“… and when Worlds Collide, said George Pal to his bride, I’m gonna give you some terrible thrills…” -Lyrics from the title song of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.
I must share these recently uncovered pics from the George Pal 1951 classic. The effects work won an Academy award. These sequences were shot at Paramount.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Worlds_Collide_(film)
Thanks to Gary Kerr for the pics, and for fixing my punctuation!
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Outstanding pictures.
What year was this film made?
Aren’t they just wonderful shots. Such incredible detail over the entire scale set.
Thanks Doug for another excellent post.
I enjoy whenever you post behind-the-sceen photos of my favourite screen Starship models. Each time you do I am reminded of a Stanley Kubrik exhibtion of film props I went to in Melbourne (Australia) three years back, which I took my two partners-in-crime along to, my daughters (then aged 6 and 1 & 1/2 years).
Besides all the fun we had sneaking sit downs in those wonderful pink seats from the Space Station “cafe”in 2001 and looking at the astronaut costumes (which look real up close!) the highlight for me was standing beneath the filming model of the “Discovery One” from 2001. Just massive, I think in 1/35 scale but forget the actual model length.
Kind of surreal to stand so close to an model I was so familiar with from film.
Anyway, your posts provide a simliar sense of “being there” with some of these amazing sci-fi creations.
Thanks again
Mark
What an incredible find! I have George Pal’s “The War of the Worlds” queued up to watch, so this is an interesting coincidence. “Destination Moon” is a favorite as well.
Mark A-C, I am envious of your visit to the Stanley Kubrick Exhibition, but I am afraid the Discovery you stood under could not have been the original filming miniature, as it was infamously destroyed once the movie had wrapped. It was more than likely one of “Captain Cardboard’s” stunning recreations. Google will turn him up pronto.
Of all the 50’s sci fi films, I think of this one the most,and strangely often. I guess because of it’s global implications. Would’nt be awesome if we could take all the worlds financial swindlers load ‘em up and send them on their way in ths fashion? Anyone know if there is a remake planned?
Hi L.M. Oliver,
Thanks for your prompt reply to my comment.
Not to nit-pick, but as I remember reading, Kubrick did order all the sets and props destroyed, but some were salvaged, including the Discovery One model.
Just had a read on Wikipedia for this film, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_(film), (Wiki-the source of all knowledge?) and under the heading “Sequels, offshoots and adaptations” also says the 79-inch (201 cm) was salvaged. This may be incorrect, but the exhibition did come from the Kubrick Estate in Zurich, and in the liner notes said the model on display was the actual filming miniature used for 2001. I guess the estate of Mr. Kubrick would know.
Anyway, it was a fantastic exhibition showcasing 11 of Stanley Kubrick’s films, but 2001 did represent the film with the largest amount of props, costumes, miniatures, storyboards, etc on display. If it comes your way go see it.
Thanks for the feedback
Mark
Mark, if the Discovery One did somehow escape the fate of its fellow miniatures, that’s a revelatory piece of information. As far as I know, however, “Capt. Cardboard” provided one of his replicas to the Exhibition. I will e-mail him to confirm this information. As far as the claim on Wikipedia of the Discovery being re-used in an altered form on “Space: 1999″ – well that’s a persistent rumor that probably arose due to one of master modelmaker Martin Bower’s many hommages to the spacecraft of “2001.”
The only miniature I know of that came close to being salvaged was Space Station V, which a British schoolboy spotted in a rubbish tip while bicycling home. When he returned the next day, ’twas gone. His heartbreaking photographs of the decomposing Station survive.
Hoping that you are right,
L.M.
L.M., What a sad story for the British schoolboy!!
Well, your explaination rings true, but either way it was a fantastic model (and very large) of the Discovery One. Kudos to your friend Captain Cardboard if he is the gent behind the model I saw.
Thanks for your response, this site is just full of useful info for us Starship enthusiasts.
Cheers,
Mark
Was there not another Discovery made for the movie 2010? Is it possible that is the model that was displayed?
Great pictures of a classic Doug. I too look forward to seeing what you post and the behind-the-scenes pictures are my favorite. Keep it up!
