre-recorded music/sound effects, and a modest cast/crew (just me and another guy performing all the parts, plus one further guy to work the recorder) are all that're generally needed. Prep time is nil compared to film, while actual production is far shorter and more straight-forward (including setup and retakes, we spent about an hour to record the 20-minute show). Not only that, but story latitude is incredibly broad: without costly, arduous visuals to consider, the narrative can go literally anywhere. I might actually have finished productions to match the scripts if I'd opted for this route.

What haven't you made is my question. 😛

It's true, I have tried out quite a few forms of self-expression, with varying degrees of success. Though, music has ever eluded me: can't compose, can't play (I tried piano when I was younger, but was never very good), and am a god-awful dancer (like Elaine Benes bad!) I have sculpted a bit (with non-traditional mediums... plastic, mostly)... I'll present examples one of these days.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I recalled this recently and thought yourself and Scavenger might find it interesting. 20-25 minutes of the lost footage from Metropolis was recently discovered in a film archive in Argentina. They suspect five minutes of the entire film is still lost but this fills a serious (and longstanding) gap in the celluloid. Read about it.

 

[Low_Roads]

I heard about that last week! Saw the report at "Digital Bits" a site I use to check out the latest DVD news! What a stunning development! Kino Video (the outfit which presented the most recent restored version of the film on DVD) is supposed to include this recovered footage in a BD release sometime next year (simultaneously on DVD, the only format that does me any good right now)! Thanks so much for the link! This Reuters report is far more thorough than anything I'd read earlier: I had no idea, for instance, than any footage was still missing (this seems to be a mountain we'll be climbing forever!) The newly recovered story elements are supposed to fill in much plot left blank up till now, though! I'm dying to see this stuff!

PS: here's a link addressing Kino's pending BD/DVD release:

http://movnpictures.blogspot.com/2008/07/breakling-news-recovered-footage-of.html

Information is scanty, but it's a developing story.

 

[scavenger]

Argh. And I had just bought the "most complete version" on DVD. (of which I spoke earlier. But it is a grand discovery nonetheless, and when they have restored this new section and added it to the entire film, I WILL buy the new DVD. :ggrin:
I saw this news on German television, just happened to stumble upon it while randomly clicking away through the tv channel (what are the odds! ) From the little part that was shown on this tv-program, it is my guess this concerns the previously lost part where Slim (the personal henchman and spy of Joh Fredersen ) has his dispute with Josaphat (Freder's ally and former secretary of Joh).

About the Shadow in the Sea: I love this story. In fact I love sea mystery/horror stories. Though I have far from finished it, I immensly enjoyed reading Moby Dick. Another one of my favourite writers is William Hope Hodgson (from the same time-period as lovecraft), who did some really wicked sea-themed horror stories.

Regarding our discussion about film, I just happened to aquire a second hand 8mm/super 8mm projector. for about 30 euros ( approx. 50 dollars) which was quite the bargain for a projector in prefect working condition. Got a few film reels as well.
There's something about this old projections that feels like pure magic, even in this age of digital movies. Or perhaps because of the contrast with the sterility of the digital medium... Or perhaps it's because of my background in classic film techniques...
Anyway, I'm SO going to have a vintage film evening with that Charlie Chaplin reel I found! :super_hap

 

[Low_Roads]

Argh. And I had just bought the "most complete version" on DVD. (of which I spoke earlier. But it is a grand discovery nonetheless, and when they have restored this new section and added it to the entire film, I WILL buy the new DVD. :ggrin:

I know precisely what you mean, Scav! It's like were gonna be buying upgrades forever! At least they're finding really hardy chunks... it's not so much like they're nickel and diming us to death so much as ten and twentying us! I protest too much really... I don't regret my purchase of the 2002 rerelease. I've gotten a lot of good use from it, and will still have to rely on it until the new material is restored (and who knows how long that will take!)

I saw this news on German television, just happened to stumble upon it while randomly clicking away through the tv channel (what are the odds! ) From the little part that was shown on this tv-program, it is my guess this concerns the previously lost part where Slim (the personal henchman and spy of Joh Fredersen ) has his dispute with Josaphat (Freder's ally and former secretary of Joh).

I've done most of my speculation from stills, which have been meager. I really do hope we'll get to see more of the Fritz Rasp "Thin Man" character... he's clearly more important to the story than extant material has let him appear, collaring Josaphat and Worker 11811, and delivering fiery sermons in Freder's fever dream (in large measure, he seems to act as Joh's avenging conscience... we get only a hint of that in existing footage). One scene I know will be back is the unveiling of Hel's memorial statue in Rotwang's domicile. I suspect we'll also get to see some of 11811's fling in Yoshiwara, but that's only guesswork.

About the Shadow in the Sea: I love this story. In fact I love sea mystery/horror stories. Though I have far from finished it, I immensly enjoyed reading Moby Dick. Another one of my favourite writers is William Hope Hodgson (from the same time-period as lovecraft), who did some really wicked sea-themed horror stories.

