The 1950s are considered the “Golden Age” of science fiction cinema, and that’s not just hyperbole. By many accounts, more than 200 sci-fi movies were released during that decade. And while the film industry had sporadically produced quality sci-fi in the years before—ranging from Aelita (1924) to Metropolis (1927), to The Invisible Man (1933)—it wasn’t until the 1950s that classic after classic began to arrive like riches from a long-lost hidden treasure.
And when we say classic, we mean films that essentially created the template for all science fiction movies that followed. Just look at this list. The first half of the decade brought us The Thing from Another World, When Worlds Collide, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Godzilla, and Them!, while the second half ushered in This Island Earth, Forbidden Planet, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Blob, The Fly,...
And when we say classic, we mean films that essentially created the template for all science fiction movies that followed. Just look at this list. The first half of the decade brought us The Thing from Another World, When Worlds Collide, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Godzilla, and Them!, while the second half ushered in This Island Earth, Forbidden Planet, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Blob, The Fly,...
- 9/29/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Flying saucers and alien invasion movies were the trend in the 1950s. UFO sightings in Washington State in 1947 and the famous crash near Roswell, New Mexico in 1948 had ignited a fever for all things alien. The movies soon followed the public interest with films like The Thing from Another World (1951), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), War of the Worlds (1953), This Island Earth (1955), Earth vs. The Flying Saucers (1956), Invasion of the Saucer-Men (1957), and many more of varying levels of quality. Many of these science fiction/horror hybrids were aimed toward an audience of children and teenagers and often featured young people, but few placed the viewer so deeply in the child’s perspective as the 1953 classic Invaders from Mars.
In many ways, Invaders from Mars walked so that Invasion of the Body Snatchers could run just three years later. Much of this is due to its extremely low budget and independent production.
In many ways, Invaders from Mars walked so that Invasion of the Body Snatchers could run just three years later. Much of this is due to its extremely low budget and independent production.
- 5/30/2023
- by Brian Keiper
- bloody-disgusting.com
Invaders from Mars may have appeared at first glance to be just another cheesy, cheap sci-fi B-movie made during the 1950s. It was, after all, a time when the genre was booming and both major studios and independent film producers started churning out shockers about alien invasions and giant insects at an alarming rate. But thanks to a dedicated cult following and some dogged technical detective work, a brand new 4K Ultra HD restoration of 1953’s Invaders from Mars has finally surfaced to re-introduce us to a surreal classic that had a profound effect on a generation of filmmakers who later gave us little films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Gremlins, and Star Wars, among many others.
“It really turned my world around,” says Steven Spielberg in the booklet accompanying the new 4K Blu-ray release of the movie from Ignite Films. “It certainly touched a nerve in all...
“It really turned my world around,” says Steven Spielberg in the booklet accompanying the new 4K Blu-ray release of the movie from Ignite Films. “It certainly touched a nerve in all...
- 1/22/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
The disc of the year has finally arrived and it’s 1000 worth the wait. William Cameron Menzies’ flight into schoolboy paranoia now really looks like it ought to hang in the Louvre; the entire show is inspired Modern Art. When Martians conduct a brain-snatching takeover of Middle America little David MacLean must save the day, with an assist from an astronomer buddy and a sexy city nurse. The review is mostly concerned with how the new Ignite release looks and sounds. The rejuvenation of this fantasy masterpiece will turn fans of the 1950s sci-fi boom back into delighted ‘Gee Whiz’ kids.
Invaders from Mars
Blu-ray
Ignite Films
1953 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 81 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 that was the plan … delivery expected . . . ? / Available from Ignite Films / 55.00
Starring: Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Jimmy Hunt, Leif Erickson, Hillary Brooke, Morris Ankrum, Max Wagner, William Phipps, Milburn Stone, Janine Perreau, Barbara Billingsley, Peter Brocco, Richard Deacon,...
Invaders from Mars
Blu-ray
Ignite Films
1953 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 81 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 that was the plan … delivery expected . . . ? / Available from Ignite Films / 55.00
Starring: Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Jimmy Hunt, Leif Erickson, Hillary Brooke, Morris Ankrum, Max Wagner, William Phipps, Milburn Stone, Janine Perreau, Barbara Billingsley, Peter Brocco, Richard Deacon,...
- 12/17/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
It’s a manhunt South of the Border — Niven Busch’s drama has violence and murder but is really a novelistic character study that goes against the typical rules of Hollywood. Lew Ayres tries to atone for mistakenly killing a man, by coming to the aid of the victim’s widow. But he doesn’t realize that Teresa Wright’s ranch wife has learned the truth about him. The independent production is a modern oil-field western set in Mexico, and unusual both in storytelling style and emphasis, with an atypical imperfect hero and a romance far removed from Hollywood clichés. John Sturges is the director of this interesting obscurity.
