Phantom from Space (1953)

When an asteroid crashes, the search begins to track down the mysterious aliens.

Director:

W. Lee Wilder

Writers:

William Raynor (screenplay) (as Bill Raynor), Myles Wilder (screenplay)

Stars:

Ted Cooper, Rudolph Anders, Noreen Nash

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Cooper	...	Hazen
Rudolph Anders	...	Dr. Wyatt
Noreen Nash	...	Barbara Randall
James Seay	...	Major Andrews
Harry Landers	...	Lieutenant Bowers
Jack Daly	...	Wakeman
Dick Sands	...	The Phantom
Lela Nelson	...	Betty Evans
Michael Mark	...	Watchman
Tom Daly	...	Charlie
Steve Acton	...	Operator
Burt Wenland	...	Joe
Bert Arnold	...	Darrow
Sandy Sanders	...	Policeman
Harry Strang	...	Neighbor

Storyline

An alien being with the power of invisibility lands in Santa Monica. Killing two people who attacked him due to the menacing appearance of his spacesuit, the creature takes it off while being pursued by government authorities.

---

Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | laboratory | observatory | very large telescope | small dog | 

---

Taglines:

WHAT was he?

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Working with most of the same crew, this was one of several early 1950s films made by Wilder and son Myles on a financing-for-distribution basis with United Artists and, on occasion, RKO Radio Pictures.

---

Goofs

One witness questioned by police Lieutenant Bowers describes the alien as a "giant of a man", yet later when the alien is seen jumping down from some stairs into an empty lot and takes off running and knocking over the photographer, the alien appears to be only of medium height.

---

Quotes

Maj. Andrews: Lieutenant, are you sure there were no traces of this saboteur - this X-man - found after the explosion in the oil fields?

---

Crazy Credits

Apart from the film's title, all the cast, crew, additional credits and information appear in the closing credits.

---

Alternate Versions

Also available in a colorized version.

---

Connections

Featured in Monsterama Sci-Fi Late Night Creature Feature Show Vol. 1 (1996)

User Reviews

Snoozer

The story is mainly about people running up and down hallways and stairs. I hope they got paid double for all their huffing and puffing. Oh yeah, there's also something about an invisible man in a diving helmet and pajamas. From the way he breathes, he ought to have his adenoids checked. I think he's from outer space, but more likely he's a diving school flunk-out. What can you say about a cheap snoozer like this with its no-name cast. Heck, there isn't even a sexy girl to keep us guys in the back row entertained. Between all the pseudo-scientific palaver and the sprinting back and forth, there's not much left to look at. My guess is it played one or two drive-ins farthest from town, and then disappeared like the phantom in the movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Phantom from Space

Filming Locations:

Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Planet Filmplays

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White (archive material) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1