Thank you! And I enjoy Moby Dick too, though it's awfully dense literature (how can something be so literal and so enigmatic at the same time? "This, too, is Ahab..."). When I originally read it, I did so at one chapter a night, so as not to wear myself out. You know how blamed many chapters that novel has... it took me months! Since then, I've procured it as a Talking Book, which is much less taxing. I listen to the tapes at least once a year... good entertainment while I'm out in the field. William Hope Hodgson I don't know... bears looking into!

Regarding our discussion about film, I just happened to aquire a second hand 8mm/super 8mm projector. for about 30 euros ( approx. 50 dollars) which was quite the bargain for a projector in prefect working condition. Got a few film reels as well... Anyway, I'm SO going to have a vintage film evening with that Charlie Chaplin reel I found! :super_hap

I really need to do that myself someday. Unlikely I'll ever seem my old films again otherwise. And as your experience suggests, I'll bet they're really affordable now. Who besides someone with a goodly backlog of super-8 films is going to want one! Procuring projector bulbs is the only thing that still makes me hesitant... they were only ever good for a handful of months, and replacing them was a pain even back when they were plentiful.

Good work on scoring the Chaplin! Silents are perfect for super-8! I had dozens (some features, but mainly shorts: all the Willis Obrien prehistoric one-reelers, and a few Milies trick films... none of them are very easy to see anymore).

There's something about this old projections that feels like pure magic, even in this age of digital movies. Or perhaps because of the contrast with the sterility of the digital medium... Or perhaps it's because of my background in classic film techniques...

Having gone through all the home formats since super-8 film, I understand your point entirely. Threading up the projector wasn't casual (as turning on a TV can't help but be)... it was an event. It was an evening! You had hand's-on responsibility for setting up the presentation, the lights had to be off, everyone's attention would be fixed on the screen (with a distraction factor next to nil). The lackadaisical ease with which we enjoy our entertainment these days makes it seem less important... you get what you pay for, as far as care and effort are concerned. Also, there was a sense that what you were seeing was something you might be able to do yourself. Proper equipment (camera and projector) was all one needed. It's very difficult to recapture that mindset in the era of DVD.

 

[scavenger]

I've done most of my speculation from stills, which have been meager. I really do hope we'll get to see more of the Fritz Rasp "Thin Man" character... he's clearly more important to the story than extant material has let him appear, collaring Josaphat and Worker 11811, and delivering fiery sermons in Freder's fever dream (in large measure, he seems to act as Joh's avenging conscience... we get only a hint of that in existing footage). One scene I know will be back is the unveiling of Hel's memorial statue in Rotwang's domicile. I suspect we'll also get to see some of 11811's fling in Yoshiwara, but that's only guesswork.

I believe I saw a bit of badly scratched film where Slim (the original german name of the "Thin Man") peeks over a newspaper, which is most probably from the scene where he sees 11811 leaving Yoshiwara after his nightly ordeal (the Mahohee drug scene was never implemented in the film script, and neither was the airplane scene with Josaphat being send out of the city) After this, 11811 remembers his mission, and wants to go inform Josaphat, but is caught by Slim who pays a visit to Josaphat himself. I believe at the same time Joh Fredersen is at Rotwang's place, so there's probably a cut to the Hel memorial scene.

Thank you! And I enjoy Moby Dick too, though it's awfully dense literature (how can something be so literal and so enigmatic at the same time? "This, too, is Ahab..."). When I originally read it, I did so at one chapter a night, so as not to wear myself out. You know how blamed many chapters that novel has... it took me months! Since then, I've procured it as a Talking Book, which is much less taxing. I listen to the tapes at least once a year... good entertainment while I'm out in the field. William Hope Hodgson I don't know... bears looking into!

It IS heavy literature, that's mainly why I never finished it. But I'm on the lookout for an audio version. I've found I can perfectly listen and follow an auditive text (be it music or story) while still being able to concentrate at my drawing work at the same time. 🙂

I'll bet they're really affordable now. Who besides someone with a goodly backlog of super-8 films is going to want one! Procuring projector bulbs is the only thing that still makes me hesitant... they were only ever good for a handful of months, and replacing them was a pain even back when they were plentiful.

Mine was pretty much a bargain compared to the prices I've seen going for older and in some cases worn and defective machines. My projector is an austrian Eumig 624D. From what I learned over the internet, the 600 series were produced in the mid 70's, so the bulbs are standard 12v 100w hallogen bulbs, which are still readily available, and not all that expensive. I might stock up on some spare bulbs just in case (can't have the bulb dying in the middle of a projection evening) but it's mainly too much sudden on/off switching of the projection light that kills them.

Good work on scoring the Chaplin! Silents are perfect for super-8! I had dozens (some features, but mainly shorts: all the Willis Obrien prehistoric one-reelers, and a few Milies trick films... none of them are very easy to see anymore).

Yeah, the 624D was a silent projector (but with a slot to hook up a cassete-recorder startcable to sync pre-recorded music to the image) so I'm pretty much limited to silent film. Not that I'm complaining, as this is my main field of interest 🙂 I found this little curiosa shop where I buy find 8mm and super 8 reels pretty cheap. And there's the weekly flea market where these reels turn up quite often as well. I bought some reels to try out my projector;
the 400 feet Chaplin reel (a compilation of his early short comedies), a smaller Ken Film reel of "the Little Rascals: Haunted House" and a terrible little edited copy of a Donald Duck short (didn't pay much for that one -luckily) that was edited and published in France (still pretty funny if you want to see a short bit of animation that seems to make absolutely no sense at all :laughing🙂

Having gone through all the home formats since super-8 film, I understand your point entirely. Threading up the projector wasn't casual (as turning on a TV can't help but be)... it was an event. It was an evening! You had hand's-on responsibility for setting up the presentation, the lights had to be off, everyone's attention would be fixed on the screen (with a distraction factor next to nil). The lackadaisical ease with which we enjoy our entertainment these days makes it seem less important... you get what you pay for, as far as care and effort are concerned.

