Jack Finney(1911-1995)
- Writer
Walter Braden "Jack" Finney was an American writer, mainly known for
his contributions to the science-fiction genre. His most popular novels
are "The Body Snatchers" (1955) and "Time and Again" (1970), although
throughout his career he published nearly 50 novels that encompass the
noir, thriller and comedy genres.
Finney's novel "The Body Snatchers" has since been adapted into film four times. In the 1950s Don Siegel directed the first adaptation, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) starring Kevin McCarthy. Abel Ferrara offered his version with Body Snatchers (1993), and more recently audiences have been invited to sample the Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig adaptation The Invasion (2007).
None of the above films, however, have managed to surpass the terrifying Philip Kaufman adaptation Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) starring Donald Sutherland. Kaufman conveys the fear and paranoia that is at the center of Finney's novel flawlessly. It is still regarded by many as one of the best re-makes in film history, and a lot of the credit goes to Finney's novel. Donald Sutherland, incidentally, would go on to star in the similarly themed The Puppet Masters (1994) based on the 1951 novel by Finney's friend and fellow author, Robert A. Heinlein.
Despite his prolific outpouring of fiction, Jack Finney will nevertheless be predominantly remembered for the pod people who invaded Planet Earth.
Finney's novel "The Body Snatchers" has since been adapted into film four times. In the 1950s Don Siegel directed the first adaptation, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) starring Kevin McCarthy. Abel Ferrara offered his version with Body Snatchers (1993), and more recently audiences have been invited to sample the Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig adaptation The Invasion (2007).
None of the above films, however, have managed to surpass the terrifying Philip Kaufman adaptation Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) starring Donald Sutherland. Kaufman conveys the fear and paranoia that is at the center of Finney's novel flawlessly. It is still regarded by many as one of the best re-makes in film history, and a lot of the credit goes to Finney's novel. Donald Sutherland, incidentally, would go on to star in the similarly themed The Puppet Masters (1994) based on the 1951 novel by Finney's friend and fellow author, Robert A. Heinlein.
Despite his prolific outpouring of fiction, Jack Finney will nevertheless be predominantly remembered for the pod people who invaded Planet Earth.
