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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Keith Aldrich	...	Jerry, C47 Co-pilot (uncredited)
William Anders	...	Sergeant (Archer Control) (uncredited)
Marvin Bryan	...	Machine-gunner (uncredited)
John Close	...	Engineer (uncredited)
Tom Cound	...	Group Capt. Hawkins (uncredited)
William A. Forester	...	Announcer (uncredited)
Paul Frees	...	Narrator - Opening Off-Screen Commentary (uncredited)
Tom Greenway	...	Second Reporter (uncredited)
James R. Haskin	...	Civilian Announcer (uncredited)
Jess Kirkpatrick	...	Father (uncredited)
James Lanphier	...	Col. Harvey (uncredited)
Harold Lee	...	Greenland Eskimo Chief (uncredited)
Ned Le Fevre	...	Announcer (uncredited)
George Lynn	...	Mutual Transportation Bus Driver (uncredited)
Jack Mather	...	Officer (uncredited)
David McMahon	...	Capt. Frank Carver (uncredited)
Edward McNally	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Marvin Miller	...	Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Madelon Mitchell	...	Mother (uncredited)
Ernesto Morelli	...	Italian Fisherman (uncredited)
Sigurd Nilssen	...	Prof. Harvey Pierce (uncredited)
Dick Paxton	...	Plotter (uncredited)
Bing Russell	...	State Trooper at Train & Bus Wrecks (uncredited)
Harry Tyler	...	Manhattan Tunnel Spectator (uncredited)
Sumner Williams	...	C47 Pilot (uncredited)

Directed by
Nathan Juran

Writing credits
Martin Berkeley		(screenplay)
William Alland		(story)

Produced by
William Alland	....	producer

Original Music by
Irving Gertz		(uncredited)
William Lava		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Ellis W. Carter		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Chester W. Schaeffer		(as Chester Schaeffer)

Art Direction by
Robert Clatworthy
Alexander Golitzen

Set Decoration by
Oliver Emert
Russell A. Gausman

Costume Design by
Jay A. Morley Jr.		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William Holland	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Leslie I. Carey	....	sound
Leon M. Leon	....	sound

Special Effects by
Fred Knoth	....	special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Clifford Stine	....	special photographer
Tom McCrory	....	process photographer (uncredited)

Music Department
Joseph Gershenson	....	music supervisor
Harris Ashburn	....	music supervisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Universal International Pictures (UI)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1957) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ultra Pictures Corporation (1964) (USA) (theatrical) (a Universal-International Reissue)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Cinema Classics (video)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)

Other Companies

• Ground Observer Corps.  acknowledgement

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:

Errors in geography: A sign shows "Andrews AFB, Anacostia D.C.". While Anacostia is a D.C. neighborhood, Andrews AFB is located in Prince Georges County, MD.

Quotes:

Dr. Ned Jackson: In all the kingdom of the living, there is no more deadly or voracious creature than the Preying Mantis.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Deadly Mantis (#9.4)" (1997)

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.