Star Spats

1980. Three years after the original Star Wars (1977) blasted onto the scene, and the knock-offs were coming from everywhere. We had Battlestar Galactica (1978), Galactica 1980 (1980 -- what a coincidence... that's also part of the title.  Talk about creative.), and some clones from overseas, especially Italy and Japan. But, one of the cheesiest, and most entertaining had to be Roger Corman's production Battle Beyond the Stars (1980).

Sliced directly from The Magnificent Seven (1960), but also with parts of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Star Wars, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), and perhaps some of George Lucas's THX-1138 (1971) thrown into the mix, it tells the space-western tale of a peaceful planet threatened with destruction by John Saxon. And, so, Richard "John Boy" Thomas must seek out seven laser-totin' hired guns to take care of the baddies. Nah, they didn't take this from The Magnificent Seven at all.

Got started on this one too late tonight. More tomorrow. It's way too much fun.

'til next time... Adios.