The Thing From Another World

[FlickerOfLight]

Here's a historical deep dive into The Thing From Another World that you might enjoy.

"It is important that we don't confuse the Frankenstein-type of film with the science-fiction picture," Hawks continued. "The first film is an out-and-out horror thriller based on that which is impossible. The science-fiction film is based on that which is unknown, but given credibility by the use of scientific facts which parallel that which the viewer is asked to believe. Forgetting that almost every Hollywood studio has at least one science-fiction story on its production agenda, one need only check the growing popularity of the science-fiction magazines to learn of the ever-increasing demand for this type of literature."
— Howard Hawks

That was an interesting read. Chop full of behind the scenes information that I never knew. For one, I never saw a picture of the actor who played "The Thing." 

There were two tid bits that were most notable to me.

The location change, and the military's response to them making the film.

Location change 
The location was changed from an unidentified research base in the frozen wastes of Antarctica to a United States Air Force base on the frozen wastes north of the Arctic Circle. The change from the South Pole to the North Pole was less radical than the jettisoning of the central concept of the novella: the ability of the alien to take over the bodies and personalities of others

The letter from the military 

The script of Winchester Pictures' proposed production The Thing has been reviewed, and it is regretted that we will not be able to extend cooperation as the story revolves around flying saucers and their possible contents.


The Air Force has maintained the position for some time that there are no such objects as flying saucers and does not wish to be identified with any project that could be interpreted as perpetuating the myth of the flying saucer. Also, the Air Force seriously objects to any mention of Air Force personnel and equipment, or pictorial sequences representing Air Force personnel or equipment, being included in the film.


Providing your company plans to proceed on the production without Air Force cooperation, we request every consideration be given to the Air Force objection in the interest of maintaining goodwill and relations.


The Air Force has dispatched a wire to the Commander-in-Chief, Alaska Theater stating their objections.


Sincerely,
DONALD E. BARUCH

Chief, Motion Picture Sect. Pictorial Branch

The timing of this is what's interesting. The fact that this is six years after WW2 and only 4 years after the supposed crash at roswell. I also find it amusing that the military denies "ufo's" completely. 

Fast forward 73 years, and we have an entire program, run by the Pentagon, to find out what all these weird "ufo's," (cough cough) I mean "UAP's" are in the skies.

Neat tidbits. Thanks ETMN. Cheers