Extra-terrestrial yacht club

Metabarca

Metabarca

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Seeing as it's plain the world is shortly going to implode, explode or anyway fall apart, I've decided I'm off. The moon sounds quite promising: it's full of mountains and seas. Can anyone tell me if the Sea of Tranquillity offers year-round cruising? Should I add some more ballast to my keel to ensure the solar wind doesn't blow me off the surface of the moon? Where's the best place to anchor? All help gratefully received.
Anyone else want to come along and form a club? No Fray Bentos allowed. Sorry. It's my club. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Adriatic links here: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html>http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Metabarca on 03/11/2004 16:02 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
I believe there is a new marina opening on the dark side of the moon, but its only open to MoBos. Harbourmaster is a Mr. D. Vader, according to the extraterrestrial Reeds' almanac suppplement.

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Anarchy?

Might be a club I want to join... although perhaps there is an alternative: total anarchy?

I will accept any rules that you feel necessary to your freedom. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
Professor Bernardo de la Paz in The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress

<hr width=100% size=1>Never attempt to teach a pig to sing.
It is a waste of time and it annoys the pig.
 
Bad news I'm afraid. I've just heard that MDL have bought up the descent stage of all the lunar landers, apparently they're converting them into moorings. Sky high prices on the moon as well it seems............

Tony C.

<hr width=100% size=1>Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.......
 
Surely on the sea of tranquility there would be no need for marinas and all the boats could lie to anchors fashioned from old wire coat hangers. Of course the tanquil conditions would be less than ideal for sailing.....

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But what will fuel these winds if the tasty pies that come in tins have been banned?

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Re: Heinlein

I have always enjoyed his books, but they did get a bit strange after Number of the Beast. AFAIK the only story that has been filmed is Starship Troopers, pity cause I think some of the others would make a good film

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Re: Heinlein

I actually quite enjoyed some of his later work, though it's true the earlier works were more mainstream. He's had a number of works filmed

Quoted from here:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah/rahfaq.html#0410>http://www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah/rahfaq.html#0410</A>

The number of films and television works made from Heinlein's stories is slowly growing. However, the quality seems to be devolving. The complete list is as follows:

"Destination Moon" (1950)
This George Pal-produced classic, directed by Irving Pichel, was one of the very first realistic space movies, which is fitting, since Heinlein was the technical advisor and the great Chesley Bonestell was the scenic artist. Semi-documentary in style, it has a hokey moment or two but overall still stands as a landmark of science fiction filmmaking.
Unfortunately, it was not a financial success for the Heinleins, in part because typical Hollywood bookkeeping caused the film to be a net loser. It was also undercut by a quick-buck flick, Rocketship X-M, made hastily and released just in advance of the well-publicized "Destination Moon".
"Project Moonbase" (1953)
This short (63-minute) movie has a peculiar history. In the early 1950's, Heinlein was working with producer Jack Seaman to create a new science fiction television show aimed at adults (the first-- all the others of the era were aimed at kids). The series was to be an anthology-style one like the later Twilight Zone and Outer Limits programs. Heinlein co-scripted some thirteen episodes, nine of which were based on some of his best-known short stories.

The script for the pilot, "Ring Around the Moon," was an original. After it had been filmed at its one hour broadcast length (47 minutes), Seamans decided to capitalize on the sudden boom in science fiction movies (started by, among others, "Destination Moon"). Without Heinlein's foreknowledge or approval, Seamans went back and filmed an additional 16 minutes, extending a thin TV-grade story into an even thinner movie. Released as "Project Moonbase," it did poorly and was disavowed by Heinlein.
"The Brain Eaters" (1956)
This cheesy mid-50's schlock movie was a patent ripoff of Heinlein's The Puppet Masters until he took them to court. In an out of court settlement, Heinlein obtained financial compensation and the right to demand that certain material (the most identifiable RAH stuff) be cut from the movie. It is not clear if any of these cuts were ever made, but what's left has identifiable elements of Puppet Masters in it. The most interesting aspect of this film for some viewers may be the bit role of Leonard Nimoy.