My projector is pretty easy to thread up; start the motor, feed in the film on one side, then stop it as it comes out on the other end. Connect it to the contra reel and start the projection. But I suppose that's because I have one of the later models of the seventies.
I used to do slide projections of my Ireland travels for family and friends (when I still used analog photography) which were a similar experience. There's digital projectors and beamers these days and most are pretty affordable nowadays, but somehow the roughness of the slide projections (rattling ventilator, clicking projector, pausing the thing to change the slide trays,...) Indeed it's not something casual, so I think people get the feeling they're invited to see something unique, much like in the very early days of film ("Come see the AMAZING CINEMATOGRAPH!" :laughing🙂

 

[scavenger]

William Hope Hodgson I don't know... bears looking into!

Forgot to reply on that bit. You really, really have to check them out (there's probably some of them out on the internet), if you like Lovecraft's stories you're gonna love those of Hodgson. His Sargasso Sea stories are quite spooky, but his "Carnacki -the ghost hunter" are even more. I don't know wether you ever player the pc/video game "Clive Barker's Undying", but that game totally captures the atmosphere of the Carnacki stories (and I wouldn't be surprised if those inspired Clive Barker when writing the game scenario)

 

[Low_Roads]

I believe I saw a bit of badly scratched film where Slim (the original german name of the "Thin Man") peeks over a newspaper, which is most probably from the scene where he sees 11811 leaving Yoshiwara after his nightly ordeal (the Mahohee drug scene was never implemented in the film script, and neither was the airplane scene with Josaphat being send out of the city) After this, 11811 remembers his mission, and wants to go inform Josaphat, but is caught by Slim who pays a visit to Josaphat himself. I believe at the same time Joh Fredersen is at Rotwang's place, so there's probably a cut to the Hel memorial scene.

Sounds almost as though a block of connected footage has been missing all this time (which is rather how it plays in the 2002 rerelease... plenty of explanatory subtitling appears once Freder replaces 11811 at the dial machine). What a crude, arbitrary way to shorten the film! I suppose if anything had to be sacrificed, those minor plot points were the most expendable. Sure makes the storytelling a lot less rich, though.

It IS heavy literature, that's mainly why I never finished it. But I'm on the lookout for an audio version. I've found I can perfectly listen and follow an auditive text (be it music or story) while still being able to concentrate at my drawing work at the same time. 🙂

I'm a big booster for audio books! They're a real muss 'n' fuss-free way to absorb classic (and not so classic) literature! Like you, I enjoy them while I do artwork, as well as on the job... good company for occupations that demand a certain isolation. I have a goodly personal collection (titles I can experience again and again without the text becoming stale); our library system supplies further listening when I'm in the mood for something new. My only quibble is that CD format is rapidly making my cherished cassettes obsolete. I prefer to be able to shove a handful of tapes into my pockets for handy replacement... you really can't do that with CDs (discs are so delicate, I'm leery of their long-term viability anyway. I currently have cassette tapes that I recorded in the '60s... I'll be mightily surprised if any of my CDs persevere that long). No way to fight it, though... cassettes are decidedly nearing their end. It's become an ordeal simply trying to find those personal tape players anymore... lord, I hate having to adapt!

... it's mainly too much sudden on/off switching of the projection light that kills them.

You're on to something there. I believe that's why mine blew out so regularly... I'd stop and start the projector constantly while trying to dub voices (gods, what a futile exercise, getting those lip movements to sync up! If I'd known how impossible it would prove, I'd have shot everything inter-titled!) I also used the projector for a fair amount of rear-screen experimentation, none of which was terribly successful. No wonder I accomplished so little... film may simply not have been my medium.

Yeah, the 624D was a silent projector (but with a slot to hook up a cassete-recorder startcable to sync pre-recorded music to the image) so I'm pretty much limited to silent film. Not that I'm complaining, as this is my main field of interest 🙂 I found this little curiosa shop where I buy find 8mm and super 8 reels pretty cheap. And there's the weekly flea market where these reels turn up quite often as well. I bought some reels to try out my projector;
the 400 feet Chaplin reel (a compilation of his early short comedies), a smaller Ken Film reel of "the Little Rascals: Haunted House" and a terrible little edited copy of a Donald Duck short (didn't pay much for that one -luckily) that was edited and published in France (still pretty funny if you want to see a short bit of animation that seems to make absolutely no sense at all :laughing🙂

I vividly remember that Little Rascals short! Scared the pants off me when I was a kid (especially when the bogeyman pops through the doorway early on!) My super-8 collection included a number of full-length feature films (4 to 6 400-ft. reels), which could be bought cheap if they were in used condition. I subscribed to a newsprint publication called Super-8 Film Collector, which was jammed with personal ads. In retrospect, this was an excellent way to get ripped off, but I never was cheated. Fine for its time... during my college years, I'd show these things constantly. It wouldn't last, though... burgeoning VHS soon supplanted film format. The relative simplicity of tape (along with far cheaper cost... later on, at least) made it irresistible. I've still got a closet-full of commercial film reels. Maybe the Smithsonian will want them some day.

