The Mole People (1956)

Director:

Virgil W. Vogel

Writer:

László Görög (written by)

Release Date:

December 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

...a savage civilization a million years old, raging with blood-lusting fury!

Plot:

A party of archaeologists discovers the remnants of a mutant 5000 year old Sumerian civilization living beneath a glacier atop a mountain in Mesopatamia.

Plot Keywords:

Albino | Archaeologist | Ishtar | Glacier | Flashlight

Cast

John Agar	...	Dr. Roger Bentley
Cynthia Patrick	...	Adad
Hugh Beaumont	...	Dr. Jud Bellamin
Alan Napier	...	Elinu, the High Priest
Nestor Paiva	...	Prof. Etienne Lafarge
Phil Chambers	...	Dr. Paul Stuart
Rodd Redwing	...	Nazar
Robin Hughes	...	First Officer
Frank Baxter	...	Himself (in introduction) (as Dr. Frank C. Baxter)

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-12

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Goofs:

Continuity: The positions of Dr. Bellamin's arms change when they are looking at the map.

Quotes:

Dr. Roger Bentley: This one died from a blow from a heavy blunt instrument.
Dr. Jud Bellamin: Well, that's a sign of a higher civilization.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Eureka: Alienated (#1.4)" (2006)

Down Under...Everything!

Now this movie gave me nightmares when I was about eight years old. But when I saw it again in my thirties, it still kinda creep-ed me out, but it also gave me a laugh attack. Though no doubt innovative for it's time, it has lost some...OK a lot...of that now. Still, I recommend this movie because it does evoke an atmosphere of delicious creepiness, laced with just the right amount of claustrophobia (it takes place down under...everything), and afraid-of-the-dark-jitters. Strictly low budget fare, but interesting ideas, cool camera work, along with effective lighting make it work. I don't remember the music, but I am sure it is pretty standard for such a flick of the mid 50's. When the Mole Men come up out of the...well I don't want to spoil it for you, but it really scared me as a child for weeks on end. Nearly drove my parents crazy with that one. It has a pretty decent ending unlike most B-flicks of that era. Check it out if you can find it, and have plenty of snacks on hand. You may want to throw some popcorn at the screen to try and distract Wally and The Beav's dad, Hugh Beaumont, so the Mole Men will thankfully get him, and relieve you from his, now this is where I clear my throat, acting.

James Van Pelt from Tulsa, Oklahoma