The Gamma 1 Films of Antonio Margheriti (A Review)

Welcome to Season 5 of Look...Look and Look Again.
We open a new season and blast off into space with the psychedelic and quintessential 60's space Quadrilogy that is known as the Gamma 1 movies.
It's great to be back - enjoy !!!
Due to some of the content in some of the programmes and the target audience this is for adults only and not for children. Some programmes are for mature audiences due to the nature of the content and ones without 18+ restrictions are best viewed by young persons of 13 years and upwards. Some of these documentaries are not for the prudish.
In this documentary series we take a look and another look and even a third glance (hypothetically speaking) of T.V programmes and Films with a 'cult' edge.
If they aren't cult currently then they should be !!
Each programme looks at the genesis of the programme or movie and a review - some are spoiler free - some are not. Even if you know the plot though it is welcoming to look at the series or movie again.
So what is it I hope for in my series ? Well it is my intention to share with you dear viewer my knowledge of things which I enjoy very much and I hope what is reviewed will inspire you to go and have a look for the programme or movie. Some you may have seen before - others may be truly novel.
That is it pure and simple - I don't want any financial rewards as I will be using snippets already copyrighted and this is damned cheeky - the knowing of sharing my knowledge with you is reward enough.
Don't forget to support the originators of copyright - so wonderful retro T.V and movies get to see the light of day.
I hope this acts as an inspiration for you to look...look and look again with me.
Every episode is a labour of love and it's only me that cobbles together that produces the work.
I hope you can also see the transformation as the series goes along.
Any constructive comments, criticisms and memories you have would be most welcome and if you love what I do hit like and subscribe.
Thank you to all the regular people that bite off this nugget of nostalgia and follow my little show.
Maybe you could suggest things for me to look...look and look again - please share them.
No infringement is intended - I am a novice to this and sometimes oblivious to the complex world of copyright but all clips and music are used in the faith of enhancing this review. On occasion one picture can be worth a 1000 words and can give you a feel of the show or movie reviewed.
Enjoy all the delights therein - Crab xx
0:00 Introduction
1:17 Credits
2:26 Enter Margheriti
6:10 Foundations of Gamma 1
8:56 War of the Planets
14:23 The Wild Wild Planet
21:53 War Between the Planets
26:31 The Snow Devils
31:52 The Green Slime
37:05 End Credits

[@josephsummer777]

One of the greatest film series ever. Your assessment is a welcome reminiscence.

[@elnick1000]

Only time I ever saw a film in the drive in was WILD WILD PLANET, on a double bill with BATTLE BENEATH THE EARTH. The apparent child killings were a shock at th4e time.

[@barrymurphy1337]

It's always a better day when a new Crabby video drops & this is one of your best I think. Fascinating stuff, I'm off to track all these movies down!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Bless you kind Sir. They are pretty decent flicks but I wish a company like Arrow Films, Indicator or 88 Films made a box set. With The Green Slime as a bonus. What a treat. 🦀

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

As a little thank you for commenting please find link to a bit of grooviness from The Snow Devils. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@mcal27]

Green Slime is awesome!! After watching it I wondered if I dream’t the whole thing!! :)

[@screen_spirit740]

It's always a treat when a new Crab Apple video 'drops' (as the younger folks say). And it's as entertaining and informative as always. Your choice of accompanying 'spacey' music is impeccable. Some of my favourites are in there, (Syd's Floyd, Pierre Henri, John Barry and a Bentley Rhythm Ace track I'd forgotten all about). I hadn't heard of these films before so it was all new to me. I recognised the the leading lady from 'The Green Slime' as Luciana Paluzzi who played Fiona Volpe in Thunderball. The fusing of a male and female character into a single entity In 'Wild Wild Planet' reminded me of the ending of 'The Final Programme'. That could be a suitable film for your consideration. Thanks again for all the hard work you put into these videos.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Great to hear from you. Glad you like the new video and the accompanying music to add to that retro vibe - thanks for your comment on that as at times this gets overlooked as try to choose the music to suit the movie(s). More winging their way to you in the very near future 😀. Best always 🦀

[@screen_spirit740]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN I look forward to them.

[@veritanuda]

Woot! You're back!! And what a corker. Given the recent heatsteria, I shared "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" with some people, and they loved it and found it funny and scary to think of the Thames turning to steam. I have you to thank for pushing me towards that. Cheers.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

You are most welcome. Blimey Day Earth Caught Fire was ages ago. So pleased people are still watching the old episodes. Didn't realise I would sympathise with the characters so much in the movie as I did that Monday and Tuesday we had recently. That was a bit unbearable to be honest. A lot of what we were told in the 60's and 70's has come true. Back then I guess it seemed so far away. Got a decent dystopia film in mind but it's a ropey print and can't source a better one so will decide if it is worth it. Well here's to Season 5. I was going to store up and release them later but I thought I would get this back out and glad I did as have had some lovely comments. On with the show - for you and everyone else. Very best - Speak soon 🦀.

