MAY 2003 OBITUARIES Anne Gwynne Actress Anne Gwynne, one of the last surviving stars of Universal's golden age of horror, has passed away. She was 84. Among the films for which she'll be remembered best by cult-movie fans are "House of Frankenstein," with Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney and John Carradine, "Weird Woman," with Lon Chaney and Evelyn Ankers, "The Strange Case of Doctor Rx," "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome" (as Tracy's paramour, Tess Trueheart), the 1941 "The Black Cat," "Black Friday" with Karloff and Bela Lugosi, and the classic serial, "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe," starring Buster Crabbe. Gwynne was born Marguerite Gwynne Trice in Waco, Texas. After attending college in Missouri, she embarked on a career as a model. She began acting in local theater groups soon after. According to one account, she landed a contract with Universal following a 47-second interview and without benefit of a screen test. The publicity department was quick to dub her the TNT girl -- she was Trim, Neat and Terrific. Gwynne was a favorite pin-up during WWII and was named "Gal We¹d Most Like to Corral" by one Cavalry regiment. Gwynne appeared in films spanning many genres, including "Frontier Badmen," "Murder in the Blue Room," "Babes on Swing Street," "Arson, Inc.," "The Enchanted Valley" and "Ride 'em Cowboy" opposite Abbott and Costello. "To fans of the Universal horror films of the 1940s, Anne was one of THE best and most popular leading ladies," said genre-film historian, Tom Weaver. "Unlike the exotic 1930s horror heroines who generally WERE, or at least ACTED, English or European or "mid-Atlantic" at best, Anne was the spunky, bubbly, VERY American "girl-next-door" type -- the stuff of "instant crushes" for these movies¹ mostly male audiences (originally and even TODAY)." Though they had played enemies onscreen, in real life Anne was a close friend of Universal's Queen of Horror, Evelyn Ankers. Ankers served as matron of honor at Gwynne's wedding, and Gwynne vouched for Evelyn's character when Ankers applied for American citizenship. Gwynne left Universal in 1944, on the advice of some agents who convinced her to obtain a release from her contract. "They said they would see that I went places," she told Michael Fitzgerald for Fangoria magazine. "Well, I went places all right -- out the door to Poverty Row!" Her acting career was at its nadir in 1957 when she appeared with dubious distinction in "Teenage Monster," a low budget, horror-sci-fi-western. But she'll be remembered most fondly for her films opposite such classic horror stars as Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney and John Carradine. She had semi-retired following her marriage to Max Gilford who died in the mid-1970s. She is survived by two children, one of whom, Gwynne Gilford, is also an actress. Though in failing health in recent years, Anne still attended the occasional film memorabilia show, happily signing autographs for her many fans. Anthony Caruso Veteran character actor Anthony Caruso died in his Brentwood, Calif., home following a long illness. He was 86. A swarthy, ruggedly handsome actor with a husky voice, Caruso specialized in playing ethnic henchmen and heavies of all backgrounds. Hoping to live up to his famous last name, Caruso originally wanted to be a singer, but found it more lucrative to act at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, he became a good friend of Alan Ladd's. Over the years, Caruso appeared in 11 of Ladd's pictures, including "The Glass Key," "Lucky Jordan," and "Hell on Frisco Bay." Genre-film fans may remember him best from appearances in "Phantom of the Rue Morgue," "The Catman of Paris," "Tarzan and the Leopard Woman" and "The Most Dangerous Man Alive." Following his film debut in 1940's "Johnny Apollo" starring Tyrone Power, Caruso acted in some 120 films over the next five decades, appearing as soldiers, cowboys, Indian chiefs, Arab warriors and Italian mobsters. He also appeared in roughly 110 television shows including episodes of "Gunsmoke," "The Lone Ranger," "Laramie," "Wagon Train," "Bonanza," "Maverick," "The Untouchables," "Hawaiian Eye" and others. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, actress Tonia Valente, and son, Tonio. Andrea King Actress Andrea King, who was often cast in roles as the devious "other woman" and who appeared in several well-regarded "A" features as well as genre-films, died of natural causes in Woodland Hills, Calif. She was 84. King was born Georgette Andre Barry in Paris. She made her stage debut on Broadway at age 14 in "Growing Pains." She went on to appear in "Fly Away Home" opposite Thomas Mitchell and "Life With Father" starring Lillian Gish. After appearing in a "March of Time" documentary short, she won a Warner Brothers contract (the studio still photographers voted her "the most photogenic actress on the lot") and made her Warner's debut in "The Very Thought of You," which