tom_prendergast Reviews

Out of the Unknown: The Machine Stops (1966) Season 2, Episode 1

Why is this never shown?

[9/10 · 16 April 2005]

I remember reading this book, whilst at Grammar school, in England, in the 60's. It was only after that time, that I realised that it was written in 1909. I thought, back then, that it was written in the 30's, which only makes its predictions even more astounding. Obviously, it is dated and naive, but bear in mind that it was written over 90 years ago.

This short story by E M Forster, foresaw the advent of TV, E-mail and the Internet. It predicts a bleak future where humans live underground and communicate via Cinematophote. An astounding vision of the future, remarkable for its time.

We haven't got that far yet, whereby direct human contact is avoided at all costs, but who knows what the future might bring?

Theatre 625: The Year of the Sex Olympics (1968) Season 5, Episode 25

Incredibly Prescient

[10/10 · 16 April 2005]

I first saw this in the early 70's, it was considered then to be nothing more than science fiction. Intended to be a glimpse of a world where anything goes in the name of entertainment, as well as a warning. It was meant to be an extreme satirical extrapolation, alluding to a future time, in the hope that it might not happen. Spooky really!!

This theme has been done to death many times since, but it was still fresh and original back then. I also remember a TV programme around about the same time called 'The Machine Stops', based on a short story by E M Forster. Although somewhat dated and naive now, bear in mind that it was written in 1909. Its main theme is that humans eventually become alienated and remote from their surroundings, preferring to communicate via TV screens, referred to as Cinematophote. This happened, in the fictional world, because the Earth was contaminated and the inhabitants had to go underground. Obviously the Internet, TV or email was not known then, but it predicted all three, it is strange how fact has 'triumphed' over fiction.

We haven't got to the next stage yet, whereby humans are entirely isolated from their surroundings, but who can say what the future portends?

Mary Poppins (1964)

Appalling Cockney Accent

[31 October 2002]

Mary Poppins is overall, an excellent film in its genre. The thing that detracts most for me however, is the dreadful alleged cockney accent of Dick Van Dyke. Surely they could have afforded a decent dialogue coach. I cannot believe that Julie Andrews didn't say anything about it to the makers at the time. This is often cited in England as an example of the worst attempt at an accent on-screen, several magnitudes worse than Marlon Brando in 'Mutiny on the Bounty' or Johnny Depp in 'From Hell' I can only assume that the makers assumed that the target audience, outside of the UK at least, would be incapable of noticing the difference.