I used to do slide projections of my Ireland travels for family and friends (when I still used analog photography) which were a similar experience. There's digital projectors and beamers these days and most are pretty affordable nowadays, but somehow the roughness of the slide projections (rattling ventilator, clicking projector, pausing the thing to change the slide trays,...) Indeed it's not something casual, so I think people get the feeling they're invited to see something unique, much like in the very early days of film ("Come see the AMAZING CINEMATOGRAPH!" :laughing🙂

"Amazing Cinematograph" indeed! A true entertainment pinoeer (weren't we all!)

I bought a slide projector expressly to use on GM's Commander Duck TV show. It was a great way to provide scope and movement for what was basically a one-set stage-bound presentation. I'd had some experience using the local junior college's film-chain machine, but our cable access setup didn't offer equipment that sophisticated. We'd just focus one of the cameras on a make-shift screen, which predictably washed out the image considerably. And you had to practically shout to be heard over the projector hum! Ah, that aircraft hum and the distinctive changing-slides "clack!" you remember so well! The '70s was a time of high adventure!

Forgot to reply on that bit. You really, really have to check them out (there's probably some of them out on the internet), if you like Lovecraft's stories you're gonna love those of Hodgson. His Sargasso Sea stories are quite spooky, but his "Carnacki -the ghost hunter" are even more. I don't know wether you ever player the pc/video game "Clive Barker's Undying", but that game totally captures the atmosphere of the Carnacki stories (and I wouldn't be surprised if those inspired Clive Barker when writing the game scenario)

I checked the Wikipedia entry on Hodgson... pugnacious little guy, wasn't he! He'd seem to understand well of what he wrote concerning matters nautical. "The Ghost Pirates" sounds most intriguing... I may look for that one first.

I'm not familiar with the Clive Barker video game... I'm so tied up with my comic, I hardly have time for gaming at all anymore. It's another topic worth investigating though, if only for cultural literacy. Anything involving Barker merits a search!

 

[scavenger]

My only quibble is that CD format is rapidly making my cherished cassettes obsolete. I prefer to be able to shove a handful of tapes into my pockets for handy replacement... you really can't do that with CDs (discs are so delicate, I'm leery of their long-term viability anyway. I currently have cassette tapes that I recorded in the '60s... I'll be mightily surprised if any of my CDs persevere that long). No way to fight it, though... cassettes are decidedly nearing their end. It's become an ordeal simply trying to find those personal tape players anymore... lord, I hate having to adapt!

Cassettes have died out alltogether here in Belgium. While there were some issues with the first cd's that were produced, the current ones are pretty eternal (if taken care of properly) But why not rip your cd's to mp3 (as long as it's for personal use only, that's perfectly legal) and store them on one of those handy little mp3 players (I recently bought a simple 1Gb player at a very affordable price to listen to at work). I bet you can store more than a pocket full of tapes onto such a little player.

You're on to something there. I believe that's why mine blew out so regularly... I'd stop and start the projector constantly while trying to dub voices (gods, what a futile exercise, getting those lip movements to sync up! If I'd known how impossible it would prove, I'd have shot everything inter-titled!)

At school they warned us not to click a hallogen light on and off too often in a short space of time, as the bulb reaches a pretty high temperature, and would need at least a couple of minutes to cool down enough before it should be relighted. And of course it all depends on how much you use your projector. If you use it only once in a while to watch a film, that's going to put much less strain on the bulb. And it depends on the type. the more modern a bulb type is, the longer it usually last -and the easier replacement parts will be found.

No wonder I accomplished so little... film may simply not have been my medium.

Are you kidding me? Sure it is! Look at those great scripts you wrote, imagine if they could have been done using a modern, digital mini-DV camera and edited with something like Premiere Elements (which I have; cheap program, but great possibilities) and all the good sound effects that can be downloaded from the internet.
Just take a look at what these"amateur filmers" accomplished on a low budget: http://www.spacemenmovie.com/index-old.shtml
(be sure to watch the first episode, the space ship taking off really did it for me 🙂 )

I vividly remember that Little Rascals short! Scared the pants off me when I was a kid (especially when the bogeyman pops through the doorway early on!)

Those shorts (with sound) were re-aired with dutch subtitles as part of a children's TV-program when I was a kid, and still are frequently shown again on tv, because of their great popularity. I always thought the black kid was hilarious (the way he reacts to the skeleton fish and the organ-playing skeletons is priceless!:laughing🙂

I've still got a closet-full of commercial film reels. Maybe the Smithsonian will want them some day.

