tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post9153507052452074403..comments2024-03-27T10:27:59.266-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: CULT TV FLASHBACK # 112: The Outer Limits: "The Zanti Misfits" (1963-1964)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-7249624407281243992013-08-30T23:59:09.758-04:002013-08-30T23:59:09.758-04:00My all-time favorite "Outer Limits" epis...My all-time favorite "Outer Limits" episode! Okay, maybe not the most "seminal" episode of the series, but certainly the most fun, in a creepy sort of way. I was too young to catch "Outer Limits"in during it's initial run, but I got hooked later on in the 1960's when a local station in the L.A. area (I think it was KTLA Channel 5? -- but I can't say for sure) showed it every Saturday afternoon. For my older brother and sister, who did remember the show's initial run, it was a welcome return of an old favorite. For me, it was the introduction to what still stands as my favorite sci-fi/horror show. <br /><br />As a kid, the Zantis themselves were simply scary as heck. But as an adult, I can see how beautifully the whole story was set-up. The Zanti were the only aliens in the OL that DIDN'T speak English, and I think this added "alien" aspect was effective. Some of the best scenes in the show are of the faces of nervous soldiers as the Zanti transmissions come in, then tensely waiting for the translation. BTW, one of the soldiers at the control panels is Lex Johnson of the Italian-made cult classic "The Rape of the Sabine Women". In 1970 Johnson appeared in a small but key role as Dr. David Furie in the TVM "Along Came a Spider" (1970) -- shown conducting a scientific experiment at the beginning of the movie, while the credits unroll. The unfortunate results of that experiment propel the entire terrific plot! (Sorry to digress....)<br /><br />The noise the Zantis make, that horrible insectile buzzing, is very creepy and effective. And perhaps the scariest scene of all is the view of the surrounding desert from the inside of the Zanti ship. At first you see nothing of them, then later you're only shown strange segmented legs squeaking across the glass of the ship's window. That build up of the unknown is chillingly effective. You don't actually see the little critters until Bruce Dern stumbles upon the ship, and then it's a truly great use of stop-motion (and some pretty darned-well executed models). And the framing of Dern's dead body in the rocks, while his girlfriend approaches, is masterful. <br /><br />Personally, I hope they never try a movie "remake" of old "Outer Limits" episodes. I don't think old shows are ever done justice by modern filmmakers... maybe because they were so much creatures of their times, and it's just impossible to go back to that time. <br />Mike DouglasUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04532244500049615631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-14760770622801686792011-12-19T00:52:05.382-05:002011-12-19T00:52:05.382-05:00Freakin ants with humanlike faces creepy,creepy a ...Freakin ants with humanlike faces creepy,creepy a picnicers nightmareBird of Paradisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-6646744476160667662010-08-03T01:03:16.690-04:002010-08-03T01:03:16.690-04:00Scream!!! Too many pictures of them!!!! I must now...Scream!!! Too many pictures of them!!!! I must now hide under a blanket in the corner until morning!!<br />Thanks for the link to my blog, I appreciate the compliment!!<br />Now get those hideous creatures out of here before I am forced to eat someone!! Oh wait, I'm a zombie, I eat people anyway...well, um..as Gilda Radner used to say...nevermind.<br />Dreaded Dreams<br />Petunia ScareumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-68267298414822606302010-07-29T17:29:23.617-04:002010-07-29T17:29:23.617-04:00Hi John:
It's my pleasure to bring up memorie...Hi John:<br /><br />It's my pleasure to bring up memories of this frightfully good show. I bought the complete Outer Limits set myself, a few years back now, I guess, and the series just never gets old. I'm sure I'll revisit it again soon...<br /><br />Thanks for the comment,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-26417321567152162612010-07-28T20:42:00.157-04:002010-07-28T20:42:00.157-04:00I still remember this episode from my childhood. F...I still remember this episode from my childhood. For Christmas last year I was able to pick up a season of The Outer Limits on DVD and quickly put in this episode. Great stuff of nostalgia and frights. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.John W. Moreheadhttp://www.theofantastique.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-73425985862682550362010-07-28T18:19:29.809-04:002010-07-28T18:19:29.809-04:00Peter: The Zanti are definitely nightmare-inducing...Peter: The Zanti are definitely nightmare-inducing, no doubt about it. They still creep me the hell out.<br /><br />Le0pard13: I am so glad that this flashback struck a personal note (of terror...) with you. The Zanti Misfist have always terrified me too.<br /><br />David: I couldn't agree with you more. The episode has lost none of its power!<br /><br />Thank you all for the comments,<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-61218206821645245852010-07-28T12:50:02.748-04:002010-07-28T12:50:02.748-04:00One of the most disturbing pieces of TV ever.One of the most disturbing pieces of TV ever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-57677593139472308812010-07-28T09:33:04.637-04:002010-07-28T09:33:04.637-04:00"Imagine you're a little kid again. The y..."<i>Imagine you're a little kid again. The year is 1963. And it's a Monday night.</i>"<br /><br />John, you described me in your first sentence of this week's Cult Flashback. Watching <i>The Zanti Misfits</i> was the only time I didn't finish a first-run OUTER LIMITS episode! This one freaked me out so! I can still recall when I bolted from the room: it was the moment Dern gets to meet a Zanti up close and personal. Only years later did I came back to it and forced myself to watch it in its entirety (when it was replayed on TV).<br /><br />I have no doubt at all that this episode affected an entire generation of kids my age back in '63 (that's for sure with Trick or Treat Pete and me). I still get the <i>willies</i> thinking about it. This was a great look back, John. I think... If I have nightmare tonight, then this immortal installment has done its job on me... again ;-). Thanks, my friend.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-66753757193966252802010-07-28T01:49:32.969-04:002010-07-28T01:49:32.969-04:00When I was young, I remember being absolutely terr...When I was young, I remember being absolutely terrorfied of those bugs and their faces. I had nightmares about them for years. <br /><br />"'The Zanti Misfits' would be a prime candidate for inclusion in the project." Agreed...and potentially turn on the youth to the wonders of horror!Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304391238021068916noreply@blogger.com