Filming Pulp Poetry: Ray Bradbury and “It Came From Outer Space”, with Bradley Schauer / Program, April 8, 2014.

Promotional material designed by Marty Taylor, University of Arizona Libraries

From the UA News Service:

“In this is the final lecture accompanying Special Collections’ “Mars Madness” exhibition, Bradley Schauer, assistant professor in the UA School of Theatre, Film and Television, explores “Filming Pulp Poetry: Ray Bradbury and It Came From Outer Space.”

In 1953, Universal Studios – known for its horror films – released its first science fiction feature of the ’50s, “It Came From Outer Space,” written by prominent science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. Based in part on Bradbury’s childhood memories of living in Tucson, “It Came From Outer Space” is a haunting and beautiful film that challenges easy assumptions about ’50s science fiction films being “schlocky” or campy.

Schauer will detail the production history of the film, discussing how Bradbury and the filmmakers were able to create an eerie and poetic film while still giving science fiction fans the scares and thrills they expected from the genre.”