April 2, 1968
On this day in Horror History, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey
premiered in Washington D.C. Perhaps one of the most compelling yet
misunderstood of Kubrick’s career, the science fiction mystery has
embedded itself in cultural infamy as well as cinematic history. Being
the last film to depict a lunar landing prior to the Apollo Mission
where Armstrong had taken the first steps,
the controversy was only fueled by Kubricks attention to detail and
beautiful film making. Often used as a point of reference for those who
believed that the United States did not land an Astronaut on the moon,
it is widely believed that Kubrick’s film landed him as a correspondent
in one of the biggest conspiracy theories of all time. Further proof of
the movie’s impact on society, NASA named a Mars orbiter: 2001 Mars
Odyssey, and had previously used the call sign “Odyssey” for the Command
Module on the ill fated Apollo 13 mission.
Is this proof of
some greater unknown behind one of the most dynamically stellar films of
the modern era? ... In the words of Writer Arthur C. Clarke "If you
understand '2001' completely, we failed. We wanted to raise far more
questions than we answered."
“Good day, gentlemen. This is a
prerecorded briefing made prior to your departure and which for security
reasons of the highest importance has been known on board during the
mission only by your H-A-L 9000 computer. Now that you are in Jupiter's
space and the entire crew is revived it can be told to you. Eighteen
months ago the first evidence of intelligent life off the Earth was
discovered. It was buried 40 feet below the lunar surface near the
crater Tycho. Except for a single very powerful radio emission aimed at
Jupiter the four-million year old black monolith has remained completely
inert. Its origin and purpose are still a total mystery.” Dr. Floyd
March 7, 1999
On this day in Horror
History, the world lost Stanley Kubrick. Perhaps one of the most
influential and visionary film-makers of all time, Kubrick’s brilliance
poured into ever cinematic masterpiece he ever made. Having lent his
genius to such classics as The Shining (1980), A Clockwork Orange
(1971), and Full Metal Jacket (1987), Seven of his last nine films were
nominated for Oscars and he personally was nominated for Best Director
four consecutive times.
The beauty and boundless radiance
within Kubrick and each of his films was and will always be monumental
in the hearts of those who have been captivated by his legacy. The world
was blessed to have Kubrick share himself with each of us, and through
his works we will never forget the legend of cinematic history.
“There's something inherently wrong with the human personality. There's
an evil side to it. One of the things that horror stories can do is to
show us the archetypes of the unconscious: we can see the dark side
without having to confront it directly. Also, ghost stories appeal to
our craving for immortality. If you can be afraid of a ghost, then you
have to believe that a ghost may exist. And if a ghost exists, then
oblivion might not be the end.” –Stanley Kubrick
Part 2
March 7, 1933
On this day in Horror History, King Kong premiered in New York City at
the Radio City Music Hall. The timeless classic that had went through
countless name changes during production including "The Beast”, "The
Eighth Wonder", "The Ape", "King Ape" and "Kong", has become a vivid and
immortal piece of cinematic history. King Kong, one of the most
lucrative films of RKO Radio Pictures catalog,
was also credited as the film that would ultimately save the company
from bankruptcy during the great depression, and would hold many records
with box office sales that would dwarf other blockbusters for decades
to come.
As for our legendary giant gorilla, brought to the
forsaken city of New York... It was his roar which was a lion's and a
tiger's roar combined and run backwards that would captivate audiences
from around the globe, even becoming the favorite film of Adolf Hitler.
From a time when it was mandated that every movie monster had to die by
the end of the film, the 40 lives that were lost by the misunderstood
monster and the tragic fate that would befall him will always be one of
the most adored films of all time.
“And now, ladies and
gentlemen, before I tell you any more, I'm going to show you the
greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in
the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive - a
show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong, the
Eighth Wonder of the World. “ -Carl Denham
