The Strange World of Planet X

I once read an interesting theory from a famous British actor as to why so many American movies were so much successful with audiences than British movies. He claimed that many British movies were scripted as "illustrated radio" - with scripts that might play on radio, but wouldn't be appealing if filmed. This movie is strong evidence to that theory. The first two-thirds of the movie are extremely dull, with characters talking endlessly and there being virtually no action. The last third of the movie is slightly better than what happened beforehand, with some action and some special effects. But the fact that the giant bug effects are so obvious and so cheap (you almost never see a human in the same shot as one of the giant insects), it's not even good for some unintended laughs. You feel embarrassed for the filmmakers instead. If you want to see a giant bug movie, watch an American effort instead.

With Barely a Budget, the Brits Managed to Pull this Off with such Seriousness and Overload it with so many Angles that when Viewed Today it is a Surprising Amalgamation of Genre Conventions.

This Obscure Movie has Flying Saucers, Manipulation of Magnetism that Interferes with the Earth's Protective Layer, Giant Bugs both Slimy and Crawly and a Reptile to show there is no Prejudice when Man Tinkers with the Unknown. An Ambassador from Space from the Klatu Klan, a Ray Gun, a Scientist who goes Mad in a Mad Lab, and just for Kicks a Breathtaking Scene where a Hungry Bug Gnaws away on the Face of a Fallen Woods Walker.

For No Money, barely over an Hour Long, and made with Hardly an Actor on Set, this is a Strange Find. There are more things Crammed in here than Usual for this Type of Thing. It has some Creepy Scenes with the Highlights, a Bug Siege on a Trapped Shapely Teacher in the Country School, and an Obligatory Lovely getting Trapped in a Spider's Web where She Lingers Long Enough to Witness what might be Called a Big Bug Battle for Her Charms.

Eagle Eye Viewers and Other Nit Pickers could point to some Painted Backdrops and Curtain Hangings that some of the Children at the Aforementioned School could have Made. But Overall there is more here than meets the Eye. That is to say it is a Smorgasbord of Fifties Sci-Fi Angst that is a Neat Discovery that got Lost on a Double Bill at the Drive-In a Half Century Ago and Needs to be Rediscovered.

"The Strange World of Planet X" (British, 1957; usually shown as "The Cosmic Monsters" on American TV) has been one of my favorites for many years. It's been said that films of this type don't appeal to anyone except the public, since they're usually despised by critics, but I found this film great scary fun to watch (throughout many repeated viewings) as well as a good example of how a low budget can be stretched. The performances are sincere; Forrest Tucker is his reliable self as the hero, and I particularly admired the performance of Martin Benson as "Mr. Smith", a benevolent visitor from afar probably inspired by Michael Rennie's "Klaatu" character in 1951's "The Day The Earth Stood Still". The film builds suspense quite well, and there are suitably harrowing scenes involving giant insects. This originally played American theatres as a double feature with another nifty British chiller, "The Trollenberg Terror" aka "The Crawling Eye", which also starred Forrest Tucker.

Enjoyable sci-fi nostalgia with a British twist as a mad scientist in England first blows out the TV in the village pub, then inadvertently creates giant insects. The cliche-packed script never fails to amuse and the primitive special effects are a joy to behold.

Forrest Tucker mostly retains his dignity while stealing the heart of the French lady scientist, but the unconvincing romance doesn't interfere with the main order of business: lots of screaming females falling unconvincingly to the ground at the sight of a beetle or centipede crudely magnified to Godzilla-like proportions.

Bring popcorn and low expectations!

I saw this movie recently on VHS. I was surprised at how compelling this film was. It took a while for the monsters to show but that's because great character development and a good plot outline was being established first. But when the monsters to show, there are some shocking scenes for even today.

The effects were very good as well as the acting, especially Forrest Tucker. They even managed to fit in a believable love triangle between the main characters. The logic of the plot pans out very well and was impressive. The movie flowed smoothly and the script well written. Overall it was a great 50s SF film.