"FIRST MEN IN THE MOON" - EXTENDED EXCERPT

There be spoilers ahead!

I WANT MY MOON TV!

Here's a fan-produced musical tribute to the 2010 version of "The First Men In The Moon".....

AS SEEN ON TV: CAVOR & BEDFORD

It's "Two For Tuesday"!

PROFESSOR CAVOR & JULIUS BEDFORD

AS SEEN IN:

"The First Men In The Moon"

CREATED BY:

H.G. Wells

PORTRAYED BY:

 

MARK GATISS

as

CAVOR

 

RORY KINNEAR

as

BEDFORD

TV DIMENSION:

Earth Prime-Time

From Wikipedia:

"The First Men in the Moon" is a scientific romance published in 1901 by the English author H. G. Wells, who called it one of his "fantastic stories." The novel tells the story of a journey to the moon undertaken by the two protagonists, a businessman narrator, Mr. Bedford, and an eccentric scientist, Mr. Cavor. Bedford and Cavor discover that the moon is inhabited by a sophisticated extraterrestrial civilization of insect-like creatures they call "Selenites."

The narrator is a London businessman who withdraws to the countryside to write a play, by which he hopes to alleviate his financial problems. Bedford rents a small countryside house in Lympne, in Kent, where he wants to work in peace. He is bothered every afternoon, however, at precisely the same time, by a passer-by making odd noises. After two weeks Bedford accosts the man, who proves to be a reclusive physicist named Mr. Cavor. Bedford befriends Cavor when he learns he is developing a new material, cavorite, that can negate the force of gravity.

When a sheet of cavorite is prematurely produced, it makes the air above it weightless and shoots off into space. Bedford sees in the commercial production of cavorite a possible source of "wealth enough to work any sort of social revolution we fancied; we might own and order the whole world." Cavor hits upon the idea of a spherical spaceship made of "steel, lined with glass," and with sliding "windows or blinds" made of cavorite by which it can be steered, and persuades a reluctant Bedford to undertake a voyage to the moon; Cavor is certain there is no life there.

"The First Men in the Moon", also promoted as "H.G. Wells' The First Men in the Moon" is a 2010 made for TV drama written by Mark Gatiss and directed by Damon Thomas. It is an adaptation of H. G. Wells's science fiction novel The First Men in the Moon. The film stars Gatiss as Cavor and Rory Kinnear as Bedford, with Alex Riddell, Peter Forbes, Katherine Jakeways, Lee Ingleby and Julia Deakin. 

This is the third collaboration between Thomas and Gatiss (after "The Worst Journey In The World" and "Crooked House"), and the first film to be produced by their production company Can Do Productions. On adapting the novel Gatiss said "I'm completely delighted to have the chance to bring this wonderful, funny, charming and scary story to BBC Four. It's very rare to be able to adapt a genius like HG Wells for the small screen and we hope to do full justice to his extraordinary vision." 

"The First Men on the Moon" was first broadcast on 19 October 2010 on BBC Four.

The film's setting begins in July 1969 as 90-year-old Julius Bedford (Rory Kinnear) tells young Jim (Alex Riddell) the story of how two men made the first journey to the Moon back in 1909. He relates that when he was a young man, he met Professor Cavor (Mark Gatiss) at Apuldram and learned that Cavor had invented 'Cavorite', a substance that blocked the force of gravity. He tells how he encouraged Cavor to think toward the profits his invention might bring, and how the two worked together to build a cast iron sphere that would fly them to the moon.

As the Moon has a breathable atmosphere no spacesuits are used. Upon being captured by the Moon's inhabitants (whom Cavor names Selenites) who throw nets over them and knock them out with sticks, both Cavor and Bedford find themselves in a perilous state after Bedford kills some Selenites with his greater strength when they try to force him over a narrow bridge. In an attempt to escape back to Earth, Cavor decides to remain behind to give Bedford time to reach the spacecraft. Bedford almost crashes the spacecraft into the Sun, but escapes and lands close to home at West Wittering.

However, his hopes of returning to the Moon to rescue Cavor are dashed when the passer-by Chessocks (Lee Ingleby) accidentally takes off in the craft—Bedford does not know how to produce Cavorite and so cannot produce another craft. Cavor remains in captivity and teaches the Selenites the English language as well as some of mankind's history and the recipe for Cavorite. The Selenites determine that mankind is a threat to the Moon and decide to use Cavorite to make a pre-emptive strike. Communicating his intentions beforehand to Bedford by wireless, in an act of desperation Cavor releases the Cavorite the Selenites are producing and thus evacuates all air from the Moon's surface. This renders it a truly barren world ready to be rediscovered by the Apollo program, though the final shot reveals a Selenite observing the Apollo 11 landing.

