Author: NORMAN TAYLOR <[log in to unmask]> Date: 12/22/94 10:32 AM [Editor's note: This message was submitted to SCREEN-L by the "Author" noted above, and not by Jeremy Butler ([log in to unmask]).] Gene Stavis writes in response to the question about early science fiction films, that "Aelita, Queen of Mars" was so popular that soviet women took up the name, Aelita. I'm curious about where this info came from. As far as I understood it, the film was not a great success and direcor, Protazanov, was vilified because the film set a revolution on Mars, suggesting that it was an unrealistic and fanciful hope that any real change could result from such an upheaval. Indeed Queen Aelita herself is shown to be a selfish and unworthy figure, finally destroyed by the central male character who has coveted her attentions. Why would soviet women want to allign themselves with such a figure? And if they did, was this another reason for the authorities to condemn the movie? Does anyone have any info on this? Norman Taylor South Bristol College UK