Tue 15 Nov 2016
A Sci-Fi Movie Review by Jonathan Lewis: EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , SF & Fantasy films[4] Comments
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS. Columbia Pictures, 1956. Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor, Donald Curtis, Morris Ankrum. Screen story by Curt Siodmak, based on the book Flying Saucers from Outer Space, by Major Donald E. Keyhoe. Director: Fred F. Sears.
What would humanity do if UFOs waged war on Earth? Would a scientist invent a means of stopping those rascally aliens and then allow the U.S. military to utilize that technology? If you think that’s the most likely scenario, then Earth vs. the Flying Saucers will offer few surprises.
The plot follows rocket scientist Dr. Russell A. Marvin (Hugh Marlowe) and his new bride Carol (Joan Taylor) as they contend with an imminent alien invasion. Complicating matters is the fact that Carol’s father, Brig. Gen. John Hanley (Morris Ankrum), has been kidnapped by the interstellar humanoids and turned into a zombie! This leads Dr. Marvin to take the lead in discovering a way of repelling the forthcoming alien invasion. Upon learning how the UFOs operate, Marvin creates a sonic weapon that proves useful to the U.S. Army as they wage war on alien vessels attempting to conquer Washington.
If you think the plot sounds mildly intriguing – and I admit writing it made me realize how much potential the film had – you should realize that this particular science fiction movie is rather flat, both in terms of style and substance.
Indeed, if Earth vs. the Flying Saucers has an auteur, it is most certainly special effects guru Ray Harryhausen. Responsible for the film’s stellar stop-motion animation, Harryhausen’s skill in unleashing movie magic is evident throughout what is otherwise a rather dull, plodding 1950s science fiction feature.
Neither the direction nor the acting, save the welcome presence of character actor Morris Ankrum, is particularly memorable; in fact, much of it is truly forgettable. All of which serves to make Harryhausen’s contribution to the movie even more valuable, for without it, there’d honestly be no compelling reason to seek out this one out.
November 15th, 2016 at 4:53 pm
You are speaking, Sir, of the movie I love.
Well. not love, but I’ve found EvsFS consistently diverting. Harryhausen’s style in those days had the subtle force of a blunt instrument, and Sears was the perfect no-frills director to exploit it. And though the tight-fisted hand of Sam Katzman is well in evidence throughout, the tacky moments only add to the movie’s charm.
November 15th, 2016 at 5:03 pm
I see the films flaws through modern eyes, but when I first saw it, I saw none of them. I still have a deep affection for it with all the problems Jonathan enumerates. Maybe you had to be twelve or so watching this on a Saturday morning or discovering it late at night to truly appreciate it.
And to be honest, looking at it today, I find I more affection for it than INDEPENDENCE DAY or the Spielberg WAR OF THE WORLDS, where the CGI tend to remind me how stupid the alien invasion theme is in the first place. I guess I’m just nostalgic for a good old Harryhausen or George Pal invasion when things were simpler.
November 16th, 2016 at 2:54 am
I agree with Jon’s assessment that in general this is a clunky film, but then again I didn’t see it when I was young, but only last week. I think if I had, back when it first came out, I’d feel quite a bit differently about it.
What’s for certain, though, is that the special effects really are superb. There is absolutely no doubt abut it. Out of this world, you might even say.
November 16th, 2016 at 11:46 am
Yes, the special effects carry the day but I have grest affection for it and another science fiction film that Hugh Marlowe starred in in the mid 50’s called WORLD WITHOUT END that played frequently on the old MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE on Channel 9 in New York City.