An apocalyptic future war that could destroy the planet is explored in this silent film shot in 1937.An apocalyptic future war that could destroy the planet is explored in this silent film shot in 1937.An apocalyptic future war that could destroy the planet is explored in this silent film shot in 1937.
- Awards
- 23 wins & 9 nominations
Barbara Berjer
- Julie Weston
- (as Barbara Berger)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis 1937 silent independent movie was lost for eighty years. It only became known because of a on-line forum for movie fans. The film was discovered in the basement of the home of Richard Lyford in 2013 by his daughter. She then pursued having the film restored and released to the public. GT Recording did digital restoration. Music and video mixing was done by Clatter&Din (now Formosa Interactive Seattle). 8th Sense Productions released the movie in 2019.
- GoofsThe headline in the "New York Evening Star" is: EARTHQUAKE-WORLD WIDE, and the sub-head is: Shocks Felt on Both Continents! In 1937, no newspaper would use a headline that indicates there are only two continents. The paper would have used "Two" instead of "Both".
Featured review
Strange reviews question the authenticity but a recent TCM showing swears it's really from 1938
Believing this is really from Richard Lyford, then an amateur in Washington state, I rate this an A- for effort.
The directing was ambitious but either it or the editing was lacking. Or both.
The special effects too often looked like something from Columbia.
The story was reminiscent of "Things To Come," perhaps, and had a similar premise to the much later "The Day the Earth Stool Still," and probably many other movies and books.
But whatever flaws might be noted, again I praise the effort.
Hundreds of miles away from Hollywood and its expertise and labs and stunt people, 20-year-old Richard Lyford created something pretty admirable. And he got enough attention for his body of work he was invited to Hollywood, worked for Disney, and earned an Academy Award.
I don't know why IMDb lists its date as 2019. That is bad mislabeling, very misleading. Yes, the finding and re-scoring are recent, but the creation was 1937 with the release in 1938.
TCM deserves our thanks for presenting this on Hallowe'en night of 2021, and I hope it will be shown again soon, and that there is enough advance notice everyone will get the chance to watch.
The directing was ambitious but either it or the editing was lacking. Or both.
The special effects too often looked like something from Columbia.
The story was reminiscent of "Things To Come," perhaps, and had a similar premise to the much later "The Day the Earth Stool Still," and probably many other movies and books.
But whatever flaws might be noted, again I praise the effort.
Hundreds of miles away from Hollywood and its expertise and labs and stunt people, 20-year-old Richard Lyford created something pretty admirable. And he got enough attention for his body of work he was invited to Hollywood, worked for Disney, and earned an Academy Award.
I don't know why IMDb lists its date as 2019. That is bad mislabeling, very misleading. Yes, the finding and re-scoring are recent, but the creation was 1937 with the release in 1938.
TCM deserves our thanks for presenting this on Hallowe'en night of 2021, and I hope it will be shown again soon, and that there is enough advance notice everyone will get the chance to watch.
helpful•130
- morrisonhimself
- Nov 1, 2021
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
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