Check out these monstrous screen-caps from Disney's "Mars and Beyond" (1957, final episode of the
Man In Space trilogy). "Mars and Beyond", directed by Disney animator
Ward Kimball for the Disneyland television series, ambitiously endeavors to chronicle the origin of life on earth and the evolution of scientific thought, then presents a satirical commentary on the use of aliens in modern popular culture, before finally speculating on the possibility of life on other planets.
The pictures below are meant to illustrate the pre-Renaissance era, an age when the source of truth was not science, but supernatural revelation.
No political correctness here! As narrator
Paul Frees states, "Free and logical thought was stifled by a blank period of stupidity, superstition and sorcery!"
This segment spoofs alien invasion films of the day, and reaches a crescendo of mayhem more associated with Chuck Jones than Walt Disney. A Martian menaces a lady in distress by releasing a swarm of bats from its alien maw.
It reveals suction-cupped tentacles.
It can even crumble into a swarm of insects, then reform.
In full pursuit of the Earthling woman, a literal parade of inventive aliens marches past.
The Man In Space trilogy is available on the DVD set Walt Disney Treasures: Tomorrowland-Disney In Space and Beyond.
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