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The Deadly Mantis (1957)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
May 1957 (USA)
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Tagline:
This Was the Day That Engulfed the World in Terror!
Plot:
A giant prehistoric praying mantis, recently freed from the Arctic ice, voraciously preys on American military at the Dew Line and works its way south. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Pray Tell, Not Bad!
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Craig Stevens | ... | Col. Joe Parkman | |
| William Hopper | ... | Dr. Nedrick 'Ned' Jackson | |
| Alix Talton | ... | Marge Blaine | |
| Donald Randolph | ... | Gen. Mark Ford | |
| Pat Conway | ... | Sgt. Pete Allen | |
| Florenz Ames | ... | Prof. Anton Gunther | |
| Paul Smith | ... | Corporal, Parkman's Clerk | |
| Phil Harvey | ... | Lou, Radar Man | |
| Floyd Simmons | ... | Army Sergeant | |
| Paul Campbell | ... | Lt. Fred Pizar | |
| Helen Jay | ... | Mrs. Farley |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
79 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The footage showing the Eskimos fleeing from the mantis is actually from S.O.S. Eisberg (1933).
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Goofs:
Continuity: As the Mantis makes its way to the station, its claws alternate between up and down between shots.
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Quotes:
[the officers are all staring at Marge]
Dr. Ned Jackson: It looks like you don't have too many women up here, Colonel.
Col. Joe Parkman: Well, we have a little joke up here. The boys say there's a girl behind every tree. Only try and find a tree.
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Dr. Ned Jackson: It looks like you don't have too many women up here, Colonel.
Col. Joe Parkman: Well, we have a little joke up here. The boys say there's a girl behind every tree. Only try and find a tree.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Eureka: Alienated (#1.4)" (2006)
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FAQ
Hedda Hopper Wrote What About "Mantis"?more
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Although the intricacies of the plot are forever unbelievable, this film works very well both as a suspense film and also as a creditable "Giant Bug" film, so typical during the 50's Golden Age of Science Fiction. A giant Praying Mantis is preserved in the ice of the Artic Ocean, only to be dislodged by man's environmental meddling. The bug flies over various places in the Artic eating human beings as it makes its way toward the Equator. The task of destroying the giant insect befalls to three protagonists: Craig Stevens the military man(and romancer), William Hopper as the dedicated paleontologist, and Alix Talton as the hungry reporter/photographer/necessary female character so that main character can fall in love. The three manage to find the mantis and well....let's just say the poor creature didn't say his prayers TOO often. The film is tight, has lots of action, and is a great entertaining diversion.