Shanks (1974) Direction: William Castle Cast: Marcel Marceau, Tsilla Chelton, Philippe Clay, Cindy Eilbacher, Larry Bishop, Don Calfa Screenplay: Ranald Graham Oscar Movies Schlock-master William Castle's Shanks, a little-known curiosity piece, is the story (written by Ranald Graham) of Malcolm Shanks, a deaf-mute puppeteer who leaves his abusive family to go to work for the creator of a device that brings the dead back to life. Shortly after sharing his secrets with the puppeteer, the scientist dies. Since pantomimist Marcel Marceau stars as both the deaf-mute and the scientist, Shanks offers precious little dialogue. In fact, long stretches of the film have no speech at all. And with title cards to connect the scenes, Shanks plays almost like a silent movie. It's really too bad it wasn't filmed in black and white. In this dream-like fantasy, Shanks continues the resuscitation process on the scientist himself. But instead of a complete resurrection,...
- 3/21/2011
- by Danny Fortune
- Alt Film Guide
Gene Roddenberry spent the 1970s attempting to create new series and while many got as far the pilot film, none ever went to series. By the end of the decade he was frustrated and gave up, tying himself to Star Trek, riding that cash cow to the end of his life.
His first attempt was 1973’s Genesis II, a take on post-apocalyptic life on Earth, starring Alex Cord as Dylan Hunt (a name that got recycled). The CBS movie of the week looked good and almost made the schedule when the network opted instead for Planet of the Apes. Roddenberry continued to rework the notion, revising it into Planet Earth, and switching from CBS and Cord to ABC and then rising action star John Saxon. After that aired and failed, Roddenberry wisely walked away from the idea in favor of Questor and Spectre.
Others, though, didn’t give up and...
His first attempt was 1973’s Genesis II, a take on post-apocalyptic life on Earth, starring Alex Cord as Dylan Hunt (a name that got recycled). The CBS movie of the week looked good and almost made the schedule when the network opted instead for Planet of the Apes. Roddenberry continued to rework the notion, revising it into Planet Earth, and switching from CBS and Cord to ABC and then rising action star John Saxon. After that aired and failed, Roddenberry wisely walked away from the idea in favor of Questor and Spectre.
Others, though, didn’t give up and...
- 5/21/2010
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
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