Mercury Rapids Blog: March 2012

n a fan of the movie, The Valley of Gwangi, ever since I saw it on television as a small boy of about six or seven years of age (in black and white, I might add). I was amazed at the effects work of Ray Harryhausen and the way he integrated his monsters into a world of cowboys and rodeos with seamless ease.

The Valley of Gwangi, though, is almost one of Harryhausen's lost classics, being eclipsed by his other work, such as Jason and the Argonauts, the three Sinbad movies and Clash of the Titans.

With the recent remake of Clash of the Titans (which wasn't anywhere near as good as the original!), I wondered if Gwangi would deserve the remake treatment. I mean, monsters are always popular in the cinema and the western is always well-received, what with the success of the remake of True Grit. So, how about a retelling of The Valley of Gwangi? I'd love to write it and see it up on screen with today's whiz-bang CGI effects. With that in mind, I hammered out a treatment for what, I think, would be a good, exciting monster movie. You can read it below
and, remember, this is just a script treatment, a guide to the main features the final script should include.

I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.mercuryrapids.co.uk/gwangi.htm

'The Devils of D-Day

I have been a fan of the novels of Graham Masterton ever since I picked up a copy of The Devils of D-Day when I was about fourteen years of age. I only realised later that I had been aware of his work through the film, The Manitou, which was based on his first book and released in 1978. To be fair, it's not a great movie, but it gives you some idea of the creativity in Masterton's work. His books are very visual and conjure images that should be easily transferred onto the big screen.

For some reason, though, only his first book traversed the divide between the printed page and the silver screen.

I have published a full script treatment for The Devils of D-Day. I have reworked the story into the popular genre of 'found-footage'. The first-person narrative of the book lends itself well to that particular style of film-making, I believe.

So, have a read and let me know what you think. If Graham Masterton is reading this, I do not mean to bend any copyright. I am merely a fan entertaining a dream of seeing Graham's work on the screen once more.

http://www.mercuryrapids.co.uk/devilsofd-day/devilsofd-day.htm

'A70'

I am very happy to announce that 'A70', the true story of a terrifying alien abduction in Scotland, has gone into production. Produced by Dionne Rose and based upon research by Malcolm Robinson, the screenplay for 'A70' was written by myself and Dionne Rose.

More details can be found at The A70 Movie Facebook Page

'Mercury Rapids' Kindle ebook

When Bill Lewis is abducted by extraterrestrials, little does he know that he will embark on an adventure that will see him pitting his wits against alien forces intent on destroying the Earth.

Originally released as a paperback trilogy, enjoy the complete story in one Kindle ebook.

Available now in the Kindle Store!

'Silent Predator' Kindle ebook

The idyllic peace of the northern English countryside is shattered when gruesome killings occur close to a large government laboratory. A local school teacher and a maverick scientist find themselves on a deadly quest to track down a family of big cats that regards a small Yorkshire village as its hunting ground.

A new novella from Steven Johnson(writing as Steve JC Johnson)

Available now in the Kindle Store!

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