starred Dennis Morgan and Eleanor Parker. Throughout the 1940s and Œ50s she appeared as ingénues and "other women" in such dramas "God Is My Co-Pilot," "Hotel Berlin," "The Man I Love," "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid," "Buccaneer's Girl" and the Bob Hope vehicle "The Lemon Drop Kid." Her first genre-film credit was director Robert Florey's 1946 minor classic "The Beast With Five Fingers" with Peter Lorre and Robert Alda. Cult-movie buffs will recognize her from roles in "Red Planet Mars," opposite Peter Graves and the 1965 Jerry Warren schlock-horror film "House of the Black Death" with John Carradine and Lon Chaney. Her film career wound down inauspiciously with an appearance in the 1973 blaxploitation horror "Blackenstein." King also worked prolifically in television appearing on such programs as "Cheyenne," "Maverick," "Perry Mason," "Bourbon Street Beat," "77 Sunset Strip," "Hawaiian Eye," "Medical Center," and "Murder, She Wrote." A live, 1953 production of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" opposite Edward G. Robinson earned King her a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. THE B MOVIE MONTH IN REVIEW NEW BURNS BOOK DEBUTS AT "BASH" Rarely is the B monster at a loss for adjectives, but "terrific," "amazing" and "invaluable" are inadequate when describing "Monster Kid Memories." This wonderful tome by Bob Burns as related to Tom Weaver (arguably the two greatest chroniclers of genre-film history) will prove indispensable to sci-fi and horror film fans. With glowing intros by Leonard Maltin and Joe Dante, it's packed with hundreds of never-before-seen photos and designed by the B Monster himself, Marty Baumann (who is humbled by his inclusion with this august company). What sets this book apart? Unlike the authors of varied retrospectives, anthologies and myriad "think pieces," Bob was there, in the trenches, when movie history was being made. As a lad, Bob set foot on the Moon -- George Pal's "Destination Moon" set, specifically -- and a lifetime love affair with fantastic films began. Bob spares few details in recounting his close friendships with Pal, three-time Frankenstein Monster Glenn Strange, serial makers Dave Sharpe, Roy Barcroft and the Lydecker brothers, "ape man" Charlie Gemora, makeup legend Jack Pierce, gimmick king William Castle, Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Lon Chaney. A mind-blowing catalog of youthful encounters providing genuine insight into the personalities of the men who created the monsters we love. This fabulous trade paperback is available only from Dinoship, Inc. For more info, check out: http://www.bmonster.com/mk.htm For more about Monster Bash, check out: http://www.creepyclassics.com/bash.html Bob, Tom and the B Monster will ALL be at Monster Bash, introducing the book to diehard fans prior to its wide release. So get in line and get your copy signed. Marty and Dinoship will also be unveiling "The Crater Kid Collection," which collects every daily adventure of his much-praised, retro space hero. New material is also included along with a one-of-a-kind illustrated introduction by legendary Mad and EC comics artist, Jack Davis. THIS REMAKE "THING" HAS GOT TO STOP The Sci Fi Channel recently announced plans to remake "The Thing" as a four-hour miniseries, which will air sometime next year. No word as yet on stars or director, but it's scripted by Gary L. Goldman ("Minority Report," "Total Recall"). John W. Campbell's short story, "Who Goes There?" was, of course, the inspiration for the 1951 "The Thing From Another World," which was produced by Howard Hawks and is largely hailed as one of the great science-fiction films of all time. Producer/director John Carpenter lensed a gory version of the Campbell story in 1982. More recently, actor George Clooney had planned a live television play based, according to some reports, on the Hawks film. What form will the miniseries version of Campbell's shape-shifting alien tale assume? According to Sci Fi Channel hype, the teleplay "re-envisions John Carpenter's 1982 feature film and its predecessor." As of this writing, details were few. (The cable channel also has a four-hour miniseries based on "Battlestar Galactica," in the works, similarly promoted as "a re-imagining.") Forget, for a moment, what the demographics say, what the moneymen bank on, what the trend pundits predict. What do you, the REAL fans of the genre say? Inspiring or infuriating? Sacrilege of homage? Read on ... REACHING A KONG-CENSUS Okay, we all know that Peter Jackson, currently basking in critical acclaim for his Tolkien "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, has been planning to remake "King Kong." It's going to be made for Universal, and Jackson will write the screenplay with Fran Walsh and "Lord of the Rings" co-writer Philippa Boyens. Jackson and Walsh will produce the film. Universal plans on releasing it sometime in 2005. None of this is news. Why, you might ask, should this indisputable