Theme Week!
Glen Larson TV projects that ended up on the Big Screen!
Battlestar Galactica (Universal Studios, 1978)
The three hour (with commercials) TV pilot got chopped down to two hours and released to theaters. I love this show - so I'm good with either version. Note - this poster was for theaters that were not equipped for Sensurround - as that crazy gimmick sound system is not all over the top third of the poster - as previous versions featured here at the blog were.
Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack (Universal Studios, 1979)
I guess the chopped down pilot movie did okay in theaters, because the next year Universal took the two part episode The Living Legend - with guest star Lloyd Bridges - and blended it with another episode called Fire in Space for a second theatrical release. I've seen this cobbled together edition one time - it's neat to think of these TV episodes playing movie theaters.
Buck Rogers (Universal Studios, 1979)
After the extra money from Batttlestar Galactica's pilot made its way into Universal Studios' coffers - they decided to launch their Buck Rogers series on the Big Screen first - so another Glen Larson TV show pilot got a theatrical release in the same two year period. Note - a lot of reviews from back in the day say this show uses a lot of the by-that-time cancelled BG's hardware for their effects - but Galactica was an ABC show and Buck was an NBC show - and I don't remember seeing any recycled footage, props, or effects in Buck Rogers. Can anyone tell me different?
Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!
Great post Craig - my wife was delighted when I showed it to her over breakfast this morning. She was a huge Battlestar Galactica fan, where as I've never seen it (or the recent re-boot, either). Love the poster design on these, I'm definitely going to have to check out the series. Good work on spreading joy to an Irish breakfast!
ReplyDeleteAw I'm really very thrilled to hear I was a topic of conversation at an Irish breakfast table! I really do love the old show, warts and all - and if you and the Mrs. are interested - here's a full post reviewing that theatrical movie version of the pilot:
Deletehttp://craiglgooh.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-2011-z-blogging-challenge-v-is.html
Cheers!
Excellent, thanks for the link - I'll give it a read shortly. I'm going to add the original series to my summer viewing!
DeleteBattlestar and Buck were two of the formative Sci-Fi shows of my youth. Great stuff Craig.
ReplyDeleteMe too - thanks, Maurice!
DeleteI never saw the TV shows or films, but I love the poster art! Dynamic, strong, bold, colorful! They make me want to watch the films! Great post, Craig. I always learn something new.
ReplyDeleteThank you Luana! I'm pleased you're back knocking around the Blogosphere!
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