The Deadly Mantis (1957)

A giant prehistoric praying mantis, recently freed from the Arctic ice, voraciously preys on American military at the DEW Line and works its way south.

Director:

Nathan Juran

Writers:

Martin Berkeley (screenplay), William Alland (story)

Stars:

Craig Stevens, William Hopper, Alix Talton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Craig Stevens	...	Col. Joe Parkman
William Hopper	...	Dr. Nedrick Jackson
Alix Talton	...	Marge Blaine
Donald Randolph	...	Maj. Gen. Mark Ford
Pat Conway	...	Sgt. Pete Allen
Florenz Ames	...	Prof. Anton Gunther
Paul Smith	...	Corporal
Phil Harvey	...	Lou
Floyd Simmons	...	Army Sergeant
Paul Campbell	...	Lt. Fred Pizar
Helen Jay	...	Mrs. Farley

Storyline

The calving of an Arctic iceberg releases a giant praying mantis, trapped in suspended animation since prehistoric times. It first attacks military outposts to eat their occupants, then makes its way to the warmer latitudes of Washington and New York. A paleontologist works together with military units to try to kill it.

---

Plot Keywords:

new york city | military | tunnel | scientist | praying mantis | 

---

Taglines:

The most dangerous monster that ever lived!

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Donald Randolph (Maj. Gen. Mark Ford) will be reunited twice with William Hopper (Dr. Nedrick Jackson) on Perry Mason (1957), in 'Perry Mason: The Case of the Spanish Cross (1959)' as Curtis Runyan and 'Perry Mason: The Case of the Cautious Coquette (1958)' as Stephen Argyle.

---

Goofs

The enlisted personnel in several scenes are clearly US Airmen, but are addressed as Army soldiers. i.e. Calling an Airman First Class a Corporal in the scene where Alix Talton is initially introduced to the men in the recreation hall.

---

Quotes

[a volcano near Antarctic erupts, causing an ice flow in the Arctic, which releases the Deadly Mantis]
Opening Narration: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

---

Connections

Edited into The Deadly Mantis (1966)

User Reviews

A good giant bug movie from Universal

The Deadly Mantis was made towards the end of Universal's 1950's cycle of monster/sci-fi movies. This one is one of the best.

A giant prehistoric mantis is awoken from a long sleep by atomic bomb testing in the North Pole. After going on the rampage in the frozen wastes and killing several people in the process, it heads first for Washington and then New York, where it is eventually gassed in Manhattan Tunnel.

The giant mantis in this movie looks quite impressive despite the low budget. The movie's cast is led by William Hopper (20 Million Miles to Earth). He and the others play good parts.

I found this movie quite enjoyable and is worth watching if you get the chance.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Deadly Mantis

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1