Oddball Films presents The Future is Fuzzy - Science Fiction Strangeness with a whole star fleet of science fiction weirdness on 16mm film with works by heavy-hitters Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. A ship full of cat-faced and wookie-esque aliens attempt to save the people of Earth before the sun explodes, but maybe it's them that need the saving in the utterly ridiculous Clarke adaptation Rescue Party (1978). In the future, technology can bring forward a neanderthal boy, but just because it can, does that mean it should? Find out in Isaac Asimov's Ugly Little Boy (1977). Meet Trogmoffy, an orange fuzzy alien from Saturn who has come to Earth to learn proper grammar in the terrifying children's primer The Adventures of Trogmoffy: Rescue on a Strange Planet (1971). Ray Bradbury's Zero Hour (1978) counts down to an alien invasion with the help of a gaggle of creepy children and their interactive board game. To add some animation to our insanity, there is the Chuck Jones classic (in pristine Technicolor perfection) Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century (1952) and the baffling human lip-synced Space Angel - The Gladiators (1964). With the exception of Duck Dodgers, all films are unavailable on home video or the internet, so watch 'em while you can!
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Featuring:
Rescue Party (Color, 1978)
A completely bonkers low-budget adaptation of the first story Arthur C. Clarke ever sold (in 1946). An intergalactic fleet of aliens has sent a rescue ship to try to save the people of Earth just hours before the sun is set to explode. Will these friendly cat-faced and wookie-looking aliens make it in time to save human civilization, or are the humans advancing at such a rate that its the aliens that need saving?
The fascination of time machines and the moral challenges of human beings confronting the possibilities of their power are two themes exploited in this adaptation of a short story by Isaac Asimov, celebrated master of the science fiction genre. Striking sets re-create the dome-like apparatus by which scientists have brought to earth a child from the Neanderthal age. Hungry for the invaluable data, scientists begin experiments and subject the boy to test after test. A nurse is sympathetic to the plight of her charge. Convinced of the human potential which will emerge if communication barriers can be surmounted, she is overjoyed to record his first spoken work. As the scientists prepare to return the boy to his original era in order to release the energy for a medieval specimen, the nurse makes a climactic decision. Stars Kate Reid and Barry Morse, with Guy Big.
Adventures of Trogmoffy: Rescue on a Strange Planet (Color, 1971)
The furry stuff of nightmares! Timmy and Margaret are just two kids out for a stroll in the woods when they come across something that would make most people scream, a giant orange fuzzy alien from Saturn named Trogmoffy. Instead of peeing their pants and running back home to tell the Weekly World News, Timmy and Margaret help the disgusting creature learn proper English grammar.
Zero Hour (Color, 1978)
A new batch of creepy children from Ray Bradbury. This adaptation centers around a little girl who is beyond excited to play her new game "Invasion" with her friends. As she rushes around, gathering supplies, the mother thinks little of it, but as the game continues to count down to zero hour; mom begins to wonder where this invasion is actually coming from and what will happen when the clock stops ticking.
Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century (Color, 1952, Chuck Jones)
An all-star classic from the legendary Chuck Jones in stunning Technicolor. Daffy Duck stars as space hero Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig as his assistant, and Marvin the Martian as his opponent. Duck Dodgers must search for a rare element, called Illudium Pohsdex (aka The Shaving Cream Atom), which can be obtained in the mysterious “Planet X.” Duck Dodgers is about to claim Planet X in the name of Earth, when it turns out that Marvin the Martian has also landed on the same planet. Duck Dodgers and the Martian battle it out, using various instruments of mass destruction-- after all of the explosion, there is no planet to claim. Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig and Marvin the Martian are left dangling from what is left of Planet X.
Space Angel #33: The Gladiators (1964, B&W)
One episode from a short animated series drawn by Alex Toth from 1962-1964. Don’t miss this ‘stellar’ battle between our tireless hero, Space Angel and a futuristic Roman gladiator. Complete with Coliseum (located on some other, obscure planet, of course), screaming, blood-thirsty masses and laser shooting ‘chariots’. Utilizing a combination of traditional drawn animation and the ”Synchro-Vox” lip synching technique; this is a rare treat from a short-lived series made during the height of the space age!