The Aliens Are Here: Extraterrestrial Visitors in American Cinema and Television

Aliens have been portrayed in movies and television shows as immigrants, invaders, lovers, heroes, and monsters for over a century. This book examines various types of on-screen alien visitor stories, featuring a liberal array of alien types, designs, and motives, and how they have evolved over time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Aliens have taken on a myriad of forms in movies and television shows, ranging from immigrants and invaders to lovers and heroes. These mysterious creatures have captured the imagination of audiences for over a century, with films and TV shows exploring their shape and motives. In the 1940s, Superman cartoons and the iconic 1945 film "The Purple Monster Strikes" marked the beginning of this genre. The 1950s saw a surge in science fiction movies, including "The Invaders" and "My Favorite Martian," which further introduced aliens to television viewers. Since then, extraterrestrials have become a staple on-screen presence, appearing in countless films and TV series.

This book delves into the diverse range of on-screen alien visitor stories, showcasing a wide array of alien types, designs, and motives. Each chapter focuses on a specific film or TV series, providing comparative analyses and exploring the tropes, themes, and clichés that have evolved over time. Featured subjects include iconic films like "Eternals," "War of the Worlds," "The X-Files," "John Carpenter's "The Thing," and "Attack of the 50-Foot Woman."

Through detailed examinations of these films and TV series, this book offers insights into the evolution of the alien visitor story and its impact on popular culture. It explores the ways in which aliens have been used to convey different themes, such as fear, curiosity, and the complexities of human-alien interactions. It also examines the ways in which these stories have influenced our understanding of science fiction, fantasy, and the nature of extraterrestrial life.

Whether you are a fan of alien movies and TV shows or simply interested in the broader cultural significance of these narratives, this book provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the diverse and fascinating world of on-screen aliens.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476685045