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Weekend Discussion Thread: 4th of July EpisodesAlert reader “Gobi” suggests:
Since I think that topic is a bit narrow, I am going to widen it a bit: What episodes are good “4th of July weekend” watching, not just on the patriotism angle, but in any way. For example, “Time Chasers” has that whole Revolutionary War sequence… Thoughts? 50 Replies to “Weekend Discussion Thread: 4th of July Episodes”Commenting at Satellite News
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The Beast of Yucca Flats. What could be more patriotic than a flag on the moon?
Hmm… Giant Spider Invasion has some good fireworks at the end. Plus, the town’s Milling Around Days coincides with typical seasonal festivals. So does A Day At The Fair, and Soultaker with its Summerfest(ering).
Boggy Creek II –
Think about it, would you? You have picnicking (balona sandwiches with pork and beans), fireworks (Crenshaw is tending to them), sports (70,000 insane Hog Callers), a sunburn (what with Junior having his shirt off all the time), a parade (of local hicks), and a float(ing deer head). That’s about as Fourthie Julyie as you can get!
’12 to the Moon’ if the scene where Biff Hardpack punches out the scheming Frenchman doesn’t say 4th of July, I don’t know what does.
Amazing Colossal Man and War of the Colossal Beast. since it has the military in it.
Since I was raised during the 50s (that’s 1950s) my patriotism was forged during the Cold War. These were the days when comic books were demonized, the McCarthy hearings witch hunt and the ever popular “Duck & Cover” drills. I have to nominate Invasion USA as my go to patriot episode. The days of discussing nuclear war, Russian invasion, shooting off a crate full of fire works and a barbeque with lots of suds were reflected quite accurately in this flick.
Agent for H.A.R.M., of course. It’s got a patriotic secret agent who’s not afraid to ride his motorcycle straight at a small plane, just to defend cardigans and apple pie and all that jazz.
Definitely Parts: The Clonus Horror, because…. AMERICA!! I mean, c’mon …… AMERICA!!! Plus, old people get blown up.
I won’t that much time so I think tonight will be a double-feature of Starfighters and Invasion OohSaa (er, USA). These are two of my favorites and Cold War optimism vs. pessimism seems like a good double bill. I’ll throw in the Rifftrax shorts Patriotism (nothing says “exciting, late night recorded fireworks” like Bob Crane) and What it Means to be an American (parts 1 and 2).
Turned out to be a Mike holiday. I’ll have to make Labor Day a Joel one (Hired! Parts 1+2, I Accuse My Parents, and anything else I can think of about getting a job).
Werewolf embodies the whole “great melting pot” metaphor. Plus, what’s more American than that scene in the pool hall?
And I don’t just mean the tight shirts. *waggles her cigar*
Well you can bet those goofy electricians don’t celebrate the 4th of July. I mean,
those guys are such feebs. What…Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! No wait, Electricians are the salt of the
earth and backbone of Merca. Thank God for electricians.
For a short I will go with Uncle Jim’s Dairy Farm and A Day at the Fair (what’s more Americana than that – A Day at the Fair was shot in Indiana, that’s the aorta to America’s Heartland.)
Rocket Attack USA and Invasion USA as a reminder that dirty cookies are everywhere (witness Violent Years.) Soace Travellers as a reminder than we dominate space travel (complete with American acting icons.)
Actually, any movie released by American International Films (since the name is in proper order.)
Deadly Mantis has the monster attacking the Washington monument, but the monument survives. U-S-A! U-S-A!
The Money Talks short due to Benjamin Franklin’s presence. Also Project Moon Base for the prevention of commies getting to the Moon.
I’ll go along with “Starfighters”, a true showcase focusing on our brave soldiers who defend our country…though we don’t actually see them doing anything like that.
I’ll add these:
-“Superdome”, focusing on that great American sporting event, the Super Bowl…even though we don’t actually see any of the game.
-“Project Moonbase”, showing America’s technological brilliance and national resolve to succeed in the Space Race…even though the people involved are unbearably sexist and/or somewhat incompetent.
-“Space Travelers” (alias “Marooned”), which is a fairly well-researched, if slow and melodramatic, movie showing NASA in a good light racing to solve a terrible dilemma. And, as a bonus, a brief moment of America cooperating with our Russian rivals to help someone in need.
-And, oddly enough, you could almost add “Manos” to this list. After all, here was a small businessman. He makes a bet with a successful screenwriter, and makes his own movie with his own money and a local cast. He premieres it and weathers the harsh notices. His heirs go on to see it rediscovered and reassessed. It’s now a fairly well-known movie, spawning a sequel and spin-offs, plus merchandizing. Where else could this story happen but in America?
Jungle Goddess, because what’s more American than a hamburger sandwich and french-fried potatoes?
If I had to choose only one episode based solely on patriotic content, it would probably have to be “Beast of Yucca Flats”. First of all, it has the “Money Talks” short, featuring Dr. Franklin himself. Then there’s “Progress Island USA”, which is a goofy yet proud and optimistic little film about Puerto Rico and how the hard work and ingenuity of her people is what makes it great (although, given their present financial situation, it doesn’t seem as if the Puerto Rican government’s much-vaunted “Operation Bootstrap” program worked out so well in the long term).
