Calvin's Canadian Cave of Coolness: Fritz Lang

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Fritz Lang - Metropolis (1927)

8 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...: Great special effects for its time.; September 1, 2013 at 6:43 PM
Erik Johnson Illustrator said...: A golden age of special effects I'd say, between this and King Kong, the sights on the screen in the '30s must have been fantastic!

I'd love to see these drawings side by side with the actual film.; September 1, 2013 at 7:14 PM
Kal said...: I know I was mezmerized when I first saw this in film school. It was a revelation.; September 1, 2013 at 7:16 PM
Erik Johnson Illustrator said...: I first saw in back in the dorm during my freshman year of college, I had heard of it for years, but never seen it so I got a VHS tape from the library (this was during the transition from VHS to DVD so if there was a popular title you were after, just go straight for the tapes because no one was renting those anymore) Had the whole weekend but didn't get around to watching it until Sunday night when all the guys went out to a Super Bowl party and didn't invite me. Their loss.

I currently have the 2010 DVD copy which restored the lost footage they found in Argentina, but since I opted for the cheap-o version it doesn't have any special features.

The transformation of Maria to robot is still mesmerizing. Even if I don't have time to watch the whole movie, I'm going to see if I can find that scene on YouTube right now.; September 1, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Kal said...: See that is what you should write about. Metropolis. Use your research skills to find some of the coolest pics. Can't see to many posts about that movie.; September 1, 2013 at 7:34 PM
Erik Johnson Illustrator said...: I'm really regretting not doing a post all about Maria for the League's "Robot" theme a month ago. As soon as I find time for a refresher viewing, I'm sure I'll come up with something as I do have a number of pictures from the comic adaptation that Mike Kaluta did.; September 1, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Dr. Theda said...: Great "behind the scenes" images from Fritz Lang's Classic... Never see these before good Sir Kal.... Great post as well...; September 4, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Dr. Theda said...: One of Forry J. Ackerman's favorite possessions was his life-sized version of her.... Think the Bob Burns and Crew made it for him...; September 4, 2013 at 2:33 PM

Calvin's Canadian Cave Of Cool Manifesto

I forever stand vigilant to protect this planet from the myriad of forces that are always against us. Be it the octopus, zombies, aliens or the robots my team of human agents, and our feline allies, circle the globe in a never ending struggle for human freedom.

I learn all I can on every subject that interests me. I especially enjoy ancient history because in the past there are valuable lessons to be found. Also, if I ever get my time machine to work properly, it would be good to know a bit about possible destinations and what to expect when I get there.

I greatly appreciate beautiful design. Be it manufactured or found naturally I am fascinated by the process of invention. I am attracted to the unique, the strange, the haunted. I like to share what I find on this blog.

And not let us forget the 'Cephalopod Menace' who, if allowed to, would wrap their tentacles around all that is good and pure in this life and crush it until it remained no more. They are creatures of pure spite. Hate is all they know. Death is all they do. They are our most ruthless and determined enemy.

So we fight. Selena has the celebrity contacts, the cat is ruthless and without pity, Roosevelt's ghost has the experience and I do the wetwork.

Fighting for the future of the planet doesn't have to be a chore, however. We can take the time to appreciate all that is cool in this world even as we cut the octopus into bite sized chunks.

This is the reason there has always been and must forever be, a Cave of Cool. Be sure to wipe your feet before you enter.