h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Today. 2 July, is World UFO Day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sozJv1B6g7g

In honour of the day that's in it, let's listen to our favourite contact song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yTkrdsg4Qo

One suggestion of how to celebrate the day, made by the official website, is to watch UFO films.

So here's a short list of freebies you could enjoy:

The Roswell Incident: Free on archive.org. BBC.
http://archive.org/details/TheRoswellIncidentFootage-FullMovie-FromARareBbcBroadcastaliens

Jimmy Carter, Killer Rabbits, and UFOs (2005).
VERY independent short film exploring possible connections between Mr Carter's encounters with killer rabbits and UFOs. Highly recommended for all fans of tinfoil-hat humour.

The all-time traditional World UFO Day favourite: Plan 9 from Outer Space. Ed Wood's masterpiece and Bela Lugosi's last film.
http://archive.org/details/Plan_9_from_Outer_Space_1959
Remember: as Criswell says, 'We are all interested in the future, for that is where you
and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future
events such as these will affect you in the future.'

Romantic aliens for the young-at-heart: Teenagers from Outer Space (1959).
http://archive.org/details/teenagers_from_outerspace
They came, they saw, they cruised around. Once they figured out how cars worked. Then they tried to blow up the planet, but kids will be kids.

Want some GOOD aliens? Try Attack from Space (1964).
http://archive.org/details/attack_from_space_ipod
I haven't seen this (yet). One reviewer says, ' The fight scenes are deliberately horribly choreographed, the sets are of the most flimsy design, the costumes are beyond belief, the translated dialogue is moronic and the over the top facial expressions and gesturing are delightful!'

So take your pick. Remember to have some alien-friendly snacks on hand, just in case our friends from beyond decide to drop in.

Calling occupants of interplanetary, extraordinary craft...

Ah, Criswell Criswell Criswell.

You realise, of course, that a few moments later he says, "But now, for the first time, we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day."

He jumps from talking about the future to speaking in the past tense! So these are not events in the future, as he initially claimed, but a documentary, based on first-hand testimony from the poor souls that survived it. Apparently.

Except - weren't they all silenced by "Army Brass"?


Geggs

Except for Vampyra. Nobody could silence Vampyra.

Anyway, here's the musical part:

Addendum to the films for World UFO Day:

How about a soundtrack for World UFO Day?

Hey, Mr Spaceman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzkU_ckRXHY

Alien music from Close Encounters of the Third Kind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwGQKsFTK9Q

I Saw Elvis in a UFO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiyP9YAdgi8

More spooky alien music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoRXhS7vlU

Ella Fitzgerald, Two Little men in a Flying Saucer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ua4t-xPLVA

And what about the Flying Purple People Eater?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9H_cI_WCnE

Oh, and sorry, I think I missed the link for the Jimmy Carter/Killer Rabbit flick:

http://archive.org/details/DenisTaaffeJimiCarterKillerRabbtsandUFOs

Indeed, nobody could silence Vampira.

Though, she could choose not to speak.


Geggs

I'm reading this as part of my observance of the day: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/e-e-doc-smith/triplanetary.htm

These Eddorian chaps remind me of Vogons, except they don't seem to have thought of poetry as a weapon of war. Maybe humanity will vanquish them with the power of McGonnigle.

Hurrah for the muse of silliness!