20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)

 

The first U.S. spaceship to Venus crash-lands off the coast of Sicily on its return trip. A dangerous, lizard-like creature comes with it and quickly grows gigantic.

Classic creature feature is purely kids' stuff, but is enhanced by Ray Harryhausen's always enjoyable stop-motion effects and a climax in which Rome's tourist spots are gleefully destroyed.

Halliwell (no star: "Cheeseparing monster fiction which doesn't wake up till the last five minutes, and looks pretty silly even then."

Maltin***: "Intelligent script, fast pace, and exceptional special effects by Ray Harryhausen make this one of the best monster-on-the-loose movies ever." 

Apache Woman (1955)

A government agent is sent to a western town to investigate attacks that the townspeople say are being committed by rampaging Apaches.

Mildly entertaining low-budget Western with an anti-racist message and a bumpy plot.

Halliwell (no star): "Routine Western, to which Corman added a subplot about racial prejudice, which may have improved its liberal credentials but does little for it as a movie."

Maltin BOMB: "Sometimes hilariously bad, but mostly a bore."

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)

Extra-terrestrials flying in high-tech flying saucers contact a scientist as part of a plan to enslave the inhabitants of Earth.