The film ends with a tribute to Lionel Jeffries, who played Cavor in the 1964 film and who died in 2010.

O'BSERVATIONS:

Some alterations to the BookWorld version - Bedford is given a first name. Wold Newton scholars have accepted "Selwyn" as the first name for Cavor, but I believe that to be an invention on the part of Alan Moore in his "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen" comic book series.

And it was originally a boy named Tommy Simmons who took off in the sphere, not the man Chessocks. (It was probably decided such a grim fate for a boy might be too much for the audience?)

I wonder if anyone has ever attempted to tell the story of what happened to Tommy Simmons? A quick check at the Wold Newton website (Link to the left, Team Toobworld!) doesn't yield any results.......

BCnU!

THE HAT SQUAD: REMEMBERING LARRY HAGMAN

When I heard the news about Larry Hagman Friday night, I posted to Facebook that I was glad J.R. Ewing was inducted into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame back in August. Better to do that while Hagman was alive - I think it means more than a memorial tribute.

This past summer, Hagman's character from "The Rheinmann Exchange" was featured in the "As Seen On TV" showcase. And that BookWorld transfer, Colonel Ed Pace, has made it through the selection process to be included in my "Tele-Folks Directory" - 108 TV characters who have special meaning for the Toobworld Dynamic. (For his theory of "relateeveety", Ed Pace was the biological father to J.R. Ewing, Judge Luther Charbonnet, and Major Anthony Nelson.)

When people speak of Mr. Hagman as being an iconic figure in Television, I think it will be in regards to J.R. Ewing; Tony "Master" Nelson of 'I Dream Of Jeannie' will be an after-thought. He did amazing comic work on that show, very facile with the double-takes (and there were plenty of opportunities for those in every episode). But he had two other comic masters to work with as well as the loverly blonde in the diaphanously veiled "pants suit". Against those odds, he was still able to shine.

However, when 'I Dream Of Jeannie' returned for two TV movies, the role was recast - first with Wayne Rogers and then by Ken Kercheval - which diluted the memory of Hagman's work in the part. And let's face it - Barbara Eden with her hidden belly button was the only true icon from that show.

After that sitcom ended, Hagman created a new persona for the many characters he played in a host of other TV shows - that of a weasel. Sometimes his weaselly characters were the bad guys, other times it was just a personality trait of survival. But it was a solid career of supporting guest star roles and fluffy TV movies of the week and it all would have been enough for him to be fondly remembered upon his passing.

(I'd also like to mention a few memorable roles Larry Hagman had in the Cineverse - in "The Eagle Has Landed", "Superman", and "Harry & Tonto". Those were all post-IDOJ, but the crowning achievement in the movies happened before he became Major Nelson, when he played the President's translator in "Fail Safe". It must have been a heady experience to know that for long sequences in that movie he would be the only one sharing the screen with Henry Fonda!)

And then along came 'Dallas'......

I've heard it said that the secret in successfully portraying a villain is to never consider the character to be evil. From their perspective, they are doing the right thing. But I think J.R. Ewing is that rare exception - he not only knew he was a bad, bad boy, but he actually reveled in it! Audiences responded to that delight J.R. took in his actions, which is why he became a Colossus who changed the TV landscape from that point in May of 1980 onwards.

I've often joked that the title of my autobiography would be "Living On The Periphery" - all about my place on the far distant outer rim in the great socio-political and cultural events of history. And one example would be about me and the phenomena that surrounded the 'Dallas' cliff-hanger "Who Shot J.R.?".

Marvin Kitman, the TV critic for Long Island's paper "Newsday" asked his readers for their suggestions as to who shot J.R. Ewing. I wrote in and pointed the finger at my Grammy O'Brien, saying that she was down in Texas at the time visiting her daughter and her grand-daughters, so she had the opportunity. Kitman took the time to write back and said that he loved the idea of me pinning the blame on me own grandmother. J.R. would have been so proud!

