USA, 1956
83m
35mm film, black and white, 1.85:1
mono, English
Reviewed at The EOFFTV Review
An American science fiction film directed by Fred F. Sears.
Plot Summary
Operation Skyhook, which organises US attempts to launch rockets into the upper atmosphere in advance of a proper flight into space, attracts the attention of aliens who send a flying saucer to destroy the rockets. Soon, Washington DC is under attack by a whole fleet of alien craft and a team of scientists and military men struggle to find a way to stop them.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Fred F. Sears
© MCMLVI [1956] by Columbia Pictures Corporation
Columbia Pictures Corporation presents
Executive Producer: Sam Katzman
Produced by: Charles H. Schneer
Production Coordinator: Jack Erickson
Screen Play by: George Worthing Yates, Raymond T. Marcus [as Bernard Gordon on early prints]
Screen Story by: Curt Siodmak
Suggested by “Flying Saucers from Outer Space” by Major Donald E. Keyhoe
Assistant Director: Gene Anderson Jr
Director of Photography: Fred Jackman Jr
Film Editor: Danny D. Landres
Music: Mischa Bakaleinikoff *
Music Conducted by: Mischa Bakaleinikoff
Sound: Josh Westmoreland
Westrex Recording System
Special Effects: Russ Kelley
Technical Effects Created by: Ray Harryhausen
Art Director: Paul Palmentola
Set Decorator: Sidney Clifford
Locations: Hyperion Water Treatment Facility, El Segundo, California, USA *; UCLA Campus, Westwood, Los Angeles, California, USA *; Washington, District of Columbia, USA *; Zuma Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA *
Unit Manager: Leon Chooluck
Cast
Hugh Marlowe (Dr Russell A. Marvin)
Joan Taylor (Carol Marvin)
Donald Curtis (Major Huglin)
Morris Ankrum (General Hanley)
John Zaremba (Professor Kanter)
Tom Browne Henry (Admiral Enright)
Grandon Rhodes (General Edmunds)
Larry Blake (motorcycle cop)
Charles Evans [Dr Alberts] *
Paul Frees [narrator/alien voice] *
Clark Howat [Sergeant Nash] *
Harry Lauter [generator technician] *
Alan Reynolds [Major Kimberly] *
Frank Wilcox [Alfred Cassidy] *
Alternative Titles
Fliegende Untertassen greifen an – Germany
Invasion of the Flying Saucers
Lentävien lautasten hyökkäys – Finland
Les soucoupes volantes attaquent – France
La terra contro i dischi volanti – Italy
Links
Extracts included in
The 27th Day (1957)
Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
Explorers (1985)
The Giant Claw (1957)
Invasion Earth: The Aliens Are Here (1988)
Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
It Came from Hollywood (1982)
TerrorVision (1986)
Tribulation 99: Alien Anomalies Under America (1992)
Includes extracts from
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
The War of the Worlds (1952)
See also
Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999)
Bride of Monster Mania (2000)
Independence Day (1996)
Kaijû daisenso (1965)
Mars Attacks! (1996)
References
Books
- The Armchair Odeon: The Collector’s Guide to the Movies by Denis Gifford p.44
- Columbia Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1928-1982 by Michael R. Pitts pp.64-66
- Fright Night on Channel 9 by James Arena p.114
- Horrorshows: The A-Z of Horror in Film, TV, Radio and Theatre by Gene Wright p.113-114 – credits, review
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.118 – credits
- Silver Screen Saucers: Sorting Fact from Fantasy in Hollywood’s UFO Movies by Robbie Graham pp.xix, 66-68
