Science Fiction Trivia

[Disembodied]

This book is not, I admit, often thought of as science fiction - but it does contain some strong SF elements. First clue: the escapees are not human.

[ffutures]

Easy with the info you gave in the question - I've only just seen it: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (I did have to google the author). Mrs. Frisby is a mouse.

[Disembodied]

Correct! Although I don't think many people would class it as science fiction, the idea of escapee experimental rats with augmented intelligence - who end up capable of not only using tools but harnessing electricity - has always seemed to me to have an SF slant to it.

Back to you!

[ffutures]

A villain named Luther uses robots (ranging from reprogrammed domestic and industrial machines to purpose-built killing machines and homing bullets) for a reign of terror in this 1984 film. Who plays the police sergeant who ends up tracking him down?

[phkb]

That's "Runaway", with Tom Selleck as Sgt Jack Ramsay, and Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) playing the part of Dr Luther.

[ffutures]

That's "Runaway", with Tom Selleck as Sgt Jack Ramsay, and Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) playing the part of Dr Luther.

Exactly right - I've actually got that one on 12" laserdisc. Your turn!

[phkb]

Oh, yeah... um... stand by... might need to sleep on that one and post in the morning.

(begins feverishly trying to think of something SF related that isn't Star wars)

Um...

[phkb]

OK! This is a 1970's post-apocalyptic film, set in Britain. It features a needle-gun fight, a search for a missing/stolen microfilm (because microfilm was so hi-tech in the '70's), and lot's of weird relationships. And a futuristic machine that was going to save the world (I think).

A personal aside: I saw this in about 1986 when my English teacher wanted to show us... something. Can't remember what the lesson was about. Just remember this was a really weird film. Disturbing, weird, and (for a 16yr old) unintelligible.

[spud42]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070289/

The Final Programme , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Final ... mme_(film)

[phkb]

Wow! Nice pick up! The Final Programme it is. Over to you.

[spud42]

ok here is another from around the 50's

40 years after a war . planetary economy in decline. almost religious belief that if the could only find a rumored mega computer it could save the planet and make everything great again. but not all agree..

book title, author and name of computer please.

[ffutures]

The Cosmic Computer, H. Beam Piper?

slight delay before adding the name of the computer, since the book was at the bottom of the back stack of three - Merlin.

[spud42]

sold to Mr FFutures. the dipper is winging it way to you now...

[ffutures]

If the second item in a checklist is the scanner viewer, what are the fourth and fifth, and in what context?

[ffutures]

First clue - the first item on the check list is a change in orbital speed.