Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957)

A teenage couple accidentally awakens an alien after hitting it with their car.

Director:

Edward L. Cahn

Writers:

Robert J. Gurney Jr. (screenplay), Al Martin (screenplay)

Stars:

Steven Terrell, Gloria Castillo, Frank Gorshin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steven Terrell	...	Johnny Carter (as Steve Terrell)
Gloria Castillo	...	Joan Hayden
Frank Gorshin	...	Joe Gruen
Raymond Hatton	...	Farmer Larkin
Lyn Osborn	...	Artie Burns
Russ Bender	...	Doctor
Douglas Henderson	...	Lt. Wilkins, USAF
Sam Buffington	...	Col. Ambrose - USAF
Jason Johnson	...	Detective
Don Shelton	...	City Attorney Hayden
Scott Peters	...	USAF Sergeant with Bullhorn
Jan Englund	...	Diner Waitress
Kelly Thordsen	...	Sgt. Bruce
Bob Einer	...	Soda Jerk
Pat Lawler	...	Irene (as Patti Lawler)

Storyline

A teenage couple making out in the woods accidentally runs over an alien creature with their car. The creature's hand falls off, but it comes alive, and, with an eye growing out of it, begins to stalk the teens. Meanwhile, Joe the town drunk wants to store the body in his refrigerator, but some of the alien's buddies inject alcohol into his system, and Joe dies of an overdose.

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Plot Keywords:

police | manslaughter | flying saucer | male female relationship | outer space | 

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Taglines:

SEE teenagers vs. the saucer men!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hell Creatures

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Malibu Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The flying saucer built by Paul Blaisdell was also used in the opening scene of The Outer Limits: Controlled Experiment (1964).

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Quotes

Joan: I expected to be frightened on my wedding night, but nothing like this.

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Crazy Credits

After "The End" appears on screen "...until the next time" follows.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Shake, Rattle & Rock! (2018)

User Reviews

Mild 50's Foolishness

Unlike most 1950s teenage date flicks, INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN is still mildly entertaining today--and this, when combined with modern reaction to the film's typically "Golly Gee" mentality, makes the movie amusing. The story is basic: two all-American teenagers on lover's lane accidentally run over a little green man from outer space and are then threatened by his friends--but will any of the grown-ups believe them? Of course not, they're just crazy kids!

The movie bills itself as a deliberate mixture of comedy and horror; although very mild, the comedy is genuine--but unless you have a fear of children dressed up in big-headed space alien costumes you're unlikely to be even slightly startled, much less horrified. Even the teenagers under attack seldom seem greatly concerned, and our leading lady is more worried about having to hike in heels ("My feet are killing me!") than about little green men from outer space.

All in all, INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN lacks the true camp appeal of, say, an Ed Woods movie--but even so it has its points: special effects so tame that even the actors can't get worked up about them, mildly absurd performances (watch for Frank Gorshin), and an odd-ball script. The film is out of print, but if you are really determined you can probably find an old copy for sale... or catch it yourself on the late-late show.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer