The Mole People (1956), dir. Virgil Vogel, Universal International Pictures
Moving into the Universal section of our countdown and yeah, a lot of 1950's sci-fi is considered boring. This doesn't buck that feeling.
Somewhere in Asia, an expedition is underway. Dr. Bentley (John Agar), Dr. Bellamin (Hugh Beaumont), Dr. LaFarge (Nestor Paiva), and Dr. Stuart (Phil Chambers) have discovered evidence that the entire area around them was once covered in a great flood.
Stuart finds a bit more when he is swallowed up when the ground under him opens up. The other three mount a rescue but he's clearly dead. On the plus side-ancient city underground!
On the negative side the city isn't as empty as they thought given they are surrounded by mole people! Also albinos, descendants of the Sumerian court that fled the aforementioned flood.
They so impressed with the scientist's flashlight they give them Adad (Cynthia Patrick) as a gift. It's ok, since she's hideously deformed what with her long blonde hair, blue eyes and flawless tanned skin. High Priest Elinu (Alan Napier) is most put out by the men but if he can convince the king the men aren't gods, plus getting ahold of that flashlight, well, he'd be charge, wouldn't he?
Interesting idea but lackluster in execution. The Mole People are nice to look at but the overall plot is not pulpy enough and too talky to grip the attention plus the final twist is just dumb even by 1950s standards.
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