Science Flicks Series resumes with 'This Island Earth' Tuesday, Jan. 20

Jan. 8, 2009 -- “This Island Earth,” a 1955 movie known for its groundbreaking special effects, kicks off the 2009 “Science Flicks” film series presented by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Physics at Arkansas State University.

The film will be shown Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the Laboratory Sciences Center, East Wing. Admission is open to ASU students and the general public and is free of charge.

The movie, directed by Joseph M. Newman, is still hailed by critics for its special effects which were innovative for the time. The plot follows a pair of scientists played by Rex Reason and Faith Domergue and their relationship with an alien named Exeter, portrayed by Jeff Morrow. Exeter and his fellow aliens have journeyed to Earth in search of scientists to aid in the defense of their planet against another planet of evil inhabitants.

The film series, launched in 2007, presents a different film each month that portrays scientists and their work. The series is part of a new undergraduate/graduate course, “Science in the Cinema,” which is being offered this fall and also has an Honors option. A full schedule of movies can be viewed at http://biology.astate.edu/science_flicks.htm.

Following the film’s showing, Dr. Aldemaro Romero, chair of the biology department, and Dr. John M. Pratte, chair of the chemistry and physics department, will serve as panelists to discuss the validity of the movie and the role that science plays within the movie.                       

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