Do you have any idea how many of these America monster movies deal with giant bugs? I mean, just look at this list: you've got Them, The Giant Spider Invasion, Earth vs. The Spider, Tarantula, and, of course, when one is talking about monsters who could forget Pauly Shore?

Remarkably, The Deadly Mantis seams to be the best of the bunch.

Remember, though,  we are talking about America monster movies here.

So, class, what always happens in American monster movies? Do you know, Timmy?

Timmy: Well, Doctor, usually an accident involving nuclear material causes some sort of giant monster to be created and/or released on the world.

True, Timmy, but that's not the case here. No, here a bunch of geological events releases a giant, prehistoric Praying Mantis from the Arctic ice. Just how, you ask, could the normally inches long mantis grow to such gigantic proportions?

Beats the heck out of  me. Seams to beat the heck out of screenwriter Martin Berkeley too, since he never bothers to answer that question. Shall we continue?

After the insane insect thaws out it immediately begins thinning out the local Eskimo population. Since this is 1957 the US Army could care less about a bunch of Indians getting scarfed, and it takes the destruction of a US plane before eyebrows start a-raisin'.

Discovered along with the downed plane is the tip of a giant claw which causes some old gray hared science guys (who obviously haven't read the title of this movie) to scratch their chins and wonder Just what the hell did this break off of?

When you find a giant monster claw, who are you going to call? Dr. Who? Dr. Psy? Ghostbusters? The Power Rangers? They'd all be my choice, but not the US Army's. No, the Army calls Dr. Ned Jackson (William Hopper). Quite a heroic sounding name, huh? Just picture it: Ned Jackson: International Man of Mystery! Ned Jackson, AKA Action Jackson!

Sorry, got distracted. Ned Jackson (super spy!), being a paleontologist and All-American blonde guy, discovers what the claw is in two shakes of a bug's thorax. So its off to the Arctic with his perky assistant/journalist (of course there's a woman journalist), Marge (Alix Talton). The two have just enough time to meat and great Colonel Joe before a hungry, deadly mantis attacks the base.

Here we pause to discuss El Mantis. Before we do, though, I have to mention two things. (1) This is America and (2) This is 1957, both of which translate into cheap ass FX. In this case, instead of not-so-cheep stop motion or just grafting a regular mantis into the frame, enlarged to giant proportions, the Deadly Mantis is a puppet manipulated around miniature buildings. This gives the illusion (at least to this critic) that a puppet is being manipulated around miniature buildings. Toho, Godzilla's production company would use the same technique about 10 years down the road. There, as here, I actually like the way it is executed, though the mantis does have some week points. All in all though, I'd rank him somewhere between the ants from Them and the Spider from Earth vs. The Spider. Its not high praise, but there you are.

After attacking the base, Mr. Mantis goes to Washington D.C. where it settles on the Washington Monument and is chased away by US fighter plains. Here is where the movie begins to go south. These dog fight scenes should be the highlight of the movie. Sadly, The Deadly Mantis shares a characteristic with Up From the Depths in that it recycles the same scene over and over again. Plane shoots missile, missile flies by inert mantis puppet. Repeat as necessary.

Eventually, the bug makes its way to New York City (New York City!?) where the Army takes a page from pest controllers everywhere and gasses the big bastard back to the Stone Age. The end.

Once again, this is a sci-fi movie from 1957. Don't expect much and you won't be to let down. If Giant monster movies aren't your thing then you might want to avoid this baby since it contains everything that bogs this genre down.

Case in point: the mantis. For lack of any better explanation I suppose we are to acknowledge the fact that, millions of years ago, 150 foot long mantises roamed the countryside. Yes, this is science FICTION, but would it have strained Berkeley's brains to come up with some explanation. I recall having a similar problem with Earth vs. The Spider. He doesn't even use the old "it was created by atomic radiation" stand by. What's up with that?

I must say it surprises the hell out of me to find that the acting her is. . .actually, not bad. It's not good mind you, but I've seen acting so vile it could dissolve titanium. You're tolerance may vary. Unlike its 50s brethren, some of the actors actually appear to have fun with their roles. Particularly Dr. Ned. William Hopper, though his character is thin as a slice of deli cheese, shows enough emotions with his character to keep me interested in what he's saying. Hey, you take your praise where you can get it.

It's the same way with Alix Talton. Even if Marge is just your stereotypic assistant, she does hold some interest. This is the right cast for the job because they manage to make something out of nothing.

However, that something is not nearly enough. In a video store filled with movies, I could name hundreds that have better acting then what's on display here. Sorry, Charlie, but unless you're really into monster movies, you'd still want to say out of this mantis' flight path. I find this movie kinda fun, you might not. Maybe after you've watched a few Godzilla flicks. . .

RATING (OUT OF A POSSIBLE FIVE)

IT'S A 1950S MONSTER MOVIE. YOU GET WHAT YOU EXPECT.