Author Archives: daveb1950

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About daveb1950

dilettante film-maker, still-photographer, time-lapser, hiker-walker, procrastinater

The Earth Is Born

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Rivers Of Molten Stone

Formation of the Earth’s Continents, 1952. Bonestell LLC.

Christmas 1955:  my older brother receives a gift of this incredible book The World We Live In from my Grandparents.  It is filled with all these incredible photographs and even more incredible paintings by various artists, basically depicting the story of our planet.  I spent a lot of time looking at the pictures, especially the paintings in this book with a 5 year old’s sense of wonder (I have my own copy today, which still gives me a dose of nostalgia from time to time).  These two paintings by Chesley Bonestell are from the first chapter of the book:  The Earth Is Born.   Thank you, Mister Bonestell!

The Life Of The Earth

Evolution of the Earth, 1952. Bonestell LLC.

The Giant Claw (trailer)

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This 1957 film is about a gigantic bird that can fly at supersonic speed, and the devastation it leaves in its path.  The actual “Giant Claw” is not shown until later in the film, as scientists and military people are trying to figure out what the hell it is.  So when the creature is finally shown, the effect is stunningly hilarious.  Even an 8 year kid can marvel at the special effects which supposedly were done on the cheap in Mexico.  The preview trailer is gutsy, in that they actually show all the big goofy effects, daring you to pay money and watch the film.

TheGiantClaw LC1

TheGiantClaw LC8

1940s Royal Crown Cola picture with Bela Lugosi

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Royal Crown Cola, Bela Lugosi

This is a treasured gift given to me by an old film school buddy, Ric Stafford.  In the 1940s Lugosi did pose for several advertising pictures including Kool Cigarettes, Remington Razors and, apparently, Royal Crown Cola.  Later, in the 1950s, he helped promote “Spooky Foods” for a California company.  Learn something new every day.

The Land Unknown

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Ok, I thought this movie was pretty cool when I saw it as a kid.  It was on a double bill with This Island Earth, which would’ve been a re-release in 1964.  It has horrible acting and a T-Rex that is a guy in a suit, plus a crazy caveman.  They built a full size jungle set with painted backdrop,  which is pretty cool, and they built a miniature jungle set for the T-Rex (and a miniature helicopter).  It’s a 1957 Universal film, so it has all the stylistic flourishes that the other films of that period have:  good production values, good music, earnest effects work.  And ponder ye the title:  The Land Unknown.  Why not just:  … The Unknown Land?

TheLandUnknown LC1

TheLandUnknown LC5

 

Pollini plays Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (1st movement)

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Maurizio Pollini is one of the greatest pianists of the last 50 years and he is not afraid to champion work by more modern composers.  If you want melodic Bartok, check out his 3rd Piano Concerto, completed near the end of his life.  If you want to hear something that will grab you and shake you by the lapels, something that is percussive, dissonant and harsh, something exciting and original, then this just might be your cup of tea.  Bartok wrote this in 1926, the same year he wrote his equally brilliant Piano Sonata.

Can’t get enough?

2nd movement

3rd movement