Top Ten Sci-Fi Flicks of the Fifties
Sep 28 '00 (Updated Jun 15 '03)
The Bottom Line Classic films from the "Golden Age" of Science Fiction movies
Back in the late fifties and early sixties millions of kids from all over the country spent their weekly allowances on the Saturday Matinee. The neighborhood Picture Palaces (with names like the Rivoli, the Cozy, the Strand, the Uptown, the Knox, and the Oriental) had all seen better days---the floors were sticky, the seats were threadbare and lumpy, and when the lights were up the paint was peeling and water stains from leaking roofs were visible. But when the lights went down and the screen came to life, these faults were forgiven. The program was generally two or three full length (3rd run) movies, two cartoons, previews, and a serial chapter.
I often went with my Dad for four and a half hours of cowboy movies (the only kind of movies he liked) or sometimes I would go alone. Other times I went with my friends. Some kids liked Westerns (Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, and Lash Larue) some liked Horror/Monster films (Frankenstein, Dracula, the Invisible Man, the Wolfman, and the Mummy) others liked Gangster/Crime/Private Eye films (Detour, Out of the Past, The Postman Always Rings Twice, the Big Sleep, The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, and Key Largo) The films were usually a few years old and no longer of interest to adults, we didn’t know most of them were destined to become classics, we just hoped there wouldn’t be too much talkin' and kissin'. I liked them all, Westerns, Crime Thrillers, Monster flicks, Tarzan, whatever was playing. Saturday afternoon at the movies was one of those “magic” times of childhood.
Some of the very best “Saturday Matinee” movies of the fifties were Science Fiction films that speculated about the uncertain future after World War II. The Cold War, the constant threat of nuclear annihilation, the red menace, the fear of radiation/contamination/mutation, and the certain knowledge that the American way of life was doomed, were all taken for granted. This strange public paranoia was met by Hollywood with dozens of classic “B” movies that attempted to put everyone’s worst fears and nightmares on celluloid. Gillmen, evil pods, protoplasmic energy creatures, powerful Robots, deadly alien invaders, huge “radiation mutated” insects, “Vegetable” men, and our own subconscious fears threatened us from every direction. For kids it was great, these were wonderful, exotic, terrifying stories, and there was hardly any kissin'.
1.) Forbidden Planet Color 1956 Directed by Fred M. Wilcox--Cast: Walter Pigeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, & Earl Holiman.
This was an adult Science Fiction film (in color and cinemascope) with a cast of stars and first rate special effects. The film delved into Freudian psychology and featured “Robby” the first real robot any of us had ever seen. There was a bit too much talking and all of us sat in fearful silence waiting for Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen to start kissin'--- but overall this was a good “Saturday Matinee” movie. “Robbie” was neat.
2.) The Invasion of the Body Snatchers B&W 1956 Directed by Don Siegel---Cast: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Carolyn Jones, and Sam Peckinpah (the Director of the “Wild Bunch”)
This movie scared the living daylights out of every kid in the theatre. It was set in a small California town where life was prosperous, slow, and just a little boring. The film begins with a speeding police car, siren wailing, taking Dr. Hill (of the California Mental Hospital Board) to see a patient, played by Kevin McCarthy, who is so agitated that he must be physically restrained. He begs the Psychiatrist to listen to his story, which is told in “flash forward” style (the beginning is actually the end of the movie). Will anyone listen to his warning? The alien “pod” creatures are here, and they are rapidly taking control of everyone’s mind and body.
3.) The Thing B&W 1951 Directed by Christian Nyby (Credited) the film was actually directed by Howard Hawks (”The Big Sleep” Cast: Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan, Robert Cornthwaite, and James Arness.
At an Arctic base the Air Force discovers an alien ship frozen in the ice. Attempts to thaw the ship result in an explosion that releases the Thing from another world from suspended animation. The small group of scientists and airmen battle for their lives and the future of mankind. They must kill the “thing” because if it is allowed to escape, the creature will reproduce and threaten the rest of the world. Great dialog and first rate special effects. (the “Thing” is played by James Arness, who went on to star on TV as Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke) The Thing ends with the paranoid admonition to “Watch the skies” and be constantly alert.
4.) It Came From Outer Space B&W 1953 directed by Jack Arnold --- Cast: Richard G. Carlson, Barbara Rush, Charles Drake
The basic premise for “It Came from Outer Space” was not a hostile alien invasion, but rather a weird cosmic accident that causes an alien flying saucer to crash land in the Arizona desert. The Aliens bear humanity no ill will, they just want to repair their space ship and hit the “galactic” trail. Unfortunately, they must “take over” a number of the local townspeople to accomplish their mission. This sets off mass panic and hysteria which results in the destruction (mob justice style) of the damaged craft and its crew. Ray Bradbury wrote the story this movie is based on and the drama here is more felt than seen. Originally released in 3-D.
5.) Invaders From Mars B&W Directed by William Cameron Menzies (who learned his craft from Alexander Korda and H. G. Wells while working on Things to Come) Cast: Jimmy Hunt, Helena Carter, Arthus Franz
Young Jimmy Hunt witnesses the landing of an alien space craft in his town. He tries to warn adults of the danger, but they seem distant, cold, and unwilling to listen (sound familiar?) Menzies' sets and lighting are designed to show the story from the perspective of a small child. Huge frightening shadows and dark scary tunnels are played to good effect. The ending provides an interesting twist on the typical Sci-Fi flick.
