Celebrating the Polyester Decade
January 7, 2016 12:51 PM Subscribe
Space 1970 :: Journey with us back to the days when special effects were created by skillful hands and spaceships were detailed models, when robots were obligatory comedy relief, when square-jawed heroes and cloaked villains battled among the stars -- and the future was fun!
We had standards back then...Not like the crap today
posted by Postroad at 1:10 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by Postroad at 1:10 PM on January 7, 2016
My god, this cheesy poster is to me what madeleines are to Proust.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:20 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
It appeared in Science Fantasy Film Classics #3 from the Summer of '78 (the one issue I didn't have!).I suppose I must have wound up with the issue that was destined for him, because although I do not recall this at all, I definitely pored over that poster and Science Fantasy Film Classics sounds precisely like the sort of off-brand magazine I would have bought in 1978 when there was no new issue of Starlog to be had.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:20 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
As intensely nostalgic as I am for the decade (well, for certain aspects of it, particularly SF), I can't dig a blog that has a "Space Babes" feature. (He even put Ripley in there.)
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:23 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:23 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also:
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:25 PM on January 7, 2016
It took nearly a decade for Stanley Kubrick's mind-blowing 2001: A Space Odyssey to air on U.S. network television, finally making its broadcast premiere on February 13th, 1977, on NBC's "Big Event."I am pretty sure I saw it that evening as well. I recall watching it on TV well before I got to see it on the big screen at an arthouse place in 1979 or 1980.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:25 PM on January 7, 2016
Damnation Alley.
Saw that one in the theater. Even at 14 I thought it was kind of mediocre.
posted by freakazoid at 1:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Saw that one in the theater. Even at 14 I thought it was kind of mediocre.
posted by freakazoid at 1:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Looking forward to trawling through this.
This image could only have been created in the 1970s. I can't say exactly why—something about the caricatured faces, or the linework, or the coloring. I always wonder about that—what, exactly, marks a specimen of pop-culture art or design as coming from a particular era? I suppose it's a combination of a million different things: the availability of typefaces; the ebb and flow of fashions in color schemes and photo angles and typography and layouts; all manner of technological and economic considerations; etc. But there's also something ineffable and indefinable to it. I would adore a documentary series that steps through each decade of design and explores this, the way that The Story of Film does with cinema.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:39 PM on January 7, 2016
This image could only have been created in the 1970s. I can't say exactly why—something about the caricatured faces, or the linework, or the coloring. I always wonder about that—what, exactly, marks a specimen of pop-culture art or design as coming from a particular era? I suppose it's a combination of a million different things: the availability of typefaces; the ebb and flow of fashions in color schemes and photo angles and typography and layouts; all manner of technological and economic considerations; etc. But there's also something ineffable and indefinable to it. I would adore a documentary series that steps through each decade of design and explores this, the way that The Story of Film does with cinema.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:39 PM on January 7, 2016
The thing about Damnation Alley was that that was what 20th Century Fox thought was going to be their big science fiction film of 1977.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:40 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:40 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
I clicked the link and the first thing I saw was a shirtless Patrick Duffy -- on the cover of his own novel no less!
AAAA+++++++++++++ would SPACE again!
posted by slogger at 1:52 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
AAAA+++++++++++++ would SPACE again!
posted by slogger at 1:52 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, that Star Wars "shower of money" thing was drawn by John Severin, who was the main artist for Cracked decades before it became online listicle heaven. He's as closely associated with Cracked as Jack Davis was with MAD in the same era.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:54 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:54 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
We had standards back then...Not like the crap today
No, we had much different crap. Orange and brown, baby, orange and brown.
posted by eriko at 1:56 PM on January 7, 2016 [5 favorites]
No, we had much different crap. Orange and brown, baby, orange and brown.
posted by eriko at 1:56 PM on January 7, 2016 [5 favorites]
Surely a highly advanced futuristic society would have better options than polyester. I understand it after the apocalypse, when even the cockroaches might be wearing poly, but not when people have FTL ships and laser guns.