[@veritanuda]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN Yeah, it was a while back, but I stumbled across you after looking for Take Three Girls episodes, and stuck around for the rest ;) I've watched them all now and learned of many gems. So thanks greatly once again.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@veritanuda More to come my friend.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you once again for your comment(s) - here's a bit of groove from The Space Devils to make your day just that little bit better. 🦀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@doktor_ghul]

Grew up loving GREEN SLIME, so thank you Crab Apple, for showing me four more films set in roughly the same " Major Matt Mason " universe. Time to blast off.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thanks for your comment. Mission accomplished. 🦀

[@ultraviolet9863]

love this series of films + the green slime - they unintentionally created some great cult art. thanks for the reviews/memories.

[@thesoundofbailey]

Great start to a new season! Entertaining and informative as ever. Retro Futurist is my favourite design style. Great to hear some Jean-Jacques Perrey and John Barry too! And to hear yourself saying anything in German of course!! Thank god there is such a wealth of culture i've never seen. Many thanks

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you so much. I love it when viewers take away some info and also taking note of the tuneage. I have recently popped on my review of children of the stones which I hope you enjoy. You must forgive the pronunciation but no one can blame me for not trying. Grauens is such a cool word. 😃 best 🦀

[@emitindustries8304]

The Green Slime is worth watching for it's opening (or ending) theme song, and the sounds emitted by the slimes, or whatever they're called. Lots of fun, all around!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

To think the Martians are children - am sure you wouldn't get away with that now. Don't know if you are a fan but think their murmurings are similar in sound to the breeding tanks on Skaro in the epic dr who story genesis of the daleks. 🦀

[@khaz606]

Oh my goodness CA. Angels Theme tune! Took me a while to get it!! Great to see you back. You're my favourite :)

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you so much. You guessed right an absolute corker of a track and keeps right in with the retro feel. Great to hear from you. Enjoy 🦀

[@lallancashire2201]

Wonderful stuff 👍 good to have you back!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you so much - if my subscribers are happy so am I. 🦀

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

As you commented please find a link to a bit of groove from Snow Devils kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@SuZ4242]

I thought I was the only one in the U.S. who loved this series of films! 😁 Why are they so hard to find on KZbin and other venues?

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

I guess it's popularity and cash cow worth. It's like the italian peplum - history, eye candy, monsters, action and Italian suave but in the U.K hardly ever known as well as in France or Germany and of course Italy. However these are kept alive by channels such as mine and others. Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated. 🦀

[@jamesreid8840]

Bravo Crab Apple glad to see your back 👍 Well put together again with the info and the art work ❤️ with these little gems. I have to admit a couple of new titles for me to check out which you have dug up for me after I get through these 70s and 80s polish and Russian sci fi films 😉 Keep it up and take care mate 👍

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Wonderful to hear from you. I always bear you in mind where the artwork is concerned as you I find them beautiful and feel we appreciate them more now than we used to. Enjoy the programmes and watch this space for more wonders. Take care for now. 🦀

[@princesshassim6009]

Hi Hon it's Moi! Yeah you're back and we're all more the happier for it. And YES the video was worth the wait....educating us all about something which i at least never knew of, so i'm pleased at least! I could say i like these films because of their sense of color, or bubbly motor cars or equally bubbly girls....but in a nutshell they are just huge FUN and that's something we all need right. I've never seen ay of them so again really turned on by this cavalcade hon, although i did catch THE GREEN SLIME in 1980 when i was 15 on the late show. Looking at it now i still think it's more fun that some more famous modern efforts....but i digress and to each their own. Anyway, Congrats again and thanks a bunch. Can't wait to see the next one. Yes....i might try to track these down too!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

It's great to hear from you Princess truly and am all the better for hearing from you. I have had a few big changes in life so dipped out of vegging for a while. Was thinking of harvesting the reviews and unleashing them in September but thought - on hindsight and because of my subscribers that I would pop this review up. Due to current times I thought something purely retrofun is much needed. These films are truly under rated and are sorely needed for a reappraisal. The bubble cars are fantastic and we should all have one IMHO. Hope you are chipper and am delighted you got in touch. Look forward to hearing from you soon. All the very best from Gamma 4. 🦀

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

An awesome track to cheer you up from snow devils - may it be part of a soundtrack to your life and all the better for it . 🦀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@princesshassim6009]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN Hi Hon, glad you're life is having some fun input. I'm still Canada....airports & passport offices are in chaos and so i'm making the best of it. Anyday soon though. Thanks for the music....and i'll keep a look for these new titles. Take Care.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@princesshassim6009 Deep breaths Princess. In the u.k , as you have heard we are kind of directionless currently and lots of bread and circuses around a new prime minister - the choice is between one 'flash' guy and the other one is a plain Jane no nonsense type - as I perceive it - lots of lip service and the usual media hyperbole but I am limiting the news to a minimum as fed up with politics and just want a bit of stability in the mess. With all that's going on in the world (war..famine..fiscal upheaval and other ugly stuff) the debate last night between them had some air time focussing on the price of the Sunaks pricey shoes and suits and Truss cheap earrings- for heavens sake ??!! I crave old style reporting of days gone by and brass tack journalism. Alistair Burnett and Reggie Bosanquet would be turning in their graves 😆. Be safe. 🦀

