Music From Mars!

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds as it is known is a rock opera produced in 1978. As is all too obvious, it adapts the famous novel by H.G. Wells which documented a fictional invasion from Mars in 1898. I ran across this little gem in a discount store, so I didn't pay full price for admission, so I cannot suggest anyone do so. But you're in luck as it's currently available on YouTube at the links I've provided below. 

(Richard Burton, Jeff Wayne, and David Essex)

Wayne's goal was to remain true to the novel's story and setting. At that time in the late 70's only the 1938 Orson Welles radio play and the George Pal movie had attempted to adapt the story. Of course, since we've seen many various versions, but back then this was a novel event. Rick Wakeman had done something similar Journey to the Center of the Earth some years before in 1974. The Rocky Horror Picture Show had first been produced in 1973. It's cult following was beginning to take shape in the late 70's. Singers on the album include David Essex, Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and the late Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. But the headline draw for this production is Richard Burton reading passages from the Wells novel. 

It's an uneven work as one might suspect. There is a regrettable disco quality to some music, given that was the flavor of the time. It doesn't age well alas. Other songs and bits of music strike closer to my impression of what such music should sound like. While the novel emphasizes the enigmatic quality of the aliens and the horror they inflict on humanity, I get a more of a sense of awe from this recording. 

To enjoy this oddment from another era, check out this link.  Here is a link to some outtakes from the production featuring Richard Burton check out this link. Even giants sleep. 

Rip Off

Martians Illustrated - Part One!

The War of the Worlds has been adapted to virtually every medium, but few as memorable as the vintage Classics Illustrated rendition by writer Harry Miller and artist Lou Cameron. The cover is without doubt one of the best in the whole of the Classics Illustrated run.

Cameron does his own distinctive interpretation of the invaders, creating a robust variation on the tripods. These have a slightly modern flavor to them.

And this issue of Classics Illustrated is unique to my experience in that in addition to several full-page images it has a center two-page spread, which must've been quite awesome in the early 50's when such tour de forces were quite rare save for Simon and Kirby.

The story by Wells has been simplified for comic use here and perhaps some of the horror stripped out for the benefit of the young target audience. The infamous Black Smoke is not evident as the invaders just plow ahead with highly visible heat rays. Also gone are the red weeds which create such a weird atmosphere in the latter stages of the story. Otherwise the tale stays true to the general structure of the Wells original.

This one has been reprinted by Jack Lake Productions who have the Classic Illustrated rights these days. The asking price is steep, but for the War of the Worlds completist necessary, though I personally have this one as well as a rough copy of the original for less money.

Classics Illustrated adapted five of the Wells novels, but War of the Worlds was easily the most successful. Here is a glimpse at the others.

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

Rip Off