Mark, the good Captain confirmed that the Discovery is in fact one of his. It is also somewhat larger than you remember, measuring in at 11′. (“Once I caught a spaceship THIS big…”)
Will, there were a couple of new Discoveries made for 2010, a film which happens to be celebrating its 25th Anniversary tonight at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
Doug, I didn’t mean to monopolize this post. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
I have seen ‘When Worlds Collide’ on tv back in the day. It was as magical then as it is now. George Pal was an innovator and a genius with a great eye.
my nerd alert just went off the charts!
WOW that was fabulous Doug!!! :O
WWC has been one of my lifelong staples of must-see a zillion times over films… Pal and Bonestell together again.
thank you for posting these!
Aurore
One of my favorite movies from the 50s. These pics are awesome!
When I was pounding the pavement in the late 70s in L.A. (on a scouting trip from Connecticut), I was fortunate enough to meet with George Pal for a short time in his office on the Paramount lot. I might be mistaken, but I think it was the same office Gene Roddenberry eventually occupied during TNG. Pal was a complete gentleman, gracious and patient with this punk SF illustrator from the east coast. We got to talking about his space films, of course, and he showed me some pre-production art from “Voyage of the Berg,” a film which he was trying to get made about towing a giant iceberg to where fresh water was needed most. Fascinating stuff, and I’m glad I had a chance to meet him. Like a lot of folks, I grew up watching those great old films on TV; later at conventions, on VHS, on laserdisc, and now again on DVD. When Worlds Collide is supposedly slated to be remade, but even with its 50s style and some obvious FX flaws, the original is still a classic.
Nice pics – this summer I found the WWC DVD in a $2 bin at Big Lots while on vacation in Idaho. Now that Journey To The Far Side of The Sun is being re-released on DVD I’ll be able to stock my collection with movies I remembered from when I was a kid.
Now see, 2nd only to E, 50’s-style rocketships are like honey to the bee’s knees for me and posting them is like a Jezebel to my day. I gotta go lie down now. No, for Gad’s sake, get up man! Now, go build your shuttle.
Thanks a peach Doug.
PPL,
deg
PS. Ahhhh *sigh* WWC… Kids, that’s *how* it was done. word.
Boy this really takes me back to Saturday afternoons watching classic sci-fi movies like “Destination Moon”, “The Time Travelers” and, of course, “When Worlds Collide”. I love ‘em all!
Some of the Space Suit costumes from 2001 survived, as well. Some were re-used in Babylon 5.
Sorry but the B5 ones were recreations from 2010.
Oh wow Rick, that is too friggin’ cool, you met Pal himself. Wow!
And wait, they threw the 2001 models out into the trash??? For a any school-boy to ride by?
Holy Jeepers Martians and Jupiter 2! That’s surreal to even think about at this point. Forget taking pictures I would hauled it home in my Radio Flyer on the spot if I saw any of those models! I don’t care how big they were either, I would made multi-trips need be and had my brother stand watch in between hauls.
For the love of all that’s sacred in sci-fi, 2001 models sittin’ in the trash. I have to go lie down now.
My mind is going… There’s no question about it… I can feel it… I can feel it… I’m afraid… Daisy… Daisy…
PLL,
deg
PS. I just saw Dave (Keir Dullea) on Caatle the other night too. Long time no see eh.
Since Doug made this post, I seem to have gone mad watching vintage Sci Fi movies. In the last two weeks I have watched “When Worlds Collide”, “2001″, “Forbidden Planet”, “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “Metropolis” and “Black Hole”. Next I may break out my collection of Flash Gordon serials. Good stuff!
There’s just something about the von Braun V-2 rocket design that screams “space history” to me. WWC remains one of the best space opera movies I’ve ever seen.
Mo! Where ya been?
Busy with freelance, then down with flu, Mr. D. Trying to catch up. My email inbox is at three digits and counting. It’s all too much.
Gentlemen,
Did the Ark from WWC have landing gear. Notice the last photo,
at the bottom of the belly, there seems to be something there
and it appears in the movie in the final landing scene. Thanks
Doug for posting those excellent photos.
Ted
Hi Ted! I’m fairly certain that the Ark had gear.