Introduction
Welcome to my corner! Last week, I shared my thoughts about The Walking Dead (1936) and The Wicker Man (1973) movies that I watched for the Halloween season. This week, I'm sharing my thoughts about these movies: The Thing From Another World (1951), The Rear Window (1954), and Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959).
The Thing From Another World
The Thing From Another World (1951) film synopsis: Scientists and American Air Force officials fend off a bloodthirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost.
This was an interesting film to watch for me because I watched The Thing (1982) starring Kurt Russell and Keith David last year for Halloween season. Coming off of that movie, to this one, I wasn't sure what to expect. I assumed that the 1951 film would be a lot less scary, gory and violent than the 1982 one. And, I was right, thank goodness. I am not a huge fan of the gore. At the time, I didn't realize the 1982 one was so gory.
I haven't read the original novella Who Goes There?, so I can't speak to which, if either, films were accurate to the original story. However, a quick internet search seems to suggest the 1982 version stuck more closely to the novella. The one big difference between the movies is the alien(s).
In the 1951 film, the alien is one being that harasses the humans. In the 1982 film the alien(s) take over the form of living beings, such as humans and animals. The 1951 alien was probably scary for the time, but the 1982 alien was terrifying, a lot in part to the gore factor. There were also a lot less casualties in the earlier version of the movie.
All in all, I liked both versions of the movie. However, I'm not sure I would watch the 1982 film again, but I would watch the 1951 version again. The gore factor is the only reason. If that's not a bother, then I would recommend watching either one.
Rear Window
Rear Window (1954) film synopsis: A bored photographer recovering from a broken leg passes the time by watching his neighbors and begins to suspect one of them of murder.
I've wanted to watch this movie for a long time, but never go the chance to until now. This movie has most likely been mentioned in every film textbook ever printed. I had ready many of them for my film classes in college. As an Alfred Hitchcock film, it's not surprising that it's cemented itself in film history.
There's a lot of uncertainty to this story, because you only know as much as the characters. At the beginning of it, I kept guessing which of the neighbors was going to turn out to be the murderer. It was a slow burn. Eventually, the main character got his girlfriend, maid and even friends in on the conspiracy. Before that, they all just thought he was stir crazy.
The movie really got going when his people started to believe him. Then it was just a matter of what they were going to do about the situation. How would they prove murder? And, how would they get the evidence? It was very interesting and a great watch! Definitely recommend watching it!
Plan 9 From Outer Space
Plan 9 From Outer Space film synopsis: Evil aliens attack Earth and set their terrible "Plan 9" into action. As the aliens resurrect the dead of the Earth, the lives of the living are in danger.
I saw an advertisement for this movie on the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) television channel. (Yes, most of these movies I watched on TCM. What can I say; I'm hooked now!) The advertisement hailed on Plan 9 From Outer Space as one of, if not, the worst Sci-fi/horror movies ever made. After that, I had to see it. I get a kick out of laughably bad movies. And boy, they were not kidding.
Apparently, film director Ed Wood was infamous for making cheap films, whether or not they were good. I can't speak to his other movies, as I haven't seen them, but this one was definitely low budget, cheesy and cringey viewing.
The acting was definitely the worst part of the movie. Despite having Bela Lugosi star in the flick (sort of), no one else could carry or save the sinking ship. Plan 9 From Outer Space was Lugosi's last film. He died before the movie was done shooting, so they just recycled the scenes they shot of Lugosi throughout the movie. They other times his character appeared in the movie, it was a stand-in with his face covered by a cape. It was hilarious and sad at the same time. I couldn't help but feel bad for Lugosi and his legacy.
The premise of the movie seemed to have promise, but the execution was just not good. Unless you enjoy horribly produced movies, I would suggest you just skip this one for a different Lugosi move; perhaps his most famous Dracula (1931).
That's it for this week! What were your thoughts? Feel free to share them with us! You can call us, email us, visit us at the office, leave us a comment or message on Facebook, or even mail us something. Keep the comments, suggestions, questions, submissions, etc. coming our way! We'd love to hear from you!
