On August 26, 1946, Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Jr. and Rear Admiral Richard H. Cruzen's, "Task Force 68", known as "Operation Highjump", consisting of 70 ships, 33 aircraft, and 4,700 men, left for Antartica. The purpose of "Highjump", was to establish a military base to test the feasibility of training men and operating equipment in frigid conditions. At least, that was the "Official" explanation!
Above left is Admiral Cruzen, and right, Admiral Byrd.
When Admiral Byrd returned in February, 1947, stories about "Highjump" actually looking for a hidden Nazi base and Nazi flying saucers started to circulate. All allegedly revealed in "Admiral Byrd's Secret Diary", along with the discovery of an entrance to a lush paradise below the Earth's crust.
Such a paradise was first suggested by astronomer, mathematician, and physicist, Sir Edmond Halley, of comet fame, in 1693.
In 1818, American Army Officer, trader, and lecturer, John Cleves Symmes, Jr., was the first to take Newton's "Hollow Earth" theory and specially state that there were only two entrances, one at each of the Earth's two poles.
In 1869, Cyrus Teed, claimed himself a "Messiah", and that the Earth was "Conclave" and "Hollow", and the sky we all see is inside a giant sphere. He had a following and a new religious order called "Koreshanity".
Reversing directions on "Operation Highjump", was an 1885 serious work by the first president of Boston University, William Fairfield Warren, entitled, "Paradise Found: The Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole". According to Warren, the North Pole was the actual location for "The Garden of Eden", "Atlantis", the Hindu and Buddhist sacred five-peak "Mount Meru", the British Arthurian Legend's "Avalon", and the Greek myths of "Hyperborea". All within his own "Hollow Earth Theory".
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Later, Irish-American author, William Richard Bradshaw, in his 1892 science fiction novel, "The Goddess of Avatabar: being the history of the inner world and the conquest of Avatabar". Appears to be the first science fiction writer to actually use the "Hollow Earth" theory for a novel.
The following illustration is from Bradshaw's novel of the inner Earth world.
The above basic history, brings me to several motion pictures that used the "Hollow Earth Theory", or a variant of it. A theory, that in 2021, "Godzilla vs Kong", that "Legendary Picture's", had brought to a new generation of film goers in their "Godzilla: King of the Monsters". Which the studio had laid the foundation for, in 2017's, "Kong: Skull Island".
I begin with a favorite film of my youth:
THE LAND UNKNOWN premiered in Brooklyn, New York, on June 26, 1957
Producer William Alland had planned a technicolor, widescreen, stop motion animated feature film, but the budget was severely slashed due to the box office failure of "Universal International's", 1955, "This Island Earth". I mention this, because I've read over and over, that the number one complaint about the picture, was using Tim Smyth in a "T-Rex" suit. Apparently, only the Japanese, with "Gojira", "Gamera", and the South Korean's, in the 1960's, with "Yongary", were permitted to use an actor in a dinosaur/monster suit.
That said, the story, which I will address shortly, was by Charles Palmer. This was the last of only 4-films he contributed too, and I could not locate any other information about him.
William N. Robson adapted Palmer's story into a screenplay format. This was the 12th of his 13 adaptations, or television scripts Robson worked upon. Again, I could not find any further information on the writer.
Laszlo Gorog wrote the screenplay, this was 1 of the 8 motion picture screenplays he wrote. However, he did write 25-teleplays for television shows. In 1945, Gorog was nominated for the "Best Screenplay Academy Award", for the motion picture, "The Affairs of Susan", starring Joan Fontaine.
"The Land Unknown" was directed by Virgil Vogel. He was the film editor on "This Island Earth", and Orson Welles's, 1958, "Touch of Evil", along with 22-other feature films. As a film director, Vogel directed a combination of movies and television for another 80-titles.
Jock Mahoney portrayed "Navy Commander Harold "Hal" Alan Roberts". Mahoney had just been seen in the 1957, Rock Hudson starring, "Battle Hymn". He would follow this feature film starring in the 1957, Western, "Joe Dakota", written by pre-"Perry Mason's", William Talman ("Hamilton Berger").
Shirley Patterson billed as Shawn Smith portrayed "Margaret 'Maggie' Hathaway". From 1942 through 1952, she was billed as Shirley Patterson, and starting in 1953, the actress became Shawn Smith. As Shirley Patterson, she had 4th-billing in "Columbia Pictures", 15-Chapter serial, 1943's, "Batman". While as, Shawn Smith, she had 2nd-billing, in 1958's, "It! The Terror from Beyond Space".
Above, Shawn Smith and Jock Mahoney.
William Reynolds portrayed "Marine Lieutenant Jack Carmen". Reynolds starred in the horror entry, 1958's, "The Thing That Couldn't Die". However, it was his television appearances that the actor is known. Such as his, 161-episodes, of televisions "The FBI", 1966 - 1974.
Above, William Reynolds and Jock Mahoney.
Henry Brandon portrayed "Dr. Carl Hunter". Unfamiliar with character actor Brandon? How about as the Comanche War Chief "Scar", in director John Ford's, 1956, "The Searchers"? What about "Silas Barnaby", billed under his German birth name of Henrich von Kleinbach, in the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's, 1934, version of Victor Hebert's "Babes in Toyland", but using the name "The March of the Wooden Soldiers", or as "Pinkman", in the three-part "Pirates of Prah", on 1954 television's, "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger"?
Douglas Kennedy portrayed "Navy Captain Burnham". Kennedy is familiar of fans of director Cameron Menzies, 1953, "Invaders from Mars", as one of the policemen that comes under the Martian control. His film career started in 1935, but after one movie, he actually became an agent for the "Office of Strategic Services" that became the "C.I.A.", and went into the Second World War in Army intelligence. Kennedy still acted during the war, and afterwards started appearing mainly on television.
Above left to right, Shawn Smith, Douglas Kennedy, William Reynolds, and Jock Mahoney.
Phil Harvey portrayed "Navy Machinist Mate Steve Miller". My readers may not recognize his name, but if you're into 1950's science fiction, Phil Harvey had roles of different sizes besides "The Land Unknown", in both 1957's, "The Deadly Mantis", and "The Monolith Monsters", and both 1958's, "The Thing That Could Not Die", and "Monster on the Campus".
Above left to right, Jock Mahoney, Shawn Smith, William Reynolds, and Phil Harvey.
The Basic Screenplay:
Charles Palmer's story ties directly to Admiral Byrd and "Operation Highjumb", footage from the operation is actually shown, and identified as such by "Captain Burnham". This new expedition is going back to Antarctic to investigate an area of "warm water" discovered by Byrd, and figure out how it exists surrounded by the Antarctic ice and cold.
Note: the warm water area was actually discovered on "Highjump", and adds a touch of reality to this bit of science fiction.
The investigation of the warm water area is assigned to Naval scientist, "Commander Roberts", helicopter pilot,"Lieutenant Carmen", "Machinist Mate Miller", and representing the press, is War Correspondent, "Maggie Hathaway". The four leave the ship in their helicopter without incident.
Reaching the reported warm water area, the helicopter receives a storm warning message and told to return to the ship. The storm starts closing on the helicopter, but they see a foggy break and head for it. Suddenly, the helicopter is hit by a Pterosaur, bending the rotor control rod and tearing the radio antenna.
The helicopter is forced to descend to the ground, but where's the ground? The altitude instruments are telling the four that they are now below sea level, but still descending. Upon reaching the ground, and the fog clearing, somewhat, the four are in a prehistoric world untouched by time.
Machinist mate "Steve Miller" informs the others that he believes he can repair the radio, but not the bent rotor control rod. Which broke in half, after he attempted to straightened the rod out, because it is made of a special material. The sounds of search planes are heard above the entrance to the volcano, but there is no way they can see the stranded four and in 25-days, the ships leave.
The four split up to explore the world around them and "Maggie" is attacked by a prehistoric plant, but is rescued by "Hal".
The radio is repaired, but the signal isn't strong enough to get back to the outer world and time is passing to when the expedition leaves the Antarctic. Which is pressing on the minds of the four trapped explorers.
Next, "Maggie" is abducted by a strange man who has been observing the four. Their footprints are followed by the other three men, high up on a cliff , to a cave overlooking the lake.
We learn that the abductor, is "Dr. Carl Hunter", and a second tie in to "Operation Highjump". He was a scientist in the 1947, Navy Expedition of the Antarctic, whose helicopter with three others men, also crashed into the volcano. He has survived after the others died, over the last 10-years, by two means. First, the dinosaur's appear afraid of the noise made by a conch shell he blows. Second, when the dinosaurs are away, he destroys their eggs, and they appear afraid of this unknown killer.
Believing he has the upper hand, "Hunter" shows the other four their broken rotor control rod. Which he picked up at their helicopter, while the two teams were out exploring. Smiling to himself, "Hunter" reveals that there is a needed rotor control rod in perfect condition on "Hunter's" crashed helicopter, but he will not give them the location of the crash site, unless "Maggie" stays with him and the three men leave.
Which, of course, is out of the question, especially for "Roberts", who has fallen in love with the War correspondent. The four will locate the crash site themselves, but time is running out before the ships leave Antartica. "Maggie" volunteers to stay with "Hunter" for the other helicopter's location, but "Hal" won't let her, and kisses her.
Later, as time is further running out, "Maggie" is by the lake and attacked by a Elasmorsaurus. "Hunter" arrives on the lake and with a torch, fights off the dinosaur, rescuing "Maggie", but also taking her back to his cave.
Back at the cave, "Steve" arrives and starts to fight "Hunter" for the helicopter's location and uses one of the torches to torture the scientist. Just then, "Hal Roberts" arrives and stops the fight. He tells the three, that they will not turn on each other to escape this place. In gratitude, "Dr. Carl Hunter", gives his fellow scientist the map to the crash site. "Maggie" tells "Hal" and "Steve" that she will remain in the cave with "Dr. Hunter" while they locate the crash site.
After their helicopter is repaired, the three take off to go get the other two, but are attacked by a Tyrannosaurus Rex and use the rotors to fight it off.
Meanwhile, at "Hunter's" cave another dinosaur attacks, and after driving it away. He discovers that "Maggie" has fainted and decides to take her back to the others. The helicopter reaches the raft with "Hunter" and "Maggie" in it, and lower a harness and "Carl" places "Maggie" in it. Then as they lower the harness for him, the Elasmorsaurus attacks, and "Hunter" falls into the lake. Before it can get to him, "Hal" fires a flare into the dinosaurs mouth and then rescues the man who has spent ten-years in this lost world.
It is now the 25th-day, and the expedition's ship's are heading for home, but the helicopter's gas just isn't enough to land on the one they took off from. The helicopter crashes almost next to it and the five people are rescued.
1957's, "The Land Unknown" is probably the only motion picture that ties its story directly to Admiral Byrd and his (?), "Hollow Earth Theory". That does not mean there weren't any motion pictures set in "Hollow Earth" worlds, tied to other mythologies.
ATLANTIS
As I mentioned above, the first President of Boston College, William Fairfield Warren, placed "Atlantis (The Island of Atlas)" at the North Pole, or at least an entrance to it in his "Paradise Found: The Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole".
The author's preface states:
This book is not the work of a dreamer. Neither has it proceeded from a love of learned paradox. Nor yet is it a cunningly devised fable aimed at particular tendencies in current science, philosophy, or religion. It is a thoroughly serious and sincere attempt to present what is to the author s mind the true and final solution of one of the greatest and most fascinating of all problems connected with the history of mankind.
The following text comes from pages 184 and 185 of Warren's book, found on line at:
Warren's belief that "Atlantis" was not a physical "Lost Continent", has been considered by others. However, by putting it as part of a "Hollow Earth". Does add to the imagination not only for its location, but what happened to the survivors of its destruction, if it ever was destroyed. There are many versions of the "Atlantis" tale and some are not under the ocean.
The following is modified from my article, "ATLANTIS, LEMURIA, AND MU: The Lost Continents in Science Fiction Movies" for your reading at:
However, mention the topic of lost continents and most people would immediately mention Plato's creation.
Plato first mentions "Atlantis" in his "Timaeus" and tells his reader more in the "Critias". The actual ancient Greek words for the continent are "į¼ĻĪ»Ī±Ī½Ļį½¶Ļ Ī½įæĻĪæĻ", or the "Island of Atlas". Actually, the Atlantic Ocean means "Sea of Atlas". The main city of "Atlantis", as described by Plato, was constructed in concentric rings.
The location of the continent changes on some maps. One ancient map, date unknown, but referenced many times, is a little confusing. America is to the right of "Atlantis" and Southern Africa to the left. This would work if what is labeled "America" was actually "Australia", but that would also meam "Atlantis" was in the Pacific Ocean. The map maker contended the lost continent was in the Atlantic Ocean though.
Then there is this interesting map. It implies that Atlantis and South America are one and the same. Thereby, tying the continent more closely with the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Although, North America is incomplete, and based only upon the knowledge at the time by the map maker.
