Is This the Worst Sci-Fi Film of the 1930s?

[Fletch]

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rz1AHjN27xU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rz1AHjN27xU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

Made for the 1934 Century of Progress (why the 1935 copyright, I don't know) and filmed entirely in Chicago, this 8 minute short was the first attempt (and none too successful) to bring the popular comic strip to the screen. It was also shown in big-store toy departments, tying in with Buck Rogers rocketships and rayguns.

Buck is played by John Dille Jr., the son of the strip's publisher. Thankfully, neither he nor anyone else connected with this endearingly lame little production ever made another movie.

 

[Widebrim]

Wow! What a lame piece of film-making! Bad dialogue, flubbing of lines, costumes, acting, directing, sets, posture, everything. And is that a skull cap the doctor is wearing? (I like the way he ignores both Wilma and Buck and continues speaking as they attempt to get his attention.) Makes Just Imagine look like The Day the Earth Stood Still!

 

[ScionPI2005]

I think the Tiger Men retreated because they couldn't stand being subjected to this film anymore...

Thanks for sharing, Fletch. Quite entertaining!

 

[Edward]

Conjures up images of Plan 9 From Outer Space for me. I definitely want those rocketship and ray gun toys, though!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

This is awful. Awful!


Only this is worse:

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Bg07PgZzkY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Bg07PgZzkY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Widebrim]

This is awful. Awful!


Only this is worse:

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Bg07PgZzkY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Bg07PgZzkY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

"You know we done broke three glasses this week already. You know Mommy isn't rich..."

Is this for real? Is there actually more of it (after that mountain of credits)? Incredible. Makes Ed Wood look like a savant (I know that some of you already think he was).

 

[dhermann1]

What is wrong with you people???!!! BOTH those videos are GREAT ART!!! GREAT ART! They're GREAT ART!!!
But seriously folks, I think the second one is exactly what it means to be. Just messin' with your head. And it succeeds.
The first one, I'm sorry, but I love it! Remember the context. People must have been wowed by it. Rocket ships! Thingamabob rays! Voiceovers! This is HISTORY, people!
Just as an aside, a historical note, at the 1933 Chicago Fair a very young (like 16 years old) Burr Tilstrom did his puppets for the very early closed circuit TV demonstration at the Fair. 15 years later, still in Chicago, he made TV history with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, one of the very first hit television shows. I remember the Kuklapolitans very fondly, tho very few people know their names today.

 

[Lorena B]

I personally find the first one actually good!!, is one of those little series that wasnt made with big budgets.
I do find it a bit slow thou but i definitely like it.
The second one.... not my cup of tea really, still i must say that i would like to know what happens in the next.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

"You know we done broke three glasses this week already. You know Mommy isn't rich..."

Is this for real? Is there actually more of it (after that mountain of credits)? Incredible. Makes Ed Wood look like a savant (I know that some of you already think he was).

It's for real. Here's the VHS tape box:

 

[Widebrim]

From the makers of Black Devil Doll From Hell!?