Would You Still Be a Science Fiction Fan?

[Greg Cox]

More historical context: Remember, this was the era of the Space Race, the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, JFK, the moon landing, etc. It wasn't just about what imaginary sci-fi shows were on TV. Space exploration, astronauts, blast-offs and landings. . . those were all over the news and culture back then.

We drank Tang (the drink of astronauts!), ate our Space Food Sticks, and played with our "Major Matt Mason" astronaut toys and action figures. Star Trek and Lost in Space and 2001: A Space Odyssey were part of that whole zeitgeist; they didn't create it.

Back in the sixties, we all figured we'd have moon colonies by now . . .

 

[Spock's Barber]

And in the 1950's many sci-fi movies objective seemed to be space travel to Mars.

 

[Nerys Myk]

We drank Tang (the drink of astronauts!), ate our Space Food Sticks, and played with our "Major Matt Mason" astronaut toys and action figures. Star Trek and Lost in Space and 2001: A Space Odyssey were part of that whole zeitgeist; they didn't create it.

Wow, it's like you lived my life!

 

[Gojira]

I was a fan of Godzilla since 68 when I was 5. Then came superheroes many other shows and movies. Science-Fiction is in my blood it's who I am. I have always gravitated toward Science-Fiction. Can't imagine my life without Star Trek but Science-Fiction will always be in my life.

 

[1001001]

More historical context: Remember, this was the era of the Space Race, the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, JFK, the moon landing, etc. It wasn't just about what imaginary sci-fi shows were on TV. Space exploration, astronauts, blast-offs and landings. . . those were all over the news and culture back then.

We drank Tang (the drink of astronauts!), ate our Space Food Sticks, and played with our "Major Matt Mason" astronaut toys and action figures. Star Trek and Lost in Space and 2001: A Space Odyssey were part of that whole zeitgeist; they didn't create it.

Back in the sixties, we all figured we'd have moon colonies by now . . .

Oh my GOD! I loved those Space Sticks. I couldn't get enough of them.

 

[Spock's Barber]

I was a fan of Godzilla since 68 when I was 5.

Funniest Godzilla movie I've ever seen was Son of Godzilla.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Star Trek became the biggest thing for me, but before that I was completely wrapped up in the Apollo program as a little boy, and getting Major Matt Mason toys for Christmas. Watching Lost in Space reruns after school became a ritual even after I'd seen them all, because the characters, hardware, and John Williams music scores were so good.

Then I started watching Star Trek and snapping up the James Blish ST books and so forth.

Then came the movies: Fantastic Voyage, Planet of the Apes, The Omega Man, Silent Running, on and on. And other sci-fi TV shows, especially The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. And I read a lot of novels.

So Star Trek didn't come first, and it was never the whole universe, but it became the crown jewel.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Watching Lost in Space reruns after school became a ritual even after I'd seen them all, because the characters, hardware, and John Williams music scores were so good.

In some ways the strained relationship between Major West and Dr. Smith reminded me of the McCoy-Spock interactions.

 

[Greg Cox]

Wow, it's like you lived my life!

And did you read Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine and build Aurora Plastic Models of Frankenstein and Dracula and that crowd?

 

[Vger23]

I doubt it, especially given what passes for science fiction nowadays. I can't stand most sub-genre stuff (like LOTR and Superhero movies). I really only like space sci-fi (and a little of the post-apocalyptic sub genre), and that was born from Trek.

So, I'd say probably not...at least not like I am today.

 

[Amaris]

Heaven forbid, but if TOS had never made it to television form and the Star Trek franchise ended before it took off, would you still be a serious science fiction fan with only a few other sci-fi shows on the air during the 1960's?

Yes. Before I had ever watched Star Trek, as a child, I had read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The War of the Worlds. It was inevitable.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Yes. Before I had ever watched Star Trek, as a child, I had read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The War of the Worlds. It was inevitable.

The motion pictures made of those 2 novels are still fantastic.

 

[Nerys Myk]

And did you read Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine and build Aurora Plastic Models of Frankenstein and Dracula and that crowd?

I always wanted those models. I'd see the ads in comics, but I never took the plunge.

 

[Noname Given]

Heaven forbid, but if TOS had never made it to television form and the Star Trek franchise ended before it took off, would you still be a serious science fiction fan with only a few other sci-fi shows on the air during the 1960's?

Oh please. With great shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits" <--- As a kid I saw and loved many episodes of those before I ever saw an episode of 'Star Trek'.

Plus, the many good science fiction films like:
"When Worlds Collide"
"War of the Worlds"
"This Island Earth"
"Forbidden Planet"
^^^
Again as a kid those got me interested in science fiction (and space-based science fiction) before I laid my eyes on an episode of Star Trek or Lost in Space. The idea the film and TV science fiction fandom somehow started with 'Star Trek', or that 'Star trek' was the first real adult themed science fiction series on TV is ridiculous.

 

[Amaris]

The motion pictures made of those 2 novels are still fantastic.

Yes! I love Disney's 20,000 Leagues, and George Pal's The War of the Worlds still remains two of my favorite sci-fi films ever made. Of course, also in the top of that list is Pal's The Time Machine.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Yes! I love Disney's 20,000 Leagues, and George Pal's The War of the Worlds still remains two of my favorite sci-fi films ever made. Of course, also in the top of that list is Pal's The Time Machine.

Yes, George Pal made some great movies. A totally underrated director and producer.

 

[Refuge]

Only the campy science fiction. I wasn't allowed to watch Dr. Who. My brother and I would hide behind the couch and watch whatever we could get away with. Saw some Doctor Who, unfortunately Coronation Street was usually on..

I still don't like horror science fiction.

 

[Amaris]

Yes, George Pal made some great movies. A totally underrated director and producer.

I was just reading up on him a bit, and I didn't know this, but he also produced Destination Moon!

 

[Spock's Barber]

I was just reading up on him a bit, and I didn't know this, but he also produced Destination Moon!

Yes. You beat me to the post. Another great Pal movie.

 

[Amaris]

Yes. You beat me to the post. Another great Pal movie.

On a side note, he was the creator of Tubby the Tuba, a personal childhood favorite. ♥
His creation is so indelibly impressed upon me, that I can't even mention Tubby without hearing those musical notes in my head.