Science Fiction Double Feature
Jamie Donnelly Lyrics
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But he told us where we stand
And Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear
Claude Raines was the invisible man
Then something went wrong for Fay Wray and King Kong
They got caught in a celluloid jam
Then at a deadly pace it came from outer space
And this is how the message ran:
Science Fiction - Double Feature
Dr. X will build a creature
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Oh-oh at the late night, double feature, picture show.
I knew Leo G. Carroll was over a barrel
When Tarantula took to the hills
And I really got hot when I saw Janet Scott
Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills
Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes
And passing them used lots of skills
But when worlds collide, said George Pal to his bride
I′m gonna give you some terrible thrills, like a:
Science Fiction - Double Feature
Dr. X will build a creature
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Oh-oh at the late night, double feature, picture show.
I wanna go, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show.
By RKO, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show.
In the back row to the late night double feature picture show.
Jamie Donnelly's "Science Fiction Double Feature" is a tribute to a series of science fiction films made in the 1930s and 1940s. The lyrics invoke the names of characters from classic sci-fi movies including "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "Flash Gordon," "The Invisible Man," "King Kong," "Tarantula," "The Day of the Triffids," "Forbidden Planet," and "When Worlds Collide."
The song opens with a reference to Michael Rennie, who played an alien in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" who warns humans about the dangers of atomic warfare. The line "But he told us where we stand" suggests that his message resonated with audiences. The song then mentions "Flash Gordon," the hero from a comic strip who battles evil alien dictator Ming the Merciless. The film adaptation from 1936 starred Buster Crabbe and was notable for its elaborate sets and costumes. The line "Claude Raines was the Invisible Man" refers to the 1933 film based on the H.G. Wells novel, in which Raines played a scientist who invents a potion that makes him invisible.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Science Fiction Double Feature," which was the name given to a weekly program shown in movie theaters that featured a double bill of science fiction movies. The lyrics mention "Dr. X," a character from a 1932 mystery-horror film, who is building a creature of some sort. The song then references "androids fighting Brad and Janet," which is a nod to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975), a cult classic that became a staple of midnight movie screenings. The reference to Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet is another homage to classic sci-fi cinema, as the film was released in 1956 and starred Francis as the daughter of a scientist who discovers a hidden planet inhabited by advanced technology.
Line by Line Meaning
Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still
Even during a catastrophic event like the earth standing still, Michael Rennie was brave enough to tell us what was happening.
But he told us where we stand
In spite of his illness and the strange happenings, Rennie was able to give people important information about their situation.
And Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear
The classic sci-fi superhero Flash Gordon made an appearance, clad only in his iconic silver undergarments.
Claude Raines was the invisible man
The famous actor Claude Raines played the lead in the movie 'The Invisible Man.'
Then something went wrong for Fay Wray and King Kong
Unfortunately, the situation didn't go as planned for Fay Wray and the giant gorilla King Kong.
They got caught in a celluloid jam
An unexpected technical issue occurred, causing Wray and Kong to become stuck in a film malfunction.
Then at a deadly pace it came from outer space
Suddenly, an extraterrestrial force arrived on the scene with great urgency and danger.
And this is how the message ran:
The story unfolded in a certain way, delivering its intended message along the way.
Science Fiction - Double Feature
This song is all about the experience of a double feature of back-to-back science fiction movies.
Dr. X will build a creature
One of the movies shown at the double feature stars a mad scientist named Dr. X who creates a frightening creature.
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Another movie shows androids battling two characters named Brad and Janet.
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
A classic sci-fi film called 'Forbidden Planet' features the celebrated actress Anne Francis in a leading role.
Oh-oh at the late night, double feature, picture show.
This line simply refers to the experience of attending a late-night double feature of science fiction movies.
I knew Leo G. Carroll was over a barrel
The actor Leo G. Carroll was in dire circumstances and likely in trouble.
When Tarantula took to the hills
A giant tarantula began to cause chaos by fleeing its captivity and appearing in the hills.
And I really got hot when I saw Janet Scott
The artist becomes excited at the sight of a character named Janet Scott.
Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills
Scott battles against a dangerous plant creature that is able to spit a lethal toxin.
Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes
Actor Dana Andrews claimed that eating prunes was beneficial for him in some way.
And passing them used lots of skills
There seems to be a sense of humor present, as the implications of passing prunes are exaggerated for effect.
But when worlds collide, said George Pal to his bride
A famous filmmaker named George Pal spoke to his partner about the catastrophic event of worlds colliding.
I'm gonna give you some terrible thrills, like a:
Pal promises to make his films both exciting and horrific for his viewers, as if they were experiencing a rollercoaster ride.
I wanna go, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show.
The artist is expressing their desire to attend a late-night double feature showing of science fiction movies.
By RKO, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show.
The double feature is being shown by a film company called RKO, emphasizing the importance of the experience.
In the back row to the late night double feature picture show.
The artist wants to sit in the back row of the theater during the double feature.
Writer(s): Richard O'brien
Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.