Appropriately enough for a modern-day cowboy, Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing basically died with his boots on - he had completed six of the fifteen episodes for a second season of the 'Dallas' revival. And however the producers decide to deal with this "Giant" loss, one thing is clear - even if they kill off the character within the show (and thus within the Toobworld Dynamic), the memory of J.R. Ewing will live forever.

Good night and may God bless.....

BCnU!

TVXOHOF - NOVEMBER, 2012: BEN FRANKLIN

As the month draws to a close, it's time to induct the November member of the TV Crossover Hall of Fame......

Because it's the month in which the nation holds its elections, November is traditionally when the inductee is a newsmaker, a newscaster, or a politician - either fictional televersion or League of Themselves.

And for 2012, we've reached into the Past to celebrate Ben Franklin!

From Wikipedia:

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705]– April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass 'armonica'. He facilitated many civic organizations, including a fire department and a university.

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. 

In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."

Franklin has been portrayed many times over the years on TV, and each of them adds to Ben's qualifications for membership. But some of them are from alternate Toobworlds, or based on the memories of some other character (as is the case with Philip Kent in 'The Bastard'). Or in the case of 'Jack Of All Trades', his presence is an outright fabrication from a book written by a syphilitic old patriot.  (There was no way in which Franklin could have shown up on the Pacific island of Palau Palau in 1801 - he had been dead for 11 years!)

But there is one portrayal of Ben Franklin who serves as the official televersion. He can be found in an historical drama, a fantasy sitcom, a sci-fi time travel show, and even in a mystery series. He's Benjamin Franklin... as portrayed by Fredd Wayne.

Just consider this line-up of his TV credits as Franklin:

• "A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation" 
• 'Simon & Simon'
  "The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree" 
• 'Voyagers!'
  "Bully and Billy"
• 'Daniel Boone'
  "The Printing Press"
• 'Bewitched'
  "Samantha for the Defense"
  "My Friend Ben"

It's the perfect Toobworld line-up of links - you have a docudrama to set the base, a Hall of Fame worthy encounter with another official portrayal (Mr. Boone), and then interactions with fictional tele-folks in their own series.

A few notes:

• The Ben Franklin whom Daniel Boone met a few years earlier (played by Laurie Main) had to be an impostor. Perhaps a Quantum Leaper from the Future.....
• Franklin's presence in Westport, Connecticut, of the 1960s means he was drawn forward in Time. However, the same cannot be said for when George and Martha Washington were summoned to the Stephens' home. They were manifestations from one of Tabitha's picture books. (This way we can keep Will Geer's portrayal in Earth Prime-Time along with the official version of the Father Of Our Country - whoever that might be.)

So we're tipping our tri-corner hat to Ben Franklin and his official portrayer, Fredd Wayne!

Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

BCnU!

AS SEEN ON TV: PAUL GARDNER

In memory of Larry Hagman......

PAUL GARDNER

AS SEEN IN:
'Ellery Queen'
"The Adventure Of The Mad Tea Party"

ADAPTED FROM:
'Adventure Of The Mad Tea Party'
in
"The Adventures Of Ellery Queen"
(1934 short story collection)

CREATED BY:
Frederic Dannay & Manfred Lee

PORTRAYED BY:
Larry Hagman

Paul Gardner was the architect who remodeled the sprawling mansion owned by theatrical producer Spencer Lockridge.

From TV.com:
Ellery and his agent, Howard Biggers, travel to the estate of the wealthy and eccentric Spencer Lockridge. It seems as though Biggers wants to turn one of Ellery's books into a play and is trying to get Lockridge to provide the financial backing. All goes for naught when Lockridge disappears while wearing a Mad Hatter's costume from the Alice in Wonderland theme party he was throwing.

When the two men arrive at the estate, the butler, Doyle greets them and explains that one of the guests, Paul Gardner, can't find his ears. Ellery soon realizes that Paul and the other guests are playing the part of characters from Alice in Wonderland. Paul is an architect and helped build Spencer's new home. Spencer's wife Laura is the Dormouse and Broadway actress Emmy Reinhart is playing Alice. Emmy claims to be a big fan of Ellery's work and runs over to him. Also present are Paul's wife Diana and Spencer's mother-in-law, Letitia.

