Historical curiosity - One of the first UFO documentaries: "The Flying Saucer Mystery" (1950)
Historical curiosity - One of the first UFO documentaries: "The Flying Saucer Mystery" (1950)
2 versions of the first documentary dealing with the subject of UFOs, "The Flying Saucer Mystery." The 1950 original version and the 1952 revised edition.
Made just a few years after the Roswell incident, it gives an early view on the phenomena and some of the pop-cultural impact. Nothing in here that haven't been discussed to death since, but it's a curious look at a different time with perhaps many of the same questions we have today.
I have the impression there was great interest in UFO's in the years after Roswell - It's even called "The 50's Ufomania" - But then it kind of died off from the mainstream conversation. UFO's, alien visitors and such didn't really "come back" until the very late 70's/Early 80's. Then it seemed to go quieter again around the 2000's.
Any thoughts on the seemingly varied pop-cultural interest in the phenomena? Is it just cultural? Perhaps a lid was lifted? Maybe someone even encouraged the pop-culture industry to make movies like Close Encounters and E.T.? Is my impression off?
The initial craze was likely due to the novelty and excitement surrounding the issue. I believe it died down because the government did an effective job of downplaying and stigmatizing the topic. As for the resurgence in the late '70s, I theorize that it might have been triggered by the alleged abduction of Travis Walton, but that's purely speculative. Who really knows?
Any thoughts on the seemingly varied pop-cultural interest in the phenomena? Is it just cultural? Perhaps a lid was lifted? Maybe someone even encouraged the pop-culture industry to make movies like Close Encounters and E.T.? Is my impression off?
That's an interesting theory. We do know that the government has, at times, sponsored movies. However, to assume that they had any input or influence on films concerning the phenomenon would be pure speculation.