posted by Dip Flash at 2:00 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by Dip Flash at 2:00 PM on January 7, 2016
What, no Buck Rogers with Gil Gerard? I am disappointed. (Used to tune in to that one religiously, partly for the hilarious stories --- disco in space! --- and partly for drooling over the delectable Mr. Gerard....)
posted by easily confused at 2:17 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by easily confused at 2:17 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Holy Discontent! That Batgirl Equal Pay commercial makes me want to cry. WE STILL DON'T HAVE IT, BATGIRL. LET 'EM FRY.
posted by pjsky at 2:24 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by pjsky at 2:24 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Me, I went for Space: 1999, myself, which has horrendous scripts as bad as the worst Star Trek nonsense and science as bad as...well, everything did in the seventies, because science and science fiction were as at odds then as they are now, but god-fucking-ding-dong-damn if that shit didn't look exactly like the kind of world of the future I was hoping for. Punch the writers in the pants, but the art direction on Space: 1999 was as good as it got. Turns out that getting rid of the strings was a pretty good idea.
U.F.O. was almost there, though, and putting all the underwater dudes in net shirts, so nips and treasure trails were everywhere, was near-porn for a sci-fi faglet until Patrick Duffy came along (though, if I'm honest, Lucan got my heart on for the 1977-1978 TV season).
posted by sonascope at 2:42 PM on January 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
U.F.O. was almost there, though, and putting all the underwater dudes in net shirts, so nips and treasure trails were everywhere, was near-porn for a sci-fi faglet until Patrick Duffy came along (though, if I'm honest, Lucan got my heart on for the 1977-1978 TV season).
posted by sonascope at 2:42 PM on January 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
The space babes feature was a wrong move. I suppose it could have been done as a critique of the marginalization of women in the 70s, and if done well it would have been funny and entertaining, but no, unfortunately the write-ups are as stuck in the 70s as the characters.
Here's an example:
Born as Edmonda Benton in Ontario in 1957, the comely actress with astoundingly sexy legs appeared in a number of TV shows and films of interest to Space: 1970 fans during the late 70s and early 80s, including guest roles on Wonder Woman and The Powers Of Matthew Star. In 1978, she played Clea in the Dr. Strange TV movie. Apparently, she was one of the many young actresses that auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars, too. In '81, she changed her name to Anne-Marie Martin, and retired from acting only a few years later.
From 1987 to 2002, she was married to best-selling novelist (and Westworld creator) Michael Crichton. When the couple split up, she reportedly received a 31 million dollar settlement. Needless to say, she now lives a life of leisure, devoting much of her time to keeping and riding horses.
Really? REALLY? That's the way you have to describe her? We know she was cast in the 70s because they wanted sex appeal. We do or don't agree on her sexiness. Maybe she was an airhead, maybe she has a doctorate - we don't know, because LEGS. Why do the write-ups have to focus on that and what appears to be a thinly veiled insinuation about gold digging? Ugh...it's like that creepy old uncle that keeps saying cringe-worthy things every time he sees females in sports on the TV.
posted by Muddler at 2:49 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Here's an example:
Born as Edmonda Benton in Ontario in 1957, the comely actress with astoundingly sexy legs appeared in a number of TV shows and films of interest to Space: 1970 fans during the late 70s and early 80s, including guest roles on Wonder Woman and The Powers Of Matthew Star. In 1978, she played Clea in the Dr. Strange TV movie. Apparently, she was one of the many young actresses that auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars, too. In '81, she changed her name to Anne-Marie Martin, and retired from acting only a few years later.
From 1987 to 2002, she was married to best-selling novelist (and Westworld creator) Michael Crichton. When the couple split up, she reportedly received a 31 million dollar settlement. Needless to say, she now lives a life of leisure, devoting much of her time to keeping and riding horses.
Really? REALLY? That's the way you have to describe her? We know she was cast in the 70s because they wanted sex appeal. We do or don't agree on her sexiness. Maybe she was an airhead, maybe she has a doctorate - we don't know, because LEGS. Why do the write-ups have to focus on that and what appears to be a thinly veiled insinuation about gold digging? Ugh...it's like that creepy old uncle that keeps saying cringe-worthy things every time he sees females in sports on the TV.
posted by Muddler at 2:49 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yeah, the guy's gender politics are stuck so firmly in the past, I could almost wonder if that is part of the 1970s theme. But, no, I think they are not. I think he really is That Guy, and not merely committed to writing in a 1978 voice.
