Invasion of the Saucer Men

Last updated
Invasion of the Saucer Men
Invasion of the Saucer Men.jpg
Theatrical release poster
by Albert Kallis
Directed by Edward L. Cahn
Written byRobert J. Gurney Jr.
Al Martin
Based onshort story "The Cosmic Frame" by Paul W. Fairman
Produced byRobert J. Gurney Jr.
James H. Nicholson
Starring Stephen Terrell
Gloria Castillo
Frank Gorshin
Raymond Hatton
Lyn Osborn
CinematographyFrederick E. West
Edited byCharles Gross
Ronald Sinclair
Music by Ronald Stein
Production
company
Malibu Productions
Distributed by American International Pictures
Release date
  • June 19, 1957 (1957-06-19)
Running time
69 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Invasion of the Saucer Men (U.K. title: Invasion of the Hell Creatures; working title: Spacemen Saturday Night), is a 1957 black-and-white comic science fiction/comedy horror film produced by James H. Nicholson for release by American International Pictures. The film was directed by Edward L. Cahn and stars Stephen Terrell, Gloria Castillo, Raymond Hatton and Frank Gorshin.

Contents

The screenplay by Robert J. Gurney Jr. and Al Martin was based on the 1955 short story "The Cosmic Frame" by Paul W. Fairman. Invasion of the Saucer Men was released as a double feature with I Was a Teenage Werewolf . [1]

Plot

A flying saucer lands in the woods. A teenage couple, Johnny Carter and Joan Hayden, while driving to their local lover's lane without the headlights on, accidentally run down one of the little green men from the saucer.

Joe Gruen, a drunken con man, stumbles across the alien's corpse after the teenagers have left to report the incident. Imagining future riches and fame, he plans to keep the body stored for now in his refrigerator. After failing to convince his friend Art Burns to help him retrieve the alien body, Joe decides to return to the scene. Other aliens soon arrive, however, and quickly inject alcohol into his veins via their retractable needle fingernails. Joe, who was already intoxicated, dies from alcohol poisoning. The aliens remove their dead companion from the scene, and replace it with Joe's corpse.

Having reported the accident and the deceased alien to the police, Johnny and Joan return with the sheriff, only to find Joe's dead body at the scene of the accident instead of the alien's. The police then decide to charge Johnny with vehicular manslaughter. (The aliens have in a sense "framed" Johnny, hence the title of the short story the film was based on).

Meanwhile, the dead alien's hand has detached itself from its arm and runs amok in the woods, causing trouble. The military, following up an earlier UFO report, soon get involved, eventually surrounding the alien's saucer and accidentally blowing it to smithereens.

Art goes to the accident scene with the teenagers, where he also gets injected numerous times with alcohol by the aliens, but he doesn't die because he wasn't already intoxicated at the time. In the end, it is the teenagers, not the military, who defeat the aliens when they discover that the saucer's occupants cannot stand the glare from their car's bright headlights. When the teenagers all flash their headlights on them at once, the three remaining aliens disappear in a puff of smoke.

Cast

Production

The film was made by Malibu Productions. [4] Film rights to Fairman's short story The Cosmic Frame were purchased through Forrest J Ackerman's Ackerman Science Fiction Agency. [5] Special effects technician Paul Blaisdell, who provided four alien costumes, a mobile severed hand and a flying saucer, recalled that Invasion of the Saucer Men was originally intended as a serious horror film, but gradually developed into a comedy. [6] Blaisdell and his friend/assistant Bob Burns played two of the aliens, with the others being played alternately by dwarf actors Angelo Rossito, Eddie Gibbons, Dean Neville and Lloyd Dixon.

The entire film takes place during the period of one night, with 98% of it filmed on a very large studio sound stage. Blaisdell felt that Frederick West's excellent "day-for-night" photography added a lot to the clarity of the film's picture quality. [7] Blaisdell praised Ronald Stein's silly symphonic music score and actor Lyn Osborn's rubbery, emotional facial expressions with setting the perfect mood for the film. [3] (Lyn Osborn previously had starred as "Cadet Happy" on TV's Space Patrol in the mid-1950s; he died soon after completing his work on Saucer Men. [8]

Release

Invasion of the Saucer Men was released by AIP on June 19, 1957 [9] as part of a double feature with I Was a Teenage Werewolf .

