It Conquered the World (1956)

A well meaning scientist guides an alien monster to Earth from Venus, so that he can rid mankind of feelings and emotions - but only death and sorrow results.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writer:

Lou Rusoff (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Graves, Beverly Garland, Lee Van Cleef

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Graves	...	Dr. Paul Nelson
Beverly Garland	...	Claire Anderson
Lee Van Cleef	...	Dr. Tom Anderson
Sally Fraser	...	Joan Nelson
Russ Bender	...	Brig. Gen. James Pattick
Jonathan Haze	...	Pvt. Manuel Ortiz
Dick Miller	...	Sgt. Neil
Taggart Casey	...	Sheriff N.J. Shallert
Paul Harbor	...	Floyd Mason
Karen Kadler	...	Ellen Peters (as Karyne Kadler)
Charles B. Griffith	...	Dr. Pete Shelton (as Charles Griffith)
Marshall Bradford	...	U.S. Secretary Platt (as Marshal Bradford)
Thomas E. Jackson	...	George Haskell (as Tom Jackson)
David McMahon	...	Gen. Carpenter
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jim Knight	...	Bazooka Soldier

Storyline

One of several remaining members of its race, an alien from Venus is guided to Earth by disgruntled scientist Tom Anderson, who tells it which humans it should attach mind control devices to. Among them is his old friend, fellow scientist Paul Nelson. Nelson, after killing a flying bat-thing which carries the device, finally persuades the paranoid Anderson that he's been wrong to ally himself with an alien bent on world domination. They hurriedly leave when they discover Tom's wife has picked up a rifle and gone to the alien's cave to try to kill it.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | alien | scientist | mind control | world domination | 

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Taglines:

SEE. WORLD CONQUERED BY THE HORRIBLE BEAST FROM BEYOND THE STARS!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Conquered the Earth

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sunset Productions (III)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Composer and musician Frank Zappa made a tribute to "It Conquered the World" in his album, "Roxy & Elsewhere" (1973). In the introduction of the song "Cheepnis", Zappa tells the audience that he loves monster movies. "And the cheaper they are, the better they are". Frank Zappa describes this movie as a perfect example of monster movie with its alien with an "inverted ice-cream cone head with fangs". He describes one special scene when the "monster came out of the cavern" and he could see the technicians pushing the creature over the rail. "This is cheepnis", Mr Zappa concludes before playing the song.

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Goofs

At the end of the film, when Dr.Nelson shoots the General and the two scientists, he completely misses the first scientist who dies nonetheless.

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Quotes

[Dr. Paul Nelson's closing observation about his misguided friend, Dr. Tom Anderson]
Paul Nelson: He learned almost too late that man is a feeling creature... and because of it, the greatest in the universe. He learned too late for himself that men have to find their own way, to make their own mistakes. There can't be any gift of perfection from outside ourselves. And when men seek such perfection... they find only death... fire... loss... disillusionment... the end of everything that's gone forward. Men ...

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Alternate Versions

Australian DVD released by Siren (which features "Creature From The Haunted Sea" on the same disc) is taken from an old print which for some reason omits nearly every shot of the monster, leaving many scenes near the end totally incomprehensible.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cockettes (2002)

User Reviews

If this is so bad, why are we still talking about it?

Give me a break! The commentary for this movie cracks me up...why don't you nay-sayers give a second to remember WHEN it was made? It's one of the best examples of 50's drive-in treasure in collective memory. This silly yet earnest little movie has wormed it's way into the consciousness of anyone who's ever seen it. Paul Blaisdell's Venusian Carrot remains one of the most memorable aliens to ever grace the screen! Add to this total piece of weirdness one of Beverly Garland's best performances, most memorable in her first sighting of the Carrot: "So that's what you look like.....You're ugly!!!". Where was her Oscar for delivering this line with total conviction (and a straight face?) Yes, there was life before bloated CGI computer effects, and this superior potboiler proves yet again that once upon a time, imagination and ingenuity could work wonders. One of the all time-great sci-fi movies!