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Classic sci-fi or horror films?

Andy Fraknoi and I did a dozen or so series of evenings on science in classic science fiction films, mostly in science museums in California or in New York.  We were sometimes joined by Tony Reveaux, a film historian.  We started these in the 1970's, and did the last one in the 1990's.  In most cases there was a separate admission fee for each evening.  In a some cases, the series were on evenings when the museum would have been closed, and only general admission was charged.

The popularity of the programs varied widely from site to site, film to film, and with factors I cannot identify.  We had a few packed auditoriums, and sometimes we had just a dozen or so people in the room.  Among the films we used were "Them!" (giant ants), "Incredible Shrinking Man" (tiny people), "War of the Worlds" (extraterrestrial life), and "Dead of Night" (inspired the steady state theory of cosmology).

The format was to do the science first, including a lecture using clips or stills from the film, sometimes a demonstration, audience questions; then show the film; and then close with questions and answers from those (usually about a third of the audience) who wanted to stay later for more discussion.

These programs were fun, and I think a fair amount of science education and entertainment resulted.  They never were great money-makers for the host institutions, but they didn't cost that much either.

Cheers,
Alan

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Alan J. Friedman, Ph.D.
Consultant
Museum Development and Science Communication
29 West 10th Street
New York, New York 10011 USA
T  +1 917 882-6671
F  +1 212 673-2279
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a member of The Museum Group
www.museumgroup.com

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