The Thing from Another World (1951)

Scientists and American Air Force officials fend off a blood-thirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost.

Director:

Christian Nyby

Writers:

Charles Lederer (screenplay), John W. Campbell Jr. (based on the story "Who Goes There?" by),

Stars:

Margaret Sheridan, Kenneth Tobey, Robert Cornthwaite

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Margaret Sheridan	...	Nikki
Kenneth Tobey	...	Captain Patrick Hendry
Robert Cornthwaite	...	Dr. Arthur Carrington
Douglas Spencer	...	Scotty
James Young	...	Lt. Eddie Dykes
Dewey Martin	...	Crew Chief Bob
Robert Nichols	...	Lt. Ken 'Mac' MacPherson
William Self	...	Corporal Barnes
Eduard Franz	...	Dr. Stern
Sally Creighton	...	Mrs. Chapman
James Arness	...	'The Thing'
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Bray	...	Captain (unconfirmed)
Ted Cooper	...	Lieutenant (unconfirmed)
Milton Kibbee	...	Bit Part (unconfirmed)
Ray McDonald	...	Bit Part (unconfirmed)

Storyline

Scientist at an Arctic research station discover a spacecraft buried in the ice. Upon closer examination, they discover the frozen pilot. All hell breaks loose when they take him back to their station and he is accidentally thawed out!

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Plot Keywords:

captain | creature | arctic | scientist | spacecraft | 

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Taglines:

Howard Hawks' Astounding Movie

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Thing

Filming Locations:

Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Winchester Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 81 min (re-issue) 85 min (original US 16 mm television syndication prints)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Howard Hawks asked the US Air Force for assistance in making the film. He was refused because the top brass felt that such cooperation would compromise the U.S. government's official stance that UFOs didn't exist.

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Goofs

To force the "Thing" up on the wooden walkway, a tool is slid at him. He jumps. The tool is seen in different resting positions in the following shots.

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Quotes

Hendry: Wait a minute, Scotty. You won't need any boots. When it comes you go back with the others. You don't belong out here.
Ned "Scotty" Scott: I didn't belong at Alamein or Bougainville or Okinawa. I was just kibitzing. And I write a very good obit, a obituary to use.

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Crazy Credits

Only technical and production credits precede the film, no acting credits.

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Can't Get Out of This Mood"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh

User Reviews

Awesome movie that holds up today!

While I love the remake very much I was finally able to see the original all the way thru without the colorization on TV. It is a truly awesome movie.

Comparing the two is not really fare or easy as Carpenter's version has the benefits of modern movie magic. But that is in my opinion the only place it excels. It seems in the remake all the characters are derelicts and for the most part not very likeable. In the original you had a sense of these people liking each other and sticking together.

Kenneth Tobey is a very good and believable leader of his men. He also shows a very human side in that he realizes he is not the smartest of men. He is what he is. A captain of a small band of Air Force Soldiiers simply doing their job.

Robert Cornblaithe is excellent as Dr. Carrington. He comes of snootish yet still likeable enough because you can see that deep down he really admires Captain Hendry (Tobey) though he can't see eye to eye with him on their situation or dealing of his "Thing From Another world."

Every character in the movie is well played. They all look like they belong in their roles. Their look and attire fit their characters and when one guy is called Professor so and so or whomever, you believe it unlike many movies in those days where they picked anyone to play the supporting actors. There is one thing though, Margaret Sheridan's pants pulled up almost to her neck line (exaggeration...but close) I could have done without. I realize it was a style of the times but I think they could have given her something a little better to show off her figure when you first meet her. Especially since she was the only female love interest and was tagged as "a pinup girl" in earlier scenes. She looks better when her hair is down and she is in different clothes. I know that is being picky but I just had to say it.

The creature is better presented in the original as far as being frightening. You hardly ever see him. When you do it's only for brief periods at a time and usually in the dark. That frightening sound of "The Thing" is very original in that it's not just a growl but sounds like a cat meowing at times. Very eerie!

The story is well known and both are similiar although I must admit the remake is closer to the actual Campbell JR.'s short tale. But the original still gives it a good account and in many ways surpasses the short story because it is easier to identify with the creature since he's humanoid.

It boils down to suspense, drama and mood versus gore, F/X, and fast paced action. Both movies are top notch. I am proud to own both and would not try and say one is overtly better than the other. The remake has the benefits of the then modern movie technology. The original had the benefit of black and white to add to the suspense and utter danger they are in. The choice is yours. I myself enjoy the original a little more as it holds up today probably better than any other Sci-Fi movie from that era.