Finally, there’s the movie itself, which was meant to be a cautionary tale lamenting “man’s inhumanity to man” in an age of rampant militarization, implicitly calling us back to the simpler virtues of more peaceful times. (At least, that’s what I think it was meant to be.)
Oh, unquestionably Invasion USA, and its harrowing depiction of our repelling foreign invaders from our doorstep, especially evil Russkies who don’t know the Chicago Cubs.
Nothing says ‘MERICA like the South and its easy source of humor, so right now my 4 month-old and I are watching Boggy Creek II. And then Soultaker and The Touch of Satan.
I just realized in Prince of Space the weird guy in the car mentions fighting aliens with fireworks left over from the 4th of July which is odd because Japan doesnt celebrate the American holiday.
Any episode is good. As the credits said: (I paraphrase) Thanks to the authors of the 1st Amendment.
Time Chasers. The Founding Fathers weren’t afraid to take on both the British
and Bob Evel at the same time. Well, at least until BE pulled out that Uzi.
Wait a minute, 1776 is on TCM today. Maybe combine Time Chasers and 1776. Hmm?
when can i go to…..America?
Escape 2000
Later on…
What, no Squirm?
You have convinced me to watch Boggy Creek II but, then again, that happens whenever someone mentions Boggy Creek II.
How about Devil Fish? It’s influenced by Jaws, a film that actually takes place on the Fourth of July.
I’ll be watching Catalina Caper. Ain’t nuthin’ better than a beach party on the Fourth.
I will watch Final Sacrifice. Why? Because there is nothing more patriotic as blowing up Canada. :-D
Invasion OOSA, baby! I just know when the Russkies invade I’m going to become a barfly and get c***blocked by a smarmy radio news announcer.
For no particular reason I’m watching Revenge Of The Creature right now. But for me, the ultimate Fourth of July episode will always be Being From Another Planet, as I remember watching it during it’s premiere on July 4th, 1992.
“The Creeping Terror” because it actually has fireworks in it (in the perfect *Love*American*Style* tribute segment).
And plus,
dadada dada DAda da da da … dadada dada DAda da da da ….
How about “Gunslinger” with Beverly Garland laying down the law after her sheriff husband gets killed? Even the main villain is a woman who hoped to cash in on the railroad coming to town. That’s really innovative for a western in the 50s
“MST3K: The Movie,” because the U.S.A. is on top when Cal and Ruth return to Earth.
“The Space Children,” because there’s the Thunderer, and what are we waiting for?
“Final Justice,” for it’s portrayal of a Texas lawman executing good ol’ fashioned American justice overseas. Go ‘head on!
“Time of the Apes.” Why? I don’t care!
yeah, Time of the Apes and “lets give em a makeover they won’t believe” for the 4th of July!
Master Ninja features the only Occidental American to ever become a ninja.
Watching 513- Gunslinger right now on channel PBA 30 (Atlanta PBS affiliate). MST is back on TV!
Final Sacrifice. Sure it’s Canadian, but if I remember correctly there are fireworks at the end.
king Dinosaur,
the so called dinosaur killer asteroid wasn’t that , it was a rocket ship of 1950`s science guys with a NUKE! That is what caused the good old USA! Thereby setting the Obama administration into effect!
@37
The Master (Master Ninja) was actually just cashing in on the Western ninja craze started by the 1981 movie Enter the Ninja starring Franco Nero (and Sho Kosugi, who was also on The Master from time to time).
Okay, Franco Nero was Italian, but still, the later movies inspired by Enter the Ninja (such as American Ninja) featured Americans.
Was it the theatrical cut or the restored version?
#42
ck: Wait a minute, 1776 is on TCM today.
Was it the theatrical cut or the restored version?
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I believe the restored version. It had bits I don’t recall, especially some rather
bizarre scenes with choreographed men dancing—inside and outside Carpenter’s Hall.
Semed to make the movie less effective and believable (aside from a number of historical, ah, inaccuracies).
Independence Day with a rifftrack.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and nominate “Hobgoblins”. After all, Nick was a brave American soldier who fought with GARDEN TOOLS! Plus his Ruben Kincaid commanding officer showed up and had him lobbing various grenades into a bar loaded full of people!
You’re referring to the “Cool, Considerate Men” number, the sequence Nixon had cut from the theatrical version because he interpreted it as a slam on his administration. The original, longer cut also includes a longer debate sequence over the initial resolution on independence, as well as longer scenes involving, respectively, Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson. And it features the cards Stephen Hopkins wants to distribute. I personally prefer the longer cut.
Not particularly patriotic, but how about Teenage Strangler, just for the part where the music swells and Mike and the bots break into “God Bless America”. It gets me every time.
Nothing says Independence Day, like Italians pretending to be Americans and of course… buffalo shots!
Oh, I totally watched #612 The Starfighters. We all get a kick out of the grandma-girlfriend.
Whoa… Seriously? That’s amazing, I’ve had dreams where MST3K is back on.
Oh, and I’m such a brat, but #513 is The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, Mike’s first episode as host. #511 is Gunslinger, the last normal episode before Joel’s departure. Heh Heh…