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Aficionados of 1960's science-fiction films would be quick to number Snap Stevens as one of the heroes originating in that era with the film Snap Stevens Versus the Martians (1962). They would go on to say that Snap Stevens Conquers the Universe (1964) and Snap Stevens Beyond the Edge of Time (1969) would be the second and third Snap Stevens films. In all this, they would be incorrect.
In actual fact, Snap Stevens as a character hearkens back over a decade to 1949, when he first appeared in Invasion from Beyond the Galaxy, a twelve-part serial from Sporadic Entertainment. However, their fault can be easily forgiven. The film was little known, even in its era, and all known copies were destroyed in a fire in 1950 (the rumor that the fire was set by fifty irate film-goers who had to sit through thirteen consecutive repetitions of episode 4, "Planet X is Where I want to Be" are totally unfounded, or at least wildly inaccurate. There were at most twenty of us).
This site is dedicated to the original film, Invasion from Beyond the
Galaxy. The film is sadly lost to time, but we have gathered what we can,
including the recently rediscovered trailer to the film.
No, really. What is this?
Invasion from Beyond the Galaxy comes from a small family-owned film mine just outside of Prague. This mine has been almost continually worked by the Plotnik family since the mid-fifteenth century. However, since the motion picture projector was not invented until the late 19th century, the Plotnik family was always very poor.
Traditionally, film ore undergoes a lengthy curing, bleaching and stretching process before being stored in large casks for an aging that can take anywhere from five to seven years to complete. During this time, aromatic herbs are often added to seal in the drama, enhance the comedy, add more action, or otherwise improve the brewing filmstock. Such recipes are often family-held secrets, and are passed from generation to generation of family directors.
As far as records can determine, the ore which later became Invasion from Beyond the Galaxy was mined sometime between 1935 and 1937, but the film was not released to the public until 1949, after the Plotnik family resumed operations following the termination of World War II. Despite the overlong aging process, it stands as a fine demonstration of the film-maker's craft.
The Plotniks still mine and process films in the traditional way. Known for their smoky color and texture and their unique mix of comedy and action, films from the Plotnik mine are recognized throughout Europe and the Far East, though virtually unknown in the Americas.
Today, most films are strip mined from the mountains outside of Los Angeles or
synthetically constructed in vast industrial complexes. But nothing quite
compares to authentic hand worked cellulose. Invasion from Beyond the
Galaxy is an example of Old World film making at its finest.
Er...?
Ok, you got us. Go to the Sporadic Entertainment main site to find out
THE TRUTH.