The Time Machine in '60s Horror and Sci-Fi Forum

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The Time Machine

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Stephen Pickard	Re: Pal Profits	#21	[-]
Jun 20 06 11:06 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I first saw this film on it's original UK release. Unfortunately, unaware at the time, the British Censors had seen fit to remove several shots of morlocks, (including the one shot where one is spitting blood) the close-up shots of cannibalised eloi witnessed by George in the morlock's cave and the sequence of George killing the morlock (including the classic stop-motion work) at the end and realising he was going in the wrong direction, was removed. It wasn't until the first uncut BBC showing in the early 70's that I finally realised what I had missed. (This also happened to "Forbidden Planet"). Apparently Pal planned to shoot the film in England at the British MGM Studios, where he made "Tom Thumb", but instead finished up on the MGM backlot in Culver City. Also, originally, Peggy Lee had written a poem or song which was to appear over the credits and to be whistled often by the Time Traveller throughout the film. It was called 'The Land of the Leal'. In 1960/61 I wrote to George Pal and told him how much I loved the film and had seen it six times. I received a very nice letter and, with the wonderfully embossed MGM logo letterhead, three photographs. One of Pal holding a picture of a Jim Danforth painting of the dragon from "Brothers Grimm" a forthcoming Cinerama Production, a still of Yvette Mimieux and a still of Rod Taylor in the 'Time Machine'. I wrote to him a couple of times through the sixties and finally when I visited the States in the late seventies I tried to visit him, without success. I attended his funeral in 1980.
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TomWeaver999	Re: Pal Profits	#22	[-]
Jun 20 06 11:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< Apparently Pal planned to shoot the film in England at the British MGM Studios << The various Hollywood trade papers had lots of items about TIME MACHINE in the couple of years leading up to the actual production -- Pal had a loooong time to plan. According to one item, he actually did go to West Germany and Scotland to scout locations. I love TIME MACHINE the way it is, and I'd miss the character actors like Doris Lloyd and Whit Bissell if it HAD been made in England -- but I think that would have added something. Welcome to the CHFB, by the way, Stephen!
IzzyVanHalen	Re: Pal Profits	#23	[-]
Jun 21 06 6:48 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I forgot how good this film is until I quite mistakenly bought it on DVD the other day. A momentary mindfart caused me to buy THE TIME MACHINE instead of my intended purchase of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. The "documentary" was cheesier than I dont know what (Rod Taylor raises his eyes to heaven and whispers "you did good, George" - please...) but it was cool to see Bob Burns talking about the restoration of the Time Machine - and the "sequel" to the original film was worth a look.
Stephen Pickard	Re: Pal Profits	#24	[-]
Jun 21 06 10:31 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tom Weaver quote: Welcome to the CHFB, by the way, Stephen! Hi Tom and thanks.
Bill Warren	Re: Pal Profits	#25	[-]
Jun 21 06 2:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Also, originally, Peggy Lee had written a poem or song which was to appear over the credits and to be whistled often by the Time Traveller throughout the film. It was called 'The Land of the Leal'. The (wordless) melody of "Land of the Leal" is heard occasionally in THE TIME MACHINE; the musical phrase for the line "the Land of the Leal" is fairly obvious, once you're listening for it. I assume she got the title from the Robert Burns poem of the same name, which itself has been set to music (and is available on various CDs)--but not the melody Lee used for THE TIME MACHINE. I just Googled around a while and found the movie's screenplay available on line, which includes Lee's lyrics for "Leal." Lovely. *Quote:* "THE LAND OF THE LEAL" Words & Music by Peggy Lee When I was a wee lad And dark was the night Afraid I would be Til the bright morning light And sometimes...for comfort Away I would steal Away I would go to the Land of the Leal. And soon I would be there It took me no time My heart would be soaring As I made the climb And there was the green grass So cool and so sweet So good to be run through With happy bare feet! And who was my teacher And how did I know? Just when to be going And which way to go? But always when wishing Away I would steal Away I would go to the Land of the Leal. And now that I'm older I try to be wise But when I am troubled I still close my eyes And just like the wee lad Away I will steal Away I will go to the Land of the Leal. For there are no questions And there are no lies And never a storm there To darken the skies The birds who are flying No freer they feel Than I When I live in the land of the Leal. Just for the sake of completeness, here are Burns' lyrics. He and Lee may well be talking about the same land of the Leal, although "leal" is an old Scottish word for "loyal." Burns often tried to duplicate the Scottish vernacular in his poems, which makes them a bit hard to read, sometimes a little twee, for Americans: *Quote:* I'm wearin' awa' Jean, Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, Jean, I'm wearin' awa' To the land o' the leal. There's nae sorrow there, Jean There's neither cauld nor care, Jean, The day's aye fair In the land o' the leal. To me ye hae bee true Jean, Your task's ended noo, Jean For near kythes my view O' the land o' the leal. Our bonnie bairn's there, Jean, She was baith gude and fair, Jean, And, oh! we grud'd her sair To the land o' the leal. But dry that tearfu' ee Jean, Grieve na for her and me, Jean Frae sin and sorrow free I' the land o' the leal. Now fare ye weel, may ain Jean! This warld's cares are vain, Jean, We'll meet and aye be fein I' the land o' the leal.
