Killers from Space (1954)

A scientist monitoring atomic tests, killed in a plane crash, is revived by aliens so he can spy on the tests and help them conquer the world.

Director:

W. Lee Wilder

Writers:

William Raynor (screenplay), Myles Wilder (story)

Stars:

Peter Graves, James Seay, Steve Pendleton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Graves	...	Dr. Doug Paul Martin
James Seay	...	Col. Banks
Steve Pendleton	...	Briggs
Frank Gerstle	...	Dr. Curt Kruger (as Frank Gerstel)
John Frederick	...	Deneb Tala (as John Merrick)
Barbara Bestar	...	Ellen Martin
Shepard Menken	...	Maj. Clift (as Shep Menken)
Jack Daly	...	Power House Guard
Ron Gans	...	Sentry - Sgt. Powers (as Ron Kennedy)
Ben Welden	...	Pilot - Tar Baby 2
Burt Wenland	...	Sgt. Bandero
Lester Dorr	...	Station Attendant
Robert Roark	...	Guard
Ruth Bennett	...	Secretary - Miss Vincent
Mark Scott	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Atomic scientist/pilot Doug Martin is missing after his plane crashes on an reconnaissance mission after a nuclear test. Miraculously appearing unhurt at the base later, he is given sodium amethol, but authorities are skeptical of his story that he was captured by aliens determined to conquer the Earth with giant monsters and insects. Martin vows to use existing technology to destroy them.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | atomic weaponry research | mind control | airplane crash | giant insect | 

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Taglines:

It's a nuclear nightmare!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asesinos del espacio

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Planet Filmplays

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to the usual practice in the 1950s, the credits appear at the end rather than at the beginning of the movie.

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Goofs

When Briggs circles around to try to disarm Martin in the powerhouse control room, he is shown backing away then moving toward him from one direction, then lunging at Martin from an entirely different side of the room.

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Quotes

Major Clift, MD: Well, Dr. Martin seems to be indestructible except for his hallucination.
Colonel Banks: Those weren't hallucinations, Colonel. Under sodium amethol, a patient loses all control of his imagination.
Major Clift, MD: Well, then, he shouldn't be able to fabricare these stories.
Colonel Banks: That's right!
Briggs, FBI: Major, you're not trying to tell us that everything he said was true?
Major Clift, MD: Look, gentlemen, I can only give you the medical facts. As for the rest - you'll have to decide that for yourselves... Excuse me, please!

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Connections

Referenced in E.T. and Friends: Magical Movie Visitors (1982)

User Reviews

Did everyone miss the comparison to aliens reported today?

I didn't think it was that bad of a movie. It has more drama, and mystery and not as much horror than I expected. The story does move a little slow but it did keep my attention. The so called special effects can fairly be called poor. A lot of attention by reviewers has been given to the aliens big eyes. The aliens did look pretty strange and almost laughable but did everyone miss the comparison there is to the big eyes of the so called "grays" that are supposedly being seen by people today. How about the abductees that talk about being probed and operated on by aliens today? This movie did have aliens with bulging eyes doing an operation on a human in 1954. I have trouble calling this a good movie, but I cannot really call it a bad movie either. I think it's worth watching. Don't expect too much, and view it objectively. You might like it.