For Half a Century, Wholly a Classic

This week marks 50 years since the debut of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the landmark science-fiction adventure written by motion-picture director Stanley Kubrick and noted SF author Arthur C. Clarke (whose 1951 short story “The Sentinel” helped inspire the movie). 2001 premiered on April 2, 1968, at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C., and then opened to wider U.S. distribution on April 3—half a century ago today.

One of the most beautiful and memorable aspects of that film was its musical score, employing a variety of classical works, among them Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra,” which served as the main title theme. (Click here to relive the big-screen drama of that opening number.) What people forget, especially half a century on, is that Kubrick had commissioned Hollywood composer Alex North (Spartacus, Cleopatra) to create an original soundtrack for his film. However, as Wikipedia notes, Kubrick decided during his post-production work on 2001 to toss that score “in favor of the now-familiar classical pieces he had earlier chosen as ‘guide pieces’ for the soundtrack.” Wikipedia adds that “North did not know of the abandonment of the score until after he saw the film’s premiere screening.” One can’t help wondering whether 2001: A Space Odyssey might be remembered rather differently had Kubrick stuck with North’s musical score, the beginning of which—including an alternative main title theme—can be heard here. More selections from North’s 2001 score can be sampled here.

READ MORE: “2001: A Space Odyssey 50th Anniversary: 5
Highlights from Original Soundtrack” (Billboard); “What 2001 Got Right,” by Michael Benson (The New York Times); “Fifty Years Later, the World Is Finally Catching Up with 2001: A Space Odyssey,” by Owen Gleiberman (Variety); “2001: A Space Odyssey: Book Celebrates 50th anniversary of Sci-fi Movie Masterpiece,” by Brian Truitt (USA Today); “50 Years Later, 2001: A Space Odyssey Is Still a Cinematic Landmark,” by John Powers (National Public Radio); “Cannes Interview: Christopher Nolan,” by Eric Hynes (Film Comment).

From Here to Eternity

How sad that this should happen today, on my birthday (though it’s actually March 19 in his adopted home of Sri Lanka), but science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke has passed away at age 90. Best known for writing the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and co-writing, with Stanley Kubrick, the screenplay for the landmark film of that same name, Clarke was also the first science-fiction writer whose work I remember reading. I included Clarke’s 1953 novel, Childhood’s End--which I’ve had the pleasure of reading several times over the years--on January Magazine’s list of the most memorable books of the 20th century.

I am sorry that his work and life have come to an end, but grateful for all of the enjoyment Clarke has provided me over my own life. And he apparently has one more book due for publication: The Last Theorem, written with Frederick Pohl and scheduled for release in November of this year. Count on me to buy a copy.

On the occasion of his 90th birthday in December, Clarke talked about his career and dreams for a short video that is available on YouTube. I can think of no finer tribute than to share that below.



READ MORE: “Arthur C. Clarke’s Down-to-Earth Legacy,” by Ed Park (Los Angeles Times); “For Clarke, Issues of Faith, but Tackled Scientifically,” by Edward Rothstein (The New York Times); “R.I.P. Arthur C. Clarke,” by Edward Champion (Edward Champion’s Filthy Habits); “Arthur C. Clarke Dies Tomorrow,” by Linda L. Richards (January Magazine); “The Last Rendezvous with Arthur C. Clarke,” by Andrew Leonard (Salon); “Interview with Arthur C. Clarke,” by Tasha Robinson (A.V. Club); “Sir Arthur and I,” by Frederik Pohl (The Way the Future Blogs).

HAL Says “Hey”

British science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, probably best known for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), turns an amazing 90 years old today. He celebrates with the publication this month of Firstborn, the third installment of his Time Odyssey series, written in collaboration with Stephen Baxter.