Gog (1954)

I recently saw a restored 3-D print of this film at MoMA and have to say I enjoyed it. It seems so much of it's time, when the Cold War was getting warmed up and interest in space exploration was taking hold of our collective imaginations. I loved the costumes, and of course the lead female scientist running around in heels, and that they thought radiation could only travel in a straight line and that just a turn of the corner would keep you safe. I imagine that I would not have enjoyed this film as much had I seen it in its original release in 1954, but given the chance to see it now in the 21st century I found it great fun!

First of all let me say the title of my review is not for the film itself but for the excellent blu-ray 3D edition that has returned the film its brightness. Superb colors, amazing 3d deepness quality. This IS true 3d and one of the best 3d restorations I have ever seen that is a joy for the viewer. This does not mean the film has other interests apart from the visual one. Filmed in George air force base near California, it has an interesting - and atypical for a sci-fi movie- plot. In fact, the opening scene in the cryogenic research lab. is one of the best frightening ones I have seen in movies. Do not expect monsters or aliens here but a more subliminal, whodunit mistery story that frightens in a more subtle, permanent way. I also like the fact that many scientific artifacts and tests done in the base are shown and briefly explained -although some of them are not too accuracy real like radiation travelling straight- like being in a sort of scientific tour. That probably will defraud viewers who expect a terror film, which is not, at least in its typical form: here, terror flows underneath. Ivan Tors, who wrote the script, was a sci-fi fan and avid reader of Scientific American, so he did not want to do a monster film but one scientifically accurated and with a realistic futuristic basis. The secret base where the action takes place is a sort Nasa precedent four years before it was created in 1958 developing a space station that enables man to live in space. And, by the way, it does not takes place in outer space -as both opening and ending titles may suggest- but in an underground base in the New Mexico desert. Nice job by Richard Egan as a security expert who comes to investigate several murders and sabotage in the base, Herbert Marshall as chief scientist and the rest of the cast, taking their roles seriously. If you have the chance to watch this film in a big 3D tv screen you will really enjoy it and I do strongly recommend it. Also not to miss the blu-ray 3D extras that include interesting interviews with director Herbert L. Strock explaining how he could film a 3D movie having monocular vision (like André de Toth, who also directed 3D movie House of wax) or finding Tors script too documentary toned, and with master 3D cameraman Lothrop Worth and a blink of the highly interesting restoration process (where not only the bright colors and deepness can be seen but also the editing process of removing film marks and stains or cutting unaccurate angle views such as hanging microphones seen by mistake and the difficulties finding left side negative print -that had been missing for years-and the hard process to manage matching it properly with the remaining right eye negative, since it was very deteriorated). You can see in NOVAC computer a precedent of Hal 2001. Not for everyone, you will enjoy this film if you prefer feeling frightened more than watching it. If you like this film you will probably enjoy Forbidden planet as well. As bonus, a rarely seen tandem-rotor McCulloch MC-4C helicopter appears in the film. One of the first movis with an helicoper in it. And finally, for those who are interested in ancient mithology and history, Gog and Magog ("the land of Gog") are respectively the names of the governor and the region linked in the genesis to the apochalipsis and final judgement. So you may have an idea of the roles they play in the film. Final note: in the original trailer -added as an extra in the 3D blu-ray edition- we can see an aparently deleted scene: chemist scientist fiancée approaching her stealthily. By the way, guess who put the atomic powder in the device?

I Remember seeing the right eye print of Gog on t.c.m. years ago.It was rather slow moving.Today I finally got to see the film in it's restored 3D version on Blu-ray.It was ratio at 1.66:1 ratio.The story is very intellectual,so, there is strong character development and barley any actions.It came from out space had minimum of character development with action and was a faster pace.It doesn't make it bad film. If your like me and get cluster phobia ,the total focus in the film ,in the compound through out the whole picture might bring it out Wearing 3D glass it amplifies it more .Because your being drawn into that well insulated compound.The out door sequences you get the relief.The whole story takes place As Constance Dowling is showing Richard Egan the staff and the compound,when all this mysterious bad things are going on,since D.r.Hubertus and his assistant Helen was mysteriously murdered.There are two Robots in this compound Gog and Magog.They start causing problems. Why are they doing it ? Why are things going out of control?One one scene you see these two soldiers looking at a special telescope that looks like a natural vision cameras in disguise .The actress,Valeri Vernon ,who plays one of the wife of the doctors,weather hair platinum blond gray.Where they trying to make her look older .They did not put enough old make up to look real old,or was it's just a effect? This is a cold war film .We all know who the enemy was .It was implied, the communist spies from Russia .There is a 3D made interviews on the disc of the Restoration of this film ,where the head of the 3D archive discusses it.A 2003 video tape of Herbert L. Stock ,who had near flat eye problems .I'm wondering if he was aware of the cure for this problem that eye doctor offer ,even that time.There is also an interview with the cinema photographer Lothrop B. Worth, at the old folk home where he discuses his involvement in the development of Natural Vision 3D.Worth buy or Renting. 03/05/16

A security agent investigates sabotage and murder at a secret underground laboratory, home of two experimental robots.This film is the third episode in producer Ivan Tors' Office of Scientific Investigation (OSI) trilogy, following "The Magnetic Monster" and "Riders to the Stars". Best of the three? I say yes!William R. Weaver said, "The production moves steadily forward, keeping interest growing at a steady pace, and exciting the imagination without overstraining credulity." And, indeed, the film is based on science fact rather than being a complete fantasy, and incorporates many interesting ideas.