The Thing from Another World (1951)
It is easy to just say, "This is a classic. "What makes it a classic is the formula and people (Directed by Howard Hawks). There is the standard 50s sci-fi prologue. You are set up as they go to investigate a crash in the snow. The investigators hold hands in the snow to figure out the size of the downed plane under the ice and find it has a peculiar shape. From there, you know it can only get better.
The film is loosely based on the novella “Who Goes There?” by John W. Campbell. But do not expect the book's story. Nevertheless, do expect blood, fire, and sinister doings. There are naïve scientists, dubious airmen, and a generator running out of fuel.
While you are at it, just whose side is Dr. Arthur Carrington on?
And does Nikki just scream a lot or does she usually bring up the true nature of the threat?
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The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
This film has all the 50’s Sci-Fi standards except the flamethrower. We start with a narrative that shows an atomic test taking place in the frozen north. Two people go out to take readings after the test. One does not come back, and the other is delusional, talking of a monster. Naturally, he needs curing and is almost well with a female paleontologist who starts to believe him and offers to let him eat her sandwiches and look at mug shots of many mobsters’ pasts. Can the authorities be convinced before it is too late?
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Them! (1954)
This film was originally in 3D.
The formula is Big Bugs, flame throwers, and screaming women. What happened as an aftereffect of the first atomic bombs?
This is a movie about taller-ants.
Fess Parker almost gets caught with his pants down.
This is not a fly-by-night movie. It is an ant-by-night movie.
William Schallert's "Colossus - The Forbin Project” gets to be the Ambulance Attendant.
Leonard Nimoy is the Telex operator. If this keeps up, he may find himself on a starship, where he can deal with real ant-imatter.
James Arness only wants to help Joan Weldon out of a plane and into the ant-ichamber.
I watched this several times with my wife. The ants make a noise like a loose fan belt. So, every time we pass a car with a loose fan belt, she says, "Get the other antenna."
This movie also makes a good background movie. Don't wait for this to go on clear-ants.
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Forbidden Planet (1956)
In the 23rd century, a rescue ship is sent to the planet Altair to look for survivors of an earlier expedition. They find nothing except an ominous voice warning them not to land. What would you do?
Notice that the investigating party is the captain, first officer, and medical doctor. Can you say “Star Trek?”
This movie has many pluses, as both sociological (people like to compare this to Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”). Visuals, from the color of the sky to the accouterments of Altiara (Anne Francis). The speculation on what you do in this situation. The introduction of Robby the Robot, who went on to be a star in other movies and a guest on many TV programs.
The movie was great; I watched it over and again. However, it made a major deviation from the book, or the book by W.J. Stuart, also written in 1956, deviated from the movie.
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World Without End (1956)
A rocket ship with 1956 instruments and dials heads 35 million miles into space. On top of that, they go through the time barrier to 2508, which is an interesting year. Atomic explosions, mutated monsters, cuties in short dresses, and even cuter large spiders.
Will they ever get back, or is this a “World without end?”
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The Time Machine (1960)
This is the story of George “H.G. Wells” (Rod Taylor), who is an inventor. He has invited his friends to dinner and is inexcusably late. Staggering in, all disheveled, he is asked what happened to him. Therefore, he relays the story.
A week earlier, it was the turn of th
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