It Came From Outer Space (1953)

Tarantula (1955)

A spider escapes from an isolated desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants.

Classic 50s monster movie is still fun and in so many ways much better than its present-day clones.

On renewed viewing: A guilty pleasure since my childhood, I rewatch it every view years.

Halliwell  (no star): "Moderate monster hokum with the desert setting which became a cliche; the grotesque faces are more horrific than the spider, which seldom seems to touch the ground."

Maltin ***: "One of the best giant-insect films, with fast-pacing, convincing special effects, and interesting subplot detailing formula's effect on humans. That's Clint Eastwood as the jet squadron leader in final sequence."

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Revenge of the Creature (1955)

It Came from Outer Space (1953)

 

A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert, and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strange.

Good old-fashioned sci-fi 'invasion' movie that - for a change - doesn't portrait the aliens as belligerent conquerors; special effects still convincing, though dated in comparison.

Halliwell**: "Quite bright science fiction, the first to use this theme of borrowing bodies and the first to utilize the Western desert locations. 3-D adds a shock moment or two."

Maltin***: "Intriguing science fiction...Remarkably sober for its era, with crisp performances and real restraint, even in its use of 3-D."

[NB: We played this movie complete in 3-D and providing the audience with the necessary green/red glasses with enormous success in our Lyssa humana night movies series (in the late 80s).]

New acquisition: It Came from Outer Space (1953)

Another Jack Arnold classic.

Girls in the Night (1953)

A family's efforts to move out of a slum area into a better neighborhood is hampered when their son is accused of the murder of a local blind beggar.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

When a man begins to shrink because of exposure to a combination of radiation and insecticide, medical science is powerless to help him.

Magnificent sci-fi classic manages to create an existentialist drama out of a simple story with some very memorable scenes and a now famous closing monologue.

Halliwell*: "Horrifyingly inevitable sci-fi with imaginative touches gracing a cheap production."

Maltin***1/2: "Intelligent, serious approach, exceptional effects for the period, and a vigorous leading performance result in a genuine sci-fi classic, unsurpassed by later attempts."

Tarantula (1955)

A spider escapes from an isolated desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants.

Classic 50s monster movie is still fun and in so many ways much better than its present-day clones.






On renewed view: I still enjoy this movie, one of the best B pictures ever, and a favourite from my childhood on.

Halliwell  (no star): "Moderate monster hokum with the desert setting which became a cliche; the grotesque faces are more horrific than the spider, which seldom seems to touch the ground."

Maltin ***: "One of the best giant-insect films, with fast-pacing, convincing special effects, and interesting subplot detailing formula's effect on humans. That's Clint Eastwood as the jet squadron leader in final sequence."

New acquisition: Tarantula (1955)

Third movie from the pack is one of my favourites!

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)