#harry bates

The Day the Earth Stood Still was released on 18 September 1951.

Producer Julian Blaustein wanted to make a film that captured the fear of the Cold War and the Atomic Bomb, and thought that a science fiction film would be the best vehicle to utilize an allegorical story. He read more than 200 short stories and novels, before deciding on Harry Bates’ 1940 short story “Farewell to the Master” (published in Astounding magazine). Edmund North wrote the screenplay, using little of Bates’ story, and Robert Wise was brought on to direct.

While it received mostly positive reviews (with some naming it as “the best science fiction film ever made”), The Day the Earth Stood Still was only a moderate hit at the box office (ranking 52nd for box office earnings).

The Golden Globes presented the producers with a special award for "promoting international understanding.”

Astounding Stories of Super-Science, 1930. Cover by Harry Bates.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Director - Robert Wise, Cinematography - Leo Tover

Mrs Arthur Kenworthy (ca. 1899), by J.W. Waterhouse

Waterhouse was not famous because of his portraits, but towards the end of his life he painted more and more of them.  It is a first sign of the general public losing interest in his works.  His later paintings were sold at lower prices, so Waterhouse relied on commissions for extra income.  The appointed portraits however needed to resemble the sitter, whereas Waterhouse preferred to show his ideals of female beauty on the canvas.

This is the portrait of his wife’s sister in law: Louise. She was married to Arthur Kenworthy. Whether it was painted as a gift or for a commission is not known.