Journey to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968)
Journey to the Planet of Prehistoric Women is a movie of Science-fiction genre low-budget directed by Peter Bogdanovich wearing a pseudonym Derek Perhaps. It is essentially a hodgepodge of the features of the Soviet science fiction film Planeta Bur and scenes shot specially for the film. The story features a group of astronauts who travel to planet Venus, only to have to do combat with the dinosaurs, pterosaurs and the other forces of the inhospitable planet. Meanwhile, the astronauts are themselves the focus of a race of good-looking telepathic prehistoric women ruled by high priestess Moana, played by Mamie Van Doren. The ladies tend to a deranged animalistic pterodactyl, and they wish vengeance on the explorers for slaying their idol.
A noteworthy aspect of this film is the peculiar nature of its making. Director Peter Bogdanovich was hired to Americanize the Russian film in part by incorporating new footage with the Venusian women. Some of the principal photography was done as early as in 1971, before its director Bogdanovich became a major force in Hollywood with The Last Picture Show. Its narrative is very jarring and consists of extremely cheesy special effects, still Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women has found its way into the hearts of numerous fans who lovingly refer to their B-movie as a retro futurism dreamscape.
This film especially intrigues me because it displays the fusion of two phenomena during the ‘60s period of sci-fi development – grand ideas sunk in wallows of lack of funds and concerns for such trifle as aesthetics – and this helped in creative, bizarre storytelling. The Weird & Wonderful is hardy & humble by the very nature of the genre. It is a time capsule of this genre unhindered by budgetary restraints and willing to explore the weird & wonderful even at the cost of some produced results due to in excess of eagerness. Of course there are alien women, sultry and dressed in naughty outfits, cheesy effects depicting adventures and fun B-movies where all this is incomingly worth mid century sci-fi spirit that Baldvin actually lives by.