The Capture
Blu-ray
The Film Detective
1950 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 91 min. / Street Date January 18, 2022 / Available from The Film Detective / 24.95
Starring: Lew Ayres, Teresa Wright, Victor Jory, Jacqueline White, Jimmy Hunt, Barry Kelley, Duncan Renaldo, William Bakewell, Milton Parsons, Felipe Turich, Edwin Rand,...
The Capture
Blu-ray
The Film Detective
1950 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 91 min. / Street Date January 18, 2022 / Available from The Film Detective / 24.95
Starring: Lew Ayres, Teresa Wright, Victor Jory, Jacqueline White, Jimmy Hunt, Barry Kelley, Duncan Renaldo, William Bakewell, Milton Parsons, Felipe Turich, Edwin Rand,...
- 2/5/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Sorry, this is not for a new disc. From 23 years ago, this was the first article that convinced me that there might be a real audience for my review page, then called DVD Savant. It’s about time that the illustrated essay was brought up to date and moved to CineSavant. It probes the ‘primitive sophistication’ and weird appeal of William Cameron Menzies’ most accomplished job of direction: the paranoid nightmare that haunted our childhood dreams. It’s slightly rewritten and has improved images. There’s so much to talk about: Near-experimental visuals! Strange editing choices! The idea for the essay is the same as ever, to inspire somebody to properly remaster the show . . . it’s not like we’re going to live forever.
A two-part examination of a Sci-fi classic that, at least
in Savant’s opinion, should be showing in the Louvre.
Alas and alack! As of 12.16.21, there...
A two-part examination of a Sci-fi classic that, at least
in Savant’s opinion, should be showing in the Louvre.
Alas and alack! As of 12.16.21, there...
- 12/21/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Rko polished Robert Mitchum’s post- pot bust image with this swell-guy romantic Christmas tale, placing him opposite the drop-dead desirable Janet Leigh. All the penniless Mitchum must do is win over Leigh’s son, get around her fiance Wendell Corey, and then make her forget her dead soldier husband. Plus keep up the Christmas spirit. Director Don Hartman pulls off a minor yuletide miracle with the most down-to-earth, pragmatic Christmas romance on record. Co-starring the 1949 line of super Lionel streamline electric trains!
Holiday Affair
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1949 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 87 min. / Street Date December 15, 2020 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey, Gordon Gebert, Griff Barnett, Esther Dale, Henry O’Neill, Harry Morgan, James Griffith, Jimmy Hunt, Jack Kelly, Paula Raymond, .
Cinematography: Milton Krasner
Film Editor: Harry Marker
Original Music: Roy Webb
Written by Isobel Lennart from a story by John D. Weaver
Produced and Directed by Don Hartman
“Baby,...
Holiday Affair
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1949 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 87 min. / Street Date December 15, 2020 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey, Gordon Gebert, Griff Barnett, Esther Dale, Henry O’Neill, Harry Morgan, James Griffith, Jimmy Hunt, Jack Kelly, Paula Raymond, .
Cinematography: Milton Krasner
Film Editor: Harry Marker
Original Music: Roy Webb
Written by Isobel Lennart from a story by John D. Weaver
Produced and Directed by Don Hartman
“Baby,...
- 12/19/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Editor’s Note: This post is updated monthly. Bookmark this page and come back every month to see what other excellent Sci-Fi movies get added to Amazon Prime.
Updated for March 2020.
You can see a complete list of Amazon new releases here.
Science fiction is about as diverse a genre as it gets. Because what we deem as science fiction is not only subjective but also encompasses pretty much every possible future hypothetical we can and cannot imagine. Nowhere is this diversity represented better than on Amazon Prime.
Here is a list of the best science fiction movies on Amazon Prime. All you really need for good science fiction is your imagination but it turns out an Amazon Prime subscription helps too.
Invaders From Mars (1953)
Invaders from Mars is an all-time sci-fi classic. The story was inspired by a dream from the story writer’s wife, which makes perfect sense...
Updated for March 2020.
You can see a complete list of Amazon new releases here.
Science fiction is about as diverse a genre as it gets. Because what we deem as science fiction is not only subjective but also encompasses pretty much every possible future hypothetical we can and cannot imagine. Nowhere is this diversity represented better than on Amazon Prime.
Here is a list of the best science fiction movies on Amazon Prime. All you really need for good science fiction is your imagination but it turns out an Amazon Prime subscription helps too.
Invaders From Mars (1953)
Invaders from Mars is an all-time sci-fi classic. The story was inspired by a dream from the story writer’s wife, which makes perfect sense...
