#1950sscifi

From "Abbott and Costello Go To Mars" (Charles Lamont, 1953)

Famous American comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello get lost in space in this sci-fi parody adventure. Thinking to be headed on Mars, they get instead on planet Venus, inhabited only by beautiful women and led by Queen Allura (Mari Blanchard).

What would happen if the glamour, optimism, and imagination of 1950s science fiction collided with Sindy's unmistakable gothic style? That question became the inspiration behind GALAXY GIRL, a colorful retro sci-fi magazine feature that celebrates the golden age of pulp adventures, chrome rockets, mysterious flying saucers, and fearless heroines.

Trading concert stages for futuristic skylines, Sindy steps into the role of Galaxy Girl, Earth's stylish defender against alien invaders and mysterious visitors from beyond the stars. Dressed in a shimmering silver atomic-age dress and armed with her trusty chrome ray gun, she explores lost nebulae, protects humanity from the dangers of Sector-9, and proves that courage never goes out of style.

Every image in this collection was designed as a love letter to the vibrant science fiction magazines and comic books of the 1950s. From towering Cities of Tomorrow and gleaming flying saucers to vintage mail-order advertisements and colorful pulp-style typography, the entire project embraces the excitement and wonder that made classic retro sci-fi so unforgettable.

"I've always loved how optimistic those old science fiction stories were," Sindy says. "They imagined incredible futures where anything felt possible. Becoming Galaxy Girl for this photo shoot let me step into that world for a day, and I couldn't stop smiling. If Earth ever needs defending from mysterious visitors from deep space… I guess I'll keep my ray gun close by."

Whether you're a fan of vintage science fiction, classic pulp magazines, or simply enjoy seeing Sindy take on bold new creative adventures, GALAXY GIRL is a journey into a colorful future inspired by the past—where chrome shines, rockets soar, and every adventure begins among the stars.

Check Out The Music of Goth Girl Sindy

Starship Troopers - Robert A. Heinlein

This is an internal look at how a collective dictatorship remains in power through coercive control.

This story is told through the eyes of Ricco as he is trained to be a mobile infantryman for Earth.

Shortly after he joins war starts against the 'Bugs'. We follow Ricco's career as he moves through the ranks.

Do not be mistaken - this is not an action war novel.

The training and conflict are merely the canvas that Heinlein uses to describe the way human society is now controlled by the leaders.

But this is not a political story either. Ricco isn't involved in politics inside or outside the military.

I would say that the key parts of the novel happen while Ricco is at training camp and then at officers' training. There is a spattering of flashbacks to a civics-style class that is taught by veterans and is compulsory for every member of this society.

These settings allow Heilein to have his teachers give us/Ricco diatribes about the world and why it has to work in the way it does.

It shows how a society gives itself over to complete control of the ruling class without actually showing us any of that control.

We are simply told that the world is idyllic. There is little crime and little police. Punishments are severe but we only see them dealt out under military court-martials. 

Because we are only given the theory of the way this society may run we just have to take Heinlein's word for it. Fights with alien races bookend these discussions.

We follow the war through the eyes of the trooper so we have no idea what is going on. Just one combat scenario to the next.

The only time we have any idea at all is in the last battle when Ricco is first Lieutenant. Because of his rank, we get more of the picture of the battle and the state of the war.

So this is a war story with very little war. It's a commentary on the power and control of a populace, but the theory of this only.

The thought experiments that we go through are very interesting. Some of them are very believable and some are just incorrect. Like Heinlein's take on the Marxist definition of value.

It must have been a nightmare to market this work because if you do it as a war and combat book that crowd will be bored.

I can see how we ended up with movies that are in no way faithful to the source material because there isn't a story here. Most certainly not in any conventional sense.

Having said all of this I loved it. Heinlein has an incredible way with words and the lectures are fascinating. 

With so many movie guides available today, choosing the right one can be a challenge. Their quality varies widely. Some are excellent works, like Bill Warren’s Keep Watching the Skies. Others are disappointing efforts, like Rob Craig’s It Came From 1957. One thing is certain, though—1950s films are getting more coverage than ever. For me, the best era for movies is the 1950s. This was a time when…

McFarland & Company, Inc. is a book publishing company known for its dedication to genre books. While their releases often come with a steep price tag, the quality is top-notch, making them well worth the investment. Many of their books focus on niche topics that genre fans crave, offering deep dives into fascinating subjects. The 1950s saw Hollywood erupt with a wave of cinematic monsters.…