opticalguy	What a Pal	#26	[-]
Jun 21 06 3:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Is the person posting as noyoka 1 the fellow behind that astounding blog Greenbriar picture? Go to that blog all of you! I too am quite smitten with Pal's The Time Machine. I saw it as a child at my local cinema (formerly known as the Colley Theater and re christened the NARO Theater in the 1970s and is still standing and still in business showing independent and art films with an occasional revival) and boy was I blown away. The score is one of my favorites and I've been a fan of Rod Taylor ever since. Bill Warren is correct in KWTS when he says that Pal was a sweet natured man and The Time Machine has that same sweet nature. The limitations of its budget were evident to me in the nuclear holocaust sequence but sheer good design covers for "a multitude of sins." The Morelocks scared the hell out of me at age 7 or 8. I am reminded of Gahan Wilson's strip Nuts (which ran in National Lampoon in the 1970s) in which the kid sees a monster movie with his friends and they walk out of the theater laughing about how fake the monster looked in the film. Later on as he eats dinner and does his homework he still chuckles about the fake-looking monster. He goes to bed and after a bit he gets up and goes to his bedroom closet. The much mocked monster is in the closet. The final panel has the kid shivering under his covers and the thought balloon over his head reads, "I just knew he'd be in there!" When I was a wee tyke the Morlocks were hiding in my closet. EZ-code has been messing with me. opticalguy1954@yahoo.com (Spencer Gill) Last Edited By: opticalguy Aug 15 10 4:45 PM. Edited 2 times.
TomWeaver999	Re: What a Pal	#27	[-]
Jun 21 06 3:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< I just knew he's b << I don't get it! ; )
blackbiped	Re: What a Pal	#28	[-]
Jun 21 06 10:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Finish it!!! Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way.
IzzyVanHalen	Re: What a Pal	#29	[-]
Jun 22 06 5:10 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"Burns often tried to duplicate the Scottish vernacular in his poems, which makes them a bit hard to read, sometimes a little twee, for Americans" If anyone needs a translation, well, that's what I'm here for.
Bill Warren	Re: What a Pal	#30	[-]
Jun 22 06 10:51 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Okay, Izzy, what do the lines in red below, from the Burns poem above, mean?: *Quote:* For near kythes my view O' the land o' the leal. Our bonnie bairn's there, Jean, She was baith gude and fair, Jean, And, oh! we grud'd her sair To the land o' the leal. But dry that tearfu' ee Jean, Grieve na for her and me, Jean Frae sin and sorrow free I' the land o' the leal. Now fare ye weel, may ain Jean! This warld's cares are vain, Jean,] We'll meet and aye be fein
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IzzyVanHalen	Re: What a Pal	#31	[-]
Jun 23 06 5:28 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"For near kythes my view" For a long damn time, my view "We'll meet and aye be fein" We'll meet and always be fine (happy, contended, whatever)
Thascalos	Re: Pal Profits	#32	[-]
Jun 23 06 6:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I remember watching The Time Machine on TV when I was little and the Morlocks gave me the creeps I'm a fan of Rod Taylor, another decent role he played was Mitch in Hitchcock's The Birds
Jay Maggio	Re: Pal Profits	#33	[-]
Oct 2 06 8:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Jay here: Ah, The Time Machine, I remember it well. Great production great cast,old pals, Whit Bissell,Doris Lloyd,Rod Taylor, Yvette Mimieux (spelling?)and the creepy Morlocks. Sorry fans, the remake just didn't cut it for me (they usually don't) albeit the special f/x,the story was depressing. thanks,JM
skelton knaggs	Re: Pal Pro	#34	[-]
Oct 2 06 9:57 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I too, just really love THE TIME MACHINE. Not much I can add to what already has been said here, But....... There really is that touch of humanity and sensitivity that ooz'es in this film. The viewer feels empathy and is really drawn into the journey of Rod Taylor's character. This in my opinion is a major feat of filmmaking. I just wonder why George Pal did not direct more of his productions. That could have been a great gift to all of us!
Bill Warren	Re: Pal Pro	#35	[-]
Oct 3 06 11:37 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I just wonder why George Pal did not direct more of his productions. That could have been a great gift to all of us! But Pal did direct quite a few of his movies: tom thumb prior to THE TIME MACHINE, then ATLANTIS, BROTHERS GRIMM and DR. LAO afterward. Only TIME MACHINE is truly well directed. Footnote: yesterday I reread THE CIRCUS OF DR. LAO. I think it's one of the best books I have ever read.
Monsterpal	Re: Pal Pro	#36	[-]
Oct 3 06 3:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm with you on this one, Skelton. When I first saw THE TIME MACHINE at the age of twelve, when it was new, I couldn't wait for the Time Traveler to journey into the distant future. Now that I'm in my dotage, I like the parts set in the Victorian era much more.
skelton knaggs	Re: Pal Pro	#37	[-]
Oct 3 06 10:46 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Only TIME MACHINE is truly well directed Bill, when you agree with one of my posts and I learn a little something more to boot.....That truly makes my day! Thanks :-)
Rakshasa	bump	#38	[-]
Apr 23 08 9:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just revisited this classic upon buying the DVD. What a great flick. Rod Taylor is the best. Links To All The Classic Monster Stills I've Posted: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/30758 Last Edited By: Rakshasa Apr 23 08 9:47 PM. Edited 1 times.
skelton knaggs		#39	[-]
Apr 23 08 10:04 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	A very good meaty role for Mr. Ed's Wibur too... "You can't smell any reefer, can you"?
Rakshasa		#40	[-]
Apr 23 08 10:10 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	skelton knaggs wrote: A very good meaty role for Mr. Ed's Wibur too... And a great extra on the DVD with both Taylor and Young recreating their roles as older men (shot in the 1980's?). Links To All The Classic Monster Stills I've Posted: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/30758
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The Time Machine