The Abbotsford Film Society (AFS) screens the science fiction classic Forbidden Planet on Friday, Jan. 31.
Directed by Fred Wilcox, Forbidden Planet is considered one of the gems of the golden age of science fiction cinema.
As America emerged from the aftermath of the Second World War and the rise of McCarthyism, the 1950s became an era governed by fear of the other. Films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day The Earth Stood Still, It Came From Outer Space and dozens more all played on those fears.
AFS president Aaron Dawson says Forbidden Planet stands out among these because of both its content and for the way it was created.
“Many consider Forbidden Planet to be a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest,” he said, adding that MGM Studios treated the creation of the film like an A movie.
“They shot it in Eastmancolor, on huge studio stages, and in CinemaScope. The studio hired Disney animator Joshua Meador to create the monster, all done with hand-drawn animation.”
The film stars Walter Pidgeon and Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen. It also features Robby the Robot who is more than a movie prop; the robot shows distinct personality and is a supporting character in the script.
Forbidden Planet was the first film of any genre to use an entirely electronic musical score.
“It’s a really important film for any science fiction fan,” Dawson says.
“It is nothing like the science fiction of today but there’s no doubt that Forbidden Planet and others of its day were films that influenced the likes of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.”
The screening takes place at The Banquet Room (3471 Clearbrook Rd.). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the film starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $7 at the door or in advance at abbotsfordfilmsociety.com.
