Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)

Fearless Vampire Killers is painful to watch the first time: plods at a slow pace and flaunting a so dry it’s probably just not actually funny humor that is based in cringing slapstick and Yiddish oi veying. MGM supposedly did such a slashjob on the script that director and (uncredited) star Roman Polanski disowned it on release. And yet there is magic to it.

The sets are a marvel of manufactured decay. Every candelabra is drowned in melted wax. Every surface festooned with cobwebs. Interior textures are dense, dark, and dirty. Romanesque Gothique. Even the paintings are ghastly. A gray stone castle isolated in the snowy mountains and the disturbing choral music recreate the classic horror setting — but the script is anything but traditional!

Polanski turns every vampire movie cliche on its head. Despite the title no vampires are killed! The heroes are bumbling, the gouls range from pitiable to pathetic, and the lovely damsel-in-distress doesn’t want to be rescued…! Polanski has the dubious distinction of introducing the first Jewish vampire and the first gay-male vampire, both unfortunately for laughs, For good measure there’s a hunchback who is an embarrassing study in grotesque comedy….

And there’s Sharon Tate.
…more about Fearless Vampire Killers

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Forbidden Planet rates as landmark in science fiction, carefully staying within �hard� aspects of the genre (science � not fantasy, ergo nerds will love it) while still playing with imagery and ideas of contemporary 1950s values. Morbius�s isolated house is a model of modern design with open spaces that step out into sculpted gardens, a swimming pool, and the ultimate home appliance: Robby the Robot. �A housewife�s dream!� exclaims the Captain after lunch and a demonstration of the robot�s abilities to synthesize food and disintegrate waste.
…more about Forbidden Planet

Gustave Serrurier-Bovy (Belgian, 1858-1910)

play Streamline Animation QT 320*240 3.7MB 13sec

Streamlines can be freely downloaded from the Prellinger Archive.

American Look (1956)

The definitive film of the Populux era, showcasing interior design and rocket cars by visionary Harley Earl, and modern architecture as bold airy flatroofed spaces that opened onto outdoors with glass walls and clean design.
…more about American Look