An Evening with the Body Snatchers

Philip Kaufman's Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) easily holds a spot in my top five favorite horror movies, surpassing even Don Siegel's excellent, original 1956 version. I saw the 1978 version when it first came out without having seen the original (that happened a few years later), so my sensibilities may be slightly colored by that fact. Still, evaluating both films as objectively as possible, I do believe Kaufman's film is one of those very rare remakes that improves on the original, especially the ending. Granted, Siegel's version, as written, would have featured a similarly downbeat finale but for the studio's insistence. Characteristic of studio brain trusts at the time, the executives at Allied Artists did not believe a horror movie that ended without a glimmer of hope could succeed. Still, even with the studio's revised, more hopeful resolution, Siegel's movie succeeds admirably, with a noteworthy performance by star Kevin McCarthy. And in the 1978 version, McCarthy delivers the perfect cameo. While I wouldn't call this scene whimsical, it can't help but bring a grin of pleasure if you know where it originated. The primary cast of Kaufman's film — Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, and Veronica Cartwright — could hardly have been more perfect. The remake's setting, cinematography, screenplay, direction, special effects, and minimal score... all come together to create a masterpiece of horror. A moody, unsettling, suspenseful, eerie film. None of the versions that have followed can hold a candle to either Siegel's or Kaufman's films.

When I caught wind a short while back that the 1978 film would be coming to Greensboro for a theatrical showing, with Veronica Cartwright on hand to give a presentation, you can best believe I immediately went about scoring advance tickets — for $12 each, it turned out. Hell, outside a matinee, for that price you can't catch a crappy first-run film without any of the cast on hand.

Ms. Brugger and I, along with friends Terry and Beth, attended the presentation this evening at the RED Cinemas, which is easily my favorite theater in Greensboro. Although none of the auditoriums are particularly large, they are generally comfortable, with decent sound systems, and the concession stand offers a fair selection of food and spirits. Body Snatchers did play in one of the smallest. For the film itself, this might not have been so impressive, but it did allow for a more intimate Q&A session with Veronica Cartwright. She spoke at some length about the highlights of her career, her favorite experiences on movie sets and the stage, and about working with such legendary cinematic figures as Alfred Hitchcock, Tippi Hedren, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss, and Shirley Maclaine (whom Veronica considers her mentor). My personal favorite of her recollections was of her experiences on the set of The Birds, as it was one of her earliest films and her introduction to the world of "movie magic."

True to my prediction, at the theater, I ran into Ian McDowell, longtime friend and contributor to Deathrealm magazine during its heyday. Afterward, Ms. B., Terry, Beth, and I went out for dinner at Sushi Republic, followed by a spot of wine at Tasting Room.

All in all, a fine way to spend a Saturday evening. Tomorrow, there is geocaching on the docket.