From Nathaniel Booth:
"The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party" is, shockingly enough, the only regular episode from the entire series to be based on an actual short story by Ellery Queen. It's also one of the best episodes of the series. Connection? Perhaps. It certainly packs more plot into its runtime than do most of the episodes (compare the twists in this one to, say, those in "Colonel Niven's Memoirs," and you'll see my point). It's also stronger in terms of atmosphere; from the first scene it's almost difficult to believe that this is the same series that gave us the genial-yet-anonymous "12th Floor Express." And--best of all!--this episode represents Jim Hutton's best performance yet as Ellery.

From The Ellery Queen website:
The only series entry based on an actual Queen story, it is the finest of the episodes, and is regarded by many as the best filming of Queen ever. The script is faithful to the original story, and even surpasses it in clearing up a few logical loopholes. A classic plot makes for a classic episode.

BCnU!

TWINKIE THE KID RIDES AGAIN!

It's time to pay the bills.......

Right up until Thanksgiving, this was the big news story for the week. I won't be sorry to see the Twinkie go, but I will miss the chocolate covered cakes with the creamy filling.

At any rate, thanks to blipverts like this, Twinkie the Kid and Fruitpie the Magician will live on anyway - in the Tooniverse!

BCnU!

"BLUE'S CLUES": "LIFE ON THE STREET"

I wonder how young fans of the classic kids' show 'Blue's Clues' might have reacted if they switched from that show to this scene from 'Homicide: Life On The Street' to see the host, Steve Burns, in a different format.....

BCnU!

PHAN-TOM O'LEARY

Thanksgiving weekend is usually the time when you have reunions with old school friends.

So here's my friend Tom O'Leary when he was playing 'The Phantom Of The Opera'......

This can be found in the alternate TV dimension of ToobStage, in which certain scenarios are replayed over and over again with revisions to the looks of the inhabitants and the locations. 

And it's likely that this is one revision which was infected by Sweet the Demon......

BCnU!

AS SEEN ON TV: LORD OF THE PRIME-TIME JUNGLE

With the greatest character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs celebrating his centennial, this seemed like the perfect time to showcase Tarzan's best-known televersion......

TARZAN

AS SEEN IN:

'Tarzan'

CREATED BY:

Edgar Rice Burroughs

PORTRAYED BY:

Ron Ely

TV STATUS:

Recastaway Original

TV DIMENSION:

Earth Prime-Time

From Wikipedia:

'Tarzan' is a series that aired on NBC from 1966 – 1968. The series portrayed Tarzan (played by Ron Ely) as a well-educated character, one who, tired of civilization, had returned to the jungle where he had been raised. The show retained many of the trappings of the classic movie series, including Cheeta, while excluding other elements, such as Jane, as part of the "new look" for the fabled apeman that producer Sy Weintraub had introduced in previous motion pictures starring Gordon Scott, Jock Mahoney, and Mike Henry. CBS aired repeat episodes the program during the summer of 1969.

Mike Henry had just filmed several big-screen adventures as Tarzan in Brazil and was slated to play the lead in the TV series, but backed out due to disagreements with producer Sy Weintraub. Ron Ely was originally to have played a Tarzan impostor in a proposed episode of the TV series, but took over the lead role.

Like Jock Mahoney, Ely insisted on performing his own stunts when playing Tarzan. Unlike Mahoney, Ely was not a professional stuntman and sustained seventeen different injuries during the first season. These included singeing his arms and legs running through a burning village ("Village of Fire"); being bitten in the forehead by a "tame" lion (in a later fight with the same lion, Ely was bitten on the lower left thigh); falling down a hill and ripping the skin off the tops of his feet; falling twenty-five feet off a vine and separating his shoulder; and falling off another vine and breaking his other shoulder, fracturing three ribs and spraining both wrists.

PREVIOUSLY ON "AS SEEN ON TV"

O'BSERVATIONS:

With each of the televersions of Tarzan, the story has been modernized to the time of broadcast; we have yet to see the Tarzan of the Edwardian Age as envisioned by ERB. Should that happen (and this being the 100th anniversary of the character would have been the perfect time for that), that Tarzan would be welcomed into the Toobworld Dynamic as the Tarzan of Earth Prime-Time.

That is, he would be the first Tarzan of Earth Prime-Time. Ron Ely's portrayal would not be displaced. Rather, he would be considered the grandson of the original Tarzan and - although the character has been unmentioned (so far) in Toobworld - he would be the son of Korak and Meriam. (Just my own tip of the hat to my counterparts like Win Scott Eckert who do such amazing work on the Wold Newton Universe envisioned by Philip Jose Farmer.)

BCnU!