IMDb > The Deadly Mantis (1957)
The Deadly Mantis
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The Deadly Mantis (1957) More at IMDbPro »

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The Deadly Mantis (1957) -- A prehistoric giant praying mantis attacks North America.

Overview

User Rating:
3.6/10   1,086 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Martin Berkeley (screenplay)
William Alland (story)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Deadly Mantis on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
May 1957 (USA) more
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
User Comments:
my favourite giant killer bug movie more (46 total)

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Giant Mantis
The Incredible Praying Mantis
more
Runtime:
79 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the movie, the Air Force sends out a message to members of the Ground Observer Corps asking for help in spotting the mantis. This was a real group that existed at least since World War Two. It was comprised of regular citizens who received basic training in spotting and identifying aircraft, but was discontinued in 1959. more
Goofs:
Boom mic visible: As William Hopper and Alix Talton are leaving Hopper's office, the shadow of the microphone and boom can be seen beside them. more
Quotes:
Col. Joe Parkman: Maybe there's an ordinary explanation to what happened, but I wouldn't take any bets. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

Hedda Hopper Wrote What About "Mantis"?
more
9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
my favourite giant killer bug movie, 8 February 2001
Author: hathead from USA

I'd gladly watch this one without the benefit of MST3K, as it wasn't half bad, considering the genre and era in which it was made. But then I'm a sucker for movies which open with giant maps, and story lines that offer military responses to life's problems.

To those of you who think this movie sucked, I suggest you view "Beginning of the End," another '50s era bug spectacular, this one featuring Peter Graves vs. a giant mutant grasshopper. I think after that you'd agree that the Mantis wasn't so bad.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (46 total)

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