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Alliance, OH 44601
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CAPSULE COMMENTS
October 11, 2007
Aliens Invade Earth!
The following audio/visual materials are available to library patrons and may be checked out from the main library.
Made in 1951 this is one of the first films to portray aliens from space as advanced saviors rather than menacing monsters. Klaatu lands in Washington accompanied by a huge robot armed with an awesome death ray as well as capabilities far beyond anything Earth has ever seen. His mission is a peaceful one, but only a few Earthers will hear him out. Most react with mistrust, fear, and violence, leading Klaatu to demonstrate his unearthly powers in a mind-boggling lesson for all.
The Library owns this title in both VHS and DVD.
Evil Emperor Ming of Mongo is at it again and again Flash Gordon and Dale Arden go to the rescue – this time of their friend Barin, whose kingdom is being threatened by Ming’s heat projectiles. On Mongo, Flash is able to extinguish the heat projectiles by using one of Dr. Zarkov’s contra-thermal units. However Ming the merciless has plans far more devastating in store and even threatens to send a rocket ship full of explosives to Earth! First filmed in 1940, this VHS stars Buster Crabbe.
Scientist Meacham puts together a futuristic videophone device from parts he finds in an odd catalog and soon finds himself a "guest" in a secluded mansion in Georgia along with other top researchers in atomic energy, one of whom is a former girlfriend. Thinking that they are helping an alien civilization restore their war-torn planet, the scientists co-operate at first.
As it turns out their "host," Morrow, is an advance agent for invasion from the planet Metaluna. Metaluna has indeed been destroyed by its enemies but far from seeking to restore their world, the Metalunans are looking for completely new real estate – Earth looks good to them but they’re going to have to do something about the pesky natives.
The Library owns this title in DVD format.
WAR OF THE WORLDS, by H. G. Wells
This book was first published as a novel in 1898 and was one of a number of novels which Wells called "scientific romances." In 1938 it was broadcast as radio theater and caused wide-spread panic in a people struggling out of the Great Depression and looking at world war looming on the horizon. The movie, made in 1953, was the last word in special effects in its day.
The venue has changed from London to California and from the 19th to the 20th century, and the aliens have changed from bodiless heads borne in huge tripods to flitting flying saucers but the story line remains essentially the same.
Martians have arrived and are zapping the world's population. Their spaceships are protected by invisible shields which no missile can penetrate. Humans are helpless. Doomsday is nearing. Ah, but the planet still has a trick up its sleeve…as it were.
The Library owns this title in print, sound cassette, VHS and DVD.