6.) The Day the Earth Stood Still B&W 1951 Directed by Robert Wise---Cast: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Billy Gray, and Sam Jaffe.
This is another “adult” Sci-Fi movie. Michael Rennie plays an alien ambassador who comes to earth to warn us that unless we learn to live peacefully, that the civilized galactic societies will destroy us. He is shot and wounded soon after landing, which introduces “Gort” the robot. The citizens of the galaxy have placed their fates in the hands of “incorruptible” omnipotent robots. Klaatu (Rennie) convinces Gort to give him some time to demonstrate the power of the aliens to the people of earth. He tells a group of scientists that he will provide a demonstration and at noon the following day all electrical power is neutralized for one hour.
7.) The Creature From the Black Lagoon B&W 1954 Directed by Jack Arnold---Cast: Richard G. Carlson, Richard Demming, Julie Adams
Scientists searching for a strange creature in South America discover more than they bargained for. The “Gillman” doesn't appreciate being disturbed but he falls hard for Julie Adams, kidnaps her, and the other scientists must rescue her from the finny deeps. Great underwater sequences. This is the best of the monster in a rubber suit genre of Sci-Fi flicks.
8.) Them B&W 1954 Directed by Gordon Douglas---Cast: James Whitmore, Edmund Gwen, Joan Weldon, James Arness, and Fess Parker
Set in the bleak New Mexico desert shortly after the test of a nuclear device, “Them” are a colony of ants rapidly mutated to Monsterous size. After a series of mysterious and puzzling attacks, Whitmore and Gwen find the nest and destroy it, but not before one of the queens escapes. She makes her way to Los Angeles and sets up housekeeping in the storm sewer system. In a very dramatic climax the U. S. Military takes on the ants and eventually triumphs.
9.) The Blob Color 1958 Directed by Irvin S. Yearworth Jr. Cast: Steve McQueen (in his first film role) Aneta Corsault, Earl Rowe, and Olin Howlin
This film has a unique premise, a group of high school kids discover, confront, and defeat a protoplasmic “energy” creature from outer space. Set in Downingtown, California the kids spend one harrowing summer night trying to save civilization as we know it from the “blob” which rolls along consuming everything in its path. McQueen, the leader of the kids, comes up with the brilliant idea of breaking into the high school and getting enough CO2 canisters to freeze the monster solid. The Air Force then transports the “Blob” to the arctic where it is dumped (until needed for a sequel)
10.) Earth vs the Flying Saucers B&W 1956 Directed by Fred F. Sears--Cast: Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor, Donald Curtis
A huge Alien flying saucer fleet converges on earth as a dedicated band of government scientists (led by Marlowe) try desparately to figure out a way to defeat the seemingly invincible invaders and save the the world's terrified populace. The highlight of the film is a fantastic battle for Washington, D. C. during which many famous Washington landmarks are destroyed, including a scene with a crashing flying saucer that cuts through the Washington Monument like a deli slicer goes through salami.
The special effects for this film were created by the first SFX maestro, Ray Haryhausen. His SFX work influenced directors John Carpenter, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. Harryhausen was a master model builder and became the most famous stop motion animator of all time. In the days before computer generated dinosaurs special effects artists used models and stop motion animation (movement is created by moving models slightly for each individual frame of film----basically creating the appearance of life and movement by using thousands of individual images strung together). Harryhausen earned an academy award for special effects for his first major movie (Mighty Joe Young) in 1949.
Runners-Up.
The Incredible Shrinking Man B&W 1957 Directed by Jack Arnold (Screenplay by Richard Matheson) After passing through a radioactive cloud while boating, our hero
(Grant Williams) begins to shrink, he gets smaller and smaller. Cats and spiders can be VERY frightening if they are much much larger than you are. Special effects by Cliff Stine
Tarantula 1955 B&W Directed by Jack Arnold Huge radiation mutated Tarantula terrorizes California desert town (watch for Clint Eastwood, in his first speaking role, as one of the Air Force F86 Sabre Jet Pilots who napalm the spider) All the kids loved the “crispy critter” finish.
and a trio of "B" Sci-Fi classics, all with special effects by Ray Harryhausen
20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)
It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955)
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
Movies are the latest chapter in mankind's oldest cultural tradition, Oral History and Storytelling. Stories were the social entertainment that terrified, amazed, uplifted, inspired, and broke the hearts of our ancestors around the campfires in their caves long ago. They sat in the flickering darkness, their eyes locked on the fantastic creatures painted on the walls above them and listened with rapt attention to the tribe's storyteller.
These are the same stories we watch today with our attention riveted on the big screen in a darkened theatre. The individual triumphs against great odds, the tribe/group/nation/world survives an enormous disaster, the boy gets the girl, and all the other timeless stories we love (and for the same reasons) maybe we haven’t come as far from those long ago nights huddled around the campfire as we'd thought. I hope you enjoyed my list of favorite Sci-Fi flicks.
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