Classic Science Fiction

by Peter Haining (Editor), Stephen King, Clive Barker

A collection of stories which have formed the basis for classic science fiction films. They include, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Logan's Run, Total Recall and 7 others by Ray Bradbury, Philip k Dick etc. Each story is prefaced by a short synopsis of the Film which was produced from the story.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

266 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Peter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.

Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.

In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).

He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual with compilations some stories are better than others. The Philip K Dick story stood out from the others, as did Clive Barker's The Forbidden. Although maybe I'm missing something but I don't see what in Clive Barker's story is Sci-Fi, it's more a straight up horror. And very creepy too!

A few of the earlier stories haven't aged well, and I was disappointed that the story advertised as Logan's Run is actually a short story from later in the series. This was the one I was really looking forward to reading so it felt like a bit of a let down.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a mixed bag. Loved the Philip K Dick, Clive Barker, Stephen King and Ward Moore short stories, used as the basis for (in author order) Total Recall, Candyman, The Lawnmower Man and Panic in the Year Zero. The Heinlein, Bradbury, Von Braun and Clarke stories are interesting rather than wonderful. The Logan's Run story is from a sequel whilst the Star Trek story has hee-haw to do with the first film, being a story from the original TV series. No point to the addition of the last two whatsoever.

Ray Smillie

[Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good little book of short stories, recommend for light reading. I'll leave my favourite quote:

"Idolatry of our technical accomplishments constitutes the worst evil with which we threaten our race and our civilization. Worshiping those accomplishments renders the man sterile and incapable of meeting the demands of the future." - Life on Mars, page 84

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly interesting and informative book I enjoyed the star trek story. It’s a small book at 266 pages, so easily consumed. James Blish Star Trek was entertaining. Clive barkers candy man was disturbing. Stephen kings lawn mower man was completely different than the movie.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Some of the stories were excellent and thought-provoking.

[Karen]

Skipped some cos I was pretty familiar with them, other than that, some good, some not so much.

[CasualDebris · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my complete review, as well as reviews of each selection, please visit Casual Debris.

Of the two titles the anthology has appeared under, Space Movies is by far the most appropriate. Haining's focus in both the selections and the introductory material is on film, more specifically on special effects, and not on the related literature. While the anthology collects a few short stories that have been adapted to the big screen, it also contains some "fictionalizations" of scripts for both film and television, as well as a script treatment. There is an introduction by Haining, "The Fiction of Possibilities," that discusses the early evolution of special effects, and each story has its own mini intro, focusing primarily on the film the selection is highlighting. The introductions are interesting though not revolutionary.

There is also fault with both titles: Space Movies and Classic Science Fiction. For one not all the movies are set in space, and for another not all are science fiction. The last entries, those by King and Barker, are both horror fantasy, supernatural tales that have absolutely no science fiction elements, and while the film linked to the King story is certainly science fiction, the film linked to Barker's story certainly is not.

[bluetyson]

Classic Science Fiction by Peter Haining

[Pippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection. I particularly liked The Forbidden by Clive Barker. (Who? Must follow that up!)