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:

WHAT IS IT? (original print ad - all caps)

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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

Cost of the "Thing": 40,000 dollars.

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Goofs

During the poker game in the officer's club, MacPherson starts to lay some money on the table, then seconds later, does it again.

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Quotes

Dr. Arthur Carrington: You're acting like scared children.
Hendry: You're right, Doctor... I am scared.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Featured in The Twilight Zone: The Road Less Travelled (1986)

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Soundtracks

"A Lovely Way To Spend an Evening"
(uncredited
Music by Jimmy McHugh

User Reviews

There is something more chilling than the North Pole here.

"The Thing" without a doubt is one of the finest science fiction films ever made. A group of scientists and air force officers at an Arctic station discover something in the ice and that something sees them as dinner. The battle goes on in the claustrophobic station in a scenario that without a doubt was the model for the original "Aliens". The cast is a very fine ensemble and the direction is crisp and on the edge. Conversations overlap and at times runs simultaneously but the direction is so good that you miss nothing. Best of all is that this is one of those films where what you don't see is what scares you. There is no splatter or graphic detail but tantalizing hints that lets your mind conjure up your worst nightmare. A great one for a dark and stormy night.