Three Nuclear Age Universals?
The Deadly Mantis (1957)
Volcanic eruption on once side of the world releases giant rampaging insect on the other side of the world. The monster works its way south for a final city showdown. Sound familiar? Well yes, but this is a pretty risible walk-through of that earlier classic. The actors are not just battling the Mantis but also a poor script, pedestrian direction, awkward comedy relief and acres of stock footage. There is a couple of decent monster attacks to remind you of the 50s sci-fi vibe you know and love but this is decidedly second tier fair.
Tarantula (1955)
I think there was a recent review (Dem?) that inspired me to spin this again. I?ve seen it many times of course but initially when I was very young when you used to have film seasons on TV, this being a BBC2 season of 50s sci-fis, also including War of the Worlds and Them among others. It always amazes me that I can remember things like this when I can barely remember what happened last week, but I guess this is why we have these obsessions. There?s absolutely no mystery here. The events leading to the rampaging monster are front and centre and economically communicated to the audience. The cast are personable and likeable, the monster effectively rendered with simple background projection, compositing and close-ups. This is how it?s done, and even after all this time I still love this movie.
The Land Unknown (1957)
This was a film that I caught when I was a bit older one Saturday morning. I remember not really liking it at the time - I was being a bit snobby around this time, when I thought that a dinosaur movie had no merit unless it was stop-motion. Recently, I?ve come to like this a lot more. The effects are rendered in various ways with matte paintings, model shots, back projected lizards, men in monster suits and most impressively a puppet marine dinosaur that takes several burning torches to the maw. The cast, including Jock ?Tarzan? Mahoney is serviceable and nicely handle the action scenes. Good Saturday matinee stuff.
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