The document provides an overview of science fiction movies from the 1950s in the United States. It discusses how the films reflected the post-war fears around communism and nuclear technology. The movies featured alien invasions as metaphors for communist threats and scientists causing mutations through atomic experiments. It summarizes some of the most popular subgenres and examples like The War of the Worlds and Them!. It also describes common character archetypes and provides a timeline and analysis of special effects innovations as well as opinions on the best and worst films of the genre.

1. U.S. SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES OF
THE 1950S
BY ROBERT ARNOLD
1. Introduction
People, by the 50s, had lost their optimistic confidence in the ability of science to fulfill all the
dreams of mankind; instead, you saw science about to fulfill all the nightmares of mankind. The
prospect of nuclear war . . . was hours away." - J.G. Ballard
Although America had come out of the Second World War as the only
superpower in the world with nuclear capability the
monopoly did not last long. The Soviet Union
exploded their first device in 1949. After this event
America became more and more paranoid about a
communist plot to take over the west.
This was reflected in science fiction movies made
during the fifties. The alien invaders in some films
were a subtle way of showing how a communist
invasion could happen. (See poster on left.)
There was also a fear of atomic research resulting
in horrible mutations in the animal kingdom. (See poster on right.)
2. Sub-genres
1. The Alien Invasion films
Earth is invaded by beings from another world, usually hell-bent on either enslaving or
destroying human beings.
Example: - “War of the Worlds” (1953)
Plot Synopsis: - An updated version of the 1895 novel by H.G. Wells, this is set in
modern America instead of Britain. The Martians destroy everything in their path, the
U.S.Military unable to stop them even with nuclear weapons. Eventually the aliens
succumb to an Earth virus for which they have no immunity.
Quote: “The smallest creatures that "God in His wisdom had put upon this Earth"
has saved mankind from extinction.”
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2. 2. The scientists interfering with nature films
Scientists, usually by exploding atomic bombs, cause animals or insects to mutate, the
most popular being by growing to enormous size.
Example: - “Them!” (1954)
Plot Synopsis: - After nuclear tests in the New Mexico desert, a colony of ants is
mutated to giant size. They attack and kill a couple in their caravan, leaving a child
surviving. After the Army destroy the main ants nest they discover that queen ants have
hatched and flown away to found new colonies. In the sewers of Los Angeles they finally
corner the last of the ants and kill them with flame throwers.
Quote: “When man entered the atomic age, he opened the door to a new world.
What we may eventually find in that new world, nobody can predict."
3. Humans explore other Planets films
Humans set off to explore other worlds, usually getting themselves into danger.
Example: - “The Angry Red Planet” (1959)
Plot Synopsis: - After the first manned mission to Mars returns to Earth the two
survivors relate their experiences. After landing they encounter a carnivorous plant that
tries to kill one crew member, later being attacked by a 40ft Bat-Rat-Spider. They come
across a city across a vast lake and one of their number is killed by a huge single celled
creature. After the return to Earth the scientists at the base discover a message on a
tape recorder warning humans never to return to Mars.
Quote: “Some baby, that rat-bat-spider nightmare, huh?”
3. Characters
The various stock characters that appear in these films are as follows:-
• The Main Scientist. Usually depicted as an old forgetful man or if a younger man
dressed in tweed jacket and smoking a pipe. If the scientist is female she will be beautiful
and scornful of military types until danger threatens, then she falls in love with him.
• The Military Man. A veteran of WW2 and deeply suspicious of new technology. He
will normally fall in love with the female scientist after saving her from danger. At the end
of the film he will castigate the scientists for interfering with nature.
• The Disposable Crewman. The first member of a spacecraft to be horribly
dismembered by an alien threat.
• The Religious Character. A clergyman or layman who questions the reasons for
going against the will of God. Sometimes will be killed by the aliens or monster.
• The Crazed Mob. A crowd of people who flee or attack whatever is threatening their
lives.
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3. “Them” – 1954 “Earth Vs the Flying Saucers” – 1956
4. Special Effects Timeline
1951 1954 1956
1953 1955
When Worlds Collide (1951)
The winner of the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Special Effects. This sci-fi film has a mediocre
story that has spectacular special effects, including a great fireball — a sun-sized body called Bellus — hurtling
toward earth, and a rocket-propelled spaceship built on a ramp.
The War of the Worlds (1953)
This film was the winner of the Best Achievement in Special Effects Academy Award, by producer George
Pal, for its vivid depiction of the invasion of the Earth by Martians. This was the first visual effects-laden "popcorn"
film, featuring vibrant colour special effects, and the destruction of various cities including Los Angeles.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
The fanciful Richard Fleischer-directed Disney film based upon the Jules Verne book of the same name, with
James Mason as Captain Nemo, won the Academy Award for Special Effects; it was notable for its depiction of the
Nautilus and the giant squid fight. One of the other nominated films in the category was Them! (1954), a typical
mid-50s B-monster film with giant ants invading Los Angeles.
This Island Earth (1955)
This cerebral 1950's science-fiction film by director Joseph M. Newman required various special effects, including a
flying saucer and its landing on the doomed planet Metaluna - both created with models and special camera
techniques; it also necessitated alien makeup for the big-headed Metalunans, and futuristic set designs.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
One of the landmark science-fiction films of the 50s was this classic space adventure film - an adaptation of
Shakespeare's The Tempest. It was the first science-fiction film in colour and CinemaScope. Its Oscar-nominated
Special Effects included miniatures (e.g., the spaceship), innovative set and art decoration (with soundstage scenic
paintings), and matte paintings to create the alien environment of Altair IV.