"Starship Troopers" ("Uchu no senshi") (1989)
This Japanimation/anime version of Heinlein's novel adheres only loosely to the book. (Comments and additional data are solicited from anyone who's actually seen this...)
"Robert A. Heinlein's Red Planet" (1994)
This three-part Saturday-morning cartoon miniseries begins with a very loose adherence to the novel, then goes its own silly and pointless way with killer robots and ecological correctness. Not recommended. (The portrayal of Doctor MacRae is interesting in that it makes him resemble Lazarus Long more than any other Heinlein character.)
"Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters" (1994)
The slightly clumsy title of this movie was necessitated by an existing movie series titled "The Puppet Master." This movie is a fairly high-budget adaptation that begins well. The initial dialogue and setup is recognizable from the novel and Donald Sutherland does a frighteningly good job as the Old Man. Even the changes seem acceptable as necessary techniques to translate the story from 1953 novel to 1994 movie. Then it all goes to hell about halfway through.
"Starship Troopers" (1997)
Filmed by Tri-Star Pictures with a budget said to be in the neighborhood of $90 million, and directed by Paul Verhoeven. It manages to faintly resemble the action elements of the novel while missing almost the entire point. What elements of the political and social issues make it into the film are so distorted (a clearly fascist government, Sergeant Zim as a sadistic bully) as to make fans of the novel cry in their popcorn. A wretched mess, best summarized as "Bughunt 90210."

A sequel is in preparation for release this year (2004). Its budget is $6 million, a fraction of the first film's, and none of the major actors is reprising their role. This does not indicate that a jump in quality can be expected.
"Roughnecks: The Starship Trooper Chronicles" (2000)
An interesting CGI-animation half-hour television series. Although based on the movie in many respects, the producers have clearly read the original and managed to filter in a surprising "Heinlein juvenile" feel. Despite the kidvid limitations, the characters are well developed and the storyline sometimes surprising. Worth a look if it comes your way on cable. There's a semi-official (also apparently semi-abandoned, but who am I to talk) web site worth looking at as well.
And just to forestall the inquires, no, there are no plans for a Stranger in a Strange Land movie starring Tom Hanks and/or Sean Connery. Such a project has been discussed for almost two decades, but there is no evidence that it was ever any serious effort.

There have been more options and plans in the last few years - most notably, Steven Spielberg was said to have seriously considered a film version of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Right now, there are rumors that a version of Have Space Suit -- Will Travel is heading to the silver screen. Since the script has "Oscar" as an old Apollo space suit haunted by a space alien, I can hardly wait.


<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
Did he write ...

... the SF story (pre 1969), based on the premise that the dust on the moon proved to be so deep and fine it acted like a fluid, so boats could be sailed on it? Then one sank, and they had to work out a way of getting the crew out.

Can't remember the name, but a good yarn that sticks in the memory.

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Re: Did he write ...

That's going to drive me to disctraction now. Can recollect the story, but no, don't believe it was Heinlein

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
Re: Did he write ...

Good to see good ol' Robert is still appriciated. Got the movie Puppet Master on tape and it isn't half that bad. As in most cases, the book is better but Donald did play a very good role in it. Don't think the story about the crew resque is written by Heinlein or if it was, it was one of his many short stories.

Personally I think his latest work is his best and should be read all together since there are so many cross-links in them. The moon is still pretty good!

<hr width=100% size=1>Never attempt to teach a pig to sing.
It is a waste of time and it annoys the pig.
 
Re: Did he write ...

One of my favourite authors (along with Larry Niven who writes technically superb SF) though many people disliked Heinlein's more seasoned work, as he explored different types of society and government - they didn't realise that he wasn't condoning, just exploring ideas, and as a kid it certainly made me think a lot more about society around me, rather than just accepting it.

They didn't call him The Dean of science fiction for nothing.

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
Re: Did he write ...

That link was a good explanation and biography. I have always loved his work, and am an unashamed SF adict.

The story of the "ship" that sank on the moon is an Arthur C Clarke story and was called "A Fall of Moondust"

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