The Blob (1958)

Director:

Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.

Writers:

Theodore Simonson (screenplay) and
Kay Linaker (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 September 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Beware of the Blob! It creeps, and leaps, and glides and slides across the floor.

Plot:

An alien lifeform consumes everything in its path as it grows and grows.

Plot Keywords:

Blob | Doctor | Alien | Meteorite | Police

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Steve Andrews (as Steven McQueen)
Aneta Corsaut	...	Jane Martin
Earl Rowe	...	Lt. Dave
Olin Howland	...	Old Man (as Olin Howlin)
Alden 'Stephen' Chase	...	Dr. T. Hallen (as Steven Chase)
John Benson	...	Sgt. Jim Bert
George Karas	...	Officer Ritchie
Lee Payton	...	Kate the Nurse
Elbert Smith	...	Henry Martin
Hugh Graham	...	Mr. Andrews
Vincent Barbi	...	George - Cafe Owner (as Vince Barbi)
Audrey Metcalf	...	Elizabeth Martin
Jasper Deeter	...	Civil Defense Volunteer
Tom Ogden
Elinor Hammer	...	Mrs. Porter

Also Known As:

The Glob (USA) (working title)
The Glob That Girdled the Globe (USA) (working title)
The Meteorite Monster (USA) (working title)
The Molten Meteorite (USA) (working title)
The Night of the Creeping Dead (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

86 min | USA:82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:12 (nf) | UK:12 (re-rating) | Italy:T | Australia:M (alternate rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Canada:PG | Finland:K-16 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Fairview Productions

Trivia:

The Blob was created with a modified weather balloon in the early shots, and in the later shots with colored silicone gel.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Steve and Jane are driving and almost hit the man with the blob on his hand. The scene changes from night to day when Steve locks up the brakes, then back to night again.

Quotes:

Henry Martin: Well then young lady, do you mind telling me where you've been spending the evening?
Jane Martin: Daddy, it's all right.
Henry Martin: [sarcastically] Oh yes, everything's fine, I always stop by the police station in the middle of the night to pick up my daughter. Don't you realize that by morning this will be all over town?
Jane Martin: Well we were just trying to warn people.
Henry Martin: After all I am the principal at the high school.
[to Steve]
Henry Martin: Young man this is the last time you'll going to take my daughter out!
Jane Martin: Steve didn't do anything wrong!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Steve McQueen: The King of Cool (1998) (TV)

Soundtrack:

THE BLOB

A Classic All On It's Own

I look at this page, and it seems disapproving to me to have to listen to someone ramble and rant at a real classic. Sure, I agree to let everyone have their opinion, but here's mine:

This movie should not be missed by any classic horror watcher, and should be seen many casual viewers around the world. Sure, it has lost some of it's flair and greatness with age, especially in todays world of CGI effects, but that's not why you should like it.

You should like it because it actually is a scary movie, even for today's standards. It's overall ickyness will creep you out just as much as the original audiences, so don't slam a classic if you haven't given it a chance. Watch it, but not with a critical attitude. Watch it to have fun, how it was originally intended.