The first motion picture about Atlantis, was a French and Belgian co-production from 1920, based upon a novel of the previous year by French author Pierre Benoit, "L'Atlantide".
The novel tells of two French Officers, who get lost on patrol in the Sahara Desert, and discover the remains of the Atlantean civilization ruled by a queen named "Antenea". She was originally portrayed by Stacia Napierkowska, seen below.
The plot of Benoit's novel sounds extremely similar to H. Rider Haggard's, "SHE". First released in October 1866, as a chapter serial in "The Graphic" Magazine. Haggard tells of "Ayesha", Queen of the Lost City of Kor, in the Arabian desert. Where two adventures discover a civilization that predates the Egyptians, just as in "L'Atlantide".
In 1932, a French and German co-production of Pierre Beniot's novel was released. The film, as was the practice prior to dubbing, was shot with a French cast, and again with German and English language casts. What did not change in all three films was the actress portraying "Antinea". While the other roles were different actors of their respective languages.
Actress Brigitte Helm, should be known by all students and fans of German director Fritz Lang. She portrayed both "Maria" and her Robotic copy, in Lang's 1927 masterpiece, "Metropolis". As with the original silent film, this 1932 production, was actually shot in the Sahara Desert for reality.
For those of my readers interested in the complete works of Fritz Lang. They may read by bio on him, and Hitler's cinematographer Leni Riefensthal at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/03/fritz-lang-and-leni-riefensthal-their.html
The United States would make a version of Pierre Benoit's novel. That film was released in January 1949, under the title "Siren of Atlantis", aka: "Atlantis", aka: Atlantide". The production starred Maria Montez as "Queen Antinea", and her husband, at the time, Jean-Pierre Aumont, as "Andre St. Avil", The lost city was moved from the Sahara Desert to the African Jungle. This was a typical Hollywood Maria Montez motion picture, and very similar in style to the one's she had done opposite Jon Hall. Such as 1944's "Cobra Women", or 1945's "Sudan".
On May 30, 1936, "Republic Pictures", released a 12 Chapter serial about "Atlantis", entitled "The Undersea Kingdom".
The hero of this adventure was named Ray "Crash" Corrigan. He was portrayed by an actor whose real name was either Raymond Bernard, or Raymond Benitz, depending on which biography you read. Actually, starting with this serial, Raymond adopted and legalized his character's name as his own. From this feature forward, he was Ray "Crash" Corrigan in motion pictures.
The obvious here was that Republic Pictures, by calling their character "Crash Corrigan", was playing off Universal Studio's serial, "Flash Gordon", released only one month earlier. Even to the extant of having the two hero's names sound similar.
Between September 22, 1936 and August 10, 1939, Ray Corrigan portrayed "Tucson Smith" in Republic's "B" Western Series, "The Three Mesquiteers". He was in the first 24 of 51 movies that made up the popular series with some changes to actors in the other lead roles. Portraying the second "Mesquiteer", "Stoney Brooke", during this period were actors Robert Livingston and John Wayne. While the third "Mesquiteer" "Lullaby Joslin", was Max Terhune.
In 1937, Corrigan would purchase land in the Santa Susanna Mountains. The area joined the San Fernando Valley and is now considered part of Simi Valley. He would turn his ranch into a Western movie and television location named "Corriganville". In 1958, the actor portrayed the title character in the low budget Science Fiction film, "It! The Terror from Beyond Space". Below Corrigan is on the left in a scene from "Undersea Kingdom".
The plot of the serial has Naval Lieutenant "Crash Corrigan" invited to visit "Professor Norton" portrayed by C. Montague Shaw. Shaw appeared as "Dr. Huer" in the 1939 serial "Buck Rodgers" and was also in "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" In this serial "Professor Norton" has invented a device that at short range can both detect and prevent earthquakes. A series of quakes has been occurring across the World in areas they shouldn't appear in. They also appear to be originating from an area of the Atlantic Ocean that Plato wrote the continent of "Atlantis" was to have existed.
At the "Professor's" demonstration is a reporter for the Times named "Diana Compton" portrayed by Lois Wilde. Can you say Republic's answer to "Dale Arden"? Wilde was only in 19 movies and most were "B" Westerns. "Diana" will of course accompany "Professor Norton" and "Crash Corrigan" in a rocket submarine to "Atlantis".
I never could figure out why "Antillia", "Demetrios" and some of the others went to fishing boats instead of the submarine to escape. The picture starts and ends with an animated sequence. The opening explains the legend of the Lost Continent. The ending is about what may have happened to the people who survived the destruction of "Atlantis". Going with the idea that they were the central source for the Egyptian, Aztec and Mayan civilizations, because they all built similar looking pyramids and had other similarities.
On November 23, 1963 the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) premiered a new television series initially aimed at teaching children about historical events. One historical event actually occurred the day before the series premiered in the U.K.. Sadly this was the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy. That event was never addressed as the series switched to Science Fiction.
The original star of this BBC series was William Hartnell, but on October 29, 1966 he "renewed" himself. A term that became "regeneration" into the Second "Dr. Who", portrayed by Patrick Troughton, and the "Second Doctor" was in the first of three programs dealing with "Atlantis".
"The Underwater Meance" was a four part serial, only two remain, shown between January 14, 1967 and February 4, 1967. In it, the "Doctor", Patrick Troughton, and his companions "Jamie McCrimmon", portrayed by Frazer Hines, "Polly", portrayed by Anneke Willis and "Ben Jackson", portrayed by Michael Craze, find themselves captured on a deserted volcanic island by the survivors of "Atlantis".
The story has the usual "Dr. Who" element of a mad scientist from the surface, "Professor. Zaroff", portrayed by Joseph Furst. He has a plan to raise the lost continent back to the surface and conquer the Earth. Then there's, "Damon", portrayed by Colin Jeavons, a mad Atlantean scientist that wants to convert subjects to fish people.
Below are Troughton and Furst.
The only way to stop "Professor Zaroff", is to cause "Atlantis" to sink even farther into the ocean. By getting the "Professor's" machine for raising the continent, completely covered in ocean water, and ineffective. The Atlantians are warned to get to a higher level and this saves most of the people from drowning.
Moving forward to the Third "Doctor Who", portrayed by Jon Pertwee, are the other two adventures concerning Atlantis.
"The Daemons" ran for five episodes, between May 22nd to June 19, 1971. For fans of the "Doctor", the show included his companion "Jo Grant", portrayed by Katy Manning, "Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart", portrayed by Nicholas Courtney, "Captain Mike Yates", portrayed by Richard Franklin and my favorite evil character, " The Master", portrayed by Roger Delgado.
A little bit of "Quatermass and the Pitt" from another BBC program enters this story, or as the motion picture version is known in the United States "Five Million Years to Earth". The "Doctor" and "Jo" enter the village of "Devil's End" were an archaeological dig will lead to bringing back the "Horned Devil". At the dig a small spaceship will be discovered. The lifting from the other show is very obvious here.
The story's connection to "Atlantis" is just a passing mention connected to the Godlike "Azal", portrayed by Stephen Thorne. Once again the Barry Lefts and Robert Sloman's screenplay, both men being credited on screen as just one writer, Guy Leopold, lifts from the 1958 earlier program's story line.
As the spaceship reveals the "Azal" is actually an alien, who was known also to the Atlantians. The story ends in a confrontation in a church, but script editor Terrence Dicks had concerns that some of the story implied the villages were "Satanists", and this was toned down.
For "The Time Monster" the same four leading characters and actors returned. The six episodes were seen between May 20th to June 24, 1972.
In this program "The Master" transports the Atlanean "High Priest of Kronos", named "Krasis"", portrayed by Marc Boyle, to his 20th Century home.
According to the "Third Doctor", "Kronos" is a "Chronovore". A creature living out of time, but feeding on time itself. The battle with his fellow "Time Lord", will mean taking the "TARDIS" back in time to "Atlantis" to battle both the "Master' and "Kronos".
On May 5, 1978 the U.K. also had the next big screen entry with "Warlords of Atlantis", starring American actor Doug McClure.
When it was originally released, I saw the picture under the title "Warlords of Atlantis", but later it was changed to, "Warlords of the Deep".
This adventure story, as the above poster indicates, has the Atlantean's actually an alien race. Thereby explaining their superior intelligence and progress related by Plato and other writers.
The plot, set at the start of the 20th Century, has "Professor Aiken", portrayed by Donald Bisset, and his son "Charles", portrayed by Peter Gilmore, apparently wanting to go out into the Atlantic Ocean to look for undiscovered species of fish. The two British Archaeologists commission the American ship the "Texas Rose" to take them into the Atlantic and plan, so they say, to use a diving bell designed by American "Gregg Collinson", portrayed by McClure. to locate these new fish species. In actuality the two are looking for the lost city of Atlantis.
First plot problem, is why would British Archaeologists be looking for a new species of fish? That should be the work of Ichthyologists.
"Gregg" and "Charles" make an initial dive and discover "Atlantis", but are attacked by a sea monster.
"Gregg" saves the day, by sending an electrical shock into it. The two explorers find a solid gold statue and attach a line, so it may be raised to the surface. After raising the statue, it is placed upon the deck of the "Texas Rose".
Almost immediately some of the crew decide they want it and attempt a minor mutiny and during the scuffle the "Professor" is injured. While this is occurring, a giant octopus controlled by the people of "Atlantis" breaks the surface, attacks the ship, takes four of the mutineers and then retreats back under water capturing the diving bell. Which was cut free of all its lines, previously by the mutinying crew members. 2nd screenplay problem, but don't ask how the crew members, not in the diving bell, are able to breathe under water until they arrive at the lost continent.
What makes this movie really interesting to movie buffs are the actors playing the three Atlantean leaders. "Atsil", Atraxon" and "Atmir".
The role of "Atsil" was portrayed by dancer and actress Cyd Charisse. Probably best known for dancing opposite Fred Astaire in "1953's "The Band Wagon", and 1957's "Silk Stockings". Along with opposite Gene Kelly in, 1952's "Singing in the Rain", and 1954's "Brigadoon".
The role of "Atraxon" was portrayed by actor Daniel Massey, Raymond Massey's son, and the godson of Noel Coward. Whom he played in the Julie Andrews motion picture musical, "STAR".
The role of "Atmir" was portrayed by Michael Gothard. Gothard is best known to American audiences for the role of "Emile Leopold Locque", in the 1981, "James Bond" thriller, "For Your Eyes Only".
Of course there was a love interest named "Delphine" portrayed by Lea Brodie. Who gave up acting to become a "Spiritual Healer" in 2000.
"Delphine's" father, "Captain Briggs" was portrayed by Robert Brown. Brown was in "The Spy Who Loved Me", and then portrayed "M", in the next four "James Bond" films.
What makes "Captain Briggs" being found in "Atlantis" more interesting for the viewer, is that he was the "Captain of the Mary Celeste". The real "Mary Celeste" was discovered adrift on the ocean without crew on December 5, 1872. So, that fact raises the question, how old is "Briggs" and "Delphine", and what happens if they ever leave Atlantis? In the end there is a slave revolt led by "Captain Briggs".
"Greg", "Charles", and the other crew members of the "Texas Rose", escape to the surface in the diving bell. Again bringing up the last screenplay problem. How does a diving bell not attached to any lines actually raise up to the surface of the Atlantic Ocean? Who cares as we enjoy the ride.
On January 19, 1979 Italian producer Luciano Martino and director Sergio Martino brought their audience "L'isola degi uomini pescse (Island of the Fishmen)". The film revolves around the ruins of "Atlantis" and is a tale of horror, but as my reader will learn. When the picture came to the United States, several changes and additions were made to it.
The original Italian language movie stars American actress and model Barbara Bach as "Amanda Marvin". Bach, who appeared in many Italian motion pictures, is best known for her role in the 1977 "James Bond" movie, "The Spy Who Loved Me", and being married to Beatles drummer, "Ringo Star".
Italian actor Claudio Cassinelli, the actual star of the original Italian version, portrays "Lieutenant Claude de Ross",
Below Bach and Claudio Cassinelli.
Portraying the sadistic "Edmond Rackham" was British actor Richard Johnson. In 1951, the actor was in the British and United States co-production of C.S. Forester's classic , "Captain Horatio Hornblower", portrayed by Gregory Peck. In 1963, Johnson had the lead in director Robert Wise's, "The Haunting", based upon Shirley Jackson's frightening novel, "The Haunting of Hill House", and in 1966, he co-starred with Charlton Heston and Lawrence Olivier, in "Khartoum".
The original Italian plot takes place in 1891. When "Lieutenant de Ross" is shipwrecked escorting several convicts. They make it to an uncharted Caribbean island, but some of the convicts are killed by the "Fishmen". The Lieutenant and the remaining convicts head in land into the jungle. There they encounter "Rackham" and his prisoner "Amanda".
"Rackman" has been forcing "Professor Ernest Marvin", portrayed by Joseph Cotton, to perform surgeries on people turning them into the "Fishmen". "Rackman" had discovered the lost city of "Atlantis", and is using "Marvin's" creations to plunder the city of its treasures and scientific secrets.