Legacy

In 1965, self-professed "schlockmeister" Larry Buchanan cheaply remade Invasion of the Saucer Men in color as The Eye Creatures , a made-for-television feature for AIP-TV. [10]

The Lillingtons featured a song called "Invasion of the Saucermen" on their 1999 album Death by Television. [11]

Reception

Variety called the film "a minor entry for the science-fiction trade", noting that it "suffers from poor use of attempted comedy, and is further handicapped by a haphazard sort of yarn which makes film's 69-minutes' running time seem much more". [12]

Harrison's Reports called it "an ordinary program melodrama...The action on the whole is rather unbelievable, but it does have its horrific moments, particularly in the scenes where severed hands are shown creeping about to touch human beings". [13]

In the U.K. (where the film was released under the title Invasion of the Hell Creatures), The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The moments of burlesque of horror melodrama traditions, whether intentional or not, are at least curious. The trickeries are quite convincingly staged, but the film is juvenile in approach and treatment". [14]

On his website Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings, Dave Sindelar gave the film a mixed review, saying, "Though it maintains a light atmosphere, it is very lacking in the basic element of a comedy, and that's good jokes. Nonetheless, it's directed with a certain energy, features some truly memorable aliens courtesy of Paul Blaisdell, juggles its three storylines with ease, and in its own way, it may be THE quintessential aliens vs. teenagers movie". [15]

Hans J. Wollstein from AllMovie gave the film a negative review, calling it "claustrophobic at best" and stating that the film "simply isn't funny but is clearly meant to be". [16]

Cultural references

The film was referred to in "Place of Dreams", a short story by writer John Roman Baker from his book Brighton Darkness. [17]

Related Research Articles

<i>It! The Terror from Beyond Space</i> 1958 film by Edward L. Cahn

It! The Terror from Beyond Space is an independently made 1958 American science fiction horror film, produced by Robert Kent, directed by Edward L. Cahn, that stars Marshall Thompson, Shawn Smith, and Kim Spalding. The film was distributed by United Artists as a double feature with Curse of the Faceless Man.

<i>Teenagers from Outer Space</i> (film) 1959 film by Tom Graeff

Teenagers from Outer Space is a 1959 American independent black-and-white science fiction cult film released by Warner Bros. The film was produced, written and directed by Tom Graeff and stars David Love, Dawn Bender, Bryan Grant, Harvey B. Dunn, Tom Graeff and King Moody. Teenagers from Outer Space was distributed theatrically by Warner Bros. on a double feature with Gigantis the Fire Monster, the English-dubbed version of the 1955 Japanese giant monster film Godzilla Raids Again.

Larry Buchanan, born Marcus Larry Seale Jr., was a film director, producer and writer, who proclaimed himself a "schlockmeister". Many of his extremely low-budget films have landed on "worst movie" lists or in the public domain, but all at least broke even and many made a profit. Most of his films were made for television and were never shown theatrically.

<i>It Conquered the World</i> 1956 film by Roger Corman

It Conquered the World is an independently made 1956 American black-and-white science fiction film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, starring Peter Graves, Lee Van Cleef, Beverly Garland, and Sally Fraser. It Conquered the World was released theatrically by American International Pictures as a double feature with The She-Creature.

<i>Earth vs. the Flying Saucers</i> 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred F. Sears

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers is a 1956 American science fiction film from Columbia Pictures. It was produced by Charles H. Schneer, directed by Fred F. Sears, and stars Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor. The stop-motion animation special effects were created by Ray Harryhausen. The storyline was suggested by the bestselling 1953 non-fiction book Flying Saucers from Outer Space by Maj. Donald Keyhoe. The film was released as a double feature with The Werewolf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFOs in fiction</span>

Many works of fiction have featured UFOs. In most cases, as the fictional story progresses, the Earth is being invaded by hostile alien forces from outer space, usually from Mars, as depicted in early science fiction, or the people are being destroyed by alien forces, as depicted in the film Independence Day. Some fictional UFO encounters may be based on real UFO reports, such as Night Skies. Night Skies is based on the 1997 Phoenix UFO Incident.

<i>The Eye Creatures</i> 1967 television film by Larry Buchanan

The Eye Creatures is a 1967 American made-for-television comedy horror science fiction film about an invasion by a flying saucer and its silent, shambling alien occupants.

<i>How to Make a Monster</i> (1958 film) 1959 film by Herbert L. Strock

How to Make a Monster is a 1958 American horror film drama that is notable for its inclusion of props and studios that created actual sci-fi horror movies.

<i>The Alien Factor</i> 1978 film

The Alien Factor is a 1978 science fiction horror film written, edited, produced, and directed by Don Dohler. The film centers on a small town that is besieged by three aliens that have crash-landed in the nearby forest. A mysterious stranger named "Ben Zachary" shows up claiming to be able to save the day. Can he do what he claims?

Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll, is a 12-minute spoof of a 1950s black and white science fiction B-movie. It was first released in 1998 and stars Ardal O'Hanlon, Joe Rooney and Tara Costello. It was written by Mik Duffy and its director Enda Hughes.

<i>From Hell It Came</i> 1957 American horror film

From Hell It Came is a 1957 American science-fiction horror film directed by Dan Milner and written by Richard Bernstein, from a story by Bernstein and Jack Milner. It was released by Allied Artists on a double bill with The Disembodied.

<i>The She-Creature</i> 1956 film by Edward L. Cahn

The She-Creature, or The She Creature, is a 1956 American black-and-white science fiction horror film, released by American International Pictures from a script by Lou Rusoff. It was produced by Alex Gordon, directed by Edward L. Cahn, and stars Chester Morris, Marla English and Tom Conway, and casting Frieda Inescort and El Brendel in smaller roles. The producers hired Marla English because they thought she bore a strong resemblance to Elizabeth Taylor.

<i>The Beast with a Million Eyes</i> 1955 American film

The Beast with a Million Eyes is a 1955 independently made American black-and-white science fiction film, produced and directed by David Kramarsky, that stars Paul Birch, Lorna Thayer, and Dona Cole. Some film sources have said that the film was co-directed by Lou Place. The film was co-produced by Roger Corman and Samuel Z. Arkoff. and was released by American Releasing Corporation, which later became American International Pictures.

<i>Terror Is a Man</i> 1959 Filipino/American horror film directed by Gerardo de León

Terror Is a Man is a 1959 black-and-white Filipino/American horror film directed by Gerardo de Leon.

Bob Burns is an American actor, consultant, producer, archivist and historian of props, costumes, and other paraphernalia from science fiction, fantasy, and horror motion pictures. He is notable for his work with and collection of movie props, particularly from horror and science-fiction movies. He has also had numerous acting roles, including Tracy the Gorilla in the 1975 television show The Ghost Busters.

<i>Dragstrip Girl</i> (1957 film) 1957 film

Dragstrip Girl is a 1957 film starring John Ashley in his first lead role. American International Pictures released the film as a double feature with Rock All Night and it proved an early success for the studio.

<i>Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow</i> 1959 American film

Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow is a 1959 AIP horror comedy film. It was a sequel to their film Hot Rod Gang. American International Pictures released the film in July 1959 as a double feature with Diary of a High School Bride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Blaisdell</span> American painter, sculptor and visual effects creator

Paul Blaisdell was an American painter, sculptor and visual effects creator, best remembered for his work in science fiction and horror B movies of the 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyn Osborn</span> American actor (1926–1958)

Lyn Osborn was an American actor, born Clois Lyn Osborn in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is best remembered as "Cadet Happy" on Space Patrol, and from his role in Invasion of the Saucer Men. He died following brain surgery at age 32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Thordsen</span> American film and television actor

Kelly Thordsen, born Sherman Jess Thordsen was an American film and television actor.

References

Footnotes

  1. Sanders, Don and Susan (1997). The American Drive-In Movie Theatre. Motorbooks International. p. 96. ISBN   0-7603-0425-4.
  2. "Kelly Thordsen". American Film Institute . Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Palmer, Olen Ray & Burns 2009, p. 146.
  4. "LANCASTER ASKED TO CO-STAR IN FILM: Actor May Play Principal in Wald's 'Peyton Place'-- Production Unit Formed." by THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times...New York Times 26 March 1957: 37
  5. "MOVIELAND EVENTS: Film Will Show New Route to Everest." Los Angeles Times 29 Jan. 1957: 20
  6. Palmer, Olen Ray & Burns 2009, p. 139.
  7. Palmer, Olen Ray & Burns 2009, p. 148.
  8. Palmer, Olen Ray & Burns 2009, p. 147.
  9. "Invasion of the Saucer Men - Details". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  10. Paul Blaisdell, Monster Maker: A Biography of the B Movie Makeup and Special Effects Artist by Randy Palmer, 1997
  11. "The Lillingtons – Death by Television (1999, Vinyl)". Discogs .
  12. "Invasion of Saucer Men". Variety : 6. July 10, 1957.
  13. "'Invasion of the Saucer-Men' with Steve Terrell and Gloria Castillo". Harrison's Reports : 111. July 13, 1957.
  14. "Invasion of the Hell Creatures". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 24 (#286): 140. November 1957.
  15. Sindelar, Dave (3 July 2015). "Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957)". FantasticMoviemusings.com. Dave Sindelar. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  16. Wollstein, Hans. "Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957) - Edward L. Cahn". Allmovie.com. Hans J. Wollstein. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  17. Wilkinson House;

Bibliography