Screening Science

Screening Science removes the science fiction genre from considerations of monsters and aliens, to an examination of humans and their relationship with science, technology and change. The book is structured in two parts. The first examines the genre of science fiction, the contextual elements of history and culture, and the film industry. The second analyses the nature of science and its representation in western culture, narrowing to an attempt to detail the cultural representation of science in science fiction films, especially in the fifties when the film medium assumes significance for the genre. Vieth examines the growth in the influence and power of the scientific paradigm in the fifties through an examination of film in which such science was discussed, distorted, debated, denigrated, demonized and deified. This exploration reveals a great deal about the concerns of the time, as well as the science that figures so powerfully in the web of culture of the fifties.

With its abundance of scholarly and popular references – beautifully indexed and documented – it rewards its reader with a clear and cogent statement about the importance of, and the accessibility of, fifties sf films. In addition, the book inspires the reader (well, this one, for sure) to delve into the dusty shelves of local video stores and re-view many of the referenced films...both entertaining and thought-provoking., Screening Science is an excellent introduction for those unfamiliar with scholarship on 1950s science fiction films. For scholars in the field, Vieth's discussion of science's role in science fiction films is enough to recommend the book, and I highly commend him for including a study of science when analyzing science fiction., Vieth offers a cerebral, well-written analysis of the US science fiction films of the 1950s. He takes films that many critics have ignored and reveals their value as cultural artifacts. He first defines the science fiction genre in literature and film and uncovers the arguments about the science and the films. He notes the universal appeal they have enjoyed through their foregrounding of what may happen in the foreseeable future. He presents the social and historical context of the US in the 1950s; looks at how different films conflict in their points of view; analyzes the movie industry's attraction to science fiction films; and considers the genre's teenage audience. In addition, he defines the function of science and its liberating nature...In particular, he details the medical and psychological sciences as presented in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Invaders from Mars, The Amazing Colossal Man, and The Thing. The filmography and chapter notes are extensive, and the bibliography and index are good.

Errol Vieth is Senior Lecturer, School of Contemporary Communication, at Central Queensland University, Australia.