- 3/17/2020
- by jbindeck2015
- Den of Geek
Gee whiz, sci-fi sure was simple in the early ‘50s, wasn’t it? Slap a little Red Scare subtext here, a damsel in distress there, scientists, the military, and of course aliens rounding out the films that beamed from every drive-in on a Saturday night. One of the earliest (and best) of the bunch is Invaders from Mars (1953), which sets itself apart by employing a unique viewpoint and having spectacular and surreal production design. Don’t write this off as a cheap time waster, you whippersnappers.
Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox near the end of April, this independent production received some favorable notices and made a swift return on its $290,000 budget, for good reason – seen through a child’s eyes, it captures that imagination and runs with it for 78 minutes, shoddy getups and all. Invaders from Mars is told with the fervor of an excited youth playing catch up with an exploding imagination.
Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox near the end of April, this independent production received some favorable notices and made a swift return on its $290,000 budget, for good reason – seen through a child’s eyes, it captures that imagination and runs with it for 78 minutes, shoddy getups and all. Invaders from Mars is told with the fervor of an excited youth playing catch up with an exploding imagination.
- 10/12/2019
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Alec Bojalad Jan 13, 2019
Amazon Prime has a diverse collection of sci-fi films to meet your geek needs!
Editor's Note: This post is updated monthly. Bookmark this page and come back every month to see what other excellent Sci-Fi movies get added to Amazon Prime.
Updated for January 2019. You can see a complete list of Amazon new releases here.
Science fiction is about as diverse a genre as it gets. Because what we deem as science fiction is not only subjective but also encompasses pretty much every possible future hypothetical we can and cannot imagine. Nowhere is this diversity represented better than on Amazon Prime.
read more: The Best Modern Sci-Fi Movies
Here is a list of the best science fiction movies on Amazon Prime. All you really need for good science fiction is your imagination but it turns out an Amazon Prime subscription helps too.
Invaders From Mars (1953)
Invaders from...
Amazon Prime has a diverse collection of sci-fi films to meet your geek needs!
Editor's Note: This post is updated monthly. Bookmark this page and come back every month to see what other excellent Sci-Fi movies get added to Amazon Prime.
Updated for January 2019. You can see a complete list of Amazon new releases here.
Science fiction is about as diverse a genre as it gets. Because what we deem as science fiction is not only subjective but also encompasses pretty much every possible future hypothetical we can and cannot imagine. Nowhere is this diversity represented better than on Amazon Prime.
read more: The Best Modern Sci-Fi Movies
Here is a list of the best science fiction movies on Amazon Prime. All you really need for good science fiction is your imagination but it turns out an Amazon Prime subscription helps too.
Invaders From Mars (1953)
Invaders from...
- 2/4/2017
- Den of Geek
Stop! Don't touch that dial... if you like your atom-age propaganda straight up, MGM has the movie for you, an expensive 1946 docu-drama that became 'the official story' for the making of the bomb. The huge cast includes Brian Donlevy, Robert Walker, Tom Drake, Audrey Totter, Hume Cronyn, Hurd Hatfield, and Joseph Calleia. How trustworthy is the movie? It begins by showing footage of a time capsule being buried -- that supposedly contains the film we are watching. Think about that. Mom, Apple Pie, the Flag and God are enlisted to argume that we should stop worrying and love the fact that bombs are just peachy-keen dandy. The Beginning or the End DVD-r The Warner Archive Collection 1947 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 112 min. / Street Date September 22, 2015 / available through the WBshop / 21.99 Starring Brian Donlevy, Robert Walker, Tom Drake, Beverly Tyler, Audrey Totter, Hume Cronyn, Hurd Hatfield, Joseph Calleia, Godfrey Tearle, Victor Francen,...
- 1/4/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
This is a Great film noir. A straying husband's 'innocent' dalliance wrecks lives and puts his marriage in jeopardy. Been there, done that? Dick Powell and Lizabeth Scott are menaced by Raymond Burr, while wife Jane Wyatt is kept in the dark. Andre de Toth's direction puts everyone through the wringer, with a very adult look at the realities of the American marriage contract, circa 1948. Pitfall Blu-ray Kino Lorber Studio Classics 1948 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 86 min. / Street Date November 17, 2015 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95 Starring Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott, Jane Wyatt, Raymond Burr, John Litel, Byron Barr, Jimmy Hunt. Cinematography Harry Wild Art Direction Arthur Lonergan Film Editor Walter Thompson Written by Karl Kamb from the novel by Jay Dratler Produced by Samuel Bischoff Directed by André De Toth
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Is 'domestic noir' even a category? I think so. Some of the creepiest late- '40s noir pictures take intrigue,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Is 'domestic noir' even a category? I think so. Some of the creepiest late- '40s noir pictures take intrigue,...
