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Episode 257 · Film year 1977

Demon Seed (1977)

· 2h 27m

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Artwork for Demon Seed (1977)
Demon Seed (1977)
Episode 257 · The Projection Booth
0:00
2h 27m
MP3

Show notes

In Donald Cammell's Demon Seed, Alex Harris (Fritz Weaver) creates Proteus, a super-computer that terrorizes Susan Harris (Julie Christie).

Maitland McDonagh and Bill Ackerman join Mike in discussing the film, Dean Koontz's source novel(s), and more. We talk with Gerrit Graham about his role in the film as well as Cammell scholars Rebecca & Sam Umland.

Labels: Bill Ackerman Donald Cammell Fritz Weaver Gerrit Graham Julie Christie Maitland McDonagh Rebecca Umland Samuel J. Umland Supporting Characters

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Music credits

  • "Pre-Trip" - Jerry Fielding
  • "Computer Love" - Kraftwerk
  • "Demon Seed" - The Proteus

Links & resources

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Comments (7)

  1. lrobhubbard
    The DePalma connection is ironic considering Gerrit Graham's casting and also Harold Oblong (credited as Peter Elbling)in a small role as a scientist. Michael Dorn is also supposed to be in an uncredited bit role (at the start of his career, I'm guessing). Very nice segment!
  2. Sam Umland
    I've been listening to the first part of your podcast. Actually, Proteus's baby we see at the end of Demon Seed is the Harris's deceased daughter (by leukemia) reborn. We see home footage of her earlier in the film, so I know for a fact it's her. The reason why Proteus creates her in the form of the couple's dead daughter is so they don't reject the baby. If you look at the home video footage of her earlier in the film, you'll see that it's her at the end. FYI.
    1. Mike White
      It's interesting that they would make the child a female (but give it Proteus's male voice) as so much of Koontz's book focuses on Proteus wanting THE FLESH in order to have sex with Susan as soon as he possesses it. Talk about an Oedipal dilemma...
  3. Jeffrey Goodman
    Great show! Please follow the advice of Professor Umland and profile White Of The Eye forthwith! Will be worth it just to get more time with the Umlands who are two of the best guests you've had on, ever! Your other contributors also deserve a round of applause as this was one of my favorite shows ever! Thanks again for 2+ hours well spent!
  4. Anonymous
    Hot show. The updated book is very silly. That music in the middle is just amazing. Very Bernard Herrmann. Do you know where I can find it. It's not on YT.
    1. Mike White
      Thanks for the kind words. I bought this one on DVD so I'm not sure where else it can be seen.
    2. lrobhubbard
      Way late, but this should help... also includes original music cues that were rejected for being too 'out there'. http://www1.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm/ID/3370/SOYLENT-GREEN-DEMON-SEED/

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