Punch the writers in the pants, but the art direction on Space: 1999 was as good as it got.
Indeed. This is, I think, the only science fiction onscreen in the 1970s that I would genuinely be excited to hear about a reboot. So much potential, such gorgeous production design, so many cheesy aliens and planklike performances.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:03 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Punch the writers in the pants, but the art direction on Space: 1999 was as good as it got.
Indeed. This is, I think, the only science fiction onscreen in the 1970s that I would genuinely be excited to hear about a reboot. So much potential, such gorgeous production design, so many cheesy aliens and planklike performances.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:03 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Since they mention 2001: A Space Odyssey there, I feel justified in bringing up the astonishing revelation that MGM had a marketing tie-in deal for 2001. With Howard Johnsons.
I can hardly wait for the year 2001 so I can be a space stewardess! sigh...
posted by Naberius at 3:04 PM on January 7, 2016
I can hardly wait for the year 2001 so I can be a space stewardess! sigh...
posted by Naberius at 3:04 PM on January 7, 2016
easily confused: "What, no Buck Rogers with Gil Gerard? I am disappointed. (Used to tune in to that one religiously, partly for the hilarious stories --- disco in space! --- and partly for drooling over the delectable Mr. Gerard....)"
You seem to have misspelled "Erin Gray in ridiculously tight spandex", but other than that I'll stipulate.
posted by Sphinx at 3:06 PM on January 7, 2016 [6 favorites]
You seem to have misspelled "Erin Gray in ridiculously tight spandex", but other than that I'll stipulate.
posted by Sphinx at 3:06 PM on January 7, 2016 [6 favorites]
Sphinx: I had just typed "Eponysterical because Erin Gray." but you beat me to it.
posted by The Bellman at 3:09 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by The Bellman at 3:09 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
So much potential, such gorgeous production design, so many cheesy aliens and planklike performances.
Barbara Bain was what you'd get if a Valium tablet met the Blue Fairy.
posted by sonascope at 3:19 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Barbara Bain was what you'd get if a Valium tablet met the Blue Fairy.
posted by sonascope at 3:19 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
ricochet biscuit, you heard about the "Space: 2099" show that ITV Studios has been shopping around for a few years?
posted by hanov3r at 3:25 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hanov3r at 3:25 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Surely a highly advanced futuristic society would have better options than polyester
In the 50s, nylon was the wonder-material symbolizing wealth and success to be displayed ostentatiously... and date horribly.
Today, carbon-fibre is the wonder-material symbolizing wealth and success to be displayed ostentatiously... and destined to date horribly...
posted by anonymisc at 3:29 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
In the 50s, nylon was the wonder-material symbolizing wealth and success to be displayed ostentatiously... and date horribly.
Today, carbon-fibre is the wonder-material symbolizing wealth and success to be displayed ostentatiously... and destined to date horribly...
posted by anonymisc at 3:29 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
This mostly makes me realize/remember how starved we were for science fiction.
Science fiction was almost entirely books - there were almost no films, and that handful of SF movies and shows that did exist, they contained even fewer gems. There were gems, yes, but you'd already seen them. Many times.
The crap-to-excellent ratio might not have changed since then, but 40+ more years of studio productions of hits and misses has accumulated into a much fatter catalogue of good films and shows.
Science fiction must be a different experience for Kids These Days. You probably don't even need books. (Though that'd be selling yourself short)
In fact, come to think of it, most of the "big" SF books back then... they already are movies and TV series today.
posted by anonymisc at 3:37 PM on January 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
Science fiction was almost entirely books - there were almost no films, and that handful of SF movies and shows that did exist, they contained even fewer gems. There were gems, yes, but you'd already seen them. Many times.
The crap-to-excellent ratio might not have changed since then, but 40+ more years of studio productions of hits and misses has accumulated into a much fatter catalogue of good films and shows.
