Bob Hastings, born in Brooklyn in 1925, is known for his role in The Bamboo Saucer (1968), a film that blends science fiction with cult sensibilities. With a career that began in radio and transitioned to television, Hastings brought a distinctive presence to his characters. In The Bamboo Saucer, he contributes to the film's exploration of extraterrestrial themes, adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative. His extensive background in various genres enriches the cult film landscape, making his performance a noteworthy element in this unique cinematic offering.
The Bamboo Saucer
American and Russian scientists are looking for a downed flying saucer in jungles of red china. At first they are all Scientists until both countries discover the Saucer at the same time. Mistrust begins building up between the two teams. Both teams want control and ownership of the Flying saucer. Once they decide that the best thing to do is work together and to share their discovery. The Scientist discover that they have found out how they can make it Fly. The Scientists are told by local village people that helped them locate the Flying Saucer, that Red Chinese soldiers are closing in on their location. They all agree that their only choice to keep from getting caught and losing the Flying Saucer. They must fly it out of the jungle and out into space, then decide what to do next with the Flying Saucer. Classic sci-fi was getting more rare in the late 60s, but it was not dead yet. The Bamboo Saucer (TBS) is solid 50s B sci-fi in many ways. It has a flying saucer, dashing hero, beautiful lady scientist, stock footage of military jets and even a close-call with a meteorite in space. The first half (after the saucer buzzing), amounts to an average spy story with the mysterious saucer as MacGuffin. After that, the sci-fi adventure takes over. The product of various small-time producers, TBS appears aimed at the television market, but apparently had at least a modest theatrical release too. (note the extra-cheap poster).Fred Norwood (Ericson) is a crack test pilot, flying the experimental X-109 (actually footage of the F-104 Starfighter). He is buzzed and chased by a glowing blue flying saucer. His radical maneuvering gets him in hot water with his bosses on the ground. No one saw his flying saucer. No radar blip either. He is scrubbed from the X-109 program as unstable. Fred convinces his brother in law to let him use the laser radar gizmo he’s been working on to look for blips invisible to regular radar. Eventually, one is found, but Joe goes up to check it out while Fred sleeps. Joe’s plane is broken up in the air. Fred tells FAA investigators about his saucer. This gets him an appointment with Hank Peters (Dan Duryea) in Washington. The NIA has a sketch by a chinese peasant of a flying saucer. Fred says it’s his! The saucer landed in Communist China, in an abandoned church. The peasants kept it secret because they disliked the Reds. Hank wants Fred to join his recon team, along with Jack the electrician and Dave the metallurgist. They parachute inside China, aided by Sam (a chinese) and other natives. They stumble upon a Russian team on the exact same mission. For a fan of 50s sci-fi, there is so much to love. An actual alien saucer, international intrigue, fights, a beautiful blonde scientist, etc. The pace is pretty good and the techno-blather is nice and thick.The moral of the story in TBS, is that the Americans and the Soviets should learn to get along — ending the Cold War. TBS is a blatant appeal to reconciliation, instead of the more customary metaphors for things going wrong.TBS is actually a pretty entertaining tale, and one solidly in the classic sci-fi orbit. Fans of 50s B movies about flying saucers will feel right at home. The special effects are modest, but adequate. The saucer set was also modest, but workable. At least there wasn’t any WWII surplus electronics in there. TBS is a bit obscure, but worth checking out.