classic be filmed again? The big ape's legacy was already sullied notoriously by Dino DeLaurentis in the 1970s. Will Jackson, a talented, imaginative filmmaker, do right by Kong? "No film has captivated my imagination more than King Kong," says Jackson. "I'm making movies today because I saw this film when I was nine years old. It has been my sustained dream to reinterpret this classic story for a new age." (Editor's note: Beware words like "reinterpret," "reimagine" and "remake.") According to Universal publicity, "the screenplay by Jackson, Walsh and Boyens is based on the original story by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace, which became the classic 1933 RKO [film]." This is heartening, but begs a question: What, exactly, needs reinterpreting? The point of this diatribe is not to prejudge the film (who knows, it might be terrific). The point is we want YOU to prejudge it. You are the TRUE fans of classic horror and science fiction, and we think they should get your permission before they undertake any more of their "reinterpretations." (i.e., the overhauled classic monsters in "Van Helsing.") So, let us know: "King Kong" remake: Good idea or bad idea? "Thing" miniseries: Affirmation or affront? EDISON "FRANKENSTEIN" RE-PREMIERS The B Monster only recently attended the "re-premier" showing of the long lost, 1910 Thomas Edison "Frankenstein," part of "The Many Faces of Frankenstein" program screened at the palatial Loew's Jersey theater, a breathtaking movie palace-era auditorium currently being restored to its former glory. This first filmed "Frankenstein" had been on the American Film Institute's list of the top 10 most "culturally and historically significant lost films." Lost, that is, until it was discovered in the possession of one Alois Dettlaff of Wisconsin. Following the reading of a proclamation from the Jersey City mayor, Dettlaff addressed the crowd, dressed, for reasons that are not altogether clear to me, as Father Time. The film was in strikingly good condition, a bit scratchy in the early going, but clearing up nicely by the highlight, a "creation" sequence that was quite imaginative for 1910 -- a full-size model of the monster (played by Charles Ogle) was constructed, set afire and filmed. Then, the film was simply run backward. The movie is all of 14 minutes long and evoked a few snickers from the uninformed, amused by the silent histrionics. Personally, if I'd seen this monster in 1910, I think I would have been scared. The historic showing was followed by the 1931 Karloff version, which, on the big screen, made plain all over again what a commanding and talented actor he was. He IS the Monster, then and forever. For more about the fabulous Loew's Jersey (their "Sci Fi Film Festival runs May 30 and 31), check out: http://www.loewsjersey.org Better tell 'em the B Monster sent you! CARRADINE MAKES THE COWBOY CUT Cult-movie icon John Carradine has been inducted into The Hall of Great Western Performers. A veteran of hundreds of films, Carradine appeared in such classic Westerns as "Western Union," "Frontier Marshal," "Jesse James," "The Return of Frank James," "Johnny Guitar," and "Showdown at Boot Hill." A favorite of director John Ford, he appeared in Ford's "Stagecoach," "Drums Along the Mohawk," "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Cheyenne Autumn," among others. The actor's sons, David, Keith and Robert Carradine, played guitars and serenaded the celebrity-filled audience with "Amazing Grace." The induction was a highlight of the 42nd annual Western Heritage Awards at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. "We all wish he was here to see this, because it would bring tears to his eyes," said David Carradine. For info on The Western Heritage Museum, visit: http://www.cowboyhalloffame.org MOGUL PLANS NERD MECCA Paul G. Allen, the Godzillionaire businessman and co-founder of Microsoft, plans to build a science fiction-themed "cultural project" in Seattle that he hopes will attract science fiction fans (and normal people) from around the world. The New York Times reported that, according to preliminary reports, the sci-fi shrine "would be part museum, part amusement park and part little boy's fantasy." Allen's "SFX - The Science Fiction Experience," will cover 13,000 square feet adjacent to the multimedia "Experience Music Project," a pop-music museum, focusing on roll 'n' roll, that Allen co-founded with his sister. Scheduled to open in summer 2004, the SFX "will explore our culture through the broad, historic and compelling lens of science fiction." While public and corporate funding for many arts projects has been dramatically slashed owing to the sluggish economy, Allen isn't worried. He's footing the bill for the museum himself, shelling out $10 million to $20 million for the enterprise, which is probably chump change to a guy who helped boot up Microsoft and owns both the Seattle Seahawks AND the Portland Trailblazers. Allen said in an interview that the SFX would