[@princesshassim6009]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN I hear you hon, and thanks for the pat on the back. It does seem like the never-ending story out here but i am also aware that in doing so i have been spared much. That said, there have been times over the past year i have almost cried upon hearing what they've been doing to you all. It'll sort itself when it does i know, and once i get over there i then have to find a place to live IF POSSIBLE, remember they took my old place and the only course i have is through welfare (which isn't very encouraging). Oh well, ...onwards and upwards eh. Listen if you ever want me email, you only need to ask....you're a truly dear friend, Hugs.

[@vivienneandersson6019]

Great stuff, thanks!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you so much glad to be back. Crab 🦀

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

As a thank you for commenting here is a little bit of groovy from my review. 🦀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@firebird6522]

Where can I find these on video? I used to watch Wild, Wild Planet all the time as a kid on the local UHF channel in the early 1970s. Cmdr Mike Halstead... a real man's man. Lt. Connie Gomez could make anyone forget about Raquel Welch. And how about those cars and the Jupiter spaceships? Awesome!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Its terribly groovy. It would make a great box set. I added where to buy the blu rays as part of the programme didn't I ? Some are on blu ray others DVD and a few on you tube. I think the U.K and the U.S.A come off bad in releases and Europe fairs better but alas the prices are extortionate.

[@garybryant1501]

Thank you for opening my eyes to an unknown (to me) set of classic sixties cult movies now on the hunt oh talking Italian I recently watched the Italian movie version of Space 1999 couldn't understand a bloody word but knowing the episodes so well didn't need too 😁 Glad your back 🦀👍🍷

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Great to hear from you - enjoy. I feel Green Slime and Wild Wild Planet top the Gamma 1 series of movies but the others are still half decent. You will get plenty of retro mileage from them for sure. I wasn't aware of the Italian Space 1999 movies but I haven't (as of yet) researched this series and devoured it as of yet. I am sure your understanding of the Italian language is on par with my pronunciation. I give it a go though and, as one French subscriber said, is terrible but endearing at the same time. With the amount of Italian films I have seen I should be fluent in that with French and Japanese but alas that's not the case. Great to hear from you and thanks for welcoming me back and staying subscribed. Speak soon 🦀

[@garybryant1501]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN it's called Spazio 1999 and the Barry Gray soundtrack is replaced With a sombre and eerie Ennio Morricone score and I should be fluent in Spanish and German with all the versions of my favourite films I've got from those countries 🤔 The reason why Space 1999 had Italian versions was RAI Was a co production partner with ITC on the actual Anderson series with Italian actors guest starring on some episodes especially the first season anyway looking forward to your next installment of CULTural expansion 🎯👍

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@garybryant1501 I absolutely love Morricone - watched a documentary about him quite recently what a lovely, humble chap he was. Its worth checking out. I have his music on all the time. Not so much the more contemporary scores (which are still exquisite) but to the giallo and dramas - the soundtrack to A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Love Circle, Spaghetti Westerns and his 60's and 70's outputs are fantastic. As well as the visuals of the era we also are spoiled with the music. From the Gamma 1 films we have A.F Lavagnino score which is really cool. I knew RAI were involved but thought they would just show the episodes with an Italian dub - had no idea about the mini movie output or the Morricone dub - hope they still kept the funky opening track though - it would be sacrilege to dump that. 😳 🦀

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Enjoy this amazing track - hope it rounds of your day well. Best 🦀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@garybryant1501]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN 🎼👍💯

[@charlesmento5968]

I think TREASURE ISLAND IN SPACE is also his and part of this "universe" as may be Space Men? Aka Assignment Outer Space.

[@Medraut00]

nice review. will have to check these out. reminds me of the Ikarie XB movie that u reviewed and I ended up getting.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you. It's great to know that my reviews inspire people such as your goodself to check these movies out. Thank you so much. Best 🦀

[@veritanuda]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN I am just curious if you have ever seen Gostya iz budushchego, Guest from the Future. It was a Russian children's sci-fi series which was well received at the time, and having seen it myself found it enchanting for many reasons. Just wondering.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@veritanuda No that is an unknown to me. I will have to hunt that down. Love Soviet sci-fi and their fantasy films - I guess the nearest thing to what you mention I have seen is The Singing Ringing Tree. I sincerely hope I can find this. Will pop it on the list for sure and do a bit of research. Thank you. 😊 🦀

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

A little linky treat from my first season 5 review and a thank you for commenting. Enjoy 😉. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWKVhKyKnJuBarc

[@Medraut00]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN bought all of Gamma One movies and Green Slime.