Or the Prelinger Archives. Have you seen that website? You can watch and download all kinds of vintage movies there, from educational shorts such as "Duck and Cover" and "How to Date" to features as "Nosferatu". (http://www.archive.org/details/prelinger)
The old stag film of the blonde getting "spanked" and tickled -which was discussed on this forum some time ago is actually one of the most downloaded films from Prelinger Archives. :laughing::ggrin:

I'm not familiar with the Clive Barker video game... I'm so tied up with my comic, I hardly have time for gaming at all anymore. It's another topic worth investigating though, if only for cultural literacy. Anything involving Barker merits a search!

Well, Clive Barker's Undying is already an older game, from 2000 or 2001, I think. But it was so good it still holds it's bone-chilling atmosphere (just bringing the main theme to mind gives me goosebumps!). Unfortunatly because of poor advertising it didn't sell well, and it got the title of "the best game that nobody played". Really a pity.

 

[Low_Roads]

Cassettes have died out alltogether here in Belgium. While there were some issues with the first cd's that were produced, the current ones are pretty eternal (if taken care of properly) But why not rip your cd's to mp3 (as long as it's for personal use only, that's perfectly legal) and store them on one of those handy little mp3 players (I recently bought a simple 1Gb player at a very affordable price to listen to at work). I bet you can store more than a pocket full of tapes onto such a little player.

Yeah... MP3s decidedly seems more convenient for work purposes than CDs. At present, I-pod technology is prohibitively expensive for me... I'll just struggle by with tapes till the cost comes down (personal tape players were similarly pricey in the start-up stage). Too, most of my favorite take-along entertainment consists of make-shift stuff... soundtracks from TV shows, collections of commercials and movie trailers, etc. I've got literally thousand of cassettes-worth of such stuff... no way I could ever convert it into digital format!

Are you kidding me? Sure it is! Look at those great scripts you wrote, imagine if they could have been done using a modern, digital mini-DV camera and edited with something like Premiere Elements (which I have; cheap program, but great possibilities) and all the good sound effects that can be downloaded from the internet.

Thanks for saying so, Scav! And don't get me wrong... I don't regret having written any of these screenplays (embarrassing as some of them may read now) or having shot any of the film footage. It certainly satisfied a need at the time; I doubt I'd have been doing anything else more productive.

Just take a look at what these"amateur filmers" accomplished on a low budget: http://www.spacemenmovie.com/index-old.shtml
(be sure to watch the first episode, the space ship taking off really did it for me 🙂 )

Blast. I can't view SLAB-1 yet, or get it to download. Guess I need the Quicktime upgrade they're plugging. I'll see to that later in the week. At 33 MB, it's gonna take awhile, not matter what I do. These guys sure to seem committed to their project. The multi-colored box robots look awfully cute!

Or the Prelinger Archives. Have you seen that website? You can watch and download all kinds of vintage movies there, from educational shorts such as "Duck and Cover" and "How to Date" to features as "Nosferatu". (http://www.archive.org/details/prelinger)

I am familiar with the site! I didn't recognize the name, but knew the layout immediately once I got there! I've downloaded selections from its radio section, Lights Out and The Goon Show primarily. A valuable archive... thanks for steering me back there!

Those old educational shorts are a kick! I have "Duck and Cover" on a DVD collection, and know "How to Date" by reputation. Something Weird Video specializes in such ephemera, with scads of long-running DVD-R discs at reasonable cost. I'm old enough to have taken part in school duck-and-cover exercises during the late '50s/early '60s... I had no idea why all of us were crouching beneath our desks, but it seemed awfully important to the teacher. I also remember (vaguely) the furor over Sputnik 1. I used to stare into the daylight sky, hoping for a glance. Colorful period, the '60s... Hollywood was firmly convinced we'd be hip-deep in atomic mutation by now. We kids thought the idea would be a lot of fun!

The old stag film of the blonde getting "spanked" and tickled -which was discussed on this forum some time ago is actually one of the most downloaded films from Prelinger Archives. :laughing::ggrin:

I note that several stag films hover around the top of the Favorites list! That's something else I've picked up from Something Weird (items they stock in huge abundance)... vintage strip-tease and fetish loops are a hoot and a half! I definitely need to revisit the Prelinger site!

 

[scavenger]

Yeah... MP3s decidedly seems more convenient for work purposes than CDs. At present, I-pod technology is prohibitively expensive for me...

No need to go for an I-pod, really, there's plenty of alternatives. I for example bought a 20 euro (about 35 dollar) MPman player, which is for audio playback only, but really reliable and sturdy of design. Converting tapes you could do by recording them onto your computer using a free program like Audacity (using a cable with an audio jack on both sides) and then saving your recording to MP3. It takes a lot of time of course, but works great for those rare recordings you want to preserve for the future.

Blast. I can't view SLAB-1 yet, or get it to download. Guess I need the Quicktime upgrade they're plugging. I'll see to that later in the week. At 33 MB, it's gonna take awhile, not matter what I do. These guys sure to seem committed to their project. The multi-colored box robots look awfully cute!

I believe they offer the episodes in a different (xvid AVI?) format as well, but these are even larger to download.
Are you able to watch youtube from your computer? They can be watched there as well. Not as great quality, but watchable nonetheless. (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=805Kiz0Yv0g)
The colorful robots aren't in the episodes, but they also did some bonus featurettes that I haven't seen yet.

