Plaza Classic Podcast: Plaza Classic Podcast 11: It Came From...

Space has inspired filmmakers both past and present. But there is one classic sci-fi film that has actually served as inspiration for writers and directors over the years ever since it arrived in theaters.

Plaza Classic Film Festival Advisory Committee member Jay Duncan joins podcast hosts Stephanie Valle and Lisa Elliott to talk about "This Island Earth."

Photo of Jay Duncan taken on the set of the premiere of his weekly television show JAY'S PIX in 1985.

Jay Duncan is a lifelong film fan and has been an internationally recognized film historian, archivist and collector since 1962.

In 1974 he began teaching "Introduction to Film Theory and Criticism", an accredited university Junior level film history course, and through the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Texas at El Paso, still offers non-credit courses as his schedule allows.

Also, in 1974 Jay was instrumental in saving the Plaza Theater from demolition. The magnificent 1930 movie palace is one of only a handful remaining. His efforts have helped provide the opportunity for the El Paso Community Foundation to instill new life into the historic Grande Dame for future generations.

He has been Film Program Chairman, guest speaker and panelist to over a dozen Science Fiction film conventions, and originated and served as co-editor and publisher of SPFX (Special Effects) Magazine in 1977.

Jay has over twenty-years experience in the television industry, serving as Program Director, film producer/director, station announcer and writer-producer-host of "Jay's Pix," a popular weekly television program providing on-screen commentary and historical background to film classics. He holds a BA degree in Mass Communications and is also a lifetime member of Alpha Epsilon Rho, the National Honorary Radio-Television Fraternity and Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.

In 2004, Duncan was the originator of the Memorial Day weekend film festival in El Paso called IT! Came From The ‘50s; which, in effect evolved into the annual PLAZA CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL. He has been on the Program Advisory Committee at the EL PASO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION since 2008 and celebrated the return of films to the PLAZA THEATRE in an eleven-day festival August 14-24, 2008. He is preparing for the 17th annual PLAZA CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL to be held July 18-28, 2024.

He is currently available as a Speaker, Writer, Educator, Consultant and Programmer on the History of the Motion Picture, and is also a buyer/seller of Vintage Movie Memorabilia.