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Humanity has always been obsessed, and perhaps terrified, with the possibility of life in other planets. The notion that someone from outer space might visit us for whatever reason has captured the minds of many. This reached a particular height during the 1950s, when sightings of flying saucers, or disc-shaped vehicles, became the talk of the town. That possibility and threat is what feeds the premise of this 1956 sci-fi film.
Earth vs. The Flying Saucers follows Dr. Russell Marvin (Hugh Marlowe) and his wife Carol (Joan Taylor) as they try to stop the threat of a flying saucer invasion on Earth. Marvin, who is a scientist in charge of a space project himself, has to figure out a way to figure out what's happening. Things get complicated when the actual arrival of one of these saucers is met with immediate violence, instead of "tea and cookies".
I've been on a kick for "cheap", 50s sci-fi/horror films and this one fit that to a tee. From the grandiose title to the goofy costumes and special effects, it's hard not to love that. But Earth vs. The Flying Saucers does give a bit more than that. For example, there is a certain eeriness to the aliens appearance, even with their goofy space costumes. Their bizarre look and strength still have some impact.
Also, I like how the idea that Americans instant reaction to the "flying saucers" was violence is put forward, even if they don't dwell on it that much and the violence is ultimately "justified" by the plot. As is usual in these dated films, there are some stilted reactions and dialogues from the characters which don't necessarily match what is actually happening, but that doesn't mean they're meeting them with tea and cookies.
Grade:
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS
(1956, Sears)
(1956, Sears)
"When an armed and threatening power lands uninvited in our capital, we don't meet him with tea and cookies!"
Humanity has always been obsessed, and perhaps terrified, with the possibility of life in other planets. The notion that someone from outer space might visit us for whatever reason has captured the minds of many. This reached a particular height during the 1950s, when sightings of flying saucers, or disc-shaped vehicles, became the talk of the town. That possibility and threat is what feeds the premise of this 1956 sci-fi film.
Earth vs. The Flying Saucers follows Dr. Russell Marvin (Hugh Marlowe) and his wife Carol (Joan Taylor) as they try to stop the threat of a flying saucer invasion on Earth. Marvin, who is a scientist in charge of a space project himself, has to figure out a way to figure out what's happening. Things get complicated when the actual arrival of one of these saucers is met with immediate violence, instead of "tea and cookies".
I've been on a kick for "cheap", 50s sci-fi/horror films and this one fit that to a tee. From the grandiose title to the goofy costumes and special effects, it's hard not to love that. But Earth vs. The Flying Saucers does give a bit more than that. For example, there is a certain eeriness to the aliens appearance, even with their goofy space costumes. Their bizarre look and strength still have some impact.
Also, I like how the idea that Americans instant reaction to the "flying saucers" was violence is put forward, even if they don't dwell on it that much and the violence is ultimately "justified" by the plot. As is usual in these dated films, there are some stilted reactions and dialogues from the characters which don't necessarily match what is actually happening, but that doesn't mean they're meeting them with tea and cookies.
Grade: