The Pike County Historical Society and Virginia Kidd Science Fiction Foundation have conspired to once again bring some of the best cult films from the 1950's with particular attention paid to those gems directed by "The King of Cult Film", Roger Corman.
With hundreds of movies to his credit, Roger Corman is one of the most prolific producers in the history of the film medium and one of the most successful. Corman has been dubbed, among other things, "The King of the Cult Film" and "The Pope of Pop Cinema". His filmography is packed with hundreds of remarkably entertaining films in addition to dozens of genuine cult classics. His influence on modern American cinema is most incalculable. In 2009 he was honored with an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
In honor of Roger's upcoming birthday, we will be showing two movies directed by Corman.
First up is It Conquered the World. This 1956 marvel concerns an alien creature from the planet Venus that secretly wants to take control of the earth. The creature makes radio contact with a disillusioned human scientist, who agrees to help because the scientist believes that such an alien intervention will bring peace and save doomed humanity from itself. The film features Peter Graves. Lee VanCleef and Beverly Garland - who when she saw the strange looking cucumber-esque monster said: "THAT conquered the world?" Musician and songwriter Frank Zappa talks about this movie before the song "Cheepniss" on his album "Roxy and Elsewhere" (1973). As a fan of these types of movies Zappa said "the cheaper the better". He describes the starring creature as "an inverted ice cream cone with fangs." Why would anyone not want to see this? We ask.
The second film is short and anything but sweet! SORORITY GIRL is a "psycho-thriller" directed by Corman, completed in 5 days, in 1957. We selected this movie because, well, it's only an hour long, and it stars our two faves from Wasp Woman (Corman 1959) Susan Cabot and Barboura Morris. That's right! Susan Cabot stars as a rich girl who joins a sorority and causes nothing but trouble. Despite the script and the low budget, Cabot turns in a stellar performance as Sabra the misunderstood, friendless, ruthless mean girl. Why would anyone not want to see this? We ask again.
During intermission and throughout there will be libation, popcorn, a birthday cake for Mr. Corman and our fabulous Board Member Liz Steen,(both in their 90's!) and soda pop along with our museum's famous Coney Island Dogs and Miss Liz's delightful Cucumber Salad! Why would anyone not want to eat this? lol
Tickets are $35 and include movies and munchies! Reservations are required, please.
Reserve your place by calling 570-296-8126 or emailing pikemuse@ptd.net