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Sigourney Weaver marks 'Alien' anniversary:'I thought it was a small movie'

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By Jane Ross

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It wasn't the only one back then - on the holiday Memorial Day weekend of 1977, 20th Century Fox didn't have much confidence on a film, and it was released in only 42 screens. That film was "Star Wars" - yes, 42 screens across the whole of US. If ya still have the original opening weekend ticket stub, that's mighty rare indeed..............

Now it's standard practice to release 'blockbusters' on every Memorial Day weekend and even on Christmas Day. Yeah - fuhgeddabout the meaning of the holiday, get out there and pay big money on a stupid movie that nobody will want to remember 3 years later. It's so sickening and pathetic now.

'Alien' is great, and I remember the 'Star Wars' phenomena as a tween and a teenager. The sensation was tremendous! It was shown in the movie houses right on until late 1979, it was unbelievable. My very first date was seeing this flick.

Now Hollywood keeps trying to duplicate the thrill of it all but it can't. Lightning doesn't always strike twice. You can't manufacture a cultural phenomena like 'Star Wars' right out of the hat. Thing is now, Hollywood has taken these big holiday weekends and vacation periods to push forgettable insipid uninspired formulaic overblown stupid piles of rubbish on the masses of sheep known as the consumer American public.

If ya still have the original opening weekend ticket stub, that's mighty rare indeed..............

I still have my original trading card set (with stickers) from the 1977 movie. One of these days I might make some moolah from it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Women can beat Aliens too

"Alien," which was first given a limited release on May 25, 1979

It wasn't the only one back then - on the holiday Memorial Day weekend of 1977, 20th Century Fox didn't have much confidence on a film, and it was released in only 42 screens. That film was "Star Wars" - yes, 42 screens across the whole of US. If ya still have the original opening weekend ticket stub, that's mighty rare indeed..............

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Weaver will always be Ripley. Nobody could replace her, and I hope they never do a stupid remake

Are you sure Rebecca Ferguson wouldn't make a dynamite Ripley?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hmmm...I'm gonna sound like a fool, but hey, that's what the internet is for...

Yes. The best film of it's genre. Stands up to fresh/repeat viewing today.

I agree with a lot of the comments above...at the time this film was produced there was no fuss made about Ripley . The only spin was 'this film is terrifying!'

But, yes, it should be noted...:

*Female lead.

*No guns at all (industrial flame throwers and cattle prods withstanding).

*We all still love the film.

Dear Hollywood, produce the films with original stories, superior writing and original locations...escape the 'Mystery Box' cookie cutter group think format.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Greatest action heroines comes from American movies only? There are too many to count from HK Action Films with Chinese, Korean and Japanese actresses.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

sourpussToday 12:52 pm JSTRipley and Sara Connor in Terminator were two of the greatest action heroines 40ish years ago and so yeah, all the silly talk about it being the right time now for superhero heroines rings hollow for me

I agree. This PC crap is so stupid. Ripley is the survivor and that alone adds the element of surprise, who would've thought? It's unpredictable - THAT'S how you make a great epic film, folks!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ripley and Sara Connor in Terminator were two of the greatest action heroines 40ish years ago and so yeah, all the silly talk about it being the right time now for superhero heroines rings hollow for me

4 ( +5 / -1 )

One of my top 5 favorite films. The comment about Aliens being a great sequel is dead on too. Fantastic 1-2 punch.

Weaver will always be Ripley. Nobody could replace her, and I hope they never do a stupid remake.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Aliens was the best sequel ever made with the possible exception of City Slickers 2.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Didn't realized she was a strong woman (as the crew themselves didn't on that time for sure). She was just a crew member that happened to be luckier than the rest. But yeah, journalists of today, huh?..

3 ( +3 / -0 )

40 years ago? I was sitting in a diner near the Kyoto Gosho when I watched a TV piece on it. “Gotta see this” I thought.

I can’t recall ANYONE at the time saying the lead character was “a strong woman” rather than just the crew member you were cheering for. The PC take came years later.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Magnificent film. Imagine if it was released today with its realism and strong female lead...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

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