Join an intergalactic crowd of Japanese sci-fi movie buffs in downtown Raleigh to witness the frenetic energy of "The Evil Brain from Outer Space" (1964), at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5. The event is free.
Starman fought interplanetary evil on late-night TV in America during the mid-'60s and beyond. Known as Super Giant (Supa jaiantsu) in his native Japan, the caped crusader was featured in four 80-minute films that were culled from nine featurettes produced by the Shintoho Company in the late 1950s.
"The Evil Brain from Outer Space" represents the final three featurettes from that series, in which Starman must defend the universe from -- you guessed it -- a monstrous evil brain from outer space.
Ken Utsei stars as Starman, a Japanese Superman who comes from the Emerald Planet. While Starman originates from a Krypton-esque planet, and can leap tall Shinto shrines in a single bound, and is faster than a speeding bullet-train, he still fights and dresses a lot like a Power Ranger. Still, you can't help feeling nostalgic about this entertaining blend of spastic martial arts and primitive special effects.
The museum stays open from 5 till 9 p.m. and the feature film begins at 7 p.m.
"Come early for live music and quirky film shorts from the AV Geeks," said a spokesman. "You can also enjoy light fare and beverages from the Acro Café. Additionally, the Museum Store offers after-hours shopping and an art exhibition from Emily Barnett and Liza Myers in the Nature Art Gallery."
This is the final weekend of the traveling exhibit, "BRAIN: The World Inside Your Head," which stays open till 9 p.m. (last tickets sold at 8 p.m.).
Exhibit tickets are discounted for First Friday attendees: $3 for all; free for Friends of the Museum.
The Museum of Natural Sciences is located in downtown Raleigh at 11 West Jones Street. Parking is available on the street and in surface lots along Wilmington and Edenton streets.
For more information, contact Steve Popson at 919-733-7450, ext. 379.