The original Italian version is very good, but than New World Productions, at the time still owned by Roger Corman, got into the act for the English language version. They initially changed the name to "Something Waits in the Dark". A new English language screenplay was written, musical cues were added at certain horror points, and a prologue was also shot. That prologue featured American actor Cameron Mitchell as a sea captain hired by a "gentlemen", portrayed by Mel Ferrer, bottom of the below poster, are the names of both actors from the added prologue.
This version of the movie didn't do well and it was decided to rework the English language version. It was also retitled in 1981, as "Screamers", and should not to be confused with the 1995, Canadian film of the same name.
Note the tag line:
Then there is apparently an actual English language dub of the original Italian motion picture.
Take your pick. Oh, and to add to the confusion. The English dub is also known as "Islands of Mutations".
The idea of "Atlantis" being populated by Outer Space Aliens was used once more as background for the 1985 Ron Howard motion picture "Cocoon". Which was based upon the novel by David Saperstein. 10,000 years prior to the story. Aliens from the planet Antarea arrive on Earth and set up an outpost on what becomes "Atlantis". When the destruction of the outpost occurs. The aliens leave Earth, but 20 of their race have to be left behind in rock cocoons. This opening is the only reference to "Atlantis" used in the screenplay.
Switch to a 1985 Retirement Home, located next to a house owned by some of the Aliens. The Antarean's are disguised to look like humans. They are here to get those left behind and return them to Antarea. To strengthen those in the cocoons for the space trip. The water in an indoor swimming pool is energized with a life force. The fun begins when some of those from the retirement home sneak into the house to take a swim in the pool and become younger.
There was a made for TV movie, shown May 14, 1994, starring Richard Dean Anderson portraying, "Angus MacGyver". In which "Mac" and a College Professor search for the Lost Continent.
On March 11, 1995 the Japanese studio Daiei Film recreated their star kaiju "Gamera". The original Japanese title of the picture was "Gamera: Daikaiju Kuchu Kessen (Gamera: Giant Monster Mid-air Battle)". known in English speaking countries, as "Gamera: Guardian of the Universe". The first motion picture in a trilogy.
Originally, back on November 27, 1965, the film "Daikaiju Gamera (Giant Monster Gamera)" premiered in Japan. "Gamera"was presented as a prehistoric turtle that breathes fire, fly's, and protects children. This concept lasted through all eight Showa Era motion pictures.
When the Hesei Era Trilogy came out, there were two changes. The first, was "Gamera" now has a mental link to the human child. In the case of the trilogy, her name is "Asagi Kusanagi", portrayed by Ayako Fujitani.
Ayako's father is American martial arts actor, Steven Seagal, and her mother is akido martial arts master, Miyako Fujitani.
In the trilogy "Gamera" and it's opponent "Gyaos" are bio-engineered and created by the people of "Atlantis". Both are no longer prehistoric animals. Apparently "Gyaos" was originally created, but something went wrong and it became a flesh eating bird that can reproduce. "Gamera" was created to fight "Gyaos" and defend the Earth.
In the third motion picture of the trilogy "Gamera Suri Jyashin Irisu Kakusei (Gamera 3: Evil <Iris> Awakening)" aka: "Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris". A graveyard of "Gamera" skeletons is discovered indicating the current "Gamera" was not the only one of its bio-engineered species. In fact, one character refer to the skeletons as "Beta Versions". Possibly implying these were mistakes made by the Atlantean's when creating "Gamera".
It should be noted, that in the first of the two, 2014 Blu-ray releases, of the complete original Showa Era "Gamera". That the new subtitles for the first film "Gamera the Giant Monster" now states he came from "Atlantis". While the original film release never mentioned that he was anything other than a form of prehistoric turtle.
On June 3, 2001 the Walt Disney Company released an animated picture "Atlantis: The Lost Empire". This family film opens with a tidal wave destroying "Atlantis", and then centuries later, in 1914, our hero "Milo Thatch", voiced by Michael J. Fox, joins an expedition to find it. His profession is that of cartographer and linguist. The story follows the group of adventures, the discovery of a populated "Atlantis" and "Milo" falling in love with the Atlantean "Princess Kidagakash 'Kida' Nedakh", voiced by Cree Summer.
What is interesting, as with George Pal's production, the screenplay by Tab Murphy and David Reynolds, also uses Edgar Cayce's "Atlantis" writings, and brings out a civilization that requires the use of crystals for power, and looks Egyptian.
On May 20, 2003, the Walt Disney Company ,released a straight to DVD sequel entitled
In the novel, the main character is "Professor Otto Lindenbrock" of Hamburg, Germany. Who with his nephew, "Axel", and their Icelandic guide, "Hans", will enter the volcano, "Snaefellsjokull", a 700,000-years-old glacier-capped stratovolcano in western Iceland, seen below.
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Above, one of the American posters, and below one of the United Kingdom posters.
Next, was a Spanish and United Kingdom version of the novel, "Viaje al centro de la Tierra (Journey to the Center of the Earth)", that premiered at the "Paris Festival of Fantastic Films", in March 1977.
The dubbed English language version was renamed "Where Time Began", and it was first shown in the United States in November 1978.
In this version, "Professor Lindenbrock" is in an old book store and finds the journal of explorer "Arne Saknuessemm". Then the "Professor", his niece, and her boyfriend get a guide, "Hans Belker", portrayed by Frank Bana, and they enter the earth.
I started this article with a motion picture that based its premise upon "Admiral Byrd's", 1947, expedition to explain the warm water area in the Antarctic region of the Earth. I now turn to another motion picture dealing with the theories of two of the other names I mentioned at the start of this article.
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Switch to an expedition, on the side of a mountain in Asia, made up of "Dr. Rodger Bentley", "Dr. Jud Bellamin", "Professor Lafarge" and "Dr. Paul Stuart", portrayed by Phil Chambers. They are excavating an ancient temple that surprisingly seems Sumerian.
The group discovers a race of Sumerian albinos living underground since a major flood in Mesopotamia (Southern Iraq). The flood is equated, by historians, to the Biblical one with Noah. The Sumerian civilization thrived from the mid-4th Century B.C.E. through the rise of Babylon in the mid-3rd Century B.C.E.
These Sumerian's believe the expedition was sent by their Goddess, Ishtar. Ishtar, or Inanna, was the Goddess of sex, war, justice, and political power. The "Mole People" of the title are the Sumerian slaves.
The premise is very good, but the film is too low budget, and without any real action until the "Mole People" revolt at the climax.
There is political intrigue, as the fate of the expedition members is debated.
There is a romance between "Dr. Bentley" and "Adad". She is scorned by the people, as one of the "Dark One's", because she has a normal Caucasian skin color. The skin color of the explorers becomes an issue that leads to suspicions by this underground civilization. Along with racial implications being made between the albinos and the black skinned mole people.
"Lafarge" goes into one of the tunnels and is killed by the "Mole People".
After this happens, the High Priest realizes these strangers are not God's and orders their capture. They have been using a flashlight to hold off the "Mole People", and at times some of the Sumerians. As both races live in very low light, or actual darkness. The albinos use a special shaft as severe punishment, because it can be opened to expose someone to death by sunlight. Up to this point, it has been thought the flashlight was from the sun, but now still realizing its power over the "Mole People". The High Priest orders it brought to him along with the surface dwellers.
Then the "Mole People" revolt.
Chaos takes form among the Sumerians from the slave rebellion. When one of the "Mole People" attacks the High Priest. The Priest turns the flashlight on and toward the slave, but the battery is now dead and the High Priest is killed. Meanwhile, the other members of the expedition and "Adad" use the confusion to escape. They all make it to the surface, but a sudden Earthquake occurs. One of the ancient columns, of the surface temple, falls upon "Adad", killing her.
The novel tells of two French Officers, who get lost on patrol in the Sahara Desert, and discover the remains of the Atlantean civilization ruled by a queen named "Antenea". She was originally portrayed by Stacia Napierkowska, seen below.
The plot of Benoit's novel sounds extremely similar to H. Rider Haggard's, "SHE". First released in October 1866, as a chapter serial in "The Graphic" Magazine. Haggard tells of "Ayesha", Queen of the Lost City of Kor, in the Arabian desert. Where two adventures discover a civilization that predates the Egyptians, just as in "L'Atlantide".
In 1932, a French and German co-production of Pierre Beniot's novel was released. The film, as was the practice prior to dubbing, was shot with a French cast, and again with German and English language casts. What did not change in all three films was the actress portraying "Antinea". While the other roles were different actors of their respective languages.
Actress Brigitte Helm, should be known by all students and fans of German director Fritz Lang. She portrayed both "Maria" and her Robotic copy, in Lang's 1927 masterpiece, "Metropolis". As with the original silent film, this 1932 production, was actually shot in the Sahara Desert for reality.
For those of my readers interested in the complete works of Fritz Lang. They may read by bio on him, and Hitler's cinematographer Leni Riefensthal at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/03/fritz-lang-and-leni-riefensthal-their.html
The United States would make a version of Pierre Benoit's novel. That film was released in January 1949, under the title "Siren of Atlantis", aka: "Atlantis", aka: Atlantide". The production starred Maria Montez as "Queen Antinea", and her husband, at the time, Jean-Pierre Aumont, as "Andre St. Avil", The lost city was moved from the Sahara Desert to the African Jungle. This was a typical Hollywood Maria Montez motion picture, and very similar in style to the one's she had done opposite Jon Hall. Such as 1944's "Cobra Women", or 1945's "Sudan".
On May 30, 1936, "Republic Pictures", released a 12 Chapter serial about "Atlantis", entitled "The Undersea Kingdom".
The hero of this adventure was named Ray "Crash" Corrigan. He was portrayed by an actor whose real name was either Raymond Bernard, or Raymond Benitz, depending on which biography you read. Actually, starting with this serial, Raymond adopted and legalized his character's name as his own. From this feature forward, he was Ray "Crash" Corrigan in motion pictures.
The obvious here was that Republic Pictures, by calling their character "Crash Corrigan", was playing off Universal Studio's serial, "Flash Gordon", released only one month earlier. Even to the extant of having the two hero's names sound similar.
Between September 22, 1936 and August 10, 1939, Ray Corrigan portrayed "Tucson Smith" in Republic's "B" Western Series, "The Three Mesquiteers". He was in the first 24 of 51 movies that made up the popular series with some changes to actors in the other lead roles. Portraying the second "Mesquiteer", "Stoney Brooke", during this period were actors Robert Livingston and John Wayne. While the third "Mesquiteer" "Lullaby Joslin", was Max Terhune.
In 1937, Corrigan would purchase land in the Santa Susanna Mountains. The area joined the San Fernando Valley and is now considered part of Simi Valley. He would turn his ranch into a Western movie and television location named "Corriganville". In 1958, the actor portrayed the title character in the low budget Science Fiction film, "It! The Terror from Beyond Space". Below Corrigan is on the left in a scene from "Undersea Kingdom".
The plot of the serial has Naval Lieutenant "Crash Corrigan" invited to visit "Professor Norton" portrayed by C. Montague Shaw. Shaw appeared as "Dr. Huer" in the 1939 serial "Buck Rodgers" and was also in "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" In this serial "Professor Norton" has invented a device that at short range can both detect and prevent earthquakes. A series of quakes has been occurring across the World in areas they shouldn't appear in. They also appear to be originating from an area of the Atlantic Ocean that Plato wrote the continent of "Atlantis" was to have existed.
At the "Professor's" demonstration is a reporter for the Times named "Diana Compton" portrayed by Lois Wilde. Can you say Republic's answer to "Dale Arden"? Wilde was only in 19 movies and most were "B" Westerns. "Diana" will of course accompany "Professor Norton" and "Crash Corrigan" in a rocket submarine to "Atlantis".
Above, far right are C. Montague Shaw and Lois Wilde. Sitting on the throne is actor Monte Blue as "Unga Khan". Can you say "Ming the Merciless"? As both "Flash's Ming" and "Crash's Khan" are patterned after ancient Chinese warlords. "Unga Khan" is the tyrant ruler of "Atlantis" and leader of the group known as the "Black Robes".
Blue started out in silents as a leading man to both Gish sisters, Gloria Swanson, Clara Bow and Norma Shearer. He was a favorite of both D.W. Griffith and Cecil B. DeMille. In the early 1950's Monte Blue moved to television Westerns normally playing a Sheriff. His shows included "Sky King", "The Lone Ranger", "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin", "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok", "Annie Oakley" and "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp".
Fighting the "Black Robes" where, of course, the "White Robes". They are lead by "Sharad" portrayed by William Farnum.
From 1915 to 1925 William Farnham was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. Earning him a weekly salary of $10,000 dollars. That may not seem like much today, but in 2018 that equates to a weekly salary of $142,280 dollars.