initially be incorporated as a nonprofit but could eventually become a business. The media magnate says that he became a lifelong sci-fi fan upon reading "Spaceship Galileo" as a child. His SFX advisory board includes Ray Bradbury, Greg Bear, Octavia Butler and Arthur C. Clarke. CAMERON'S MARS MISSION Who says we never have anything good to say about contemporary films? Director James Cameron plans a realistic, non-fantasy film chronicling a manned flight to Mars. Cameron recently placed the project on the back burner out of respect for the astronauts who perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. The Oscar-winning director maintains his Mars voyage film will not be about "light sabers and flying faster than the speed of light and meeting cool, three-eyed aliens." It will instead focus on what space explorers can realistically accomplish in the coming years. "It's not a wild flight-of-fantasy type science-fiction film," the director told the Sci Fi Channel's Sci Fi Wire. "It's more like a directly iterative science fiction film that says, 'This is how we are going to really go and really do the most adventuresome thing the human race can conceive of doing.' " The B Monster applauds Cameron's desire to celebrate these human aspirations. JOE BOB AMONG THE ELITE Elite Entertainment has announced an exclusive deal with drive-in schlock-movie pundit Joe Bob Briggs to host and provide commentary for several upcoming DVD releases. "In the cult film world, no critic or fan is more popular than Joe Bob Briggs," Elite honcho Vini Bancalari said recently. "His current commentary on the 'I Spit On Your Grave Millennium Edition' DVD is testament to Joe's knowledge and appreciation of these types of films." The first title in the collaborative series will be the no-budget horror/western "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter." "Elite is acquiring the rights to some of the most artistically ... uh ... interesting films of the drive-in era," said Briggs. "I'm honored to be the guy picked to slice-and-dice 'em ... uh ... I mean, interpret them for the cinematic community." A longtime TV personality, reporter, author and B-movie connoisseur, Briggs' latest book is titled "Profoundly Disturbing: Shocking Movies That Changed History." YAHOO FOR HORROR Call it a compliment to the AOL Classic Horror Board. The "Creature Features" Yahoo news group that debuted early last year continues to thrive, offering some new attractions we thought we'd pass along. The small but dedicated enclave "pays homage to all of the classic monsters and the old 1970's 'Creature Features' monster movie show on WGN in Chicago." The group showcases ongoing discussions of vintage horror films, and offers sound files of the show's opening and closing segments, original TV Guide ads, a Real Media version of the show's opening shots and occasional trivia contests. According to spokesman Michael Newell, "We have a contest approximately every two months, with actual prizes given out -- books, magazines, videos, CDs, etc." You can find out more at: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/creaturefeatures It goes without saying, tell 'em the B Monster sent you! MOTOWN MEMORABILIA The three-day Motor City Comic Con kicks off May 16 at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Mich. In addition to a roster of dozens of comic book creators, old and young, the list of guest personalities from the world of film and television is a truly mind-bending blend: R2D2 himself, Kenny Baker Sala Baker of "Lord of the Rings" " Star Wars"¹ Greedo, Paul Blake The devil's prized possession, Linda Blair LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby and John de Lancie, all of "The Next Generation" Batgirl Yvonne Craig (Mars STILL needs women, by the way.) Catwoman Julie Newmar Keir Dullea AND Gary Lockwood of "2001: A Space Odyssey" Jabba the Hutt in the flesh, Mike Edmunds Greg Evigan of "BJ & The Bear" fame Lou "Incredible Hulk" Ferrigno Sidekick to "Trapper John, MD," Gregory Harrison "Love Boat²'s Bernie Kopell Jerry Seinfeld's TV parents, Barney Martin and Liz Sheridan Soupy Sales (yes, Soupy Sales) "ET's" earthly stepmom, Dee Wallace Stone Various wrestling personalities and a host of assorted players hailing from "The Evil Dead," "Battlestar Galactica," "Babylon 5," "Star Wars" and "Star Trek² representing its myriad generations. We've saved our favorites for last: Mary Wilson of Motown's legendary Supremes, and TV's longtime Lois Lane to George Reeves' Superman, Noel Neill. An interesting side note about the official convention flyer (slick orange paper, garish yellow type) picturing selected convention guests: Right next to real-life astronaut and Space Shuttle commander Rick Searfoss, is ex-porn queen Traci Lords. (Did we mention that this was a COMIC BOOK convention?) As my great uncle Nunzio would say, "America, she's a great-a country!" For more info, check out: http://www.motorcityconventions.com RAZZ OF THE MACHINES The notorious