It Conquered the
World (1956), dir. Roger Corman, American International Pictures
Moving backwards slightly we go to the king of the low
budget, Roger Corman. Corman, like Castle, had been a producer and used to low
budgets. Deciding to direct, mostly to save on costs, It Conquered the World
was his first horror film.
Dr. Paul Nelson (Peter Graves) is overseeing the launching
of the first man made satellite. While the control room watches in rapt
attention, Dr. Tom Anderson (Lee Van Cleef) is in another part of the base
arguing against the launch. It seems all previously attempts have failed,
because argues Anderson, the other planets in our system don’t want us
polluting the skies with our special brand of aggressive lunacy. The higher ups
refrain from laughing in his face, but they make it clear the launch is going
ahead.
Three months later, Anderson and his wife Clara (Beverly
Garland) are hosting Nelson and his wife Joan (Sally Fraser) over for dinner.
Nelson is in a good mood, as the satellite is working perfectly and Anderson’s
worries about annoyed aliens has obviously been proven false. Anderson takes it in stride and proceeds to
show Nelson his new hobby: A giant radio. He claims to be in contact with
Venus. When Anderson points out that he can’t hear anything, a phone call from
the base brakes up the awkward scene. It seems the satellite has just vanished.
From there things get crazy. The satellite crashes and the
town surrounding the base lose all power. It seems Anderson was talking to
Venus, or at least one surviving member of the planet. It, for lack of a better
word, is quite keen on relocating to Earth. Anderson promised to help It after
It promises to rid Earth of its stupidity. Anderson then gives a list of people
it needs to convert, via flying manta ray puppets. The list includes most of
the base’s higher ups and several civilians, including Nelson’s wife. After
Nelson kills Joan, he and both Andersons decide that maybe this wasn’t such a
hot idea and each go their own way in trying to kill It.
The actors save the movie, even if Graves is prone to making
endless speeches. It, when we finally it, is less intimidating that the poster
would have us believe. If one has to see it, stick with the version with Joel
and the Bots.
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