The cast of the "Undersea Kingdom" included Lester Alvin Byrnette known to "B" Cowboy film buffs as "Smiley" Burnett. He portrayed one of "Professor Norton's" submarine crew "Briny Deep". As a "B" Cowboy side kick, "Smiley" would ride the range along side of Gene Autry, "Sunset" Carlson, Charles Starlett aka: "The Durango Kid" and Roy Rodgers. He reappeared with Autry on his television show and was a regular on both "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction". Burnett was also a song composer and inventor. Along with being able to play over 100 different instruments.
All I could locate about Frankie Marvi seen above, with Burnette, as crewman "Salty". Is that Marvin was a musician, but appeared in both "B" Westerns and Western television shows from 1934 through 1965.
Having a juicy role as "Unga Khan's" main henchman ""Captain Hakur" was Lon Chaney. Jr. Although he had been in 15 motion pictures prior to "Undersea Kingdom". This was only the second time Creighton Tull Chaney was billed as Lon Chaney, Jr.
My article on the career and life of Lon Chaney, Jr. may be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/05/lon-chaney-jr-of-mice-and-werewolves.html
As with every cliff hanger serials since the silent era, this one is packed full of excitement. This "Atlantis" is in a complete undersea world with air to breathe, a sky, and to all appearances seems to be exactly like the surface world.
Then there are the robots that "Crash" must do battle with. This was also the first appearance of the classic Republic Robot that appeared in many other chapter serials from the studio.
Below a 1936 television viewer with the ability, don't ask how, to see the surface world.
The hero in a distress sequence, has "Crash" chained to one of "Unga Khan's" Juggernaught tanks.
A look at "Atlantis" in the "Undersea Kingdom".
In the end "Unga Khan" will be defeated and peace restored to "Atlantis". While "Crash" and company return to the surface and he lives happily ever after with "Diana".
Blue started out in silents as a leading man to both Gish sisters, Gloria Swanson, Clara Bow and Norma Shearer. He was a favorite of both D.W. Griffith and Cecil B. DeMille. In the early 1950's Monte Blue moved to television Westerns normally playing a Sheriff. His shows included "Sky King", "The Lone Ranger", "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin", "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok", "Annie Oakley" and "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp".
Fighting the "Black Robes" where, of course, the "White Robes". They are lead by "Sharad" portrayed by William Farnum.
From 1915 to 1925 William Farnham was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. Earning him a weekly salary of $10,000 dollars. That may not seem like much today, but in 2018 that equates to a weekly salary of $142,280 dollars.
The cast of the "Undersea Kingdom" included Lester Alvin Byrnette known to "B" Cowboy film buffs as "Smiley" Burnett. He portrayed one of "Professor Norton's" submarine crew "Briny Deep". As a "B" Cowboy side kick, "Smiley" would ride the range along side of Gene Autry, "Sunset" Carlson, Charles Starlett aka: "The Durango Kid" and Roy Rodgers. He reappeared with Autry on his television show and was a regular on both "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction". Burnett was also a song composer and inventor. Along with being able to play over 100 different instruments.
All I could locate about Frankie Marvi seen above, with Burnette, as crewman "Salty". Is that Marvin was a musician, but appeared in both "B" Westerns and Western television shows from 1934 through 1965.
Having a juicy role as "Unga Khan's" main henchman ""Captain Hakur" was Lon Chaney. Jr. Although he had been in 15 motion pictures prior to "Undersea Kingdom". This was only the second time Creighton Tull Chaney was billed as Lon Chaney, Jr.
My article on the career and life of Lon Chaney, Jr. may be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/05/lon-chaney-jr-of-mice-and-werewolves.html
As with every cliff hanger serials since the silent era, this one is packed full of excitement. This "Atlantis" is in a complete undersea world with air to breathe, a sky, and to all appearances seems to be exactly like the surface world.
Then there are the robots that "Crash" must do battle with. This was also the first appearance of the classic Republic Robot that appeared in many other chapter serials from the studio.
Below a 1936 television viewer with the ability, don't ask how, to see the surface world.
The hero in a distress sequence, has "Crash" chained to one of "Unga Khan's" Juggernaught tanks.
A look at "Atlantis" in the "Undersea Kingdom".
In the end "Unga Khan" will be defeated and peace restored to "Atlantis". While "Crash" and company return to the surface and he lives happily ever after with "Diana".
Sometimes a great idea is destroyed by a mediocre budget. Producer and Director George Pal released, "Atlantis the Lost Continent", on May 3, 1961.
Pal was known for the creation of the "Puppetoons", 1951's "Destination Moon", 1953 Academy Award winning "War of the Worlds", and the 1958 musical "Tom Thumb". In this picture, the concept was right, but the creature make-ups and special effects were almost as bad as the lead actor Anthony Hall. Who was in reality an Italian actor named Sal Ponti with a dubbed voice.
Greek fisherman "Demetrios", Hall or Ponti, and his father are fishing when they spot wreckage from a ship. On some of it is a young woman, who turns out to he "Princes Antillia" of "Atlantis".
Pal was known for the creation of the "Puppetoons", 1951's "Destination Moon", 1953 Academy Award winning "War of the Worlds", and the 1958 musical "Tom Thumb". In this picture, the concept was right, but the creature make-ups and special effects were almost as bad as the lead actor Anthony Hall. Who was in reality an Italian actor named Sal Ponti with a dubbed voice.
Greek fisherman "Demetrios", Hall or Ponti, and his father are fishing when they spot wreckage from a ship. On some of it is a young woman, who turns out to he "Princes Antillia" of "Atlantis".
"Antillia" will convince "Demetrios" to take her to "the ends of the Earth" and her home of "Atlantis". He agrees to make an attempt to get there, but only for a certain amount of days at sea. If they do not find "Atlantis", the two will return to Greece and she will become his wife.
"Demetrios, thinks a sea serpent is attacking them, but it is a submarine from the advanced civilization of "Atlantis". I wish we saw more of the sub, because it is the most interesting idea in the motion picture.
The scientists of "Atlantis" experiment on people, turning them into animal creatures and one of them is a friend of "Demetrios". The fisherman is also to be experimented upon until "Antillia's" father orders him to the slave pits instead.
Upon discovering what has happened to "Demetrois". "Antillia" pleads his case to her father and the fisherman is given a chance to become a citizen of "Atlantis", if he is the victor in a gladiatorial style combat on a pit of hot coals.
"Demetrios, thinks a sea serpent is attacking them, but it is a submarine from the advanced civilization of "Atlantis". I wish we saw more of the sub, because it is the most interesting idea in the motion picture.
The scientists of "Atlantis" experiment on people, turning them into animal creatures and one of them is a friend of "Demetrios". The fisherman is also to be experimented upon until "Antillia's" father orders him to the slave pits instead.
Upon discovering what has happened to "Demetrois". "Antillia" pleads his case to her father and the fisherman is given a chance to become a citizen of "Atlantis", if he is the victor in a gladiatorial style combat on a pit of hot coals.
As a free citizen, "Demetrios" plans a way to escape with "Antillia", and help the other slaves. Below, he speaks to the Religious leader, portrayed by Edward Platt. Better known as "The Chief" on television's "Get Smart". The Religious leader tells "Demetrios", that the volcano "Atlantis" is built upon, is nearing an eruption which will destroy the continent.
The statue, in the following still, contains one of the larger crystal's used by the Atlantean's as a power source. This idea goes back to Christian mystic and "Sleeping Prophet" American Edgar Cayce, 1877 to 1945. Among the many things Cayce "Saw" was "Atlantis" and claimed he was reincarnated as were other Atlantean's.
The statue, in the following still, contains one of the larger crystal's used by the Atlantean's as a power source. This idea goes back to Christian mystic and "Sleeping Prophet" American Edgar Cayce, 1877 to 1945. Among the many things Cayce "Saw" was "Atlantis" and claimed he was reincarnated as were other Atlantean's.
Under the direction of "Demetrios", the slaves slowly start to turn the wheel of the system controlling the volcano located at the center of the continent. This is done over a period of days and will lead to the foretold eruption and end of the continent.
Below, is the evil counselor "Zaren", played by John Dall.
Below, is the evil counselor "Zaren", played by John Dall.
Below "Zaren" is attempting to kill fleeing Atlantean's from the volcano's eruption by using the "Death Ray Crystal".
The destruction of "Atlantis" used stock footage from George Pal's 1954 motion picture, "The Naked Jungle", and very bad models. During the eruption, the crystal moves its position, and "Zaren" gets hit by the ray and disintegrates. Too bad, he was the only really interesting character in the movie.
The destruction of "Atlantis" used stock footage from George Pal's 1954 motion picture, "The Naked Jungle", and very bad models. During the eruption, the crystal moves its position, and "Zaren" gets hit by the ray and disintegrates. Too bad, he was the only really interesting character in the movie.
I never could figure out why "Antillia", "Demetrios" and some of the others went to fishing boats instead of the submarine to escape. The picture starts and ends with an animated sequence. The opening explains the legend of the Lost Continent. The ending is about what may have happened to the people who survived the destruction of "Atlantis". Going with the idea that they were the central source for the Egyptian, Aztec and Mayan civilizations, because they all built similar looking pyramids and had other similarities.
On November 23, 1963 the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) premiered a new television series initially aimed at teaching children about historical events. One historical event actually occurred the day before the series premiered in the U.K.. Sadly this was the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy. That event was never addressed as the series switched to Science Fiction.
The original star of this BBC series was William Hartnell, but on October 29, 1966 he "renewed" himself. A term that became "regeneration" into the Second "Dr. Who", portrayed by Patrick Troughton, and the "Second Doctor" was in the first of three programs dealing with "Atlantis".
"The Underwater Meance" was a four part serial, only two remain, shown between January 14, 1967 and February 4, 1967. In it, the "Doctor", Patrick Troughton, and his companions "Jamie McCrimmon", portrayed by Frazer Hines, "Polly", portrayed by Anneke Willis and "Ben Jackson", portrayed by Michael Craze, find themselves captured on a deserted volcanic island by the survivors of "Atlantis".
The story has the usual "Dr. Who" element of a mad scientist from the surface, "Professor. Zaroff", portrayed by Joseph Furst. He has a plan to raise the lost continent back to the surface and conquer the Earth. Then there's, "Damon", portrayed by Colin Jeavons, a mad Atlantean scientist that wants to convert subjects to fish people.
Below are Troughton and Furst.
The only way to stop "Professor Zaroff", is to cause "Atlantis" to sink even farther into the ocean. By getting the "Professor's" machine for raising the continent, completely covered in ocean water, and ineffective. The Atlantians are warned to get to a higher level and this saves most of the people from drowning.
Moving forward to the Third "Doctor Who", portrayed by Jon Pertwee, are the other two adventures concerning Atlantis.
"The Daemons" ran for five episodes, between May 22nd to June 19, 1971. For fans of the "Doctor", the show included his companion "Jo Grant", portrayed by Katy Manning, "Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart", portrayed by Nicholas Courtney, "Captain Mike Yates", portrayed by Richard Franklin and my favorite evil character, " The Master", portrayed by Roger Delgado.
A little bit of "Quatermass and the Pitt" from another BBC program enters this story, or as the motion picture version is known in the United States "Five Million Years to Earth". The "Doctor" and "Jo" enter the village of "Devil's End" were an archaeological dig will lead to bringing back the "Horned Devil". At the dig a small spaceship will be discovered. The lifting from the other show is very obvious here.
The story's connection to "Atlantis" is just a passing mention connected to the Godlike "Azal", portrayed by Stephen Thorne. Once again the Barry Lefts and Robert Sloman's screenplay, both men being credited on screen as just one writer, Guy Leopold, lifts from the 1958 earlier program's story line.
As the spaceship reveals the "Azal" is actually an alien, who was known also to the Atlantians. The story ends in a confrontation in a church, but script editor Terrence Dicks had concerns that some of the story implied the villages were "Satanists", and this was toned down.
For "The Time Monster" the same four leading characters and actors returned. The six episodes were seen between May 20th to June 24, 1972.
In this program "The Master" transports the Atlanean "High Priest of Kronos", named "Krasis"", portrayed by Marc Boyle, to his 20th Century home.
According to the "Third Doctor", "Kronos" is a "Chronovore". A creature living out of time, but feeding on time itself. The battle with his fellow "Time Lord", will mean taking the "TARDIS" back in time to "Atlantis" to battle both the "Master' and "Kronos".
On May 5, 1978 the U.K. also had the next big screen entry with "Warlords of Atlantis", starring American actor Doug McClure.
When it was originally released, I saw the picture under the title "Warlords of Atlantis", but later it was changed to, "Warlords of the Deep".
This adventure story, as the above poster indicates, has the Atlantean's actually an alien race. Thereby explaining their superior intelligence and progress related by Plato and other writers.
The plot, set at the start of the 20th Century, has "Professor Aiken", portrayed by Donald Bisset, and his son "Charles", portrayed by Peter Gilmore, apparently wanting to go out into the Atlantic Ocean to look for undiscovered species of fish. The two British Archaeologists commission the American ship the "Texas Rose" to take them into the Atlantic and plan, so they say, to use a diving bell designed by American "Gregg Collinson", portrayed by McClure. to locate these new fish species. In actuality the two are looking for the lost city of Atlantis.
