1950's Sci-Fi Movie Question

[Bob Lovely]

Friends,

Perhaps someone may know the answer to this question. So many of those campy Sci-Fi movies made during the 1950's had a common opening scene, of course shot at night, where the Alien(s) or Mutated creatures either made their first appearance on Earth in one of two locations:

1) a dilapidated town in the Mojave desert, or

2) a teenage lover's lane

Does anyone know why this is?

Thanks!

Bob

[Ed Bishop]

Bob,

This is good! A sci-fi frame of mind is essential to an appreciation of the World-At-Large.

My theories:

1. Land in a desolate place and it looks more dramatic; plenty of open space to make the aliens seem even more ominous--and undetected by the innocent, unsuspecting populace soon to be the recipient of their mayhem. That, and the fact a film would be short if the spaceship lands in Times Square and the military goes into high alert too soon.

2. Teenagers are the prime audience for such movies, hence, put them in danger, or as witnesses, and the audience goes along for the ride with them. Good way to sell those films back then; still works!

ED:cool:

[Khorn]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Friends,

Perhaps someone may know the answer to this question. So many of those campy Sci-Fi movies made during the 1950's had a common opening scene, of course shot at night, where the Alien(s) or Mutated creatures either made their first appearance on Earth in one of two locations:

1) a dilapidated town in the Mojave desert, or

2) a teenage lover's lane

Does anyone know why this is?

Thanks!

Bob

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION, CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP Back lots (studio that is)

A lot of current low budget movie and mor so TV Si-Fi is shot in Wharehouse Studios with very low lighting so expensive sets won't be necessary.

[Bob Lovely]

Ed,

Upon reflection, I think that your explanations make perfect sense. I had noticed this commonality and I had to ask here since, my knowledge of film history, is more limited.

Thanks!

Bob:)

[Jimbo]

I would add that much of the US atomic bomb testing took place in the southwest. All that lingering radiation was the perfect breeding ground for generating giants ants, Gila monsters, grasshoppers--even colossal men and 50-ft. women!!:rolleyes: :agree:

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Khorn


LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION, CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP Back lots (studio that is)



Khorn,

Has to more than "just" that. There are plenty of "cheap" locations beyond the Mojave desert and Teen lover's lanes....

Bob

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Jimbo
I would add that much of the US atomic bomb testing took place in the southwest. All that lingering radiation was the perfect set-up for generating giants ants, Gila monsters, grasshoppers--even colossal men and 50-ft. women!!:rolleyes: :agree:

Jimbo,

Hey Yeah! Big testing in the New Mexico and Nevada deserts...mutants attacking desolate truck stops, etc....always at night, of course!

Add the weird music and presto!

Bob:)

[Gardo]

One more thought: there's a real and strange love-and-death thing going on with threats in lovers' lanes. The teen witnesses could be in a gym or in class, but it wouldn't be the same.

[Khorn]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely


Khorn,

Has to more than "just" that. There are plenty of "cheap" locations beyond the Mojave desert and Teen lover's lanes....

Bob

Sorry I was thinking from the production "bottom line" rather than artistic interpretation viewpoint.

[aashton]

Well - when the Zorganian Intergalactic Auditors undertook a survey of planet Earth to determine the ideal spots for starting a planetary conquest they came up with a dead heat between Mojave desert and lovers lane :)

As these are demonstrable mathematically to be the ideal spots coupled with the fact that all extra terrestrials use the same survey data we have repeated incursions starting from the same places.

Now where did I leave my medication :)

All the best - Andrew

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Gardo
One more thought: there's a real and strange love-and-death thing going on with threats in lovers' lanes. The teen witnesses could be in a gym or in class, but it wouldn't be the same.

Gardo,

You got me thinking. If the "creatures" show themselves to only Teenagers first, it would have naturally created a scenario whereby the Adults, once informed of the Aliens or Mutants, would be less likely to believe in their existence. This would cause the Adults to delay in their response to the "invasion" thereby affording the Aliens and Mutants more time wreak havoc....frighten locals, consume or kill more unsuspecting victims....

