Imagine a world dominated by sidewalks that moved at 100 miles per hour. How dependent would we become on them? How quickly would our central maxim of life be:
“The Roads Must Roll” originally aired on “Dimension X” on September 1, 1950. This is a classic of science fiction. And one of Robert A. Heinlein’s best remembered stories.
Before the paperback book. Before comics. There were the Pulp. They were named for the cheap pulpwood paper on which they were printed. But they were famous for their exciting, often lurid covers. The covers really sold these magazine. So, like many other mags, when Christmas rolled around, they’d attach a Christmas theme to the covers. But, being pulps, it never was quote as simple as that.
See some great examples after the jump.
In honor of Memorial Day, here’s an adaptation of Michael Shaara’s science fiction ode to the average soldier. This originally aired on the radio series “X Minus One” on October 17, 1956. Author Michael Shaara is probably best known for his Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the Battle of Gettysburg The Killer Angels. His name has also been lent to an award honoring the best in Civil War fiction.
Belgian comic book character Tintin faced many great threats in his long career. From the Yeti to dive bombers to Greek Tycoons. And he’s always managed to arise victorious in the end. But how would fare against something darker? And older? Much, much older? Like the “elder gods” of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos? Well, artist Murray Groat has imagined just such a series of confrontations in these covers for imaginary Tintin/Lovecraft mash-ups. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Frederick March (above) may look confused. But there’s no confusion about the fact that remakes of classic tales are all the rage. And Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is the latest tale to get such treatment. Former Platinum Dunes alum, Sheldon Tuner has just sold a series to ABC entitled “Hyde”. The concept:
A thirtysomething ER doctor with a degenerative eye condition who is conflict-averse and hesitant to be captain of his own destiny. After attempting an experimental treatment to improve his eyesight, he begins to experience a strange side effect — when he goes to sleep, his id manifests itself as Hyde, a fearless, gregarious personality who takes control where Grant cannot.
Sounds intriguing. But it will be hard for this show to match Steven Moffat’s “Jekyll”.
We thought we’d shared this before. But, just checked, we haven’t. So we’re sharing it now. Looks like one of the more intriguing low budget Science Fiction films to come along in quite a while. Let’s hope it lives up to this intriguing trailer.
For more info on the film click here.
Here’s the classic Old time radio Christmas tale “Joey’s Christmas Story” from The Shadow! Fine yuletide entertainment. Pour yourself a cup of cheer, turn down the lights, and enjoy!
In and interview to Oprah Winfrey, which airs this friday (10/8/10), Harry Potter author said:
I could definitely write an eighth, ninth, tenth [Harry Potter Book]
She did add the following caveat:
I’m not going to say I won’t. I don’t think I will … I feel I am done, but you never know.
We think this is a classic trial balloon. Unless she gets overwhelming negative reaction to this notion, we bet we’ll hear an announcement of future books in the months ahead.
Handwritten, and signed, pages from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be going on display as part of the Wigtown Book Festival in Wigtown, Scotland. The pages feature a section entitled “The Ballad of Nearly Headless Nick” that was edited out of the book. Visitors to the festival will be able to see the pages at the Reading Lasses bookshop.
The Internet, and ebooks, have a long way to go before they replace books like this. This hit the shelves earlier this month, but its already being called by many the definitive book on Star Trek: TOS. It’s lavishly illustrated, and comes in a chunky satisfying shape. This would make the perfect gift for any “Star Trek” lover you know.