First plot problem, is why would British Archaeologists be looking for a new species of fish? That should be the work of Ichthyologists.
"Gregg" and "Charles" make an initial dive and discover "Atlantis", but are attacked by a sea monster.
"Gregg" saves the day, by sending an electrical shock into it. The two explorers find a solid gold statue and attach a line, so it may be raised to the surface. After raising the statue, it is placed upon the deck of the "Texas Rose".
Almost immediately some of the crew decide they want it and attempt a minor mutiny and during the scuffle the "Professor" is injured. While this is occurring, a giant octopus controlled by the people of "Atlantis" breaks the surface, attacks the ship, takes four of the mutineers and then retreats back under water capturing the diving bell. Which was cut free of all its lines, previously by the mutinying crew members. 2nd screenplay problem, but don't ask how the crew members, not in the diving bell, are able to breathe under water until they arrive at the lost continent.
What makes this movie really interesting to movie buffs are the actors playing the three Atlantean leaders. "Atsil", Atraxon" and "Atmir".
The role of "Atsil" was portrayed by dancer and actress Cyd Charisse. Probably best known for dancing opposite Fred Astaire in "1953's "The Band Wagon", and 1957's "Silk Stockings". Along with opposite Gene Kelly in, 1952's "Singing in the Rain", and 1954's "Brigadoon".
The role of "Atraxon" was portrayed by actor Daniel Massey, Raymond Massey's son, and the godson of Noel Coward. Whom he played in the Julie Andrews motion picture musical, "STAR".
The role of "Atmir" was portrayed by Michael Gothard. Gothard is best known to American audiences for the role of "Emile Leopold Locque", in the 1981, "James Bond" thriller, "For Your Eyes Only".
Of course there was a love interest named "Delphine" portrayed by Lea Brodie. Who gave up acting to become a "Spiritual Healer" in 2000.
"Delphine's" father, "Captain Briggs" was portrayed by Robert Brown. Brown was in "The Spy Who Loved Me", and then portrayed "M", in the next four "James Bond" films.
What makes "Captain Briggs" being found in "Atlantis" more interesting for the viewer, is that he was the "Captain of the Mary Celeste". The real "Mary Celeste" was discovered adrift on the ocean without crew on December 5, 1872. So, that fact raises the question, how old is "Briggs" and "Delphine", and what happens if they ever leave Atlantis? In the end there is a slave revolt led by "Captain Briggs".
"Greg", "Charles", and the other crew members of the "Texas Rose", escape to the surface in the diving bell. Again bringing up the last screenplay problem. How does a diving bell not attached to any lines actually raise up to the surface of the Atlantic Ocean? Who cares as we enjoy the ride.
On January 19, 1979 Italian producer Luciano Martino and director Sergio Martino brought their audience "L'isola degi uomini pescse (Island of the Fishmen)". The film revolves around the ruins of "Atlantis" and is a tale of horror, but as my reader will learn. When the picture came to the United States, several changes and additions were made to it.
The original Italian language movie stars American actress and model Barbara Bach as "Amanda Marvin". Bach, who appeared in many Italian motion pictures, is best known for her role in the 1977 "James Bond" movie, "The Spy Who Loved Me", and being married to Beatles drummer, "Ringo Star".
Italian actor Claudio Cassinelli, the actual star of the original Italian version, portrays "Lieutenant Claude de Ross",
Below Bach and Claudio Cassinelli.
Portraying the sadistic "Edmond Rackham" was British actor Richard Johnson. In 1951, the actor was in the British and United States co-production of C.S. Forester's classic , "Captain Horatio Hornblower", portrayed by Gregory Peck. In 1963, Johnson had the lead in director Robert Wise's, "The Haunting", based upon Shirley Jackson's frightening novel, "The Haunting of Hill House", and in 1966, he co-starred with Charlton Heston and Lawrence Olivier, in "Khartoum".
The original Italian plot takes place in 1891. When "Lieutenant de Ross" is shipwrecked escorting several convicts. They make it to an uncharted Caribbean island, but some of the convicts are killed by the "Fishmen". The Lieutenant and the remaining convicts head in land into the jungle. There they encounter "Rackham" and his prisoner "Amanda".
"Rackman" has been forcing "Professor Ernest Marvin", portrayed by Joseph Cotton, to perform surgeries on people turning them into the "Fishmen". "Rackman" had discovered the lost city of "Atlantis", and is using "Marvin's" creations to plunder the city of its treasures and scientific secrets.
The original Italian version is very good, but than New World Productions, at the time still owned by Roger Corman, got into the act for the English language version. They initially changed the name to "Something Waits in the Dark". A new English language screenplay was written, musical cues were added at certain horror points, and a prologue was also shot. That prologue featured American actor Cameron Mitchell as a sea captain hired by a "gentlemen", portrayed by Mel Ferrer, bottom of the below poster, are the names of both actors from the added prologue.
This version of the movie didn't do well and it was decided to rework the English language version. It was also retitled in 1981, as "Screamers", and should not to be confused with the 1995, Canadian film of the same name.
Note the tag line:
They're men turned inside out!A sequence was shot just for the new trailer of an alive man actually being turned inside out. However, complaints were received by viewers, about that scene not being in the picture. So, once again the English language version was pulled, that scene inserted, and the English language cut of the Italian picture released for the third time.
Then there is apparently an actual English language dub of the original Italian motion picture.
Take your pick. Oh, and to add to the confusion. The English dub is also known as "Islands of Mutations".
The idea of "Atlantis" being populated by Outer Space Aliens was used once more as background for the 1985 Ron Howard motion picture "Cocoon". Which was based upon the novel by David Saperstein. 10,000 years prior to the story. Aliens from the planet Antarea arrive on Earth and set up an outpost on what becomes "Atlantis". When the destruction of the outpost occurs. The aliens leave Earth, but 20 of their race have to be left behind in rock cocoons. This opening is the only reference to "Atlantis" used in the screenplay.
Switch to a 1985 Retirement Home, located next to a house owned by some of the Aliens. The Antarean's are disguised to look like humans. They are here to get those left behind and return them to Antarea. To strengthen those in the cocoons for the space trip. The water in an indoor swimming pool is energized with a life force. The fun begins when some of those from the retirement home sneak into the house to take a swim in the pool and become younger.
There was a made for TV movie, shown May 14, 1994, starring Richard Dean Anderson portraying, "Angus MacGyver". In which "Mac" and a College Professor search for the Lost Continent.
On March 11, 1995 the Japanese studio Daiei Film recreated their star kaiju "Gamera". The original Japanese title of the picture was "Gamera: Daikaiju Kuchu Kessen (Gamera: Giant Monster Mid-air Battle)". known in English speaking countries, as "Gamera: Guardian of the Universe". The first motion picture in a trilogy.
Originally, back on November 27, 1965, the film "Daikaiju Gamera (Giant Monster Gamera)" premiered in Japan. "Gamera"was presented as a prehistoric turtle that breathes fire, fly's, and protects children. This concept lasted through all eight Showa Era motion pictures.
When the Hesei Era Trilogy came out, there were two changes. The first, was "Gamera" now has a mental link to the human child. In the case of the trilogy, her name is "Asagi Kusanagi", portrayed by Ayako Fujitani.
Ayako's father is American martial arts actor, Steven Seagal, and her mother is akido martial arts master, Miyako Fujitani.
In the trilogy "Gamera" and it's opponent "Gyaos" are bio-engineered and created by the people of "Atlantis". Both are no longer prehistoric animals. Apparently "Gyaos" was originally created, but something went wrong and it became a flesh eating bird that can reproduce. "Gamera" was created to fight "Gyaos" and defend the Earth.
In the third motion picture of the trilogy "Gamera Suri Jyashin Irisu Kakusei (Gamera 3: Evil <Iris> Awakening)" aka: "Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris". A graveyard of "Gamera" skeletons is discovered indicating the current "Gamera" was not the only one of its bio-engineered species. In fact, one character refer to the skeletons as "Beta Versions". Possibly implying these were mistakes made by the Atlantean's when creating "Gamera".
It should be noted, that in the first of the two, 2014 Blu-ray releases, of the complete original Showa Era "Gamera". That the new subtitles for the first film "Gamera the Giant Monster" now states he came from "Atlantis". While the original film release never mentioned that he was anything other than a form of prehistoric turtle.
On June 3, 2001 the Walt Disney Company released an animated picture "Atlantis: The Lost Empire". This family film opens with a tidal wave destroying "Atlantis", and then centuries later, in 1914, our hero "Milo Thatch", voiced by Michael J. Fox, joins an expedition to find it. His profession is that of cartographer and linguist. The story follows the group of adventures, the discovery of a populated "Atlantis" and "Milo" falling in love with the Atlantean "Princess Kidagakash 'Kida' Nedakh", voiced by Cree Summer.
What is interesting, as with George Pal's production, the screenplay by Tab Murphy and David Reynolds, also uses Edgar Cayce's "Atlantis" writings, and brings out a civilization that requires the use of crystals for power, and looks Egyptian.
On May 20, 2003, the Walt Disney Company ,released a straight to DVD sequel entitled
"Atlantis: Milo's Return" aka: "Atlantis II: Milo's Return". Cree Summer was back as the voice of the now Atlantean Queen and replacing Michael J. Fox was James Arnold Taylor as the voice of "King Milo James Thatch". Otherwise this was a formula family animated picture with some of the original characters and a few new ones and a lesser quality of animation.
On October 2, 2006, a television series entitled "Atlantika", premiered in the Philippines and would run for 96 episodes,
The series opens with a love triangle between a woman, "Haring Agnat", and two men, "Reyna Celebes", and "Barracud". This triangle causes the undersea kingdom to split into good and dark sides. Move forward and "Aquario", a "Senturon", must face his destiny of saving "Atlantika", by finding the two lost Princesses. However, there are four possibilities, see the above picture, but only one of the two is destined for him and the another will destroy "Atlantika". Can he find the two and then discover which is which?
The last film, to the date of this article, mentioning "Atlantis", was released on March 7, 2008, entitled "10,000 B.C.". The picture was a joint production of Legendary Pictures and Centropolis Productions. It was produced and directed by Roland Emmerich.
The story follows a tribe of hunters and specifically one mammoth hunter named "D'Leh". He becomes a slave of a group from an advanced civilization believed to have sunk into the ocean. There is a map showing a land mass in the center of what would be the Atlantic Ocean. A slight problem is that the mountain range where "D'Leh's" tribe lives, is the Urals. Which are located in Russia, near the Arctic Ocean, above the Pacific.
On October 2, 2006, a television series entitled "Atlantika", premiered in the Philippines and would run for 96 episodes,
The series opens with a love triangle between a woman, "Haring Agnat", and two men, "Reyna Celebes", and "Barracud". This triangle causes the undersea kingdom to split into good and dark sides. Move forward and "Aquario", a "Senturon", must face his destiny of saving "Atlantika", by finding the two lost Princesses. However, there are four possibilities, see the above picture, but only one of the two is destined for him and the another will destroy "Atlantika". Can he find the two and then discover which is which?
The last film, to the date of this article, mentioning "Atlantis", was released on March 7, 2008, entitled "10,000 B.C.". The picture was a joint production of Legendary Pictures and Centropolis Productions. It was produced and directed by Roland Emmerich.
The story follows a tribe of hunters and specifically one mammoth hunter named "D'Leh". He becomes a slave of a group from an advanced civilization believed to have sunk into the ocean. There is a map showing a land mass in the center of what would be the Atlantic Ocean. A slight problem is that the mountain range where "D'Leh's" tribe lives, is the Urals. Which are located in Russia, near the Arctic Ocean, above the Pacific.
As the following plot outline tells my reader, "Alien From L.A.", released on February 26, 1988, is the perfect transition movie from the many different one about "Atlantis" to Jules Verne's exploration of a "Hollow Earth".
Nerdy, "Wanda Saknussemm", portrayed by Kathy Ireland, below, is even an outcast within Los Angeles. She wears large glasses and has a squeaky voice. She receives news that her father, an archaeologist, has died in North Africa. She goes there to take care of her father's burial and looking through his possessions discovers notes that speak of a way into the lost city of "Atlantis", and follows them.
In Jules Verne's novel, "Voyage au centre de la Terre", the directions to enter the earth comes from a dead explorer named "Arne Saknussemm". In this film, "Wanda's" father is "Arnold Saknussemm". The change here is that "Atlantis" still exists in the "Hollow Earth"and "Wanda" finds true love.
Voyage au centre de la Terre
Below, the cover and front page of the 1867, reissued French edition.
Below is the 1874, First American Edition, of Jules Verne's novel as, "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
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The following is modified from my article, "Jules Verne on the Motion Picture Screen" for explorers at:
Still the most popular motion picture of Jules Verne's novel, as of this writing there are 12, is the first filmed version of:
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH released on December 16, 1959
Above, one of the American posters, and below one of the United Kingdom posters.
