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* EVE OF THE WAR EXCLUSIVE *

Interview with Arnold Leibovit

MINI-BIOGRAPHY

Arnold Leibovit is an award-winning writer, director as well as producer. He wrote, directed and produced the acclaimed film tribute "The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal", profiling the life of the Oscar winning sci-fi and fantasy film pioneer, who directed the first screen telling of H.G. Wells’ "The Time Machine". The film premiered at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. Following this film, Leibovit obtained the rights to "The Time Machine" book and the motion picture which led to his Executive Producing the $125 million dollar 2002 Dreamworks Warner Bros remake.

He is currently working on producing a sequel to "The Time Machine", a remake of Pal’s other classic, "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao", and a sci-fi romantic comedy, which he is directing.  Apart from the big screen, Leibovit produced the CD soundtrack re-scoring of the 1960 "The Time Machine", with its original composer Russel Garcia, produced the re-release of "The Great Rupert", George Pal’s first feature film on DVD, produced a 2004 CD "The Fantasy Film Music of George Pal" covering the MGM and Paramount years (1948-1975). 

Mr. Leibovit received ’The Saturn’ Award from the Academy of Science Fiction and Fantasy Film, three CINE Golden Eagles, 2 International Film & TV Festival Awards, 3 Awards of Excellence by the Film Advisory Board and many others. Arnold Leibovit is an acting member of the Producers Guild of America.

Picture taken at the premiere for the Time Machine in 2002 with wife Barb

INTERVIEW

Eve Of The War caught up with Arnold recently and with the help of some Eve Of The forum members
asked 'The Saturn Award' winner some questions....

1. Question from Loz (Eve Of The War Forum) What do you think George Pal was best at?

Pal was an original thinker and visionary who came up with ways of doing things no one had done before. He found quality material that at the time few in Hollywood were interested in producing. Ultimately, though I think his invention of the replacement figure puppet used in the Puppetoons was really a great big idea and won an Academy Award in 1943 for the techniques of animation he developed. The influence of the Puppetoons and his special effects are still being used in one form or another by almost everyone doing sfx in movies today and especially CGI computer animation (Pixar and others).

2. What got you started into the career you have and what were your influences?

Was interested in films from an early age. A Matinee junkie. Acted out dramatic plays for friends and parents, did home movies with music and sound. There are so many influences but aside from Pal certainly Walt Disney, Cecil B. DeMille, Ray Harryhausen, David Lean, Stanley Kubrick and I think I should throw in Robby the Robot for good measure.

3. Can you tell us more about the projects you are currently working on, like your sci-fi comedy?

Working on a remake of "7 Faces of Dr. Lao". (SS) Wilson and (Brent) Maddock are developing the story with me. I very much like their handling of material as in "Tremors" "Short Circuit" and others. Also a "Time Machine" series for television with Mark Wolper at Warner Bros. the son of David Wolper. My sci-fi romantic comedy is sort of a little homage to "Day the Earth Stood Still" but in a humorous way.

4. Question from Fenris (Eve Of The War Forum) The last movie produced by Pal was Doc Savage: Man of Bronze (1975). It was intended to be the first on a series, and Pal had reportedly bought the screen rights to all of the Savage novels. Doc Savage: Man Of Bronze ends with a cliffhanger, with Savage (Ron Ely) racing off into a dangerous situation. My question is: how did Pal intend to start the second proposed Savage movie? Would it continue from the closing scene in the previous film?

He planned on doing every book as close to in sequence as possible and yes wanted to continue it as Man of Bronze ended.

5. What would you like to do in the future?

I guess movies that audiences will want to see and not throw rotten tomatoes at.

6. Would you consider doing your own War Of The Worlds project? Would it depend on how well the Paramount and Pendragon versions turn out?

I was interested but I would never have gone head to head with Paramount. I have a keen interest in projects that deal with interesting twists on the alien theme. I guess that's why my sci-fi comedy is closest to this. Have always had a weak spot for projects like these. A lot of people say I must be from another planet - so maybe it's true. I know H.G. Wells certainly must have been. Imagine coming up with those ideas at the turn of the century. My God there weren't even working toilets.

7. Question from Loz (Eve Of The War Forum) Which is your favourite science Fiction story of all time and why?

Arthur C. Clarke's "Against the Fall of Night". I even have a first edition signed by Clarke. Why - well it's jaw dropping and influenced everything that followed like "Forbidden Planet"

8. What idea’s have you got for the sequel to the Time Machine, anything you can tell us?

That's under wraps at the moment. It's based on some of my concepts. In time......I'll be happy to discuss this further.

9. Can you tell us more about Ann Robinson and what she is like and what you think of her?

Ann is a sweetheart and always enjoy seeing and talking with her. She was a great admirer of George Pal and has dedicated her life to "War of the Worlds". I am looking forward to her cameo in Steven's movie...

Arnold in the Time Machine 2002

A big thanks to Arnold for taking the time in his busy schedule to answer these questions. 
For more information on his projects check out his entry in IMDB

For anyone interested in George Pal's works you may be interested in obtaining expanded DVD copies of "The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal" and "The Puppetoon Movie" from Sci-Fi Station. Mr. Leibovit will be happy to sign them if you mention this interview.
Sci-Fi Station at http://www.scifistation.com or email director@scifistation.com