Atomicat's
Atomic Horror Filmography

The Blob

A meteorite lands just outside a small town carrying a strange alien life form, the blob. Two teenagers discover this menance and spend the night trying to warn the town of the danger, but no one believes them until. . .
Dir: Irvin S. Yeaworth 1958 86min color

This is a classic film. The writing is excellent; the acting is well above average; and the special effects are incredible. Many films have a problem when they try to depict action at night. This film pulls it off brilliantly. This film started its own genre of blob-type films. This is science horror at its best. Stars a young Steve McQueen.

The Blob (1988)

Remake of the 1958 classic. A meteorite lands just outside a small town carrying a strange life form, the blob. A group of teens uncover the mystery behind the creature.
Dir: Chuck Russell 1988 85min color

Silly remake that changes the deeper meaning of the original. The effects are wonderful and graphic. The acting is sub par. It is a different take on the story and, therefore, useful for gamers and interesting to fans of the genre.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon

A strange fossil discovered in the Amazon leads a group of scientists to come face to face with a Devonian monster.
Dir: Jack Arnold 1954 79min b/w (3D)

This film has a number of logical flaws, but overall is an entertaining story about science, greed, and ambition. The underwater scenes are ambitious. The acting is solid. Originally, shot in 3D, this film doesn't attempt to over exploit that gimick.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire

An alcoholic newspaper writer tells the story of how two simultaneous nuclear explosions shift the tilt of the Earth and send it whizzing towards the sun.
Dir: Val Guest 1961 94min b/w

This film is the ultimate disaster film. The pacing of the film is excellent, it will have you at the edge of your seat most of the time. This film is unique in that the characters are not directly involved in creating the problem or finding a solution to it; they just relate the events to us. This is a real science thriller that has a real basis in science. This film is a good example of the proper use of stock footage. A great script and good solid acting from all make this an enjoyable film for any audience.

Destination Moon

Four men journey to the moon in a rocketship. Based on Robert Heinlein's novel "Rocketship Galileo."
Dir: Irving Pichel 1950 91min color

This film was one of the first to portray travel to the moon as something more than just fantasy. It shows a realistic voyage and actually takes into account real Newtonian physics. The astronomical art by Chelsey Bonestell is simply spectacular. The special effects won an Academy Award and it shows. The plot is believable and, except for a brief appearance by Woody Woodpecker, the film is most enjoyable and entertaining.

You can order your copy of Destination Moon from our friends at Englewood Entertainment.

Flight to Mars

A group of scientists joined by a journalist travel on a mission to Mars where they are forced to crash land. They discover the inhabitants of Mars, and with their help, begin rebuilding their damaged rocketship.
Dir:Leslie Selande 1951 71min color

This is one of those films that just doesn't understand how gravity works. Otherwise, it's a remarkable film with an incredible vision of Martian society. There are a couple of love stories that are thrown in for good measure. The special effects are adequate and the acting is above average. The plot is exciting and not as far-fetched as it sounds.

You can order your copy of Flight to Mars from our friends at Englewood Entertainment.

Forbidden Planet

The year is 2257 A.D. A space cruiser from Earth lands on Altair IV to discover that there is only one survivor of mission sent there 20 years ago.
Dir: Fred McLeod Wilcox 1956 99min color

Inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest, this film shows atomic horror at its best. The script is thoughtful and dialog well-written. The special effects can stand up to any special effects created today. The music is alien and haunting. If you're reading this filmography and have not seen this film, do so immediately; it must be seen. Fans of Leslie Neilsen (Airplane, Police Squad, Naked Gun) will enjoy seeing him as the commander of the space cruiser.

The Hideous Sun Demon

A scientist is accidentally exposed to an exotic form of radiation that causes him to revert back to a primitive reptile form when exposed to sunlight.
Dir: Robert Clarke 1959 74min b/w

This film suffers from a number of flaws: horrible sound, bad lighting, and a poorly written script. But it's really an intriguing story once you can get past those serious limitations. The way that the strange mutation is described shows some real insight into the effects of radiation. This story is an atomic horror take on two classic gothic horror plotlines: Frankenstein and Jeckyl and Hyde. The scientist makes some friends, but then has to reveal his true reptilian nature.