The picture was directed by Henry Levin. Levin may not be a familiar name, but his work is very interesting starting with his first directing assignment, 1944's "Cry of the Werewolf", with Nina Foch, Charlton Heston's royal Egyptian mother in Cecil B. DeMile's 1956 "The Ten Commandments", as the Gypsy Werewolf Queen. Along with the Susan Hayward and Charlton Heston, 1953, "The President's Lady", the Clifton Webb and Edmund Gwenn,
1953, "Mr. Scoutmaster", both Pat Boone motion picture's, 1957's "Bernadine", co-starring Terry Moore and Janet Gaynor, and, "April Love", co-starring Shirley Jones.
The screenplay was from two writers, Walter Reisch, 1938's "The Great Waltz" starring Louise Rainer, 1939's "Ninotchka", starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas, 1940's "Comrade X" starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr, 1941's "That Hamilton Woman"
The screenplay was from two writers, Walter Reisch, 1938's "The Great Waltz" starring Louise Rainer, 1939's "Ninotchka", starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas, 1940's "Comrade X" starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr, 1941's "That Hamilton Woman"
starring Vivian Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier, and 1944's "Gaslight" starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, and Joseph Cotton.
Charles Brackett, 1945's "The Lost Weekend" starring Oscar winner Ray Milland, 1950's "Sunset Blvd." starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson, both 1953's "Niagara" starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotton, and, "Titantic" starring Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Wagner.
Charles Brackett, 1945's "The Lost Weekend" starring Oscar winner Ray Milland, 1950's "Sunset Blvd." starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson, both 1953's "Niagara" starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotton, and, "Titantic" starring Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Wagner.
Pat Boone portrayed "Alec McEwan". Boone had just been in 1958's "Mardi Gras" co-starring with Tommy Sands, Sheree North, and Gary Crosby. He would follow this picture with 1961's "All Hands on Deck" co-starring with Buddy Hackett and Barbara Eden.
James Mason portrayed "Sir Olivier Lindenbrook". Mason had just played the villain in director Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 "North by Northwest", co-starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. He would follow this film with 1960's "A Touch of Larceny", co-starring George Sanders and Vera Miles.
Arlene Dahl portrayed "Carla Goteborg". Dahl was appearing on American television programs at this time.
Above, Pat Boone and James Mason.
Diane Baker portrayed "Jenny Lindenbrook". This was Baker's third motion picture and she had just been in the romantic drama, 1959's, "The Best of Everything", starring Hope Lang and Stephen Boyd. She would follow this picture as the Princess, in 1960's, "The Wizard of Baghdad".
Thayer David portrayed "Count Saknussemm". David was also appearing before this movie on television dramas, but followed this picture with the biblical epic, 1960's, "The Story of Ruth", starring Stuart Whitman and Tom Tryon.
Peter Ronson portrayed "Hans Belker". This was Icelandic Olympian Belker's only on-screen appearance.
The screenplay changes German "Professor Lindenbrook" to Scottish, and his nephew "Axel", becomes "Alec", one of his students. Otherwise it retains the basic concept of Jules Verne's work with a couple of other slight changes and concentrates more on the revised, 1867, edition of the novel.
An interesting volcanic piece of lava is given to the Professor by one of his students "Alec", from all of them, after "Lindenbrook" has been knighted. However, the lava, is too heavy to be just lava, and inside is a plumb bob. On it, in what appears to be blood, is writing from the Icelandic explorer, "Arne Saknuesseum", about how find the center of the Earth. This leads "Alec" and the professor, to go to Iceland, and meet "Carla Goteborg", the wife of the scientist who stole "Lindenbrook's" information on how to enter the Earth. Her husband was murdered by "Count Saknusseum", the last of the family whose ancestor is believed to have found a way to the center of the earth. She joins the Professor, "Alec", and "Hans", the guide, and they enter Snaefellsjokull, unknowingly being followed by the Count. There they will find living dinosaurs, and other wonders. All leading to the remains of Atlantis, the death of the evil count, and a way back to the surface through a volcanic vent of the volcano Stromboli. After finding the skeletal remains of "Arne Saknuessuem" pointing the way out. They started their journey in Iceland and ended it in Sicily as hero's with a possible marriage of two couples. "Professor Lindenbrook" to "Carla Goteborg", and "Alec McEwan" to the professor's daughter.
An interesting volcanic piece of lava is given to the Professor by one of his students "Alec", from all of them, after "Lindenbrook" has been knighted. However, the lava, is too heavy to be just lava, and inside is a plumb bob. On it, in what appears to be blood, is writing from the Icelandic explorer, "Arne Saknuesseum", about how find the center of the Earth. This leads "Alec" and the professor, to go to Iceland, and meet "Carla Goteborg", the wife of the scientist who stole "Lindenbrook's" information on how to enter the Earth. Her husband was murdered by "Count Saknusseum", the last of the family whose ancestor is believed to have found a way to the center of the earth. She joins the Professor, "Alec", and "Hans", the guide, and they enter Snaefellsjokull, unknowingly being followed by the Count. There they will find living dinosaurs, and other wonders. All leading to the remains of Atlantis, the death of the evil count, and a way back to the surface through a volcanic vent of the volcano Stromboli. After finding the skeletal remains of "Arne Saknuessuem" pointing the way out. They started their journey in Iceland and ended it in Sicily as hero's with a possible marriage of two couples. "Professor Lindenbrook" to "Carla Goteborg", and "Alec McEwan" to the professor's daughter.
Next, was a Spanish and United Kingdom version of the novel, "Viaje al centro de la Tierra (Journey to the Center of the Earth)", that premiered at the "Paris Festival of Fantastic Films", in March 1977.
The dubbed English language version was renamed "Where Time Began", and it was first shown in the United States in November 1978.
Another English language name for the motion picture is, "The Fabulous Journey to the Centre of the Earth", the name used on British television.
The motion picture starred British actor Kenneth More, portraying "Professor Otto Lindenbrock". Among his motion pictures are, 1951's "No Highway in the Sky", starring James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, and Glynis Johns, and the factual account of the sinking of HMS Titantic, 1958's, "A Night to Remember", and 1960's "Sink the Bismark!".
Above, Ivonne Sentis, as "Lindenbrock's" niece, "Glauben", and Pep Munne, as her boyfriend "Axel", and Kenneth More.
On July 10, 2008, premiering in Malaysia, was an imaginative updating of the original Jules Verne story shot in "Real 3-D".
Brendon Fraser portrayed "Trevor Anderson". In 2007, Fraser co-starred with Sarah Michelle Gellar in "The Air I Breathe", and followed this movie with 2008 "The Mummy: Curse of the Emperor's Tomb".
Josh Hutchinson portrayed "Sean Anderson". Anderson was in the cast of 2008's "Winged Creatures", starring Kate Beckinsale, Forest Whitaker, and Guy Pierce. He would follow this picture with 2009's, "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant".
Anita Briem portrayed "Hannah Asgerisson". Icelandic actress Briem had been appearing on British television including in "Dr. Who".
The motion picture was directed by Eric Brevig, other than directing an episode of New Zealand's "Xena Warrior Princess", this was his second directing position. However, and important to this motion picture, was that Eric Brevig was a visual effects supervisor.
The updated screenplay came from three writers, Michael D. Weiss, director Tobe Hooper's,
The updated screenplay came from three writers, Michael D. Weiss, director Tobe Hooper's,
2000 "Crocodile", and the made for television 2000, "Octopus", 2001 "Octopus 2", and their accompanying video games. Jennifer Flackett, was a writer for both the television series
"Beverly Hills, 90210", and "Earth 2". Mark Levin, was a television writer for the original
"The Wonder Years", and "Earth 2".
Brendon Fraser portrayed "Trevor Anderson". In 2007, Fraser co-starred with Sarah Michelle Gellar in "The Air I Breathe", and followed this movie with 2008 "The Mummy: Curse of the Emperor's Tomb".
Josh Hutchinson portrayed "Sean Anderson". Anderson was in the cast of 2008's "Winged Creatures", starring Kate Beckinsale, Forest Whitaker, and Guy Pierce. He would follow this picture with 2009's, "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant".
Anita Briem portrayed "Hannah Asgerisson". Icelandic actress Briem had been appearing on British television including in "Dr. Who".
Above, Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, and Anita Briem.
The updating of the Jules Verne's novel works, because the screenplay writers basically followed the story line.
The year is 2007, and volcanologist "Trevor Anderson" is about to get stuck with his 13-years-old nephew, "Sean", for 10 days. Along with boxes of junk belonging to "Trevor's" brother "Max", "Sean's" father, who disappeared 10-years ago. Inside one of the boxes is the Jules Verne novel, but with notes made by "Max" that will lead the two to Iceland in search of another volcanologist. They meet his daughter, "Hannah", who informs the two that her father is dead. However, talking things over leads the three to enter the center of the earth. Apparently, both "Hannah's" father, and "Max Anderson", believed that the Verne novel was based upon fact.
From this point forward the film follows the novel except that they are also searching for "Max", until they find his body. In the end they escape through "Mt. Vesuvius".
The updating of the Jules Verne's novel works, because the screenplay writers basically followed the story line.
The year is 2007, and volcanologist "Trevor Anderson" is about to get stuck with his 13-years-old nephew, "Sean", for 10 days. Along with boxes of junk belonging to "Trevor's" brother "Max", "Sean's" father, who disappeared 10-years ago. Inside one of the boxes is the Jules Verne novel, but with notes made by "Max" that will lead the two to Iceland in search of another volcanologist. They meet his daughter, "Hannah", who informs the two that her father is dead. However, talking things over leads the three to enter the center of the earth. Apparently, both "Hannah's" father, and "Max Anderson", believed that the Verne novel was based upon fact.
From this point forward the film follows the novel except that they are also searching for "Max", until they find his body. In the end they escape through "Mt. Vesuvius".
I started this article with a motion picture that based its premise upon "Admiral Byrd's", 1947, expedition to explain the warm water area in the Antarctic region of the Earth. I now turn to another motion picture dealing with the theories of two of the other names I mentioned at the start of this article.
THE MOLE PEOPLE premiered in Los Angeles on November 21, 1956
The screenplay was once again by Laszlo Gorog, and the motion picture once again directed by Virgil Vogel.
John Agar portrayed "Dr. Roger Bentley". My article is "John Agar His Fall That Led to Cult Science Fiction Status" at:
Cynthia Patrick portrayed "Adad". This was the 4th of Patrick's eight on-screen appearances.
Hugh Beaumont portrayed "Dr. Jud Bellamin". Beaumont is probably best remembered for portraying the father on television's "Leave It To Beaver", from 1957 through 1963.
Nester Paiva portrayed "Professor Etienne Lafarge". My article is "NESTER PAIVA: Skipper of the 'Rita' vs The Creature from the Black Lagoon"at:
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Above left to right, Hugh Beaumont, John Agar, and Nester Paiva
Alan Napier portrayed "Elinu, the High Priest". Fans of televisions "Batman", knew Napier as "Alfred". Among his films was both producer Val Newton's, 1942's, "The Cat People", and 1945's, "Isle of the Dead", starring Boris Karloff. Napier was also in Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Maureen O'Hara's, 1947's, "Sinbad the Sailor", and Orson Welles', 1948, "Macbeth".
"The Mole People" begins with the real Dr. Frank Baxter of USC explaining to the viewing audience the "Hollow Earth Theory" and specially that this motion picture is based upon the
theories of John Cleves Symmes, Jr. and Cyrus Teed.
Switch to an expedition, on the side of a mountain in Asia, made up of "Dr. Rodger Bentley", "Dr. Jud Bellamin", "Professor Lafarge" and "Dr. Paul Stuart", portrayed by Phil Chambers. They are excavating an ancient temple that surprisingly seems Sumerian.
The group discovers a race of Sumerian albinos living underground since a major flood in Mesopotamia (Southern Iraq). The flood is equated, by historians, to the Biblical one with Noah. The Sumerian civilization thrived from the mid-4th Century B.C.E. through the rise of Babylon in the mid-3rd Century B.C.E.
These Sumerian's believe the expedition was sent by their Goddess, Ishtar. Ishtar, or Inanna, was the Goddess of sex, war, justice, and political power. The "Mole People" of the title are the Sumerian slaves.
The premise is very good, but the film is too low budget, and without any real action until the "Mole People" revolt at the climax.
There is political intrigue, as the fate of the expedition members is debated.
There is a romance between "Dr. Bentley" and "Adad". She is scorned by the people, as one of the "Dark One's", because she has a normal Caucasian skin color. The skin color of the explorers becomes an issue that leads to suspicions by this underground civilization. Along with racial implications being made between the albinos and the black skinned mole people.
"Lafarge" goes into one of the tunnels and is killed by the "Mole People".
After this happens, the High Priest realizes these strangers are not God's and orders their capture. They have been using a flashlight to hold off the "Mole People", and at times some of the Sumerians. As both races live in very low light, or actual darkness. The albinos use a special shaft as severe punishment, because it can be opened to expose someone to death by sunlight. Up to this point, it has been thought the flashlight was from the sun, but now still realizing its power over the "Mole People". The High Priest orders it brought to him along with the surface dwellers.
