memories of the ’70s – Logan’s Run

In the early 1970s, science fiction fans were welcomed into the 23rd century with the story that wanted to make sure no one lived past the age of 30: Logan’s Run.

Based on a novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson, Logan’s Run was published in 1967 and in 1975, director Michael Anderson bought the option to bring it to the screen.

Starring Michael York and Richard Jordan, the film is based on a utopian society where a computer is the ruler. When the citizens, who live a lavish lifestyle reach 30, they are told they must ride the Carousel and then will be Renewed (but in reality they are vaporized).

Every citizen wears a Lifeclock crystal in the palm of their hand, showing the time until its their Last Day. The Sandmen (police) keep track of the citizens to make sure no one breaks the rules before their ride on the Carousel.

Michael York and Richard Jordan play Sandmen, Logan 5 and Francis 7. They realize the computer is trying to destroy them and become runners in order to live. Farrah Fawcett also is in the cast as a comely Holly who also wants to live, while Jenny Agutter plays Logan’s love Jessica.

Made for US$9 million and filmed mainly in Dallas, this film was deemed silly, irreverent and terrible, but was nominated for three Academy Awards (winning an Oscar for Special Achievement for Special Effects) and made an easy $25 million at the box office in 1976, with fans loving every minute of the futuristic thriller.

As a result of the popularity of the film, in 1977 a  television series was developed starring Gregory Harrison and Heather Menzies, but it only aired for one season on CBS before being cancelled.

I remember first seeing the tv series as a young child, but I didn’t quite get it and was confused by the storylines. By the time I saw the film as a teenager, the change in special effects made it look so dated and odd, yet it had a charm about it as the SF storyline still held up.

An iconic 1970s science fiction film, Logan’s Run set the standard for the latest in techno effects, and made science fiction a frontrunner of movie themes of this decade.

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~ by Waheeda on January 24, 2012.