I'm old enough to have taken part in school duck-and-cover exercises during the late '50s/early '60s... I had no idea why all of us were crouching beneath our desks, but it seemed awfully important to the teacher. I also remember (vaguely) the furor over Sputnik 1. I used to stare into the daylight sky, hoping for a glance.

Surely you weren't hoping to catch a glance of the "flash" ("It's a flash! Duck and Cover" 😉 :laughing🙂 The worst thing about "Duck and Cover" it is probably that it was just an alternive to "Kiss your ass goodbye". What good will duck and cover do when you're in a moving schoolbus (as the movie shows) perhaps if you really hold tight to your seat as the bus is being blown away by the blastwave...

Colorful period, the '60s... Hollywood was firmly convinced we'd be hip-deep in atomic mutation by now. We kids thought the idea would be a lot of fun!

You ever played the old computer rpg game "Fallout"? that is based upon just a future like that, a postapocalyptic world with rayguns, giant fallout shelters ("Vaults"), retro cars, magnetic tape computers, weird mutants, giant ants and scorpions, and loads of 50's style advertising.

 

[Low_Roads]

No need to go for an I-pod, really, there's plenty of alternatives. I for example bought a 20 euro (about 35 dollar) MPman player, which is for audio playback only, but really reliable and sturdy of design. Converting tapes you could do by recording them onto your computer using a free program like Audacity (using a cable with an audio jack on both sides) and then saving your recording to MP3. It takes a lot of time of course, but works great for those rare recordings you want to preserve for the future.

Well, you see how up-to-date I am (not) on the latest tech advances! I'm grateful to hear it... I like CDs for music, but the format really hasn't satisfied my spoken-word needs. Audacity sounds like the answer to a prayer! I figured such conversion must somehow be possible, but had no idea how to make it work! There's loads of stuff I need to retrieve from my tapes before the technology dies out entirely... don't want to go through "Oh yeah, I got tons of great stuff on super-8, but no one's ever gonna get to see it" yet again!

I believe they offer the episodes in a different (xvid AVI?) format as well, but these are even larger to download.
Are you able to watch youtube from your computer? They can be watched there as well. Not as great quality, but watchable nonetheless. (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=805Kiz0Yv0g)
The colorful robots aren't in the episodes, but they also did some bonus featurettes that I haven't seen yet.

I have trouble with youtube too... it downloads like molasses and the image and soundtrack always seem to drift out of sync. Still, of the offered options this one is doable on some level, which Quicktime has proved not to be. Thanks, Scav, it's a good suggestion! I can at least get some sense of the presentation!

Surely you weren't hoping to catch a glance of the "flash" ("It's a flash! Duck and Cover" 😉 :laughing🙂

No no no! :laughing: Nothing nuclear! My youthful naivety led me to believe I might actually glimpse the Sputnik capsule if I squinted hard enough! Why not! Folks in chintzy sci-fi flicks saw 'em all the time, even without squinting!

It actually is possible to spot a an orbiting satellite, but I gather angle of view has to be perfect in order to catch the reflected light (otherwise they'd show up all the time). I recall seeing one in the night sky when I was about 12... similar to a shooting star, but far more orderly and deliberate, without the haste or sparking. I tracked it through about 45 degrees of arc until it vanished. My dad knew what it was and informed me... otherwise, I might be a UFO (aka "alien spaceship") fanatic today!

The worst thing about "Duck and Cover" it is probably that it was just an alternive to "Kiss your ass goodbye". What good will duck and cover do when you're in a moving schoolbus (as the movie shows) perhaps if you really hold tight to your seat as the bus is being blown away by the blastwave...

Duck-and-cover drills, fallout shelters, etc. served morale rather than practical purposes, I suspect. However remote, the specter of nuclear attack fueled a certain fatalism... having something "hands on" to do about it made the grim idea more manageable. No need to worry about half-life levels if production levels stall!

You ever played the old computer rpg game "Fallout"? that is based upon just a future like that, a postapocalyptic world with rayguns, giant fallout shelters ("Vaults"), retro cars, magnetic tape computers, weird mutants, giant ants and scorpions, and loads of 50's style advertising.

I've never played "Fallout" (though I may have seen it before. The giant ants ring a bell)... it shapes up to have all the proper ingredients for successful nostalgic gameplay! I read the Wikipedia entry for further details... I'm not crazy about time limits in games (I like to be able to explore environments in a leisurely fashion), though 500 days must allow for loads of leeway. Graphics (what I saw of them) look rich... the Master appears to be a villain with a fair amount of Gumby in him!

 

[Low_Roads]

Lieutenant Martin Maxwell on the Moon

Lietuenant Martin Maxwell on the Moon is another screenplay that never received any serious production attention (none of the roles were ever cast, no props or miniatures were built, etc.). Unfortunate, as it showed good promise: the story likely would have entertained, in retro fashion (Flash Gordon thrills, reconfigured for a '50s-era hero); settings and FX work wouldn't have been beyond my reach; the rather large cast could easily have been drawn from friends in my college dramatics class. I just never got on the ball, something I regret now. Not that anyone would be able to see it anymore anyhow...

