The Mole People (1956)

A party of archaeologists discovers the remnants of a mutant five-millennia-old Sumerian civilization living beneath a glacier atop a mountain in Mesopotamia.

Director:

Virgil W. Vogel (as Virgil Vogel)

Writer:

László Görög (as Laszlo Gorog)

Stars:

John Agar, Cynthia Patrick, Hugh Beaumont

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Agar	...	Dr. Roger Bentley
Cynthia Patrick	...	Adad
Hugh Beaumont	...	Dr. Jud Bellamin
Alan Napier	...	Elinu, the High Priest
Nestor Paiva	...	Prof. Etienne Lafarge
Phil Chambers	...	Dr. Paul Stuart
Rodd Redwing	...	Nazar
Robin Hughes	...	First Officer
Frank Baxter	...	Self (in introduction) (as Dr. Frank C. Baxter)

Storyline

On an archaeological dig in Asia, Dr. Roger Bentley finds a cuneiform tablet referring to an ancient society, the Shadow Dynasty, that was destroyed. An earthquake soon after reveals an ancient artifact and the scientists discover the ruins of an ancient temple world on a remote mountain site. It leads them to an underground world, lost in time, where people have adapted to low light. The High Priest Elinu doesn't welcome the presence of the new arrivals and wants them eliminated.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | pipe smoking | camp | albino | archaeologist | 

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Taglines:

From a Lost Age... HORROR Crawls from the Depths of the Earth!

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was the inspiration for The Dickies' song Attack of the Molemen.

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Goofs

Three sacrificial women enter the death chamber. The four guards carrying two stretchers bring out the bodies. What happened to the third body? It's on the second stretcher alongside the second woman.

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Quotes

Dr. Jud Bellamin: In this thin air it's possible to imagine anything.

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Crazy Credits

Opening Credits rise up from a hole in the ground.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Giant Gila Monster (1992)

User Reviews

Down Under...Everything!

Now this movie gave me nightmares when I was about eight years old. But when I saw it again in my thirties, it still kinda creep-ed me out, but it also gave me a laugh attack. Though no doubt innovative for it's time, it has lost some...OK a lot...of that now. Still, I recommend this movie because it does evoke an atmosphere of delicious creepiness, laced with just the right amount of claustrophobia (it takes place down under...everything), and afraid-of-the-dark-jitters. Strictly low budget fare, but interesting ideas, cool camera work, along with effective lighting make it work. I don't remember the music, but I am sure it is pretty standard for such a flick of the mid 50's. When the Mole Men come up out of the...well I don't want to spoil it for you, but it really scared me as a child for weeks on end. Nearly drove my parents crazy with that one. It has a pretty decent ending unlike most B-flicks of that era. Check it out if you can find it, and have plenty of snacks on hand. You may want to throw some popcorn at the screen to try and distract Wally and The Beav's dad, Hugh Beaumont, so the Mole Men will thankfully get him, and relieve you from his, now this is where I clear my throat, acting.

James Van Pelt from Tulsa, Oklahoma

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mole People

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1