USA, 1956
71m
35mm film, black and white
mono, English
An American science fiction film directed by Roger Corman.
Plot Summary
An alien from a dying race of Venusians is lured to Earth by scientist Tom Anderson who harbours a grudge against almost everyone. Anderson has the alien plant mind control devices on people including fellow scientist Paul Nelson. But Nelson survives the attempt and sets out to persuade Anderson of the errors of his ways before the alien gets to Anderson’s wife…
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Roger Corman
© MCMLVI [1956] by Sunset Productions
American International Pictures
Executive Producer: James Nicholson
Produced by: Roger Corman
Production Manager: Lou Place
Screenplay by: Lou Rusoff; Charles B. Griffith *
Photography: Fred E. West
Film Editor: Charles Gross
Music by: Ronald Stein
Music Editor: Jerry Irvin
Sound: Jay Ashworth
Ryder Sound Services, Inc.
Make-up: Larry Butterworth
Special Effects: Paul Blaisdell *
Property Master: Karl Brainard
Locations: Beachwood, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA *; Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California, USA *
Cast
Peter Graves (Dr Paul Nelson)
Beverly Garland (Claire Anderson)
Lee Van Cleef (Dr Tom Anderson)
Sally Fraser (Joan Nelson)
Russ Bender (Brigadier General James Pattick)
Jonathan Haze (Private Manuel Ortiz)
Dick Miller (Sergeant Neil)
Taggart Casey (Sheriff N.J. Shallert)
Paul Harbor (Floyd Mason)
Karyne Kadler (Ellen Peters)
Charles Griffith (Dr Pete Shelton)
Marshal Bradford (US Secretary Platt)
Tom Jackson (George Haskell)
David McMahn (General Carpenter)
Paul Blaisdell [the monster] *
Alternative Titles
Il conquistatore del mondo – Italy
Conquistò il mondo – Italy
It Conquered the Earth
Venusuhyret – Denmark
Links
Remake
Zontar the Thing from Venus (1966)
Extracts included in
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Invasion Earth: The Aliens are Here (1988)
References
Periodicals
- Castle of Frankenstein no.11 p.40
- Delirium no.25 (2020) p.10 – short review (Corman’s greatest creatures by Chris Alexander)
- To-day’s Cinema no.7600 vol.LXXXVII (4 September 1956) p.6 – note (Anglo has more “exploitation specials”)
- To-day’s Cinema no.7608 vol.LXXXVII (14 September 1956) p.8 – note (For registration)
- To-day’s Cinema no.7614 vol.LXXXVII (24 September 1956) p.10 – note (Anglo’s new all-horror bill for trade show)
- To-day’s Cinema no.7615 vol.LXXXVII (25 September 1956) p.6 – note (Trade show)
Books
- American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography by Rob Craig pp.211-212
- American International Pictures: A Filmography by Robert L. Ottoson p.10 – credits, synopsis, review
- The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction by Phil Hardy (ed) p.159
- Earth vs the Sci-fi Filmmakers: Twenty Interviews by Tom Weaver pp.133-148- illustrated interview with Peter Graves
- Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures by Mark Thomas McGee pp.54, 56-63, 94, 239; 314
- Horror and Science Fiction Films IV by Donald C. Willis p.259-260
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.225 – credits
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Monsters: The American International Story by Bruce G. Hallenbeck pp.47-51; 288
