The Blob (1958)

An alien lifeform consumes everything in its path as it grows and grows.

Directors:

Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr., Russell S. Doughten Jr. (uncredited)

Writers:

Theodore Simonson (screenplay), Kay Linaker (screenplay) (as Kate Phillips)

Stars:

Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve McQueen	...	Steve Andrews (as Steven McQueen)
Aneta Corsaut	...	Jane Martin (as Aneta Corseaut)
Earl Rowe	...	Lt. Dave
Olin Howland	...	Old Man (as Olin Howlin)
Stephen Chase	...	Dr. T. Hallen (as Steven Chase)
John Benson	...	Sgt. Jim Bert
George Karas	...	Officer Ritchie
Lee Payton	...	Kate the Nurse
Elbert Smith	...	Henry Martin
Hugh Graham	...	Mr. Andrews
Vincent Barbi	...	George - Cafe Owner (as Vince Barbi)
Audrey Metcalf	...	Elizabeth Martin
Jasper Deeter	...	Civil Defense Volunteer
Tom Ogden	...	Fire Chief
Elinor Hammer	...	Mrs. Porter

Storyline

A mysterious creature from another planet, resembling a giant blob of jelly, lands on earth. The people of a nearby small town refuse to listen to some teenagers who have witnessed the blob's destructive power. In the meantime, the blob just keeps on getting bigger.

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Plot Keywords:

meteorite | alien | teenager | eaten alive | disbelieving adult | 

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Taglines:

Bloated with the blood of its victims!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The old man's cabin and the crater were filmed in a soundstage. There were two versions of the cabin built. One was full size for the actors to use. The second version was only about three feet high and was used in the background of wide shots to create a false perspective.

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Goofs

Just before Steve and Jane attempt to hide in the freezer, Steve grabs a black steel pole leaning on the wall and hurls it at the Blob; when they come out again, the pole is back where it was originally.

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Quotes

Steve Andrews: You know, plenty of people in their right minds thought they saw stuff like flying saucers. The light was just right in the angle of the imagination. And oh boy if that's what this is, this is just an ordinary night, and you and I are going to go home to sleep, and tomorrow the sun will shine just like yesterday, good old yesterday.

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Crazy Credits

Keith Almoney, who plays Jane's little brother Danny, had his name misspelled in the credits as "Kieth Almoney."

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Alternate Versions

Spanish dubbed version substitutes the opening credits theme song for a more conventional, in-tone with the movie, instrumental tune.

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Connections

Referenced in Mammoth (2006)

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Soundtracks

THE BLOB
Written by Burt Bacharach & Mack David
Performed by The Five Blobs, arranged by and all vocals by Bernie Knee

User Reviews

Smarter than the average horror film

I have read many of the user comments and I think that the film is generally not getting credit for being a smart thriller. Why does the monster have to be on-screen to make it good? Hitchcock said that suspense plays better than action and although this film missed many opportunities to be more suspenseful, it's is at least not stupid.

In how many horror films today does the hero know the monster and its nature when he should? Steve knows what he's dealing with almost from the beginning and his frustration is not being able to convince the authorities.

Yet the authorities act in a totally credible way as well, even the annoying sergeant. Who would believe such a story from a bunch of "kids" (we know Steve wasn't a kid, but his character is).

One key example of the movie's intelligence: Steve is yelling to Dave to get CO2 fire extinguishers long after Dave has already gotten the message and dispatched people to get them. How many movies made in the 90s would be smart about this subtle detail?

I'm really tired of watching movies and having people behave in ways different than they really would in real life (the most irritating recent example is Tom Hanks falling asleep with the flashlight on in Cast Away). Horror films in particular do this in spades (which is why the Scream films have been so popular), but The Blob, to me, stayed pretty true to its characters, and in so doing made a smarter and better film.

Yes there are many flaws, perhaps biggest is Steve McQueen's very uneven performance, but I think they missed key opportunities for suspense that could have turned this above average, kinda scary, kinda funny movie that's a cult favourite into a true classic.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

10 September 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Blob

Filming Locations:

Valley Forge Studios, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$240,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tonylyn Productions Inc., Valley Forge Films, Fairview Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min 83 min (Blu-ray Unrated Edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1