The Deadly Mantis (1957)

Director:

Nathan Juran

Writers:

Martin Berkeley (screenplay)
William Alland (story)

Release Date:

May 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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.

Plot Keywords:

Military | Arctic | Iceberg | Praying Mantis | Dew Line

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

Also Known As:

The Giant Mantis
The Incredible Praying Mantis

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

The footage showing the Eskimos fleeing from the mantis is actually from S.O.S. Eisberg (1933).

Goofs:

Factual errors: At one point the paleontologist is holding a block of amber. He says it contains a giant ant. But, as he rotates it in his hand you can clearly see it is a rhinoceros beetle.

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.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Fly Papers: The Buzz on Hollywood's Scariest Insect (2000) (TV)

A fine example of 50's Sci-fi movies.

The Deadly Mantis is a fine example of the best of the 1950's vintage science fiction movies. A good story line with enjoyable character interaction. The movies use of documentary footage to introduce scientific or geographic fact into the setting of the fiction was classic 50's. I actual learned something about the multi-million dollar "DEW" Line. Today's modern viewer may complain about the special effects, but remember that the movie was made in 1957 not 1997. With that in mind, rent the movie, pretend you're at the drive-in, and have an enjoyable evening.