I love Science Fiction movies from the 1950s! I’m not old enough to remember seeing them in theaters, but I lived to see them on TV as a kid in the 1060s. The Sunday paper came with a TV listing guide and I remember every week studying the paper to see what sci fi and monster movies would be shown.
I remember “Chiller Theater” which came on Saturday nights at 11:00. When I was old enough I would watch the movies every week. They often showed a few until it was almost dawn. I would sit on the floor in front of the TV and be too scared to go to bed!
Other times when the movies were on at more normal times I would have to fight with the other family members who weren’t as enamored with the movies as me! Of course we only had one TV and there was no such thing as VCRs, DVDs or streaming.
As I’ve gotten older I still like my 50s sci-fi. It’s a lot easier now with DVDs and streaming services. It still takes some searching for the lesser known titles, but I keep adding to my collection!
For this Part One I’m listing three of my favorites. I won’t attempt to rank them as it would be close. Here they are.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
I’m talking about the original here. The modern remake is no way near as good! An alien visitor comes to earth in the early days of the atomic age. The film begins with a flying saucer that lands in a park in Washington DC.
The alien is promptly shot and then my favorite scene happens. A giant robot comes out of the saucer and proceeds to vaporize all the surrounding weapons. The music for the whole movie is great, but the music as the robot comes out of the saucer is incredible.
I also enjoy all the scenes from early 1950s Washington. Life seemed so much simpler then. The movie climaxes with a meeting of world scientists and a warning about nuclear weapons from the alien visitor.
War of the Worlds (1953)
There have been many imitators but the original is still the best. The movie is based upon the 1898 novel by H.G.Wells. Of course while the novel was based in Victorian England, the setting for the movie is early 1950s Southern California.
The movie begins with the crash of an alien craft near a small town and proceeds to the final battle in Los Angeles. There are great battle scenes between the US military and the alien death rays, and love interest between the scientist and the local girl.
The special effects are great for the time and hold up fairly well even today. The Martian fighting machines were originally made of copper. One interesting note I read was that the props were used again in the 1960s film “Robinson Crusoe on Mars,” itself a fun movie.
Earth Versus the Flying Saucers (1956)
This is the classic 1950s Flying Saucer movie. “ The Day the Earth Stood Still” used one flying saucer, but this movie has lots and they blow up all kinds of things!
The movie begins with newlyweds driving along when they are buzzed by a flying saucer. The newlywed scientist heads up a troubled satellite program that is eventually attacked by the saucers.
Alot happens in between but the finale consists of an attack on Washington by many saucers and the scientist saving the day with a new weapon.
Special effects are decent and were done by Ray Harryhausen, a famous special effects master for several films. He used stop-motion animation for the flying saucer scenes, and for the destruction of famous government buildings.
There are dozens of 50s sci fi movies to enjoy. Watch for more in future posts.
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