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IMDbPro

The Deadly Mantis

  • 19571957
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 19m
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Florenz Ames, Craig Stevens, William Hopper, Donald Randolph, and Alix Talton in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
Public Domain
Play trailer2:00
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Family
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Nathan Juran
  • Writers
    • Martin Berkeley(screenplay)
    • William Alland(story)
  • Stars
    • Craig Stevens
    • William Hopper
    • Alix Talton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Nathan Juran
  • Writers
    • Martin Berkeley(screenplay)
    • William Alland(story)
  • Stars
    • Craig Stevens
    • William Hopper
    • Alix Talton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 93User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Deadly Mantis
    Trailer 2:00
    The Deadly Mantis

    Photos113

    Craig Stevens, Donald Randolph, and Alix Talton in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    Craig Stevens, William Hopper, and Alix Talton in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    Florenz Ames in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    Craig Stevens, William Hopper, and Alix Talton in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    Alix Talton in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
    Craig Stevens and William Hopper in The Deadly Mantis (1957)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Craig Stevens
    Craig Stevens
    • Col. Joe Parkman
    William Hopper
    William Hopper
    • Dr. Nedrick Jackson
    Alix Talton
    Alix Talton
    • Marge Blaine
    Donald Randolph
    Donald Randolph
    • Maj. Gen. Mark Ford
    Pat Conway
    Pat Conway
    • Sgt. Pete Allen
    Florenz Ames
    Florenz Ames
    • Prof. Anton Gunther
    Paul Smith
    Paul Smith
    • Corporal
    Phil Harvey
    Phil Harvey
    • Lou
    Floyd Simmons
    Floyd Simmons
    • Army Sergeant
    Paul Campbell
    • Lt. Fred Pizar
    Helen Jay
    • Mrs. Farley
    Keith Aldrich
    • Jerry - C47 Co-Pilot
    • (uncredited)
    William Anders
    • Sergeant - Archer Control
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Baker
    Frank Baker
    • Professor
    • (uncredited)
    Madelon Baker
    • Mother
    • (uncredited)
    Chet Brandenburg
    Chet Brandenburg
    • Bus Disaster Observer
    • (uncredited)
    George Bruggeman
    George Bruggeman
    • Bus Disaster Observer
    • (uncredited)
    Marvin Bryan
    • Machine-Gunner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Nathan Juran
    • Writers
      • Martin Berkeley(screenplay)
      • William Alland(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the movie, the Air Force sends out a message to members of the Ground Observer Corps asking for help in spotting the mantis. This was a real group that existed at least since World War Two. It was comprised of regular citizens who received basic training in spotting and identifying aircraft, but was discontinued in 1958.
    • Goofs
      Since insects are cold-blooded - just like reptiles - they'd be unable to move about (much less fly) in the cold temperatures of the polar regions.
    • Quotes

      [the officers are all staring at Marge]

      Dr. Ned Jackson: It looks like you don't have too many women up here, Colonel.

      Col. Joe Parkman: Well, we have a little joke up here. The boys say there's a girl behind every tree. Only try and find a tree.

    • Connections
      Edited from S.O.S. Eisberg (1933)

    User reviews93

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Insect Aside
    This is an above-par gigantic monster thriller from the golden age, well-presented. A thawed, flesh-eating prehistoric preying mantis from the Arctic circle makes way for New York. Director Nathan Juran handles scenes well, including nostalgic map graphics detailing radar sites in the introduction, and using eerie nighttime photography covered in fog-shrouded atmosphere. Musical score is forceful and suspenseful, Clifford Stine special effects are fine for its era. Stock footage abounds but is not uninteresting, leads Craig Stevens and William Hopper are stalwart and wooden, but Alix Talton, a husky voiced former Miss Georgia and resembling Jane Wyman, is fun and natural. Last sequence still thrills, when we start to feel a little sympathy for this wounded animal, roaring and wailing as he meets inevitable doom.
    helpful•50
    3
    • twanurit
    • Dec 7, 2003

    FAQ1

    • Hedda Hopper Wrote What About "Mantis"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 26, 1957 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kan içen çekirge
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 19 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1(original ratio)
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Florenz Ames, Craig Stevens, William Hopper, Donald Randolph, and Alix Talton in The Deadly Mantis (1957)
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