Razzie awards, citing Hollywood's most odious offerings, have awarded two of its 2002 Razzies to "Star Wars: Episode II‹Attack of the Clones." Personality-less (if we may coin a phrase) Hayden Christensen was named worst supporting actor for his robotic performance as a young Darth Vader, while George Lucas and Jonathan Hales nabbed worst screenplay. In non-genre Razzes of note, Madonna was cited as worst supporting actress for her role in the 007 thriller "Die Another Day," while Roberto Benigni was named worst actor for his take on "Pinocchio." BATS, BLADES AND THURBER Let's see if we can't get all of the remaining sequel and remake drivel out of the way in one graf: Screenwriter David Goyer is a busy guy with his hand in more than one franchise. "Blade III" will begin shooting later this year and it's still undecided as to whether or not Goyer will direct the third installment himself. Meanwhile, Goyer is fleshing out an idea of director Christopher Nolan's ("Insomnia") for yet ANOTHER Batman movie. (By all means, let's keep that proud lineage thriving. The character hasn't been completely degraded, yet). Variety had reported that the new film would resemble the "Batman vs. Superman and Batman: Year One" stories (Whatever THOSE are -- I'm totally confused!). Not so, says the latest report. Lastly, Paramount and DreamWorks will be co-producing a remake of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." OKAY, LAST REMAKE ITEM, WE PROMISE This is an idea so fundamentally absurd it has to be reported, even though it has no cult-film connection: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are discussing a remake of "Casablanca," according to a story in the London Express. Details are pending as ... Sorry, but I'm laughing too hard to keep typing. BRIT MUSEUM HONORS MATHESON Our British pals at the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television have announced their second "Fantastic Films Weekend." Promoters say this year's focus will be on "American author and screenwriter Richard Matheson." They'll also be screening 70mm versions of all four "Alien" films. It's happening May 24-25 in Bradford, West Yorkshire. But a cursory glance at the museum's calendar of events reveals that several attractions of interest to B-Monster fans and cult-film enthusiasts have been staged in recent weeks. As part of their "TV Heaven" series, there was a Gerry Anderson retrospective; "From Four Feather Falls to Captain Scarlet," reads the program, "Gerry Anderson was the undisputed king of television puppetry. We'll consider his work, with examples from the TV Heaven collection." (There's even a searchable "TV Heaven" database, which allows one to, "browse through the best and worst of British television.") They've also presented, "James Bond Will Return" as a part of their "Insight Talks" series, wherein "Museum specialists [discuss] the making of the most successful British-made film series and the personalities behind the films." "Directing Masterclass: Michael Radford," featured the director of "1984," "White Mischief," and the multi-Oscar-nominated "Il Postino." Radford's presentation was part of a series showcasing such film talents as legendary lighting and cameramen Jack Cardiff and Freddie Francis, editor Tom Priestley and producer Steve Abbott. And, though some might find it a bit esoteric, how about a celebration of J.B. Priestly, whose books were the basis of many a classic film (including "The Old Dark House"). Think that's too outré? How about "The Invention of the Video Recorder: A discussion of how the rising price of tobacco, the cost of gold and Adolf Hitler brought about the invention of the video recorder." Sorry to bring word of these events belatedly, but trans-Atlantic news travels slowly, these days, what with the war and all ... but there's still time to hop a jet and make the Matheson shindig! You can find out more at: http://www.nmpft.org.uk/whatson/calendar.asp Tell 'em up front, the B Monster sent you! SHADOWY SHORT SUBJECT The effects are crude, the story is derivative ("The Heap" and "Swamp Thing" comics, Theodore Strugeon's "It," a little Lovecraft nomenclature thrown in), and the budget just doesn't exist. Given all this, we're not about to give "Shadows in the Garden" a flamingly bad review. These folks had some ideas, they did their best, it isn't pernicious or overly cynical -- and they kept it to 22 minutes! It's a family affair all the way, spearheaded by writer-director Wayne Spitzer (abetted by assorted Spitzers in the cast and crew). We're tempted to fall back on that excuse of a phrase, "it's good for what it is ..." And who knows, maybe next time, with enough money and a concerted effort to rise above derivation ... The short film is part of a project called Monstersdotcom and you can learn more at: http://www.lindenmuth.com/ NEW ON DVD IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA It's a Harryhausen "must-have," featuring the famous, budget-crimped, six-legged octopus. Surely