Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957)

Director:

Edward L. Cahn

Writers:

Paul W. Fairman (story)
Robert J. Gurney Jr. (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

June 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

They Threatened The World Until Some Hep Youngsters Took Over! (original posters)

Plot:

A teenage couple making out in the woods accidentally runs over an alien creature with their car. The creature's hand falls off...

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Lovers Lane | Headlights | Police | Flying Saucer

Cast

Steven Terrell	...	Johnny Carter
Gloria Castillo	...	Joan Hayden
Frank Gorshin	...	Joe Gruen
Raymond Hatton	...	Farmer Larkin
Lyn Osborn	...	Artie Burns
Russ Bender	...	Doctor
Douglas Henderson	...	Lt. Wilkins, USAF
Sam Buffington	...	Col. Armrouge, USAF
Jason Johnson	...	Hicksburg Chief of Police
Don Shelton	...	City Attorney Hayden
Scott Peters	...	USAF sergeant with bullhorn
Jan Englund	...	Diner waitress
Kelly Thordsen	...	Sgt. Bruce
Bob Einer	...	Jack
Pat Lawler	...	Irene (as Patti Lawler)

Also Known As:

Hell Creatures (USA) (working title)
Invasion of the Hell Creatures (UK) (new title)
Invasion of the Saucer-Men (USA) (poster title)

Runtime:

69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Malibu Productions

Trivia:

American International Pictures released this on a double bill with I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957) with the tag line "We DARE You To See The Most Amazing Pictures of Our Time!"

Quotes:

Colonel: Our job is to prevent a possible nation-wide panic by keeping the information from the public.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Aliens THAT Have a Point to Make!

Okay, I could go over a lot of old terrain by telling you about the hokey script, the generally poor acting, and the sophmoric humour laced throughout this picture, and then I could tell you how bad the film was because of said qualities. I could( and did) but will not. Invasion of the Saucer Man is a silly picture that is too silly for its own good. Nonetheless it has some things going for it. The saucer men are incredible creatures. They have huge bulbous eyes on these giant vein-covered egg-shaped heads. Their hands, also covered with veins and the like, can make needles appear readily. Apparently they kill by flooding their victims with alcohol - but only those that have had a drink before die? If that is the case why does Gorshin's character die so early and the bull doesn't at all? Oh well! I digress. The costumes are plainly and simply exquisite and have had a major effect on our cultural visual definition of what "Little, green men" look like. Tim Burton uses them as a model for his silly film Mars Attacks. The film also touches on the way governments hide things from the public. This was a small aspect of the film, yet it was very interesting as a Colonel bulldozes evidence of aliens in the middle of the night to hide information from the public - the same public being terrorized all the while by the aliens he is trying to hide. At one point the colonel address his Lt. and says how wonderful it is being one of only two men that know what is going on. The street savvy Lt. then suggests that there are other such task forces cleaning up other things and possibly even after men such as the colonel. An interesting discussion. Discussions of this nature and great costumes; however, cannot save this picture from its teen against the establishment persona. Lover's Lane is full every night, teens drink heavily, and anyone over their thirties just doesn't understand anything. If I had been a teen when this film came out I would have felt I was being played down too with all its hokey, choking elements. So - my review is a middle of the road one. It's an interesting film for some reasons. One good performance comes from movie veteran Raymond Hatton as a crusty old farmer. He does a fine job with the material he is given.