20 Quotes by Michael Benson

Only three science fiction feature films were released in 1950, but by the middle of the decade, the genre was averaging around twenty-five per year, and by its end over 150 had been released—an unprecedentedly fast expansion for a new genre, even if most of the productions were schlocky B-grade material.

Despite some well-publicized attempts to render the genre respectable over the previous decade or so, in the early 1960s, science fiction was only a step or two above pornography on the social acceptability scale.

At its best, science fiction takes our post-Enlightenment way of understanding the world and extrapolates, using the findings of science and projections concerning the future of technology and putting them at the service of truths expressible through fiction.

People who deal with Stanley and don’t know him perhaps don’t understand that he was an alien.

It being a good three decades before computer-generated imagery, detailed models would have to be constructed for all their exteriors.

When you do a science fiction film, it’s very difficult to discipline yourself to stay within reason. There are no limits, and you can go berserk.

Stan, I want you to know that I’m a very well-adjusted homosexual.”“Yeah, I know,” responded Kubrick without missing a beat.

What we want is a smashing theme of mythic grandeur.

Forbes asked what kind of project he was thinking of doing next. Kubrick responded that he was looking into the possibility of doing a science fiction film.“Oh, Stanley, for God’s sake!” Forbes exclaimed, turning. “Science fiction?