In the mid-1960s, director Larry Buchanan got an impossible mission: create four almost word-for-word, color remakes of previously released black & white sci-fi features, all for a ridiculously low budget of $30,000 per picture. This double bill presents a few of the results.
Zontar: The Thing From Venus is a carbon copy of Roger Corman's 1956 thriller,
It Conquered The World, with John Agar reprising Peter Graves' role and Tony Huston substituting for Lee Van Cleef. The second feature,
In The Year 2889, is a clone of
The Day The World Ended (1955), with former child star Paul Petersen filling in for Richard Denning. While the original films weren't exactly Oscar-worthy cinema, these Buchanan re-dos would give Ed Wood, Jr. a run for his money.
Zontar: The Thing From Venus (1966, Color): A power-crazed scientist, Keith Ritchie, helps a hideous monster from Venus hijack an American communications satellite for a free ride to Earth. Keith's best friend, Dr. Curt Taylor, tries to persuade him not to betray humanity, but it's too late. Zontar has set up a base for world conquest in a cave, dispatching mutant flying creatures to implant mind-control devices in his human enemies! Starring John Agar, Tony Huston, Susan Bjurman; Directed by Larry Buchanan.
In The Year 2889 (1967, Color): After a nuclear holocaust wipes out most of mankind, a handful of survivors converge on an isolated villa where Captain John Ramsey and his daughter Joanna are holed up. As supplies dwindle and violent pent-up passions flare, Ramsey and newcomer Steve discover that a new and greater danger threatens them - radioactive mutant cannibals are lurking on the perimeter of the compound! Starring Paul Petersen, Neil Fletcher, Charla Doherty; Directed by Larry Buchanan.
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