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Farrah's Forgotten Sci-Fi Films
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On June 25, 2009 actress Farrah Fawcett died of cancer. Although the mainstream media and tabloids detailed her life, her career and the sordid details of her final days, there was little mention of Farrah's forays into the world of science fiction.
Farrah was already gaining ground as a model and commercial actress in the 1960's and early 70's, and was starting to make frequent guest appearances on many of the most popular shows airing at the time, such as I Dream of Jeannie, The Flying Nun and the Partridge Family. Her all-American good looks, angelic smile, and wild blond mane certainly made her stand out, even as an extra or bit player.
Although Farrah had made two movies before, 1969's Love is a Funny Thing and 1970's Myra Brekinridge, Logan's Run was the movie that brought Farrah to the attention of the growing teen male audience that would go on to make Star Wars and other genre pictures such a success.
Logan's Run was originally a 1967 novel by William F. Nolan and brought to the screen by MGM in 1976, Staring Michael York, Jenny Agutter and Peter Ustinov. The film adaptation uses the basic premise of the novel, simplifying the story and taking most of the meat out of it. In the year 2274 most of Earth's population lives in domed cities, where an advanced computer system runs society to the utmost efficiency, including forced extermination when you reach the age of 30. The population is free to engage in the pursuit of happiness, free of any responsibilities. Sex, drugs, games, music, fashion and cosmetic surgery are the main obsession of the citizens. The only working stiffs are the Sandmen, an elite police squad that hunt down runners (those people who turn 30 and refuse to report to the "sleepshops" where they are put to sleep). Farrah played Holly, one of the girls who is obsessed with cosmetic surgery. Although her part was small, she certainly made an impression. Logan's Run was panned by most critics and a loser at the box office. The film won an Academy Award for Special Achievement for Visual Effects, and was also nominated for two other Oscars; Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. It received the Saturn Award for Best Sci-fi film of the year and was nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Script. The Film also has the distinction of being the first film made using Dolby Stereo.
Farrah's next journey into the world of science fiction brought her all the way to the planet Saturn, in 1980's Saturn 3. By this time Farrah was a hugh TV star thanks to a little show called Charlie's Angels and her best selling poster (see photo), which sold over 10 million copies and graced every teenaged boys room in the late 1970's. Farrah was now the star of her own movie, co-starring with legendary film star Kirk Douglas and Harvey Keitel.
Saturn 3 was a film that tried to capitalize on the success of Star Wars and Alien. The producers of the film felt that science fiction and sci-fi horror was big, and adding Farrah to the mix would be even bigger—box office gold. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and producers.
In the film, Farrah plays a botanist named Alex who is working with her partner and lover Adam (Douglas, who is 30 years her senior) to create a way of growing plants on other planets (at least I think that's what their goals are, as it's never really clear what their mission objectives are). They maintain a two-person (and three robot) hydroponics and food research station on one of Saturn's moons. In orbit around the planet Saturn is an Earth ship headed to the base to carry out an experiment.
For some reason the pilot of the ship (Keitel, whose NY accent was dubbed over by a british actor) kills the Captain of the ship by shooting him out the airlock. Keitel then lands on the base and inserts living brain tissue into an experimental robot named HECTOR. As the experiment progresses it is revealed that Keitel is a phyco and that HECTOR is infused with Keitel's brain cells. Well of course the robot goes mad and decides he's in love with Farrah and must kill her lover (and his rival) Douglas. The rest of the movie is a cat and mouse game between Keitel and his killer robot, and Farrah and her geriatric boyfriend. As painful it is to read this synopsis, it was more painful to watch the movie. Need I say why this is a forgotten film— no one wants to remember it. Needless to say the movie went down faster than the Titanic. It was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award and should have won. Farrah was nominated for Worst Actress.
Of course, Farrah went on to redeem herself as an actress winning critical acclaim for her work in the Burning Bed and Extremities. Upon hearing of her death, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner said "Farrah was one of the iconic beauties of our time. Her girl-next-door charm combined with her stunning looks made her a star on film, TV and the printed page." According to her friend Alana Stewart, she was also kind, a good friend and down-to-earth. That is how we should remember her.
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