bjhsurfers Reviews

Science Fiction Theatre (1955–1957)

Terrific Sci-Fi Anthology Series!

[6 August 2001]

This terrific, imaginative sci-fi anthology TV series was the first intelligent, dramatic sci-fi anthology series made for television, and lasted two seasons, 1955-1957. It was produced by legendary sci-fi and nature film producer Ivan Tors, for Bernard Ziv, of ZIV-TV Productions, and featured well-written half-hour episodes, many based on sci-fi short stories from sci-fi pulp magazines of the 1940s and 1950s; what it lacked in visual effects was often made up for by fine writing, acting, production values and direction. Host Truman Bradley was perfect to announce each eerie story of the week, as well as add a few words at the end of each program on how science could solve a mystery. Underrated by today's standards, this was one of TV's finest dramatic series of the 1950s, featuring many famous B-movie stars in fascinating roles. Highly recommended!

Storm Over Tibet (1952)

Adventure in the frozen Himalayas

[6/10 · 25 January 2001]

STORM OVER TIBET represents the realization of a 20-year-old dream by independent documentary filmmaker Harald Dyrenfurth, and British film producer Andrew Marton: to successfully utilize live on-location stock footage from Dyrenfurth's unfinished documentary titled "MASK OF THE HIMALAYAS", shot in 1934 during an unsuccessful expedition by his entourage to scale Mount Everest. Some of this footage was found and used by legendary film director Frank Capra in his classic fantasy, LOST HORIZON (Columbia, 1937). Fast forward to 1951: Producers Andrew Marton, Laszlo Benedek and Ivan Tors incorporate as Summit Productions to make a new movie using the old footage and new studio production is mounted (excuse the pun). Rex Reason is cast in the lead role after screen tests. His love interest is Diana Douglas, then the wife of star Kirk Douglas and mother of Michael Douglas. A minor league "LOST HORIZON", this film is more than just an old B-movie. It features a hauntingly beautiful music score by classical composers Arthur Honegger and Leith Stevens, magnificent B&W cinematography, and a solid script with fine acting by an ensemble cast. In fact, the stock footage Capra used is also in this film, with the result that Rex Reason appears to be wandering in the snowclad Himalayas just as Ronald Colman had in the Capra film. Rex made an auspicious debut performance, and went on to star in many other classics of the 1950s such as THIS ISLAND EARTH. The film is a fine example of classic studio entertainment. Perhaps Columbia Classics Home Video will someday release it for the world to enjoy again.

Storm Over Tibet (1952)

Adventure in the frozen Himalayas

[6/10 · 25 January 2001]

STORM OVER TIBET represents the realization of a 20-year-old dream by independent documentary filmmaker Harald Dyrenfurth, and British film producer Andrew Marton: to successfully utilize live on-location stock footage from Dyrenfurth's unfinished documentary titled "MASK OF THE HIMALAYAS", shot in 1934 during an unsuccessful expedition by his entourage to scale Mount Everest. Some of this footage was found and used by legendary film director Frank Capra in his classic fantasy, LOST HORIZON (Columbia, 1937). Fast forward to 1951: Producers Andrew Marton, Laszlo Benedek and Ivan Tors incorporate as Summit Productions to make a new movie using the old footage and new studio production is mounted (excuse the pun). Rex Reason is cast in the lead role after screen tests. His love interest is Diana Douglas, then the wife of star Kirk Douglas and mother of Michael Douglas. A minor league "LOST HORIZON", this film is more than just an old B-movie. It features a hauntingly beautiful music score by classical composers Arthur Honegger and Leith Stevens, magnificent B&W cinematography, and a solid script with fine acting by an ensemble cast. In fact, the stock footage Capra used is also in this film, with the result that Rex Reason appears to be wandering in the snowclad Himalayas just as Ronald Colman had in the Capra film. Rex made an auspicious debut performance, and went on to star in many other classics of the 1950s such as THIS ISLAND EARTH. The film is a fine example of classic studio entertainment. Perhaps Columbia Classics Home Video will someday release it for the world to enjoy again.