Best Syfy movies of the 1940s?
Last week I discussed what I consider to be the best science fiction films of the 1930s. This week I’m looking into the best in science fiction movies for the 1940s. Its pretty slim pickings. I suspect World War II had a lot to do with a weak decade, after starting pretty strong in the 1930s.
The big challenge was the dearth of original stories. Consider these remakes or spin offs of the 1930s:
From Frankenstein (1931): Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1945), Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein (1948)
From The Invisible Man (1933): The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), The Invisible Woman (1940), Invisible Agent (1942).
Aside from science runs amok, the only space opera I could find was also a sequel. Flash Gordon returned yet again with Buster Crabbe taking on the title role. Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe is a 12 episode serial.
Speaking of serials we also get Batman, a 15 episode serial released in 1943. For those who love the various incarnations of Batman (Christopher Nolan is the best in my opinion) this might be a worthwhile version to compare from 70 years earlier.
The most interesting of the films identified in the top 30 fan favorites is a British comedy made in 1944 called Time Flies. The plot involves a music hall performer who travels back to Elizabethan time using a time machine. It might be the most original film on the list from the 1940s. I watch the preview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=souANL5xpUY
It didn’t sell me, but the premise entices to find a copy (available on streaming services) to see how the print holds up both for the premise and film quality (looks like a problem).
Otherwise, the rest of the films identified are fundamentally monster movies playing on King Kong or variations on Frankenstein.
I have no idea how it fits into science fiction, but there was also a series of three films: Captive Wild Woman, Jungle Woman, and The Jungle Captive that were ranked in the category. The first of the three stars John Carradine. Milburn Stone is in all three which increases my curiosity as he played the doctor on Gunsmoke for years afterward.
A great piece of movie trivia is also featured in 1940, “One Million B.C.” starring Victor Mature. Again, not sure why its categorized as science fiction, and is #1 on some lists. It was also lifted directly for a remake in 1966 called “One Million B.C.” featuring Rachel Welch.
Final thoughts on the 1940s science fiction genre… watch the 1930s originals instead. What about you? Any great selections I missed from the 1940s?