24. Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Pod People & Paranoia Since 1956

As usual there are spoilers ahead!

 

You can follow the podcast on Instagram and Threads although I am also trying (perhaps not very well) to join in on BlueSky.

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Description

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) spawned many remakes over the years, each rendition reflecting the anxieties of its time. The original film is one of my absolute favourites with a variety of potential meanings for a mid-century USA grappling with what it means to be American. My heavyweight sci-fi guests help to unravel the multiple threads.

 

The Experts

Barry Keith Grant is professor Emeritus of Film Studies at Brock University Canada. He has written/edited a huge number of books including the BFI Classics book on Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

 

Sherryl Vint is Professor of Science Fiction Media Studies at the University of California, Riverside. She has written/edited many books about science fiction.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:25 From book to screen: different visions, nostalgia and AI

07:24 Invaders from Mars: mistrust and madness

11:58 Sci-fi, Horror and Noir, oh my! The film gets framed with an ambiguous ending

21:21 Sleep, Shakespeare and tranquillisers

25:29 Capitalism vs communism: Corporate culture, McCarthyism and conformity

31:57 Becky: the frothing dress, changing social dynamics and divorce

41:07 The great remake: 1978 and the cynical fade of counter culture

47:22 The benefits of being a pod person

50:52 1993 remake

52:22 Recommendations

 

NEXT EPISODE!

The next episode is on one of the most underrated science fiction classics of all time: Forbidden Planet. You can buy or rent the 1956 film from many outlets or check the Just Watch website to see where it may be streaming in your region. It is worth checking platforms like Tubi and Pluto if they are available in your region.