Check for accompanying pictures, 4 tonight and 4 next week:

Lieutenant Martin Maxwell on the Moon

a screenplay by
Foster Glenn Oakes​

CAST of CHARACTERS
Radio Announcer
Lieutenant Martin Maxwell
A Friend
First Thug
Second Thug
Professor Harmon Graves
King Selenar
Princess Lunesa
Herbert Maxwell
Lunerian Soldiers

INTERIOR. A swirling newspaper headline, which stops to reveal: “Herbert Maxwell: Lost on the Moon!”.

Cut to a RADIO ANNOUNCER delivering a bulletin.

Announcer: The nation was shocked today by the sudden loss of radio contact with Herbert Maxwell, America’s ace sky-jockey.

EXTERIOR. Outside of a store, LIEUTENANT MARTIN MAXWELL and a FRIEND listen to the radio.

Announcer: (radio voice) Herbert Maxwell is brother to famed Lieutenant Martin Maxwell of the United States Air Force. Both men have proved themselves time and again through their brilliant service as experimental test pilots —

The announcer’s voice trails away as Martin and his friend walk from the store.

Friend: It sure is a tough break about your brother, Martin. But he understood the risks when he volunteered for that moon-orbit mission.

Martin: Yeah, I know. Blast it, though! If only I'd volunteered first...

Friend: Look, you can't blame yourself for what happened. (examines his pocket watch) Boy, look at the time! Afraid I have to be going. Bye, Martin.

Martin: (with a lost air) Yeah. Good-bye.

As Martin wrestles with his thoughts, an off-screen voice arouses his attention.

First Thug: Okay, Pops! Fork over your dough!

Martin springs instantly into action. Cutting through an alley, he sees that two THUGS have an older man pinned against a brick wall.

Martin: Let go of that man, you punks!

The first bruiser starts to swing on Martin, but the young officer hits him first. As the man crumples, the second pulls out a gun.

Second Thug: Tough guy, huh?

Martin floors this crook too. The old man, PROFESSOR HARMON GRAVES, dusts himself off.

Graves: Thank you, young man. Why, I believe those hooligans intended to beat me!

Martin: Ha! A couple of thugs like that have nothing on Martin Maxwell!

Graves: (after a moment’s hesitation) My boy, are you Lieutenant Martin Maxwell? (Martin nods) I have been looking for you! Please, you must come with me at once.

Martin follows Professor Graves off.

Cut to mountain road. Graves’ auto travels along at top speed.

Graves: (voice-over) My name is Professor Harmon Graves. I have constructed a craft that is capable of reaching the moon, and I need a competent pilot to fly it. No one else wanted to take the chance, but I know that you'd risk anything to reach your brother.

Cut to a stretch of desert. The auto stops and the two men get out.A mighty silver space-craft stands before them.

Graves: There it is, Lieutenant Maxwell. The craft is fueled and ready for flight.

INTERIOR. The two men sit at the controls of the rocket-ship.

Martin: Okay, Professor Graves... this is zero hour!

Martin pulls the lever. The ship blasts into the air. Hours later, they approach the surface of the moon.

Graves: (examining his watch) Four hours! Not bad time for space travel.

They effect a landing on the lunar surface. EXTERIOR. The moon’s landscape. Martin and Prof. Graves leave the ship.

Graves: The lunar air is breathable and the climate is comfortable. This will explode the theories of many of my colleagues!

Martin: Come on, Professor. You can make your observations later.

After a short search, the two men locate Herbert Maxwell's wrecked ship.

Martin: Hey! There it is!

Graves: (troubled) But no sign of life.

A great roar sounds. The men turn to see a huge, dragon-like creature stalking toward them. They flee from the wrecked ship across the stark lunar plain. Martin spies a cave opening in the rocks, and they head for it. INTERIOR. With the beast blocking their exit, the two men decide to push on into the darkness. Before long, they come to a high, intricately carved arch-way.

Graves: My word! This is the architecture of intelligent beings!

They walk through the arch into a dark, curtained throne room. As Professor Graves investigates, a voice rings out.

Selenar: (off) Greetings, gentlemen. Your arrival was observed.

Martin and Graves turn to find KING SELENAR, PRINCESS LUNESA, and a crew of ARMED GUARDS.

Selenar: Be at ease, my friends. I am King Selenar. This is my daughter, the Princess Lunesa. You are now in the kingdom of Luneria.

Martin: I am Lieutenant Martin Maxwell. My friend is Professor Graves. We’re looking for a man like us... my brother.

Selenar: (hesitantly) Yes, we know of him. This will be sad for you, Lieutenant Maxwell.

Martin: (after a sigh) Then he was killed in the crash...

Selenar: No. Far worse. He has been captured by the ravenous monster, Monorb, he of the one eye and many arms. Your brother is a prisoner in the beast’s cave... soon to be horribly devoured!

Martin: Herbert’s alive! Then take me to him! I’ll free him if I have to tackle this Monorb with my bare hands!

Selenar: (with frantic fear) No! You must not make such challenge! We see that the fiend is kept satisfied, for in its wrath could destroy all of Luneria!

Martin: You people must be bats! I’ll find Herbert on my own.

Martin attempts to leave.

Selenar: (to the soldiers) Stop him, before he brings ruin upon us!

