Hydra – Verschollen in Galaxis 4 (1972)

Hydra – Verschollen in Galaxis 4: Directed by Harry Hope, Lee Sholem, Herbert J. Leder. With Bobby Van, Ruta Lee, Mala Powers, James Craig. Spies discover that the Red Chinese have built a “doomsday machine” capable of destroying the surface of the Earth, and that they plan to use it within a matter of days.

“The movie came from a February 1966 screen play story outline by Stuart J. Byrne called Deadmen in Space. It was optioned to Fred Long of Pleidas Productions, Inc. Allied Artists Studio. In March, 1966, Henry Blum and Fred Long agreed to form a corporation to be known as Blu-Lon Ent. which would acquire certain properties, one of which was u0026quot;Dead Men in Spaceu0026quot; also known as u0026quot;Armageddon 75u0026quot;. (The corporation never was formed but Blum and Long worked as a 50/50 partnership on this movie).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSeeing possible conflicts with the title Armageddon, the property was registered on March 29, 1967 with the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. as u0026quot;Doomsday + (plus) 7 (seven)u0026quot;. There was a private screening of the incomplete movie on June 21, 1969 with the title listed as u0026quot;Doomsday Plus 7u0026quot;. (There are audience participation cards.) On the 22nd of November, 1969, Fred Long signed over all rights to the u0026quot;partially completed feature length motion picture, tentatively entitled u0026#39;DOOMSDAY PLUS SEVENu0026#39;, by FRED LONG as Producer … to Q R C Productions …u0026quot; and lost all control, possible profit and his name was stricken from the picture.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is much more to the story. The budget overruns and mismanagement. The threats of lawsuits. Rising government costs almost at will. The way Stuart stood by Fred Long and how the Hollywood machine just chewed up the little guy. If a movie were made called u0026quot;The Making of Doomsday + 7u0026quot;, it would be a money maker in theaters today. I have the documentation and more.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI also have Fred Long family photos and negatives along with some personal items of Mr. Long that I would like to get back to the family. Fred Long is a stage name, the family will know his given name.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDo not judge Mr. Longu0026#39;s work by the completed film but by the work up to the point the actors morphed. Hokey – yes. Low budget – yes. But it didnu0026#39;t have to be a hack job. RIP Fred, I hope this helps.”