It Conquered the World (1956)

Director:

Roger Corman

Writer:

Lou Rusoff (writer)

Release Date:

15 July 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

SEE. THE HIDEOUS "FLYING FINGERS" OF THE MONSTER!

Plot:

One of several remaining members of its race, an alien from Venus is guided to Earth by disgruntled scientist Tom Anderson...

Plot Keywords:

Satellite | Burned Alive | Mind Control | Strangulation | Cult

Cast

Peter Graves	...	Dr. Paul Nelson
Beverly Garland	...	Claire Anderson
Lee Van Cleef	...	Dr. Tom Anderson
Sally Fraser	...	Joan Nelson
Russ Bender	...	Brig. Gen. James Pattick
Jonathan Haze	...	Pvt. Manuel Ortiz
Dick Miller	...	Sgt. Neil
Taggart Casey	...	Sheriff N.J. Shallert
Paul Harbor	...	Floyd Mason
Karen Kadler	...	Ellen Peters
Charles B. Griffith	...	Dr. Pete Shelton (as Charles Griffith)
Marshall Bradford	...	U.S. Secretary Platt (as Marshal Bradford)
Thomas E. Jackson	...	George Haskell (as Tom Jackson)
David McMahon	...	Gen. Carpenter

Also Known As:

It Conquered the Earth

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Beachwood, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Sunset Productions

Trivia:

Paul Blaisdell, who designed, built and portrayed the alien in the movie, affectionately dubbed his creation "Beluah". It is easily the most popular monster of Blaisdell's oeuvre among his fans as well.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: After the creature stops the hero's car and stops all electrical activity, you can see the courtesy light come on when he opens the door for his wife.

Quotes:

Dr. Tom Anderson: He wants you on his side. Next to me, he wants you.
Paul Nelson: And you want me to condone this reign of terror? To swear allegiance to this monstrous king of yours? To kill my own soul and all within reach? Well, I won't, Anderson. I'll fight it 'til the last breath in my body. And I'll fight you, too, because you're part of it - the worst part...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dead End (1985)

One of the best B-movies of all time

One of the most entertaining sci-fi/horror films of the 50s. Very much camp with 3 all-time great B-actors (Garland, Graves, Van Cleef, one of the best B-casts ever). I love every minute of it. Includes John Haze and Dick Miller as army grunts and an out of this world monster by the now-legendary Paul Blaisdell. The best scene is where Beverly Garland confronts the monster from Venus: "You think you can make a slave of this world? Well, I'll see you in hell first!"

Fans of the Sergio Leone "Fistfull of Dollars" flicks should enjoy seeing Lee Van Cleef as a scientist who's betrayed the planet earth by helping the monster come to this planet and take over the show. Apparently, however, the "World" in this case consists of the environs of Grifftih Park and a few houses up on Coldwater Canyon. The monster is exceptionally poor -- you can see Blaisdell shoving the bat creatures out of the bottom of the suit.

This is a must-see for anyone with a sense of humor. It is not a bad movie -- it is a witty, fun, romping good time.