The soldiers attack. Martin grabs up Selenar’s own sword, fights masterfully and soon has the upper hand. In the confusion, Princess Lunesa drops from view. Finally, with none left to detain him, Martin heads for the surface. Selenar's guards hold Professor Graves.

Selenar: (savagely, to Graves) If he rouses the monster, we all die!

EXTERIOR. Martin reaches the moon’s surface. He stands perplexed, pondering which direction he should go.

Lunesa: (off) You will not find Monorb’s cave alone. You will need me as a guide.

Martin turns to face Lunesa.

Martin: Princess Lunesa! But why would you help me? Your father said—

Lunesa: I love and respect my father. But neither he nor any of my people have ever displayed your courage or daring. It is new to me. It arouses emotions that are unfamiliar... (she stops, embarrassed) Your captive brother may be found in this direction.

Martin and Lunesa start off across the plain.


Next week: the conclusion.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Back to a familiar theme here (Spectacles of Doom, anyone?). What is it about a monstrous foe that breeds complacency rather than quiet mobilization? Judging by the abilities of the many guards their military isn't much to speak of. I wonder if the Professor will play more of a role than prisoner of the King in the next part? Seems a shame to introduce him and then relegate him totally to the sidelines.

 

[Low_Roads]

Back to a familiar theme here (Spectacles of Doom, anyone?). What is it about a monstrous foe that breeds complacency rather than quiet mobilization? Judging by the abilities of the many guards their military isn't much to speak of.

Yes indeed, HDS! You've spotted it... Space Opera is my first entertainment love! Well, not "Space Opera" per se... any vintage SF template, especially anything hearkening back to my beloved '50s cinema sci-fi, will do! It was my obsession to capture the quintessence of early science-fantasy thrills, a mania which resulted in projects like "Spectacles of Doom" and "Masters of the Cosmos". It may have found its most effective realization in the affectionately satiric screenplay Holy Shit! That's a long 'un (near to feature length), a collaboration the GM, and due much, much later.

You're dead right about the Lunerian war machine... at this point, it's more Rube Goldberg than Buckminster Fuller. Of course, it has to be so that Our Hero can role up his sleeves and show his little green brethren how 'Mericans get things done right. This mild paternalism is a story aspect I came by honestly (if indeed "honesty" is the proper sentiment)... Martin Maxwell's plot is basically refurbished Flash Gordon, which expressed the same jingoistic attitude. 'Course, that was written way back in the '30s...

I wonder if the Professor will play more of a role than prisoner of the King in the next part? Seems a shame to introduce him and then relegate him totally to the sidelines.

Well... yes and no. He does provide one further important piece of motivation. That aside, unfortunately, he's pretty much dead weight. My '70s-era writing is pretty bloody formative... one of its worst features (ignoring clunky dialogue for the moment) is its dismissive minimizing of non-central characters (and Graves, a Hans Zarkov stand-in, should never have been considered non-central anyway). Today, I try not to write any character, however briefly seen, that I wouldn't want to play. But it was decidedly different back then. I mean, look at Martin's "friend"! He doesn't ever receive the dignity of a name! There solely for exposition, and disposed of off-hand ("Hey! I gotta catch a bus!") Sigh... oh well. We learn as we go.

 

[melanie2]

o no...i didn't know you posted these play like things also...eeks..i'll have to try and catch up and read all of them..they should rock since you are involved my artistic and talented friend..and tsk tsk for not mentioning these to me before...and i loved Spectacle of Doom...

also don't you all love how LittleBigHead really gets into his replies to all of the posts on his threads and stories?? it means he truly appreciates his fans..and reads what they say carefully...you rock LittleBigHead...:bouncy:

 

[Low_Roads]

o no...i didn't know you posted these play like things also...eeks..i'll have to try and catch up and read all of them..they should rock since you are involved my artistic and talented friend..and tsk tsk for not mentioning these to me before...and i loved Spectacle of Doom...

I've been trying to steer you clear from these Izzy, reason being that I intended to send them to you via e-mail once the Low Roads stories were all used up. If you peruse them now, they won't be a surprise anymore! That doesn't mean you shouldn't read them if you care to... only that I'll have to get creative once the Low Roads are gone!

That said, you might also like to locate Pokemon Poetry farther down on the Non-Tickling Stories list. You don't necessarily need to know anything about Pokemon to enjoy them, as long as poetry is your thing (and judging from your recent "The Slug and the Hot Tub", it certainly is! The HDS is also adept at verse... check out one of his most recent replies over at Bandito's "Tickling in Space" thread! This site's simply swimming in well-phrased couplets!)

also don't you all love how LittleBigHead really gets into his replies to all of the posts on his threads and stories?? it means he truly appreciates his fans..and reads what they say carefully...you rock LittleBigHead...:bouncy:

Kind of you to say so! I consider respondents friends rather than fans (the term "fan" implies a certain professional distancing that I don't care for), and who doesn't like to chat with his friends! That aside, it's always seemed proper etiquette to respond to compliments. Words of congratulations seem rather arid when they stand alone... a thank-you appreciation makes the reply more complete and warm-hearted!

 

[melanie2]

ooo i didn't know that...yippee..i'm so honored..i'll wait til you email them to me then...if it's not too much trouble..i'm glad you liked my poem..no one else seemed to appreciate it..ah well..