It Conquered the World (1956)

A well meaning scientist guides an alien monster to Earth from Venus, so that he can rid mankind of feelings and emotions - but only death and sorrow results.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writer:

Lou Rusoff (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Graves, Beverly Garland, Lee Van Cleef

Cast

Complete credited 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 (as Karyne Kadler)
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

Storyline

One of several remaining members of its race, an alien from Venus is guided to Earth by disgruntled scientist Tom Anderson, who tells it which humans it should attach mind control devices to. Among them is his old friend, fellow scientist Paul Nelson. Nelson, after killing a flying bat-thing which carries the device, finally persuades the paranoid Anderson that he's been wrong to ally himself with an alien bent on world domination. They hurriedly leave when they discover Tom's wife has picked up a rifle and gone to the alien's cave to try to kill it.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | scientist | mind control | world domination | venus the planet | 

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Taglines:

SEE. WORLD CONQUERED BY THE HORRIBLE BEAST FROM BEYOND THE STARS!

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Conquered the Earth

Filming Locations:

Beachwood, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sunset Productions (III)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peggie Castle was originally cast as Joan Nelson, but had to pull out of the project shortly before filming began. She was replaced by Sally Fraser, who did it as a favor for director Roger Corman, a friend, even though she was five months pregnant at the time.

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Goofs

When Dr. Nelson stops the jeep, then attempts to shoot a flying creature, a sign in the bottom corner of the jeep's windshield reads, "No riders." As he drives away in the next shot, the sign has vanished.

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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!

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Connections

Featured in Monsterama Sci-Fi Late Night Creature Feature Show Vol. 1 (1996)

User Reviews

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.