It also included the famed friendly servant prop (probably the most expensive, intricately-wired film prop ever
constructed at the time (at $125,000)) -- Robby the Robot. The film also featured an all-electronic music score.
One of the best remembered segments was the 'animated' night attack (using hand-drawn cel animation) of the ID
monster on the flying saucer spaceship - in actuality, it was displaying Dr. Morbius' (Walter Pidgeon as Prospero)
face-to-face encounter with his own projected sub-conscious, incestuous feelings for his lovely young daughter
Altaira (Anne Francis).
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4. 5. Best and Worst of the Genre
1) The best – “Forbidden Planet”(1956)
As described in the above section on special effects, the film was the “Star Wars” of the
1950s as regards to popularity. Based on the Shakespeare play “The Tempest” updated
to the 23rd century, the United Planets cruiser C57-D has been sent planet Altair IV 16
light years from Earth. They have been ordered to discover the fate of an Earth colony
which disappeared 20 years before.
It is discovered that the entire colony are dead, except for its
leader Dr Morbius and his daughter Altaira. Morbius has
discovered that the original inhabitants of the planet, the Krells,
suddenly died out over a short period 200,000 years before. He
finds their technology in a vast underground cube 20 miles
square powered by over 9,000 nuclear reactors (see image
left).The devices help boost his intelligence, but at a cost. He
sends an invisible monster called the “Id” to sabotage the space
cruiser, killing crew members in the attempt.
The mission commander Adams falls in love with Altaira causing jealousy in her father.
Adams eventually finds out that the Id monster is an extension of Morbius’s mind boosted
by Krell technology. The monster tries to kill Adams and Altaira in the Krell laboratory,
Morbius coming to his senses is mortally wounded trying to stop it. He then initiates a self
destruct device to destroy Altair IV, giving Altaira, Adams and his crew 24 hours to
escape in the C57-D from the planet.
The Cruiser C57-D landing on Altair IV.
2) The worst – “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1959)
Directed by Ed Wood Jr, quoted in “The Golden Turkey Awards” as the worst director of
all time. This film was the last screen appearance of horror legend Bela Lugosi despite
him having died three years before. Wood used home movies he took of Lugosi and
spliced them into the finished film. To get round that problem that his star had died Wood
used an unconvincing double to shoot most of his scenes. He had to hold a cape in front
of his face to hide the fact that he looked nothing like Lugosi.
The film tells the story of aliens’ previous eight plans having failed for world conquest
they resort to plan 9. This involves reanimating the dead by stimulating their pineal and
pituirity glands. In a house next to the cemetery a pilot is telling his wife of his encounter
with an UFO while flying when suddenly they are knocked over by a huge wind when the
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5. UFO lands in the cemetery. Calling the local police, they go over to where the craft has
landed.
The alien called Eros allows them to enter, and they board with
their guns drawn. Once inside, Eros tells the humans that his
people first came to Earth to talk and to ask for their aid, but the
humans wouldn’t listen to their messages. According to Eros, the
humans will eventually discover solarbonite, a substance that
has the effect of exploding “sunlight molecules”, symbolising
nuclear power. Eros explains that a solarbonite explosion would
destroy everything the sunlight touches, causing a chain reaction
that would eventually destroy the entire universe.
Outside the ship, Clay (one of the dead) arrives with Paula (the
pilot’s wife). Eros threatens to have her killed if they try to force
him to go with them. Officers Kelton and Larry arrive and spot
Clay with Paula. They realize that their guns are useless, and decide to approach Clay
from behind with a stick. Eros sees this, and shuts off the ray controlling Clay, allowing
Paula to go free. A fight ensues between Eros and Jeff, (the pilot) during which a fire
inexplicably starts. The humans leave the ship, and it takes off in flames. Eros and Tanna
are trapped as the ship explodes in space. As a consequence of the explosion, Clay is
traumatically skeletonized, as is, presumably, the female zombie.
6. Budgets & Profits
Budgets Profit Film Year Released
$1,200,000 $1,850,000 The Day The Earth Stood Still 1951
$210,000 $5,000,000 The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms 1953
$300,000 $2,000,000 Them 1954
$417,000 $2,500,000 Invasion Of The Body Snatchers 1956
$240,000 $4,000,000 The Blob 1958
The above table shows the budgets and profits of five of the most popular films. The figures
show that films with relatively small budgets generated profits far in excess of their initial costs.
Below is a graph showing the number of films released per year throughout the 1950’s. It shows
that the years 1953 and 1957-59 where the genre reached its greatest popularity with the
public.
FILMS RELEASED PER YEAR
30
25
20
Number
15
10
5
0
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Year
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6. 7. MY RESOURCES
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plan_nine_from_outer_space.jpg
• http://www.cinemaniax.net/2010/02/tcm-greatest-classic-films-sci-fi-adventures-dvd/
• http://www.slashfilm.com/is-hollywood-is-going-alien-crazy-will-aliens-be-the-new-
vampires/
• http://www.scifimoviepage.com/1950s.html
• http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=598&q=e+mail+addre
sses+for+sfx+magazine&btnG=Google+Search
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081021185534AAb3kg8
• http://www.badmovies.org/movies/angryred/
Above The final scene from the film “When Worlds Collide” (1951).
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