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BusyGuyInPTC
Reviews
Dirigible (1931)
An important piece of history
The US Navy's airship program, including dirigibles, seems to have been lost to history. This is a shame, as the Navy were pioneers in this area.
We forget that the Navy was not only pioneers, but also instrumental in the USA airship program, and that they were the victims of history: especially the hydrogen (and aluminum oxide) problem of the Hindenburg.
This film reminds us of the US Navy's original efforts in this field. Despite the clichés and acting that seems somewhat hammy today, this is an important film both from a scientific and historical perspective. It's entertaining and (gasp!) educational.
Riders to the Stars (1954)
Classic!
Even though there are many clichés and stereotypes, this is a classic. There's some "silly science," but nothing that wouldn't reasonably be expected of 1953. The notion of sending an astronaut into space on an Atlas rocket might seem seen unconventional (if not impossible) today, it was a reasonable movie assumption for the time. Don't be put off by the scientific inaccuracies: this is very worthwhile. Watch for familiar figures in the cast! Watch, also, for all the cigarette smoking: what a difference a half- century makes! The final "crash scene" does, in some way, spoil the otherwise scientific accuracy of the film but, what maybe they've discovered Bucky- balls!