Then the "Mole People" revolt.
Chaos takes form among the Sumerians from the slave rebellion. When one of the "Mole People" attacks the High Priest. The Priest turns the flashlight on and toward the slave, but the battery is now dead and the High Priest is killed. Meanwhile, the other members of the expedition and "Adad" use the confusion to escape. They all make it to the surface, but a sudden Earthquake occurs. One of the ancient columns, of the surface temple, falls upon "Adad", killing her.
In the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, is a suburb named "Tarzana". The name comes from the character of "Tarzan", created by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose ranch incorporated the suburb at one time.
AT THE EARTH'S CORE
Most people are under the impression that all Burough's wrote were stories about "Lord Greystoke", aka: "Tarzan". I address this misconception in my article "Before 'STAR WARS' There Was Edgar Rice Burroughs"to be read at:
I have a detailed look at this motion picture and others with comparisons between the words of Edgar Rice Burrough's and the screenplay writers in the above linked article. The following is newly written for this article.
Doug McClure portrayed "David Innes". McClure first appeared on-screen in an uncredited role in the Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, and Anthony Perkins, 1956, "Friendly Persuasion", but became popular with the television series "The Virginian", 1962 through 1971. He appeared in an earlier Burrough's story, 1974's, "The Land That Time Forgot", and a cameo in its sequel, 1977, "The People That Time Forgot".
Peter Cushing portrayed "Dr. Abner Perry". This motion picture comes between his appearance on two television shows, 1976's, "Space 1999", and 1976, "The New Avengers".
Above is Peter Cushing, and Doug McClure
Caroline Monroe portrayed "Princess Dia". Monroe portrayed "Marigana" in stop motion animator Ray Harryhausen's, 1973's, "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad". In 1974, Caroline Monroe portrayed "Carla", in the excellent and unusual "Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter".
The motion picture is from United Kingdom's, "Amicus Productions", and the creature's seen in the motion picture, are reconstructions of how Edgar Rice Burrough's described them in his novel.
This setting is "Victorian England", and the audience meets scientist, "Dr. Abner Perry". He has been financed by American "David Innes". The novel starts in the Sahara desert with a traveler meeting "David" and the story is told.
"Abner" needed funding to build his "Iron Mole" drilling machine, that is to be tested in a Welsh mountain side.
There is a carnival atmosphere around the test.
Piloting the "Iron Mole" are "Dr. Perry" and "Innes", to the applause of the crowd, "Dr. Perry's" invention drills into the mountain and disappears. Inside, things are apparently going as planned as the "Iron Mole" continues its journey, but then the unexpected happens!
The heat from the Earth's magna rises to a temperature not in "Dr. Abner Perry's" calculations. It knocks the two men unconscious, as the "Iron Mole" pushes forward out of control. "David" regains consciousness and brings the vehicle under his control as "Dr. Perry" regains his own. The two have turned the "Iron Mole" back toward what should be Wales and find themselves on the surface under the sun. However, they soon discover they are in a strange land and what they thought was the sun is only a reflection of light from the magna. Next, the two also observe some strange looking prehistoric animals.
It does not take long, before the two surface dwellers are taken prisoner by the "Sagoths", seen below.
Along with other human looking prisoners, they are chained together, and marched toward the "City of the Mahar's".Where they learn that this "Hollow Earth" world is called "Pellcuidar".
Below, a human is being telepathically controlled to become the food for a "Mahar".
"David" sees "Dia", but not knowing the customs of her people, initially insults her. This will be corrected over time. "Perry" is recognized by the reptilian rulers as a very intelligent man and is assigned to the library, while "David" is assigned to the mines.
Both "David" and "Dia" are to be food for the "Mahar's", but are able to escape being pursued by "Sagoth's".
The fugitives are able to unit the tribes of "Pellicudar" to finally fight the "Mahar's" with the help of "Dr. Perry". Who has studied the books in the library and knows their history, and weaknesses.
Next, a rebellion led by "David" and "Dia" against the "Mahar's" takes place, and the reptilian rulers are destroyed, along with their slave drivers, the "Sagoth's".
During the "Second Red Scare", Robert L. Lippert Productions", made a "Hollow Earth" movie about saving American's from Atomic attack.
UNKNOWN WORLD released on October 26, 1951
The screenplay was co-written by Dalton Trumblo, 1939's, "Five Came Back", 1944's, "Thirty-Seconds Over Tokyo", 1950's, "Rocketship X-M". At the time, Trumbo was one of the "Black Listed", "Hollywood 10", and his name wasn't shown on this movie and with his family, he had moved to England. He would get his name restored by Kirk Douglas, for writing the screenplay for 1960's, "Spartacus".
The name on the screenplay was Millard Kaufman, a friend of Trumbo's, who fronted for him. There would be a few other screenplays with a front for Dalton Trumbo, including Gary Cooper's, 1955, "The Court Marshall of Billy Mitchell".
Bruce Kellogg portrayed "Wright Thompson". 15 of his 29 motion pictures were uncredited roles. His one major role was as author James Fenimore Cooper's, "The Deerslayer", in 1943. Kellogg appeared on-screen only one more time after this motion picture.
Otto Waldis portrayed "Dr. Max A. Bauer". Waldis made his on-screen debut in director Fritz Lang's, "M", in 1931. Like fellow Jewish actor and star of "M", Peter Lorre, he fled Germany with the rise of Adolph Hitler. Cult Science Fiction fans, also know the actor as "Professor Hagstrom", in 1957's, "The Night the World Exploded, and "Dr. Henrich von Loeb" in 1958's, "Attack of the 50 Foot Women".
Jim Bannon portrayed "Andy Ostergaard". Bannon started motion picture acting as the narrator of 1938's,"Daffy Duck in Hollywood". The "B" actor had various size roles and starred, or co-starred in some "B " Westerns during the 1940's, and moved to Western cowboy television programs in the 1950's.
Marilyn Nash portrayed "Dr. Joan Lindsey". Her total career were 2-motion pictures, and 2-television shows. She was studying to become a doctor, met Charlie Chaplin, who signed her to a contract and cast her in his 1947, "Monsieur Verdoux". After which she became a casting director.
Victor Killian portrayed "Dr. Jeremiah Morley". Killian was a stage actor, but also appeared in motion pictures such as 1939's, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", both 1940's, "The Return of Frank James", and "The Mark of Zorro", 1941's, "Sergeant York", both 1942's, "Reap the Wild Wind", and "The Ox-Bow Incident", and 1945's, "The Spanish Main".
Above at the controls is Bruce Kellogg, standing behind him, Jim Bannon, sitting next to him, Victor Killian, sitting directly behind him, Marsha Nash, above her, Otto Waldis.
Tom Handley portrayed "Dr. James Paxton", at the controls below. This was his 4th and last motion picture. His other three were all uncredited, but the motion pictures were major features, 1947's, "Forever Amber", 1947's, "Gentleman's Agreement", and 1948's, "Command Decision".
Dick Cogan portrayed "Dr. George Coleman". Coogan was also in the science fiction cliff hanger, 1950's, "Flying Disc Man from Mars", and Ivan Tors's, 1954, "Riders to the Stars".
The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, for the "Unknown World", was, at the time, the ultimate reflection of American fears of atomic attack from our Second World War ally, the "Soviet Union". By this film's release, there was only one other motion picture that dealt directly with the possibility of atomic attack on the United States, and that was Arch Obler's, April 1951, "Five". Which was about five survivors of a nuclear attack.
The Second Red Scare Screenplay:
Geologist, "Dr. Jeremiah Morley", is concerned that the use of atomic weapons will eventually lead to the extinction of civilization. "Morley" creates "The Society to Save Civilization", made up of geophysicist "Max Bauer", meteorological engineer, "Dr. James Patterson", physician "Dr. Joan Lindsey", soil conservationist "Dr. George Coleman", and explosives expert "Andrew Ostengaard".
"Dr. Morley's" societies goal is to find a "Bomb Shelter" for the human race to live in, until the Earth's surface is livable once more after a nuclear war. His means of finding this underground bomb shelter is with a crew manned drilling machine he calls a "Cyclotram". My reader should think of Edgar Rice Burrough's "Iron Mole".
However, the government stops the funding for the project, and "Morley" must find another source. Enter, newspaper heir, "Wright Thompson", who thinks the whole expedition is a lark and will fund it, if he goes along for the ride.
The place of entrance to the Earth, is the extinct volcano near Alaska, Mount Neleh. Unlike Jules Verne, this is an entirely fictional volcano. The "Cyclotram" goes up the side of the volcano to the spot chosen by "Dr. Morley", and next, starts to drill into the volcano, as the long journey begins.
The "Cyclotram" is several miles below sea level and the group discovers a cavern filled with 200-million-year-old limestone formations.
However, this is not what they're looking for and the "Cyclotram" start drilling to even a lower level inside the Earth, another 100-miles down. The group is feeling depressed, at this new level, "Paxton" followed by "Coleman" leave the area around the "Cyclotram" to explore, as toxic gas levels rise, and both men are killed. The two explorers are buried and due to "Thompson's" carelessness, toxic gas has contaminated the group's fresh water supply. "Andy" picks a fight with "Wright", but "Dr. Morley" stops the two men and refocuses everyone on locating water. A vote is taken to return to the surface and "Bauer" and "Thompson" are out voted and the search for water starts. "Wright Thompson" attempts to romance "Joan Lindsey", but "Joan" thinks it's only because she's the only woman there.
The expedition nears 850-miles below the surface, and suddenly the "Cyclotram" emerges in an underground lake, with drinkable water. "Andy" and "Wright" still show an animosity toward each other, but as the group starts to explore the surrounding area. "Andy" and "Wright" go to explore together and "Wright Thompson" slips and falls onto a ledge, "Andy Ostergaard" reaches down and helps "Wright" up, but loses his own balance and falls to his death. To the surprise of the other three, it is "Wright" who convinces them to go on with the exploration in "Andy's" memory.
At 1,640-miles below the surface, the group has found an area with its own light.
Along with the light source is a beautiful waterfall beside a very large lake. Everything seems perfect, and the group goes to work proving this is the bomb shelter for mankind they've been looking for. The group has a little levity as they believe the expedition has been a success.
Reality sets in, as the rabbits brought to prove life can go on in this new world, all give birth to dead babies. The conclusion is that only one generation could survive in the world of this "Hollow Earth". Next, "Joan", "Otto", and "Wright" reveal that they all have run away from their own problems. "Joan", wants to return to the survive world to fight for "Women's Rights" and help others as the trained medical doctor she is to preserve human life. "Morley", the survivor of two world wars, is weary of human mistakes and violence. As the four continue to speak, suddenly a bolt of lightening strikes, causing rocks to fall to the ground, the surrounding volcanoes all start to erupt, the underground sea begins to boil, and the only protection appears to be the "Cyclotram". "Joan", "Otto" and "Wright" enter it, but "Dr. Morley" does not and calmly awaits his death.
The "Cyclotram" is covered by the spreading sea, and is out of human control. As it further sinks to 2,500-miles below sea level, and then, slowly begins to move upward on its own. As the doomed three explorers, helpless to take control, watch in fear, the "Cyclotram" enters a channel to a surface ocean. Realizing what this means, the "Cyclotram" bobs up and on top of the ocean and they have returned to their own world.
I want to close this article with the most recent "Hollow Earth" motion picture, the previously mentioned 2021, "Godzilla vs Kong". However, before this movie could be made, or for that matter, 2014, "Godzilla". There had to be the two combatants, and the following are their original back stories.
KING KONG
The following is very modified from a section of my article "Merian C. Cooper: From Before 'King Kong' to 'Cinerama", about the creator of "Kong" and "Skull Island", found at:
Merian C. Cooper had originally pitched the idea of an adventure story with a giant gorilla to Paramount Pictures, while he was working there. The executives turned it down as too expensive, using the "Great Depression's" impact on the United States economy as an excuse. However, now, as the Assistant to David O'Selznick, Merian C. Cooper was one of the executives of "RKO Pictures". So, a script was commissioned, and production began in 1932,
British thriller and mystery author, Edgar Wallace, was the co-writer with Cooper of the original novel. Now, Wallace started writing the screenplay, but unfortunately he died on February 10, 1932. Merian C. Cooper turned to James Ashmore Creelman to take over the writing, which had a high priority. Creelman was already working on a script for another proposed Cooper project. So, Merian C. Cooper's partner, Ernest B. Schoedsack's wife, screenplay writer, Ruth Rose, was assigned to the screenplay.
With a script being created, Merian C. Cooper next went to the special effects department to speak to Willis O'Brien, who wasn't the most receptive person.
Willis O'Brien had started work on a personal project he called, "Creation". He had already made a stop motion animation test. When David O'Selznick dropped the project, for the same reason Paramount had stopped Cooper's ape project, the expense. Also, Cooper, himself, had told O'Brien that his story line was boring and lacked action. Now, he was going to Willis O'Brien to do the stop motion animation work on another movie, at the moment, entitled, "The Beast".
