USA, UK, 1954
75m
35mm film, black and white, 1.37:1
mono, English
An American/British science fiction film directed by Burt Balaban. It was released in the UK in October 1954 on a double bill with Superman’s Peril (1954), promoted in the trades as the “all ‘U’ Science-fiction Exploitation programme.” 1Today’s Cinema vol.83 no.7112 (5 October 1954) p.8
Plot Summary
After a woman is driven off the road by a mysterious bright light, a stranger turns up at a local inn. But the man has no pulse and when the woman from the car crash turns up dazed and injured, she recognises him as the man who saved her and he reveals that he’s an alien, a visitor from Venus…
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Burt Balaban
Copyright MCMLIV [1954] by Princess Pictures Inc.
Princess Pictures presents a Rich & Rich production. Produced on location by Princess Pictures, Inc. A Vitapix release
Produced by: Burt Balaban and Gene Martel
Associate Producer: Roy Rich
Supervising Production Manager: George Busby
Screenplay by: Hans Jacoby
Story by: Desmond Leslie
Assistant Director: Barry Delmaine
Continuity: Tilly Day
Cinematographer: Kenneth Talbot
Camera Operator: Bob Walker
Editor: Peter Hunt
Music Composed by: Eric Spear
Sound: John Cape
Western Electric Recording
Wardrobe: Laura Nightingale
Make-up: Nell Taylor
Hairdressing: Barbara Ritchie
Art Director: John Elphick
Produced at: M.G.M. British Studios, England
Cast
Patricia Neal (Susan North)
Helmut Dantine (the stranger)
Derek Bond (Arthur Walker)
Cyril Luckham (Dr Meinard)
Willoughby Gray (Tom [Harding])
Marigold Russell (Gretchen [Harding])
Arthur Young (scientist)
Kenneth Edwards (Charles Dixon)
David Garth (first police officer)
Stanley Van Beers (general)
Nigel Green (second police officer)
Graham Stuart (police chief [Richards])
John Le Mesurier [man at desk] *
Alternative Titles
Immediate Disaster – USA (television)
The Venusian
Links
See also
Devil Girl from Mars (1954)
Press
Today’s Cinema vol.83 no.7112 (5 October 1954) p.8
Director Balaban treats his theme in matter-of-fact fashion, and does not strain our belief too far. This is science-fiction without “creepy” angles, told at an agreeably smart pace. Human import of the story is always emphasised. […] Helmut Dantine makes a noble and basically very human spaceman, grave and courteous. Derek Bond is suave and adroit as the young poititian and Patricia Neal lends fresh feminine charm to the romantic side of the plot. […] Ingenious plot in popular form; convincing action and direction – from a review by M.M.W.
References
Periodicals
- Daily Film Renter no.6715 (5 October 1954) – review
- Kine Weekly no.2467 (7 October 1954) pp. 24 – review
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.21 no.250 (November 1954) pp. 164 – credits, review
- Today’s Cinema vol.83 no.7112 (5 October 1954) pp. 8 – review (by M.M.W.)
Books
- Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction by Phil Hardy (ed) p.147-148 – credits, review
- Horror and Science Fiction Films III by Donald C. Willis p.260 – credits
- Island of Terror: A Book of 60 Great* British SF and Fantasy Movies from 1936-1984 *And not so Great by Keith Topping pp.97-104
- Nuclear Movies: A Filmography by Mick Broderick p.46 – review
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.214 – credits
