UK, 1957
75m
35mm film, black and white
mono, English
A British science fiction film directed by Gilbert Gunn.
Plot Summary
British scientist Dr Laird and his staff succeed in creating extremely powerful magnetic fields that soon start to affect distant objects. Their equipment is mysteriously drawing on extra power but at first the team can’t work out where it’s coming from. Then a mysterious man appears in the nearby village with dire warnings of impending doom…
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Gilbert Gunn
© MCMLVII [1957] Artistes Alliance (W.N.W.) Ltd
John Bash Productions present
Produced by: George Maynard
Screenplay by: Paul Ryder
Based on the Novel by: Rene Ray
Director of Photography: Joe Ambor
Edited by: Francis Bieber
Music Composed and Directed by: Robert Sharples
Sound Recordist: Cecil Mason
Wardrobe Supervisor: Irma Birch
Make-Up: Charles Nash
Hairdressing: Daphne Martin
Special Effects by: Anglo-Scottish Pictures Ltd
Visual Effects: Les Bowie *
Art Director: Bernard Sarron
Recorded at: National Studios, Elstree, England
Cast
Forrest Tucker (Gil Graham)
Gaby André [Michele Dupont]
Martin Benson [Smith]
Alec Mango [Dr Laird]
Wyndam Goldie [Brigadier General Cartwright]
Hugh Latimer [Jimmy Murray]
Dandy Nicholls [Mrs Tucker]
Richard Warner [Inspector Burns]
Patricia Sinclair [Helen Forsyth]
Geoffrey Chater [Gerard Wilson]
Hilda Fennemore [Mrs Hale]
Susan Redway [Jane Hale]
Catherine Lancaster [Gillian Betts] *
Neil Wilson [PC Tidy] *
Alternative Titles
The Cosmic Monster – USA
Cosmic Monsters – USA (advertising)
Links
Remake of
The Strange World of Planet X (1956)
References
Books
- Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction by Phil Hardy (ed) p.173
- Horror and Science Fiction Films IV by Donald C. Willis p.93
- Island of Terror: A Book of 60 Great* British SF and Fantasy Movies from 1936-1984 *And not so Great by Keith Topping pp.173-179
- The Liverpool Companion to World Science Fiction Film by Sonja Fritsche (ed.) pp.89-103 – article (Invaders, Launchpads, and Hybrids: The Importance of Transmediality in British Science Fiction Film in the 1950s by Derek Johnston)
- Offbeat: British Cinema’s Curiosities, Obscurities and Forgotten Gems by Julian Upton (ed.) pp.23-25 – illustrated review (by David Slater)
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.76 – credits
