The Deadly Mantis (1957)

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.

Director:

Nathan Juran

Writers:

Martin Berkeley (screenplay), William Alland (story)

Stars:

Craig Stevens, William Hopper, Alix Talton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Craig Stevens	...	Col. Joe Parkman
William Hopper	...	Dr. Nedrick (Ned) Jackson
Alix Talton	...	Marge Blaine
Donald Randolph	...	Maj. Gen. Mark Ford
Pat Conway	...	Sgt. Pete Allen
Florenz Ames	...	Prof. Anton Gunther
Paul Smith	...	Corporal
Phil Harvey	...	Lou
Floyd Simmons	...	Army Sergeant
Paul Campbell	...	Lt. Fred Pizar
Helen Jay	...	Mrs. Farley

Storyline

The calving of an Arctic iceberg releases a giant praying mantis, trapped in suspended animation since prehistoric times. It first attacks military outposts to eat their occupants, then makes its way to the warmer latitudes of Washington and New York. A paleontologist works together with military units to try to kill it.

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Plot Keywords:

military | arctic | praying mantis | dew line | paleontologist | 

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Taglines:

This Was the Day That Engulfed the World in Terror!

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Genres:

Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Giant Mantis

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

The enlisted personnel in several scenes are clearly US Airmen, but are addressed as Army soldiers. i.e. Calling an Airman First Class a Corporal in the scene where Alix Talton is initially introduced to the men in the recreation hall.

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Quotes

[a volcano near Antarctic erupts, causing an ice flow in the Arctic, which releases the Deadly Mantis]
Opening Narration: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

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Connections

Featured in Terror in the Aisles (1984)

User Reviews

Insect Aside

This is an above-par gigantic monster thriller from the golden age, well-presented. A thawed, flesh-eating prehistoric preying mantis from the Arctic circle makes way for New York. Director Nathan Juran handles scenes well, including nostalgic map graphics detailing radar sites in the introduction, and using eerie nighttime photography covered in fog-shrouded atmosphere. Musical score is forceful and suspenseful, Clifford Stine special effects are fine for its era. Stock footage abounds but is not uninteresting, leads Craig Stevens and William Hopper are stalwart and wooden, but Alix Talton, a husky voiced former Miss Georgia and resembling Jane Wyman, is fun and natural. Last sequence still thrills, when we start to feel a little sympathy for this wounded animal, roaring and wailing as he meets inevitable doom.