Jack Palance is safe from your polyester disco farts in his space helmet.

The Shape of Things to Come

What the Hell have I done? I mean, this is sci fi. It’s not Italian sci fi. It’s disco sci fi.  With one of my favorite seventies scene chewers, Jack Palance. Maybe better known as Voltan in Hawk the Slayer, or even Kaleel in Buck Rodgers in the 21st Century.  He started his career in Westerns, including in Shane, and ended up in 128 movies as an actor. And he generally looked like he was having fun in every one of them. He was the most over the top villain in Hawk the Slayer, and here he plays an equally over the top bad guy. To disco music.

So why the Hell am I playing this tonight, you ask? This movie has some awesome and timely dialog.  Get past the 70s cheese and listen to this line from Jack Palance:

”Once you accept me as ruler, there will be no acts of aggression, only peace. Under my rule, the people will want for nothing.”

Back then people at least KNEW you were a total asshole when you said that.  Now people just want to fall all over themselves to give up their rights.  Sometimes, I come across a gem like this and realize you can get a good message with your 1970s TV style special effects.

One bit of trivia for the comments!  How many movies do you think have this exact title?  One hint – it’s definitely more than just this one.

Now watch!  Or don’t!  Everything is voluntary until some clown wants to rule over you and make you want for nothing!  Next week, if all goes well, we will watch an artsy sci fi film by the name of Metropia.

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(h/t: The Hyperbole)