Comments on: I knew I’d gone straight when I didn’t go to Tony’s book launch…

By: walkinghometo50

walkinghometo50 — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:42:05 +0000

Ah John if only you knew! I’m writing some entries for a ‘Companion to Science Fiction Film Adaptation’ – I’ve drawn some 70-s dinosaur movies and… The Final Programme! I’ve watched it about 20 times now and listened to the director’s commentary all the way through – I am now technically insane.

Having said that it has some nice moments once you get past the general disappointment. I like the way he has a drink-holder in his car from which he swills Bells – with a stack of disposable plastic cups in it. And James Bond never had half eaten chocolate biscuits on the floor of his car. Plus I think I’m in love with Jenny Runacre…

By: john hee

john hee — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:59:50 +0000

Ah the Final Programme – try and track down the film that they (tried) to make from the book

Then you’ll see where the Austin Powers ideas all came from

By: Jozephine

Jozephine — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:19:25 +0000

My adolescence was enriched by the sci-fi collection my father left behind after he went off to start a new family. Perhaps reading it made me feel closer to him, I don’t know.

Anyway, instead of Jackie, I was reading Brian Aldiss, A E Van Vogt, Arthur C Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Philip Dick, John Wyndham and numerous others in short story collections.

I didn’t like Moorcock, I can’t remember why. Maybe it was too sexist for me even then. And that’s what is striking about this list, where are the women?

Recently I have loved listening to Ballard’s “The Flooded World” on Radio 7 Listen Again. It put me in mind of Will Self’s “The Book of Dave” which is a wonderful alternative universe.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.