A Boy and His Dog (1975)—Vic (Don Johnson) is a libidinous “boy” traversing the post-apocalyptic desert of 2024, accompanied by his telepathic dog, Blood. When they encounter an underground community, the leader’s daughter, Quilla Holmes (Susanne Benton), seduces Vic into their fold, separating him from Blood, who’s left to survive on his own. But once Vic discovers he’s been lured there solely for the purpose of mechanized procreation, he elects to escape and rejoin Blood on the surface.
05-07 A BOY AND HIS DOG
Welcome to our first contribution from acclaimed, and often combative, sci-fi writer Harlan Ellison. A Boy and His Dog (1975) is not a perfect film by any means and, at times, resembles a movie a bunch of drunken friends made together on weekends. Join us, as we discuss the pros and cons that make this film an endearing cult classic–the source material, the cast, and the influence it had on future post-apocalyptic films (including one very popular director/franchise). Listen as Johnny Has the Keys scavenges the wastelands for food and carnal sustenance, only to discover that dog is, in fact, man’s best friend.
A Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), is sent to protect Sarah because he knows that her unborn son will lead the fight against the robot apocalypse in the future. In the sequel, young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the key to civilization’s victory over the future robot uprising, is the target of a new Terminator—shape-shifting T-1000 (Robert Patrick)–sent from the future. The revamped T-800 (Schwarzenegger), has been sent back to protect the boy. As John and Sarah (Hamilton) go on the run with the T-800, the boy forms an unexpected bond with the robot.
In 1984, a young James Cameron, a student of the infamous cheap and prolific Roger Corman, brought us The Terminator, a little movie that could, if ever there was one. Revisit this classic with us as we discuss how Cameron, on an extremely small budget, produced this wow-worthy film and enormous franchise. The sequel has even more spectacular effects, as it was a showcase of CGI following Cameron’s early test run in The Abyss (1989). Join us for our Season 2 finale DOUBLE-FEATURE, as we discuss why both of these films are landmarks in sci-fi cinema history, despite their controversial director’s antics. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys travels to the past of a robot apocalypse and ponders how conventions and tropes from the horror genre generated an unstoppable killer for science fiction fans all their own.
In 1999, a computer hacker (Neo) discovers that life on Earth may be nothing more than an illusion created to placate us while our life essence is used to fuel domination of the real world. He joins forces with like-minded rebels Morpheus and Trinity in their struggle to overthrow The Matrix.
A modern giant in Sci-Fi cinema, The Matrix (1999)… the visuals, the writing, the world-building, harken back to other milestones like 2001, Star Wars, and Blade Runner. Join us as we discuss the key elements that came together to make such a memorable milestone. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys plugs in and takes you deep into the inner-workings of The Matrix.
One of my regrets in life is not taking time to speak with Karl Edward Wagner.
In the early 1990s, I used to be a member of the HWA (Horror Writers Association). Through their annual conventions, I got to meet many of the writers I admire, including heavy-hitters like Richard Matheson, Harlan Ellison, and Robert Bloch. I was once in a huckster room, picking up a paperback copy of In A Lonely Place, when someone said, “You ought to have him sign it. He’s right over there,” and pointed to an intimidating, biker-esque, bearded man standing alone. “Maybe I will,” I answered… and did not. He died a few years later.
Karl Edward Wagner was known primarily for his character, Kane, a dark fantasy anti-hero of short stories and novels. Though not my genre of choice, I have read a collection of Kane short stories and thoroughly enjoyed it. But he also wrote several award-winning horror stories, originally published in now defunct (and sorely missed) magazines, like Twilight Zone and The Horror Show.
I won’t rattle on about the plots of these stories, but the imagery, subject matter, and prose have stayed with me for decades–not unlike other established masters (Poe, Blackwood, Barker). There are two collections containing these stories: In a Lonely Place, and Why Not You and I? Both are out of print currently, but used copies are out there. I have the former in well-worn 1983 paperback, and the latter in a beautiful Dark Harvest edition, 1987 (both pictured above). The paperbacks editions are often found easily and inexpensively at your local used bookstore.
Wagner and I have East Tennessee in common, and I suspect that this is part of my strong connection with his writing. He was born there; I grew up there. Many of the stories are set in and around Knoxville, and the Great Smokey Mountains. I have fond memories of walking slightly off campus while attending the University of Tennessee, wondering if I was treading the same sidewalks as in Where the Summer Ends.
Recently, having reacquainted myself with the two collections, I got curious as to Wagner’s influences. I started with his website, discovering that he has a cited list of what he considered to be the 39 best horror novels (divided into 3 groups of 13–supernatural, science fiction, and non-supernatural). I found a complete copy of this list on Thomas Ligotti’s website here (scroll down after clicking).
Treasure maps are not that easy to come by. When you do happen upon one such as this, the level of excitement is difficult to define. For me–an avid reader who prides himself on being fairly knowledgeable of the horror genre–I was simultaneously mystified, unnerved, and giddy. There are several authors and titles on that list that I have never read or even heard of! I am only familiar with five. FIVE! That means there are at least thirty-four titles out there that I am now curious to read.
Of course, many of these are old, out-of-print, expensive, forbidden, or cursed… but that makes it all the more exciting to track them down. Echo of a Curse by R.R.Ryan was recently reissued in a brand new edition with a foreword by none other than Stephen King himself.
So, even 20+ years after his death, Wagner is the author that keeps on giving… to me, at least. Thank you, Karl. I wish had told you in person how much you mean to me.
–Tim
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