You can order your copy of The Hideous Sun Demon from our friends at Englewood Entertainment.

Invaders from Mars

A young boy witnesses his family and neighbors being kidnapped by aliens and must convince the local authorities.
Dir:William Cameron 1953 78min b/w

This film is usually highly regarded by film buffs and critics. It's a good film, but it there are too many flaws to consider it a great film. First, the plot moves a bit too slowly. Second, the adults in the film, particularly the military, are too quick to buy this kid's outrageous story. Finally, this film suffers from a classic 50's film problem: it contains a scene at the end of the film which is completely unnecessary. Otherwise, it's a thoughtful film with good special effects, above average acting, a well-written script, and a plot that reflects the paranoia of the 1950s.

You can order your copy of Invaders from Mars from our friends at Englewood Entertainment.

The Mole People

A group of archaeologist uncover a fragment of Sumerian civilization deep inside the earth.
Dir: Virgil Vogel 1956 78min b/w

Good effects and an interesting story are let down by an anti-climactic ending. Disappointingly, the script only hints at the science that can support life underground. This "lost world" scenario is not as campy as it could have been. Fans of TV reruns will enjoy seeing Hugh Beaumont (Ward Cleaver of Leave It To Beaver) as one of the archaeologists thrust into this bizarre new world.

Project Moonbase

Set in the future, the 1960s, this film chronicles the first manned mission to orbit the moon. The crew is forced to abandon their mission and crash land on the moon.
Dir: Richard Talmadge 1953 63min b&w

Robert Heinlein co-wrote this film, and it establishes him as the undisputed king of science fiction writers for the decade, if not beyond. The special effects are adequate. The plot is exceptional. Heimlein's vision of future is brilliant and the orbiting craft looks more like the Eagle LEM than anything else.

You can order your copy of Project Moonbase from our friends at Englewood Entertainment.

Rocketship X-M

A group of scientists and adventurers attempt a mission to the moon, but end up exploring the barren surface of Mars.
Alternate Titles:Expedition Moon
Dir: Kurt Neumann 1950 77min b&w (sepia color for sequences on Mars)

This film's attempt to get around having to depict the crew of the rocketship in micro gravity is admirable, but ultimately, the attempt fails. The film's end is a bit dark, but is played so poorly that it almost ruins the entire endeavor. It should have been impossible for the ship to get to Mars, but this is easily overlooked because the sequences there are so well-written. The special effects are good and the plot is one of best. If you can look past the few flaws of this film, it is really quite entertaining and engaging.

You can order your copy of Rocketship X-M from our friends at Englewood Entertainment.

Tarantula

A scientist accidentally unleashes a mutant spider that grows to gigantic proportions and threatens a small desert town.
Dir: Jack Arnold 1955 80min b/w

This is classic Atomic Horror. This definitive film has it all: radioactive experiments resulting in the creation of a monster; a small, isolated, desert town; a small town doctor mixed up in this mess with a pretty young woman he just met; and the United States Air Force there to save the day. The acting is solid and the special effects are quite good for the period. For entertainment, you just can't beat this film.

The Thing

An American research outpost in Antarctica is invaded by an alien discovered by a neighboring team of Norwegian scientists.
Dir: John Carpenter 1982 127min color

This remake has none of the drama or suspense of the original. There is a lot of gore and the special effects support it well. There are several scenes where the director is obviously paying homage to the original, so if you enjoyed the 1951 version, it might be worth comparing the two. The story has very little in common with the original, and is actually quite good, but there is little tension built up from scene to scene and the grand finale is anti-climactic. This was a very poor performance for the talented John Carpenter.

The Thing (From Another World)

An Air Force crew is sent to investigate a mysterious crash near the North Pole. Once there, they discover a flying saucer and its mysterious occupant.
Dir: Christian Nyby 1951 87min b/w

This is a timeless horror tale. The story provides isolation for a small group of people and pits them against an alien intelligence. The special effects are adequate, the dialog is reasonable, and the script is thought provoking. This film was so good, it was remade in the 1980s. This is a film that is enjoyed by sci-fi and horror buffs alike. The film's classic final line is one the most memorable in movie history: "Keep watching the skies!"