you've heard the story of how production costs forced stop-motion animation ace Ray Harryhausen to limit the number of his protagonist's appendages? But when a giant octopus is ripping down the Golden Gate Bridge, who really stops to count legs? Missing tentacles notwithstanding, "It Came From Beneath The Sea," has much to recommend it. It's tough to beat this B-movie cast: Kenneth Tobey as two-fisted Navy man Pete Mathews, comely Faith Domergue as his ladylove scientist, Donald Curtis and Harry Lauter. It's co-produced by B king Sam Katzman and Harryhausen's longtime production partner Charles H. Schneer, the team that was soon to produce "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers." Director Robert Gordon does a serviceable job. He had only a handful of films under his belt when "It" was filmed, and went on to a prolific TV career, helming episodes of "Bonanza," "Maverick," "My Friend Flicka" and others. And the story springs from the prolific pen of George Worthing Yates -- make that George Worthing "Them!," "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers," "Amazing Colossal Man," "Space Master X-7," "War of the Colossal Beast," "Flame Barrier," "Earth vs. the Spider," "Attack of the Puppet People," "Tormented" Yates. Whoa! What a resume. But, it goes without saying, Harryhausen's outsized octopus is the real attraction, in all its cruiser-capsizing, girder-snapping glory. We suppose it's a matter of context -- when you were born, how old you were when you first saw it, how spoiled you are by today's seamless CGI -- as to how well the stop-motion effects work holds up. Speaking as one who first caught it on the late show as a lad way back when, it holds up just dandy. Today's computer stuff is slick, all right, but Harryhausen's genius wasn't lavished on slickness, but channeled into the personality of his creations. From the Ymir of "20 Million Miles to Earth" to the various denizens that threatened Sinbad. The personal investment shows. Even six, gnarled tentacles -- without benefit of a face to convey menace -- are imbued with personality. Why people on dry land would run screaming from a water-bound creature is grist for another discussion. THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN Even though it's an intelligent, well-acted sci-fi thriller, "The Andromeda Strain" is probably best known as the film that got the Michael Crichton media snowball rolling. It's the first book-to-screen credit for the Godzillionaire author who gave the world "Coma," "The Terminal Man," "Twister," "Congo," "Sphere," and, of course, "Jurassic Park," among others. He's MISTER summer mega-movie box-office blockbuster! And some folks still think this 1971 sci-fi suspenser is his best-adapted work. It's also worth pointing out that director Robert Wise didn't consider it slumming to return to the sci-fi genre after helming the likes of "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music." He helped define the soul of silver screen science fiction with "Day the Earth Stood Still," and made one of the most sobering and scary horrors of all time, "The Haunting." Nelson Gidding, who scripted "The Haunting," screenwrote "Andromeda," and once again he does right by the genre-movie fan, fashioning, with Wise, an astute, if occasionally plodding, cautionary tale. The cast is led by Arthur Hill, quite good as Dr. Jeremy Stone. (Where did his career go after an auspicious start? He succumbed to TV stardom as "Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law" the same year "Andromeda" was made, followed by two decades of inconsequential parts in TV movies. He retired in the early '90s.) Crusty David Wayne, James Olson and Kate Reid are likewise credible. The premise involves an exploratory probe, returned from space with the titular virus on board. Hill and his team lead a full-court scientific press to stop it from spreading. It's familiar stuff, exploited by the cinema on many occasions. (Which do you prefer, Dustin Hoffman in "Outbreak," or Bill Williams in "Space Master X-7?" Can you guess where we come down on that question?) Contemporary viewers may find the film slow -- not "Phantom Menace"-slow, mind you, but literate enough that the eyes of the "Matrix" generation might fog over. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Michael F. Blake, whose books are available through Vestal Press or at http://www.amazon.com Joe Dante Harris Lentz III, whose books are available at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com Bob Madison, founder and CEO of Dinoship, Inc. http://www.dinoship.com David J. Schow http://charon.gothic.net/~chromo/ Bryan Senn, whose books are available at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com and at http://www.midmar.com/books.html Tom Weaver, whose books are available at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com and at http://www.midmar.com/books.html PARTING BLURB "You'll be shocked! You'll be stunned! You'll be thrilled!" -- King Dinosaur