Episode 223: Who Goes There?

This week we’re listening to a very modern adaptation of a classic story of sci-fi and horror, “Who Goes There?” from the BBC series, Chillers! The script is adapted from the novella of the same name written by John W. Campbell, Jr. (under the pen name Don A. Stuart). This tale of a small group of scientists in Antarctica who discover an alien creature frozen in the ice has been adapted and copied many times in many different ways. How will this version compare to its predecessors? Who among these men can be trusted? If you take the good, take the bad, take them both…what do you have there? Listen for yourself and find out!
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[@RSEFX]

This version suffered terribly from its brevity, as well as the changes and simplifications needed to compress the story into such a short running time. It's almost a teaser trailer version of WHO GOES THERE than an actual full story. (The best READING of this story, by far, is Edward French's, which, in addition to great reading, uses music excerpts from the Hawks/Nyby film version, THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD. French's reading of the Campbell story used to be on YT, and occasionally reappears. It is well worth tracking down and listening to. VERY well worth it.)

[@joeykonyha2414]

You guys remembered that George Clooney was on Facts of Life but not that James Arness was The Thing in the 50’s version? That was his first big role.

[@chucknora4194]

He was also in Them. Them? The one with the giant ants 🐜

[@jacobsteele7138]

Who is James Arness brother?

[@geraldmartin7703]

Peter Graves.

[@DamoBloggs]

@@chucknora4194 Not 'Them?' but 'Them!' 😄

[@WVgrl59]

​@jacobsteele7138 yes, Peter Graves from "Mission Impossible" was James Arness's brother, and I always liked both of them.

[@Arctonaut]

Excellent work!

[@2476bunny]

heard the story before but not heard you two lol youre crazy haha well worth the listen nice going.

[@samovarsa2640]

Have you considered doing a special MORLS episode with Eric doing a first time reaction to the Thing?

[@hg1651]

Awesome !

[@scienceandmatter8739]

Thanks from germany

[@debbieannsmith8962]

The Thing

[@RSEFX]

BBC has done some excellent, long form version of Lovecraft's stories. This attempt at adapting WHO GOES THERE is pretty unsuccessful/WAY too short. Truly lame commentary.

[@simo7393]

Lovecraft? We are talking about Campbell here...

[@RSEFX]

@@simo7393 Of course. I made two unrelated comments. Maybe I should have put them up in reverse order to be a little clearer?

[@simo7393]

@@RSEFX my bad, i only saw a comment and stupidly decided to post something just because i have hands and a keyboard :(

[@Randall1001]

I.... honestly can't fathom someone who is even remotely into this kind of radio.... who has never even heard of "Who Goes There" and what movies it inspired. I mean.... I get not liking gory body horror. But that's not what "The Thing from Another World" was. (By the way---that was the title of the 1951 film. Not "The Thing from Outer Space" - smh). This is literally one of the most seminal, most important sci-fi/horror stories ever written. It's been famous since it was published. I would expect someone who doesn't know the first thing about horror/sci-fi/mystery/suspense/thrillers to not know about this story or the movies. But to be doing this kind of podcast... I mean, I'm dumbfounded. Not to mention that Carpenter's version, while having its share of body horror, is one of the most well-known movies of the 1980s. WTF.

[@rezzer7918]

Delete "old" from your title, D.A.

[@RSEFX]

Truly lame adaptation.