Science fiction must be a different experience for Kids These Days. You probably don't even need books. (Though that'd be selling yourself short)
In fact, come to think of it, most of the "big" SF books back then... they already are movies and TV series today.
posted by anonymisc at 3:37 PM on January 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
easily confused: "What, no Buck Rogers with Gil Gerard"......
Oh, there's plenty o' Buck
escape from the potato planet: That John Severin Empire Strikes Back Cracked magazine cover is from December 1980, so it missed the 1970s by almost a year.
posted by acroyear at 4:32 PM on January 7, 2016
Oh, there's plenty o' Buck
escape from the potato planet: That John Severin Empire Strikes Back Cracked magazine cover is from December 1980, so it missed the 1970s by almost a year.
posted by acroyear at 4:32 PM on January 7, 2016
I have a late 70s Yamaha recurve bow (a YTSL2). It's so perfectly 70s space-age that it brings a smile to my face every time I see it. And yes, it's orange, brown and cream.
posted by pipeski at 4:32 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by pipeski at 4:32 PM on January 7, 2016
I've been checking in on this blog since around the time he started, and I still check in for his semi-irregular updates. It's great, Space Babes and all.
This image could only have been created in the 1970s.
Well, more likely the early 1980s.
posted by Mezentian at 6:15 PM on January 7, 2016
This image could only have been created in the 1970s.
Well, more likely the early 1980s.
posted by Mezentian at 6:15 PM on January 7, 2016
Well, more likely the early 1980s.
The 80's didn't start until 1982.
Anything before 1982 - music, fashion, culture, art, politics - is for all intents and purposes, still the 70s.
(Similarly, most people I've hashed this out with agree that the 90's started in '93 (With Nirvana often considered the cultural marker point). The 90's ended in 2001 on 9/11, etc)
Just thought I'd drop that in here. Putting your finger on the exact date is a fun party discussion, should you ever need to pull one out of a hat :)
posted by anonymisc at 6:24 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
The 80's didn't start until 1982.
Anything before 1982 - music, fashion, culture, art, politics - is for all intents and purposes, still the 70s.
(Similarly, most people I've hashed this out with agree that the 90's started in '93 (With Nirvana often considered the cultural marker point). The 90's ended in 2001 on 9/11, etc)
Just thought I'd drop that in here. Putting your finger on the exact date is a fun party discussion, should you ever need to pull one out of a hat :)
posted by anonymisc at 6:24 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Retrostar! The RPG for cheesy, 1970s SF television series.
posted by newdaddy at 6:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by newdaddy at 6:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Oh, man.... Retrostar! That hits the spot. Doesn't seem to have been updated in a while though.
posted by Mezentian at 8:27 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by Mezentian at 8:27 PM on January 7, 2016
Excellent. Now somebody tell me there's a tumblr of brown leather jackets in science fiction...
posted by TheophileEscargot at 10:40 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by TheophileEscargot at 10:40 PM on January 7, 2016
I sat through so many boring sci-fi shows and movies that I just barely liked back then, just because I was hungry for something with science fiction or superheroes in it. Kids today don't know how great they got it.
posted by straight at 1:07 AM on January 8, 2016
posted by straight at 1:07 AM on January 8, 2016
anonymisc: Precisely. The 60's ended towards the first quarter of 1972.
posted by Chitownfats at 2:16 AM on January 8, 2016
posted by Chitownfats at 2:16 AM on January 8, 2016
Silent Running man, that movie blew my mind.
Okay, I read that as Silent Running Man for a moment, leading me to imagine a bizarre crossover, probably involving Arnold Schwarzenegger fighting off a carnivorous beach ball at some point.
posted by Four Ds at 8:49 AM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Okay, I read that as Silent Running Man for a moment, leading me to imagine a bizarre crossover, probably involving Arnold Schwarzenegger fighting off a carnivorous beach ball at some point.
posted by Four Ds at 8:49 AM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Anything before 1982 - music, fashion, culture, art, politics - is for all intents and purposes, still the 70s.
I don't know what you're even talking about. There's a whole decade in between the two.
posted by webmutant at 8:55 AM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
I don't know what you're even talking about. There's a whole decade in between the two.
posted by webmutant at 8:55 AM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
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