While O'Brien began his model work, with model builder, Marcel Delgado, and the sets were being built for "The Beast". Merian C. Cooper returned to the other motion picture he was producing, from James Ashmore Creelman's almost completed screenplay, with co-producer, Ernest B. Schoedsack, "The Most Dangerous Game".
Cooper, ever the business man, realized that one of the two actors auditioning for a role in "The Most Dangerous Game", was perfect for the part of "Carl Denham" in "The Beast". Robert Armstrong's agent was surprised when he was offered a two picture deal with an interesting caveat. The producer wanted to shoot one movie during the daylight hours and several major scenes of the second at night using the same sets. Robert Armstrong agreed, and by day he played "Carl Denham", and at night, he played, "Martin Trowbridge", in 1932's, "The Most Dangerous Game".
My article, "ROBERT ARMSTRONG: It Wasn't All "The Eighth Wonder of the World', His Brat, or 'Joe'!", may be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/08/robert-armstrong-it-wasnt-all-eighth.html
My article, "ROBERT ARMSTRONG: It Wasn't All "The Eighth Wonder of the World', His Brat, or 'Joe'!", may be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/08/robert-armstrong-it-wasnt-all-eighth.html
Now, we come to that second actor, or in this case actress. The part of "Ann Darrow" had been written by Ruth Rose with Jean Harlow in mind. Cooper and Schoedsack approached her agent, but were informed that Harlow had signed an exclusive contact with MGM. The two thought things over, and approached dark haired actress Fay Wray for another double acting job. Wray would play "Ann Darrow" wearing a blonde wig, by day, in "The Beast", and "Eve Trowbridge", in her normal hair color at night, in "The Most Dangerous Game", and she accepted!
The following link will take my reader to my article, "FAY WRAY BEFORE 'KING KONG",
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/11/fay-wray-before-king-kong.html
Playing the evil "Count Zaroff", in "The Most Dangerous Game" was Leslie Banks, but once more in double duty playing "Zaroff's" henchman "Ivan", would be Noble Johnson. Johnson would create another role he would always be associated with, even if nobody knew his name. He was the Chief of the natives on Skull Island in both "King Kong" and "Son of Kong". Johnson is a very interesting and overlooked African American actor. Who played more Native American roles than most Native Americans. Here is a link to my blog article on his life "Noble Johnson African-American Pioneer Actor" at:
http://kinescopedreams.blogspot.com/2015_06_01_archive.html
The title change from "The Beast" to "King Kong" was not the only change to the film. The climatic ending on the Empire State Building had originally been written as taking place at Madison Square Garden, and then changed to Yankee Stadium, before the final choice. One has to wonder what the ending might have looked like, especially if either of the two original venues were used. Then "Kong" could have been presented to the audience and killed in one location without the city rampage he went on. Which would have lost the irony that the two pilots who cause "Kong" to finally fall to his death. Where, Merian C. Cooper in the plane's front seat and Ernest B. Schoedsack in the backseat, the two men who also brought him to life.
The following link will take my reader to my article, "FAY WRAY BEFORE 'KING KONG",
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/11/fay-wray-before-king-kong.html
Playing the evil "Count Zaroff", in "The Most Dangerous Game" was Leslie Banks, but once more in double duty playing "Zaroff's" henchman "Ivan", would be Noble Johnson. Johnson would create another role he would always be associated with, even if nobody knew his name. He was the Chief of the natives on Skull Island in both "King Kong" and "Son of Kong". Johnson is a very interesting and overlooked African American actor. Who played more Native American roles than most Native Americans. Here is a link to my blog article on his life "Noble Johnson African-American Pioneer Actor" at:
http://kinescopedreams.blogspot.com/2015_06_01_archive.html
The title change from "The Beast" to "King Kong" was not the only change to the film. The climatic ending on the Empire State Building had originally been written as taking place at Madison Square Garden, and then changed to Yankee Stadium, before the final choice. One has to wonder what the ending might have looked like, especially if either of the two original venues were used. Then "Kong" could have been presented to the audience and killed in one location without the city rampage he went on. Which would have lost the irony that the two pilots who cause "Kong" to finally fall to his death. Where, Merian C. Cooper in the plane's front seat and Ernest B. Schoedsack in the backseat, the two men who also brought him to life.
GODZILLA
"Godzilla" wasn't "Godzilla", until 1956! When a group of American business men, including the earlier mentioned Terry Morse, created him. This was accomplished by taking a 1954, 98-minute Japanese horror-science fiction movie, "Gojira", editing out the possible anti-American scenes and dialogue, adding new footage of American actor Raymond Burr, portraying "American Newspaper Reporter Steve Martin", and releasing a supposed, new motion picture, that had a shorter running time of only 80-minutes.
The complete story behind the creation of Tomoyuki Tanaka's, original, 1954, "Gojira", is told in my article "H. G. Wells - J. Robert Oppenheimer - ć“ćøć© Gojira" found at:
"Legendary Pictures" took these original back stories, updated them for their modern audiences, but also kept a level of familiarity in their combatants.
In "Legendary's", 2014, "Godzilla", you have a major change from the original back story, see my above linked article. Where in the year 1954, this version of "Godzilla" was awakened by a deep-sea expedition and the "Castle Bravo Hydrogen Bomb Detonation", was actually used as a means to kill him. This does not work, and as there is no "Daisuke Serizawa, there is no "oxygen destroyer".
Moving forward 55-years to 1999, we find "Dr. Ishiro Serizawa", unrelated to "Daisuke", but the son of one of "Monarch's"founders, "Eiji Serizawa", also unrelated to "Daisuke". "Ishiro"carries around the watch his father wore, that stopped at exactly the moment the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb exploded that he had witnessed.
In 2017's, "Kong: Skull Island", we have the obvious, the unknown, unseen island, from the film's title. However, we don't have a film crew following a map given to "Carl Denham".
Instead, in 2017, the audience sees an Army special ops unit, after President Nixon ends the American participation in the Vietnam War, being sent to the island as protection for "Houston Brooks" of a top secret government agency known only as "Monarch". "Brooke" has a "Hollow Earth Theory", and believes "Skull Island" has one of the entrances to that world. This will not be proven in this movie, but the prehistoric "Skullcrawler's" come from under the island's surface.
Unlike, the stereotypical African natives of both 1933's, "King Kong", and "Son of Kong". This
"Skull Island's", "Iwi", are from a highly intelligent race that originally inhabited the "Hollow Earth". There was a war in their past, between the tribes that worshipped different "Titans". "Legendary Picture's" answer to "Toho Studio's" Kaiju of, "Gojira", "Radon", "Mosura", and
"Kingu Gidora". The "Skull Island's Iwi", are from the tribe that became surface dwellers and migrated to "Skull Island".
As for the size of this "Kong", in 1933, depending up his location, his size changed. For most of the "Skull Island" sequences, he appeared to be 18-feet tall, but for the final "New York City" sequence, he appeared to be 25-feet-tall. However, Merian C. Cooper had wanted "Kong" to be 40 to 50 feet tall. In the scene of Fay Wray in "Kong's Palm", below, he had to have been, at least, 60-feet-tall.
"Legendary's Kong", also changed in size depending upon the movie he was in. For "Kong: Skull Island", he was 104-feet-tall, then he had a growth spurt. Which brings me to 2021, and "Godzilla vs Kong", with a 325-foot-tall "Kong", to be able to fight their 394-foot-tall "Godzilla". "Kong" was only seen in cave paintings at the very end of 2019's, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters".
GODZILLA VS KONG premiering in Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Laos, Singapore, and Taiwan on March 24, 2021
Although this motion picture was released only two-years-after the events in "Godzilla: King of the Monsters", the screenplay places the story five-years-later.
On "Skull Island", "Monarch" has created a protective dome world for "Kong". As for "Skull Island", it has been struck by a perpetual storm in one area. However, "Kong" expert, "Ilene Andrews", portrayed by Rebecca Hall, is concerned that this storm will eventually cover the entire island and once again cut it off from the rest of the Earth. She dismisses the idea of moving "Kong" to a new location, fearing that "Godzilla" will come after him.
Meanwhile, inside the dome, a young deaf girl, who communicates through sign-language, "Jia", the last Iwi" native, portrayed by Kaylee Hottle, visits her friend, "Kong". She appears to have bonded with the giant "Titan", and "Jia" is also, "Ilene's" adopted daughter.
Meanwhile, "Apex Cybernetics" employee and conspiracy podcaster, "Bernie Hayes", portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry, extracts data suggesting something sinister is taking place at "Apex's", Pensacola, Florida, facility. "Godzilla" attacks the facility. "Madison Russell", portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, is a listener to "Bernie's" podcast, she enlists "Josh Valentine", portrayed by Julian Dennison, to investigate "Apex".
While this is all taking place, the CEO of "Apex", "Walter Simmons", portrayed by Demian Bichir, hires "Nathan Lind", portrayed by Alexander Skarsgard. "Lind"is both a "Hollow Earth Theorist" and one-time "Monarch Employee".
Above left front, Rebecca Hall speaking to Kaylee Hottle, while Alexander Skarsgard observes mother and daughter.
The plan is to take "Kong" to the Antarctic and have him lead a team under "Lind" into the "Hollow Earth", but "Lind" has a ghost on his mind. His brother led the first team for "Simmons" into the "Hollow Earth", and was killed by a "strong reverse gravitational effect". This time "Apex" has developed "HEAV's (Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicle's)".
A Navy ship leaves "Skull Island" with "Ilene Andrews", "Jia", "Nathan", and "Kong" chained to the ship, but under a sedative and having "Jia" to further keep him calm. The purpose of this mission is to find and harness the power source of the "Hollow Earth". Also, on this mission is "Walter Simmons's" daughter, "Maia Simmons", portrayed by Eiza Gonzalez, with a mission of her own from her father.
"Godzilla" attacks the fleet and goes for "Kong".
"Godzilla" is tricked into believing he won, and "Kong" is airlifted to the Antarctic entrance to the "Hollow Earth". Back at "Apex", "Bernie" joins "Madison" and "Josh", in their investigation at the "Apex" Hong Kong base.
The three uncover "Ren Serizawa", portrayed by Shun Oguri, thevson of "Ishiro Serizawa", creating "Mechagodzilla" and telepathically connecting it to him. "Ren" is part of "Walter Simmons" plan to overcome "Mechagodzilla's" power limitations.
Above, "Ren" wired into both the head of "Mechagodzilla" and the head of "King Ghidorah", seen being bought in Mexico at the end of 2019's, "Godzilla: King of the Monsters".
"Kong" enters the "Hollow Earth" and the others follow him in the "HEAV's".
Within the "Hollow Earth", "Kong" and the team find an ecosystem very similar to what is on "Skull Island". Within this ecosystem is nothing less than a "Throne Room" for "Kong's" ancestors, a glowing axe made from a dorsal plate of one of the current "Godzilla's" ancestors, and obvious signs that the two "Titan Families" were always at war with each other to determine which ruled "Hollow Earth".
"Maia Simmons" identifies the power source as the glowing axe and over the protests of "Ilene Andrews", sends its signature back to "Apex's" Hong Kong base. "Ren Serizawa" test activates "Mechagodzilla". "Godzilla" surfaces in Hong Kong and blasts a hole with its atomic breath into the "Hollow Earth".
"Maia" and her team provoke "Kong", by making the mistake of shooting at him, and he destroys her and the "Apex Team" by crushing their "HEAV". Next, "Kong", "Illene", "Nathan", and "Jia" ascend to Hong Kong to be met by "Godzilla". The final battle between the two "Titan's" begins.
The battle ends with a win for "Godzilla" and "Kong" is left in a resting heart rate state on the ground. While, "Madison", "Bernie", and "Josh" are discovered by "Apex Security" and taken to "Walter Simmons". As they watch, "Walter" orders "Ren" to fully activate "Mechagodzilla", but this is not as he expected. "Mechagodzilla" has been taken over by "Ghidorah's" consciousness and it proceeds to kill both "Walter" and "Ren" and heads for "Godzilla".
"Godzilla" isn't powerful enough to defeat "Mechagodzilla", and "Nathan Lind" uses power from a "HEAV" as a defibrillator to revive the dying "Kong's" heart. Next, it is up to "Jia"to convince "Kong", to help his sworn enemy "Godzilla", against "Mechagodzilla". As "Mechagodzilla" overpowers both "Titans", "Josh" momentarily, is able to short-circuit its controls. This gives "Godzilla" time to use its breath to supercharge "Kong's" axe, and "Kong" uses it to destroy "Ren Serizawa's" creation.
In the end, "Monarch" establishes a base inside the "Hollow Earth", where "Kong" rules.
Is "Atlantis" actually at the North Pole, or South America? Did the Egyptians, Mayan's, and Aztec's come from the same lost source? Did United States Navy Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Jr. find an entrance to a "Hollow Earth" in the Antarctic? I leave those questions for my reader to answer.
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