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Date Posted: 21:06:41 06/11/10 Fri
Author: Tim
Subject: 
It Came from Outer Space (1953)
A classic science fiction picture from Universal. Richard Carlson and Barbara Rush are the stars, and the supporting players include Russell Johnson, who a decade later found television success as the Professor on Gilligan's Island. Johnson also had a role in Universal's excellent THIS ISLAND EARTH (1955).
This black & white film was originally released in 3-D, which was at its zenith in 1953 with pictures like HOUSE OF WAX, starring Vincent Price. I believe IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE was Universal's first 3-D production.
The screenplay is by Harry Essex, from a story by Ray Bradbury, although for years Bradbury complained in interviews that Essex merely took Bradbury's detailed screen treatment and "ran it through the typewriter" and took the screenplay credit.
The theme of alien visitors/invaders was a popular one among filmmakers in 1953. The most famous was WAR OF THE WORLDS, from the novel by H.G. Wells, and starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson. Also released that year was INVADERS FROM MARS, an unusual picture that developed something of a cult following over the years. Among its cast is Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Jimmy Hunt, Leif Erickson, Morris Ankrum and Milburn Stone, the latter soon destined for television immortality as Doc Adams on Gunsmoke.
Tim
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- Officer Torch, 09:11:02 06/14/10 Mon [1]
I think I saw this, but likely on TV at some time. Just don't recall it that much...as for 3D, hmm, not us much...seems our local theaters didn't show that much. There was only one of 3 in our general area that showed 'em, but rarely...dunno, maybe equipment difficulties, or they couldn't get the film, or whatever. Once I went to one, but didn't have the extra cash for the cardboard frame glasses. (The ticket person was grumpy that day and wouldn't cut us any slack for a freebie.) Figured it would be ok either way, with or without...not really, I was seeing double an hour after I left the theater. I was maybe 8 or 9, went with a buddy...we were always strapped for cash, the newspaper boy jobs were usually taken by older guys, besides we had no bikes then or bus money to pick up the papers. We often relied on deposit money from glass bottles.
Darn..I'm sure I saw this on TV, guess it wasn't memorable. If I catch it, will give you my opinion SERGEANT TIM. By the way, the only existing updated Mongo rank book is hidden in the gocko's lair under a trap door which will only become unlocked when the gong is struck by someone. Otherwise, all the info is really in Emperor Ming's head, like concerning that section 98 stuff. Ask him, if you dare. Heh, heh. Maybe best you just let it go.
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- Officer Torch, 09:47:27 06/15/10 Tue [1]
Sergeant Tim...be cautious, you don't really know if "Time" is on your side. (He could be a double agent.) You realize of course that the gocko wakes up when the gong strikes. I suggest you buff up if you're gonna try for that trap door. Oh, FYI, there's a 13 second timer Ming rigged to the trap door awhile back (a little known point)which commences countdown as soon as the door is opened. If the gocko should step on the trap door, for whatever reason, you're toast. Beware...that dragon is also a bit hyperactive these days I'm told since his lair has not been cleaned in awhile. Have a nice day. Heh.
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- Tim, 22:02:40 06/14/10 Mon [1]
It Came from Outer Space occasionally made the late TV rounds in the 1960s to the 1980s, and I am sure I saw it on AMC a time or two back when it was American Movie Classics. But it's probably not nearly as well-known as other 1950s science fiction classics like War of the Worlds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Forbidden Planet.
Trying to get rank information from Emperor Ming would not be a prudent move, Officer Torch, but the trap door method sounds feasible. A wedding ceremony would mean 13 strikes of the gong, giving an agile Sergeant ample time to distract the gocko and get that trap door open. I will confer with Sergeant Time on the matter.
Tim
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- DAN, 08:14:16 09/03/10 Fri [1]
When I still lived in NYC. I first saw "It Came From Outer Space" on a double bill with "Gorilla at Large."
Both were shown in 3-D, in The Bronx Theater in 1960.
We had to wear those blue and red glasses, which got a little uncomfortable to wear after an hour or so, but it was fun.
In 1960, The Bronx Theater didn't show any of the current films that were out at the time, they showed a variety of the films made from 1950-1959 that hadn't hit TV yet.
The theater seemed to show more horror and scifi movies than the films from other categories. Once in awhile they'd run some movies from 1940s, but they were mostly westerns and Tarzans, and a few Pirate movies.
The owner of The Bronx Theater wanted to keep the old movie going days alive by showing two features, a couple of cartoons, a Shemp Three Stooges short, and coming attractions.
One Saturday afternoon in 1962 they had a teen horror festival that I went to with some friends.
They showed, I was Teenage Werewolf, & Teenage Frankenstein, Teenage Caveman, and Frankenstein's Daughter.
I had a great time that day.
Anyway, I think "It Came From Outer Space" made it to NY TV in the fall of 1960. That's when many of the other earlier 50s scifi films started appearing on TV too. I don't know when these movies debuted in other parts of the country though? I assume it was about the same time around the country?
I don't see many Universal scifi movies on TV that much these days. Although I have all the Universal and other studios scifi stuff on VHS and DVDs, I still like to see these movies show up on TV.
Well maybe TCM will air some, now that they're getting into more and more of the Universal films?
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- Rick, 01:02:44 09/14/10 Tue [1]
Hi Dan,
The deal for TCM to air lots of Universal films starts in 2011 from what I know. Their lease with Columbia is in its final months. I wouldn't be surprised if they show a few for Halloween. We will see.
Rick
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- DAN, 09:51:01 10/02/10 Sat [1]
Hi Rick,
I checked the TMC schedule and I didn't notice any Universal Horror films? Unless you want to count some of the Hammer films TMC is running in October?
Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing what Universal films TCM will air in 2011. I hope they get many good ones that haven't been seen in ages.
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Re: It Came from Outer Space (1953) -- Rick, 05:21:34 10/03/10 Sun [1]
Hi Dan,
I guess you could count the Hammer films, but that's it until 2011. I can access the November schedule when I have time to see if any other U's may appear. Next year promises a lot more.
Rick
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