On this day in movie history - Alien (1979 movie & books):

Alien

directed by Ridley Scott,

written by Dan O'Bannon,

based on a story by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett,

was released in the United States on May 25, 1979.
Music by Jerry Goldsmith.

Cast:

Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, Bolaji Badejo, Helen Horton, Eddie Powell.

Recommended reading:

Alien

By Alan Dean Foster.

Filmed as Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott.

Published by Orbit.

Published 1979.

ISBN-10: 0708816789

ISBN-13: 978-0708816783

Description:

Where was Earth?

This was not their galaxy. A strange sun lit the sky with orange rays. In their long cold sleep, the seven space travelers had left their own universe behind, and now their monitor told them that on the planet revolving below them, someone was signalling for help. By space law, they must descend, explore and render assistance. But they would carry weapons. For who could tell what being called to them – or why. All they knew was that it was Alien.

Alien: Movie Novel

By Dan O'Bannon.

Edited by Richard J. Anobile.

Published by Avon.

Published 1979.    

ISBN: 9780380466313

ISBN 10: 0380466317

ASIN: 0380466317

Description:

A Movie Novel of the film 'Alien' - a graphic novel using photographs from the film.

Recommended reading - Archer in Jeopardy, by Ross Macdonald (1979):

Archer in Jeopardy

By Ross Macdonald.

Anthology.

Published by Alfred A. Knof.

Published 1979.

Hardcover.

ISBN 13: 9780394508047

ISBN 10: 0394508041

ASIN: 0394508041

Description:

Brings together three of the acclaimed mystery writer's Lew Archer novels – The Doomsters, The Zebra-Striped Hearse, & The Instant Enemy – three winners with the incomparable Macdonald touch.

On this day in movie history - Dawn of the Dead (1978 movie & novel):

Dawn of the Dead

directed and written by George A. Romero,

was released in the United States on April 13, 1979.
Music by The Goblins and Dario Argento.

Cast:

David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross, George A. Romero, Christine Forrest, David Crawford, David Early, Daniel Dietrich, Molly McClosky, Howard Smith, Richard France, Rudy Ricci, Tony Buba, Pasquale Buba, Taso N. Stavrakis, Tom Savini, Joseph Pilato, James A. Baffico, Joey Baffico, John Amplas.

Recommended reading:

Dawn of the Dead

By George A. Romero & Susanna Sparrow.

Filmed as Dawn of the Dead (1978), directed and written by George A. Romero.

Published by Gallery Books.

First published 1978.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 9781476791838

ISBN-13: 978-1476791838

ASIN: 147679183X

Description:

“Dawn of the Dead is one of the best horror movies ever made.” – Roger Ebert.

The novel of the classic horror film, with an introduction by Simon Pegg!

WHEN THERE IS NO MORE ROOM IN HELL, THE DEAD WILL WALK THE EARTH

George A. Romero terrified a generation with his iconic horror film and with this cult-classic novel. Immerse yourself in this unparalleled vision from the revered master of the zombie apocalypse…and be terrified all over again.

Zombies have overpowered the living and ravaged the world. Society has collapsed as humans race to save themselves. No one knows how far the creatures have spread, or how to stop them. In downtown Philadelphia, four people escape the chaos and find shelter in a vacated shopping mall. But as their greed spirals and the undead close in, their haven for waiting out the end of the world becomes the last battleground for survival. And there is nowhere left to hide…

On this day in movie history - Mad Max (1979):

Mad Max

directed by George Miller,

written by George Miller and James McCausland,

based on a story by George Miller and Byron Kennedy,

was released in Australia on April 12, 1979.
Music by Brian May.

Cast:

Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, Roger Ward, Lisa Aldenhoven, David Bracks, Bertrand Cadart, David Cameron, Robina Chaffey, Stephen Clark, Mathew Constantine, Jerry Day, Reg Evans, Howard Eynon, Max Fairchild, John Farndale, Peter Felmingham, Sheila Florance, Nic Gazzana, Hunter Gibb, Andrew Gilmore, Jonathan Hardy, Brendan Heath, Paul Johnstone, Nick Lathouris, John Ley, Steve Millichamp, Phil Motherwell, George Novak, Geoff Parry, Lulu Pinkus, Neil Thompson, Billy Tisdall, Gil Tucker, Kim Sullivan, John Arnold, Tom Broadbridge, Peter Culpan, Peter Ford, Clive Hearne, Telford Jackson, Christine Kaman, Joan Letch, Kerry Miller, Janine Ogden, Di Trelour, Vernon Weaver, Paul Young, Brendan Young, Katy Brinson, Lisa Dombroski, Terry Gibson, Andrew Jones, James McCausland, Amanda Muggleton, Harry Peerce, Michael Ryan.