Tuesday, February 28, 2012

1953 - IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - another not so classic science fiction film


Space "we mean no harm to your planet," aliens have landed on earth after their spaceship breaks down.  While attempting to repair it they set into motion all sorts of problems "in 3D"  for the local residents of some hell hole town in Arizona.


The future auteur of Gilligan's Island, Jack Arnold and apparently uncredited writer Ray Bradbury decided to approach this science fiction film with the premise that space aliens don't want to hurt anyone.  Instead the aliens approach is to bore everyone to death.  There is absolutely no tension in this film with the exception of a bunch of silly 3D effects that are supposed to keep an audience's interest by scaring them with smoke coming out of the screen and empty clothes hangers sticking out at the audience, so much for the clever use of 3D.


The aliens can disguise themselves as people and one of them assumes the form of the girlfriend of science fiction stalwart Richard Carlson our hero.  Her clever disguise to fool him is to put on a cocktail dress and parade around the desert in high heels.



Even with a short running time, this film really outstays it's welcome.  However the space aliens are worth a little bit of a laugh.  It Came From Outer Space was released the same year as Invaders From Mars, Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, War of the Worlds and the seminal classic Robot Monster.  All these films are a lot more fun to watch than this turkey.

81 minutes

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