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:

Alien | Scientist | Venus | Mind Control | World Domination

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:

Composer and musician Frank Zappa made a tribute to “It Conquered the World” in his album, “Roxy & Elsewhere” (1973). In the introduction of the song “Cheepnis”, Zappa tells the audience that he loves monster movies. "And the cheaper they are, the better they are". Frank Zappa describes “It Conquered the World” as a perfect example of monster movie with its alien with an "inverted ice-cream cone head with fangs". Frank describes one special scene when the "monster came out the cavern" and he could see the technicians pushing the creature over the rail. "This is cheepnis", Mr Zappa concludes before playing the song.

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: Do you have any idea what you're listening to?
Paul Nelson: London Philharmonic?
Dr. Tom Anderson: It's Venus
Paul Nelson: Uh Huh
Dr. Tom Anderson: Venus
Paul Nelson: Why not? We've bounced signals off the moon's surface. There's no reason that Venus shouldn't radiate impulses.
Dr. Tom Anderson: No, I don't mean the static. Can't you hear it? The other thing?
Paul Nelson: ...What other thing?
Dr. Tom Anderson: Listen to it Paul! Listen to the voice!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) (VG)

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.