Barbarella
- definitely from the French corner of the Universe
Jane Fonda playing Barbarella in the 1968 movie of the same title seems equally comfortable and enchanting in furs, as well as in spacesuits (and out of them, we have to add, fondly remembering the movie’s opening scene). This feline barbarian purrs from the screen in a typical French fashion, amid French-designed sets and psychedelic decorations.

The plot and movie dialogues are mind-numbingly cheesy & primitive, yet nobody seems to mind: the viewers did not care much in the 60s and most don’t care to dissect it critically today. Like they say, “this movie has a cult following”.

Here is why:

(art by Robert McGinnis)

(art by Boris Vallejo)

Some cool music connections:
David Gilmour (of the future Pink Floyd fame) participated in recording the film’s original score.

The film’s scientist character inspired the 80s famous group to call themselves Duran Duran.

The Great Tyrant in the movie calls her “Pretty-pretty”, as in “So, my pretty-pretty; we meet again.” That line should’ve been in Austin Powers, for sure.

Interesting design sets:

“That thing you do!” -

There are rumors of Kate Beckinsale being approached for the big-budget remake of Barbarella. Hopefully, they are going to use French designers for the movie’s look, too.

Honorable mentions

This section will be expanded. Please send us the movies & actresses worth mentioning.

“The Green Slime” 1968 movie:

More from the 1970 “UFO” British TV science fiction series:

(image credit: UFOseries)

German 1966 TV show “Raumpatrouille Orion” (”Space Patrol Orion”) -

Russian movie “Bolshoe Kosmicheskoe Puteshestvie” 1974
(”Grand Space Voyage”) with Mila Berlinskaya as a teenage astronaut:

Modern-style space girl, drawn by the extremely talented artist Juan Gimenez:

(image credit: Juan Gimenez)

We will continue to highlight the glamour of the space-ways; in our next issue we will show the most interesting female characters in fantastic pulp fiction magazines.

(image credit: Gabrielle Drake, UFOseries)

(art by Al Moore)

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