MovieChat Forums > The Outer Limits (1963) Discussion > 1963-65 and 1995-2002

1963-65 and 1995-2002

posted 9 years ago by mshartline
4 replies | jump to latest

Didn't check to see what series Comet was featuring on their weekend oldie marathon until this afternoon and it's the 60s Outer Limits episodes. Don't think I've ever seen but one or two, if any, of the 60s episodes. If I'd known this weekend was OL, I'd have begun watching yesterday.

Recently, I've been watching the 1995-2002 episodes shown at night on Comet. (Well, the second episode anyway, since the first is always a repeat of the previous night's second).

LOL, 30 years made a lot of difference in makeup and special effects. I think the 90s has somewhat better plots but the 60s made good use of creepy music and the lighting in a black/white delivery.

I can't help but chuckle sometimes as in watching Eddie Albert fight off a "tumbleweed" or that June's makeup is so thick, her face is clown white and practically glows in the dark (Were any frogs harmed in the making of that episode?); or that people are usually dressed in suits (men) and dresses/pearls/heels (women). White or light colored clothing usually doesn't get dirty; usually doesn't wrinkle. No bad hair days and, even through terrible ordeals, hair stays put.

[–] adamwarlock 9 years ago

I may be older than you but to me, the original kills the 90s version. The B & W, the music, the acting for the most part. Moody as hell. The newer show was blandly shot, the FX weren't that good (low budget) and they added nudity to keep people watching. Sure, there were some great episodes but I'll take the old ones if I had a choice.

For reasons unknown....I resume....

[–] DD-931 9 years ago

I'm with you, adamwarlock. The plots of the 90s version are pale imitations of the 60s shows, and the noir feel of the original is light years further along than, as you say, the "blandly shot" newer series. And the acting is far better, even with some of the dated choices made. Seriously, if all you're looking at is the SFX, you might as well just watch a video game.

[–] gbennett5 9 years ago

Agree. Joseph Stefano simply could not be topped as a producer. Even
Ben Brady (season two producer) could not touch Stefano.

As for makeup, I've seen nothing in the '90s version (which feels even
more dated than the '60s version) that comes near the "bears" in "Night-
mare", "The Sixth Finger" and many others. Also, color photography tends
to show up bad makeup far more than black-and-white photography. This is
why so many of the aliens/monsters in the later OL, or in "Deep Space
Nine" look so much cheesier. And, yes...the acting in the '60s version
is far greater, as greater actors were hired.

[–] KobiyashiMauru 9 years ago

The thing I took away from the 90's series was it's overtly leftist political overtones to the point of being comedic. I don't care if people try to cleverly place their point of view in stories but the New Outer Limits was laughable. I did like Trial by Fire in the updated series but can't think of a another one.👀 😲

Luke Skywalker, your Mom was hawt! Darth Vader