Thinking out loud here...

Bob:)

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Khorn


Sorry I was thinking from the production "bottom line" rather than artistic interpretation viewpoint.

Yet there's real validity to what you said. THE BLOB is a great example: obviously filmed inside a cramped set, the opening McQueen scenes where he and his girl see a flashing light across the sky could not have been done as surrealistically out of doors, with a bigger budget. The fact it looks so false and cheesy adds to the unrealistic atmosphere essential to all sci-fi cinema, as the purpose is to take us to another place even when that place is our own.

ED:cool:

[Khorn]

Originally posted by aashton
Well - when the Zorganian Intergalactic Auditors undertook a survey of planet Earth to determine the ideal spots for starting a planetary conquest they came up with a dead heat between Mojave desert and lovers lane :)

As these are demonstrable mathematically to be the ideal spots coupled with the fact that all extra terrestrials use the same survey data we have repeated incursions starting from the same places.

Now where did I leave my medication :)

All the best - Andrew

Time to stick out you're thumb and Hitch Hike around the Galaxy Andrew :D

[Ken_McAlinden]

My initial thoughts were:

teens + sex = Box Office

and

Remote locations are scarier as there are fewer places to run for cover, and a desert provides less cover than just about anything except for an arctic tundra. Desert is probably easier to come by and work in than other remote climes, and the teens don't have to wear parkas like they would in the arctic (see 1st comment). :)

Regards,

[Gardo]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely


Gardo,

You got me thinking. If the "creatures" show themselves to only Teenagers first, it would have naturally created a scenario whereby the Adults, once informed of the Aliens or Mutants, would be less likely to believe in their existence. This would cause the Adults to delay in their response to the "invasion" thereby affording the Aliens and Mutants more time wreak havoc....frighten locals, consume or kill more unsuspecting victims....

Thinking out loud here...

Bob:)

And if the teen said "I saw an alien last night" and the parent said "where?" and the teen incautiously said "down on lovers' lane," the parent would be mightily distracted and could forget all about the alien issue--at least, in the 1950's.:)

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Ken_McAlinden
My initial thoughts were:

teens + sex = Box Office

and

Remote locations are scarier as there are fewer places to run for cover, and a desert provides less cover than just about anything except for an arctic tundra. Desert is probably easier to come by and work in than other remote climes, and the teens don't have to wear parkas like they would in the arctic (see 1st comment). :)

Regards,

Ken,

I agree with your observations. Yes, of course, the Alien or Mutant would seem to be most interested in terrorizing the rather well-endowed Teen girl in the lower cut sweater.

The film "The Thing" was, of course, an exception to all this...

Bob

[Khorn]

Thing that gets me is back then there was a lot of "stock footage" used and you would see exactly the identical scene in many movies (westerns & jungle films) in particular. Didn't bother most of us though, too busy stuffin our faces with popcorn.....

[Ken_McAlinden]

Originally posted by Khorn
Thing that gets me is back then there was a lot of "stock footage" used and you would see exactly the identical scene in many movies (westerns & jungle films) in particular. Didn't bother most of us though, too busy stuffin our faces with popcorn..... African footage shot for the 1950 version of "King Solomon's Mines" was apparently pretty popular for other, lower budget jungle films. When you see a classic film that does not rely heavily on stock footage (such as "Hatari!" from 1962), it really sticks out and impresses.

Regards,

[Michael]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Friends,

Perhaps someone may know the answer to this question. So many of those campy Sci-Fi movies made during the 1950's had a common opening scene, of course shot at night, where the Alien(s) or Mutated creatures either made their first appearance on Earth in one of two locations:

1) a dilapidated town in the Mojave desert, or

2) a teenage lover's lane

Does anyone know why this is?

Thanks!

Bob

Location, Location, Location...Lovers Lane was a popular hangout,very relatable...especially in the 50's...The Desert has it's mysteries...Convienence.