60 years old - The Time Machine 7/22/1960
Jul 22, 2020 18:14:45 GMT
politicidal, mattgarth, and 6 more like this
Post by mikef6 on Jul 22, 2020 18:14:45 GMT
The Time Machine / George Pal. Its U.S. premiere in the U.S. was July 22, 1960 in Chicago. One of my absolute favorite films from my high school years. Another bright and lively George Pal sci-fi adaptation. Full of primary colors; the action and surprises don’t slow down for a second.
Often in my life I quote movies in conversation. Most of the time no one gets it but sometimes someone will. On night at work (this was about 10 years ago) after we had closed up and the last customer had finally left, I turned to the gathered staff and said in a monotone voice, “The all clear has sounded. There is nothing to fear." Three people got the allusion and laughed, one exclaimed, “That’s my favorite movie!” That is how important this film was to teens from that era.
Rod Taylor does very well as H.G. Wells’ TM inventor. Four delightful character actor faces make up his dinner companions who hear the story of his time adventures. Alan Young, fine Scots actor now famous for acting opposite a talking horse (“Mr. Ed”), is the viewer surrogate and has the famous line at the very end. Sebastian Cabot is most well-known for the TV series “Checkmate” and “Family Affair.” Tom Helmore, who played Gavin Elster in “Vertigo,” plays his character with a slightly sloshed ironic detachment. He comes close to actually believing his friend’s wild tale. Last, two words: Whit Bissell. Has he been in every movie ever made? His biography says that he died in 1996 but sometimes I think I can catch a glimpse of him in new movies.
And speaking of falling in love with actresses (were we?), I guess I don’t have to tell you the effect Yvette Mimieux had on adolescent boys. “I’ll protect you, Weena.” I can’t get away, though, without talking about the stop-motion special effects. What a kick we got out of the changing fashions of the mannequin in the window. The mountain growing up around and then weathering away from the Time Machine. The changing seasons. The decaying corpse of the Morlock. Spectacular. Wonderful. A beautiful film worthy of love and devotion.
Often in my life I quote movies in conversation. Most of the time no one gets it but sometimes someone will. On night at work (this was about 10 years ago) after we had closed up and the last customer had finally left, I turned to the gathered staff and said in a monotone voice, “The all clear has sounded. There is nothing to fear." Three people got the allusion and laughed, one exclaimed, “That’s my favorite movie!” That is how important this film was to teens from that era.
Rod Taylor does very well as H.G. Wells’ TM inventor. Four delightful character actor faces make up his dinner companions who hear the story of his time adventures. Alan Young, fine Scots actor now famous for acting opposite a talking horse (“Mr. Ed”), is the viewer surrogate and has the famous line at the very end. Sebastian Cabot is most well-known for the TV series “Checkmate” and “Family Affair.” Tom Helmore, who played Gavin Elster in “Vertigo,” plays his character with a slightly sloshed ironic detachment. He comes close to actually believing his friend’s wild tale. Last, two words: Whit Bissell. Has he been in every movie ever made? His biography says that he died in 1996 but sometimes I think I can catch a glimpse of him in new movies.
And speaking of falling in love with actresses (were we?), I guess I don’t have to tell you the effect Yvette Mimieux had on adolescent boys. “I’ll protect you, Weena.” I can’t get away, though, without talking about the stop-motion special effects. What a kick we got out of the changing fashions of the mannequin in the window. The mountain growing up around and then weathering away from the Time Machine. The changing seasons. The decaying corpse of the Morlock. Spectacular. Wonderful. A beautiful film worthy of love and devotion.