Here we go again. It seems once a year I type this posting. It’s always the same. I should probably just save this on my computer so I don’t have to retype it. Here goes:
The 24 hour marathon is a unique concept, which to my knowledge started back in the mid 70’s in Boston and simultaneously in Cleveland. Most people, when I tell them that the event is 24 hours straight of sci-fi movies, they inevitably respond, “In a row! How can you do that!” That’s when I explain how the event really doesn’t feel like you are sitting on your proverbial can, watching movie after movie after movie after movie. The event is like one whole movie. It’s paced so that it flows. You watch a silent classic, and then you watch an old relic from the 50’s. Then there’s a Costume contest, then they show some cartoons, then some old trailers, and then a premiere with the guest speaking afterwards. Before you know it is 7PM. There are prize giveaways, contests, serials, cartoons, shorts, trailers, old films, new films, 50’s films, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, silent, black and white, color, cheesy, dramatic, action packed, gory, etc, etc. All with little “extras” in between.
Then it seems they always say, “That’s cool. Have you ever done a 24 hour Western fest?” I’m not kidding. I have had that question asked by soooo many people when I explain the concept of the 24 hour event. The answer, of course, is no I haven’t. Western’s will not work in a 24 hour format. Not that you couldn’t program one, but westerns are too similar. Now, I like westerns, but I have to admit that the tone and feel is pretty similar amongst the genre. It wouldn’t work in a 24 hour format. The Schlock Around the Clock is a 12 hour event for a good reason.
Ahhh, but what about the 24 hour B-fest held in Chicago, you ask. Well, that’s different because the event is interactive. You don’t just sit on your can and watch movies. People do mini-plays during the movies, people dance, people have comic routines that they perform during the movies, some are planned and some are impromptu. Now, the B-fest really isn’t my cup of tea either, and I have never been, but I imagine that it works BECAUSE of the participation and interactivity. In addition, they don’t limit their movies to sci-fi. They show horror, comedies, dramas, action, it’s pretty open as to what films show, the film only needs to fit the spirit of the “B” movie.
I’m not really interested in turning our Science Fiction Marathon into a B-fest. If that were the case, then I would probably stop attending. The marathon works because of the variety. You get a little taste of everything. There is a lot of variety within the genre and I think that is why it works so well. 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Omega Man, The Thing (1982), Day The Earth Stood Still, and Atomic Café are all drastically different films, but they all are within the genre of science fiction. One is a an Epic, one is a fun relic that works BECAUSE of the time it was made, one is a gripping horror film, one is a classic moral tale, and one is a documentary.
I believe there is a flow to the marathon schedule, or at least when it works best. It’s like a good movie; there are high points and low points. You will laugh, then cry, and then be brought to the edge of your seat. Movies and scripts (the good ones) have pacing to them. They are not all one tone. I think this applies to the marathons as well. If it were all action packed, balls to the wall, guns blazing action movies, I would get bored. If it were all 50’s atomic “moral” tale b/w movies, I would get bored. If it were all poorly made schlock films, I would get bored. I like one or two of each, but not every movie.
So, no, I don’t think we should book more schlock/cheesy films. This may come off as pompous, but I will state it any way. I think that those of you who SAY you want more schlock, if given what you want, would realize that it just doesn’t work. I would highly advise you to try the B-fest or, if they ever program another schlock fest, attend that, although it is only 12 hours. Those work within their respective formats for the reasons stated earlier.
I am very excited with this year’s lineup partially because I haven’t been to the Columbus event in 5 years and partially because I haven’t seen most of the films, however I DO think that there is too much silliness in the schedule as it stands. Almost EVERY film is schlock, cheesy, or silly in some way.
FIDO – a comedy (silly)
Flash Gordon – cheesy
King Dinosaur – B schlock
Frankenstein VS the Space Monster – schlock
Galaxy of Terror - unsure of this…probably leans toward cheese
Slither – Comedy (silly)
Chopping Mall – absurd situation (silly)
On a positive note – I haven’t seen 5 of the 7 films! So, yes I am excited, but I do think the balance is to0 weighted too heavily toward the silly content.
Having said all of that. I am ecstatic about this year! I’m sure the rest of the films will not be more of the same. I have faith that the rest of the lineup will be fleshed out with classics and premieres.
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