- 11/17/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Teresa Wright: Later years (See preceding post: "Teresa Wright: From Marlon Brando to Matt Damon.") Teresa Wright and Robert Anderson were divorced in 1978. They would remain friends in the ensuing years.[1] Wright spent most of the last decade of her life in Connecticut, making only sporadic public appearances. In 1998, she could be seen with her grandson, film producer Jonah Smith, at New York's Yankee Stadium, where she threw the ceremonial first pitch.[2] Wright also became involved in the Greater New York chapter of the Als Association. (The Pride of the Yankees subject, Lou Gehrig, died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 1941.) The week she turned 82 in October 2000, Wright attended the 20th anniversary celebration of Somewhere in Time, where she posed for pictures with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. In March 2003, she was a guest at the 75th Academy Awards, in the segment showcasing Oscar-winning actors of the past. Two years later,...
- 3/15/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
From SneakPeekTV.Com, take a look at the original 1953 science fiction feature "Invaders From Mars", directed by William Cameron Menzies, based on a story treatment by John Tucker Battle who was inspired by a dream recounted by his wife.
Produced independently by Edward L. Alperson Jr., the film stars Jimmy Hunt, Helena Carter and Arthur Franz:
"...late one night, young 'David MacLean' (Hunt) is awakened by a thunderstorm. From his bedroom window he sees a large flying saucer descend and disappear into the sandpit area behind his home. After rushing to tell his parents, his scientist father (Leif Erickson) goes to investigate David's claim.
"When his father returns much later in the morning, David notices an unusual red puncture along the hairline on the back of his father's neck; his father is now behaving in a cold and hostile manner. David soon begins to realize something is...
Produced independently by Edward L. Alperson Jr., the film stars Jimmy Hunt, Helena Carter and Arthur Franz:
"...late one night, young 'David MacLean' (Hunt) is awakened by a thunderstorm. From his bedroom window he sees a large flying saucer descend and disappear into the sandpit area behind his home. After rushing to tell his parents, his scientist father (Leif Erickson) goes to investigate David's claim.
"When his father returns much later in the morning, David notices an unusual red puncture along the hairline on the back of his father's neck; his father is now behaving in a cold and hostile manner. David soon begins to realize something is...
- 4/6/2013
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
The Cool Ones (1967). Directed by Gene Nelson. Written by Nelson, Joyce Geller, Robert Kaufman.
Nothing ages more quickly and more embarrassingly than a movie or TV show which had worked so hard to be cool in its time. You disagree? Feathered hair, big lapels. Oh, God – mullets! You gonna honestly tell me that stuff still works for you as anything but a laugh-getter?
Lead times for some movies are so long, some crazes burn out between the pitch meeting and opening weekend. Roller disco was dying (if not dead) by the time Roller Boogie (1979) and Xanudu (1980) hit theaters, and did anybody still care about The Village People when Can’t Stop the Music (1980) had movie-goers wishing they could?
The only thing even more embarrassing is a movie that’s lethally uncool even before the first frame of film runs through the camera, not because it’s late to the party,...
Nothing ages more quickly and more embarrassingly than a movie or TV show which had worked so hard to be cool in its time. You disagree? Feathered hair, big lapels. Oh, God – mullets! You gonna honestly tell me that stuff still works for you as anything but a laugh-getter?
Lead times for some movies are so long, some crazes burn out between the pitch meeting and opening weekend. Roller disco was dying (if not dead) by the time Roller Boogie (1979) and Xanudu (1980) hit theaters, and did anybody still care about The Village People when Can’t Stop the Music (1980) had movie-goers wishing they could?
The only thing even more embarrassing is a movie that’s lethally uncool even before the first frame of film runs through the camera, not because it’s late to the party,...
- 11/24/2012
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Margaret O’Brien on TCM: Heller In Pink Tights, Big City Schedule (Pt) and synopses from the TCM website: 3:00 Am Dr. Gillespie’s Criminal Case (1943) A wheelchair-bound doctor tries to prove a convicted killer’s innocence. Cast: Lionel Barrymore, Van Johnson, Donna Reed. Dir: Willis Goldbeck. Bw-89 mins. 4:30 Am Music For Millions (1944) A pregnant musician awaits her husband’s return from World War II. Cast: Margaret O’Brien, June Allyson, Jimmy Durante. Dir: Henry Koster. Bw-118 mins. 6:30 Am Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) A child of the tenements helps an ex-con find a new life. Cast: Margaret O’Brien, Angela Lansbury, George Murphy. Dir: Roy Rowland. Bw-74 mins. 7:45 Am Her First Romance (1951) A high school girl steals from her parents to be with the boy she loves. Cast: Margaret O’Brien, Jimmy Hunt, Elinor Donahue. Dir: Seymour Friedman. C-73 mins. 9:30 Am Journey For Margaret (1942) An American correspondent...
- 8/15/2010
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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