THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD
US, 1957, 84 minutes, Black and white.
Tim Holt, Audrey Dalton, Hans Conried.
Directed by Arnold Laven.
The Monster That Challenged The World is one of the many atomic scare films from the mid-50s. There had been a number of animal disasters (with atomic scare overtones) such as Them and Tarantula. There had also been a rash of features with such titles as The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms and The Creature From The Black Lagoon.
This film, however, is written from a much more scientific point of view. The dialogue is strong in presenting the plausibility of atomic reaction during an earthquake in the Salton Sea in southern California and the consequences for mutations and the threats from increased molluscs. The film also has some documentary material illustrating the growth of molluscs.
While the monster has a touch of reality about it, it pales in comparison with later special effects. However, while much of the drama is strong, and there are also some very quick vignettes of which Hollywood is strongly capable in creating instant characters, the material seems now somewhat conventional, including the romance and final danger.
However, this is an above-average example of this B-budget kind of film.
1. The impact of the film? In its time? Atomic testing in the 50s? The warnings of dangers from mutations and the consequences in human destruction?
2. Black and white photography, authentic atmosphere, California desert, the Salton Sea? Musical score?
3. The explanation of earthquakes, prehistoric eggs being fertilised, the radioactivity, the mutation, the need for constant food, the threat to humans, the destruction? How well visually presented, the fright of the people, the monsters themselves, the explosions, the final confrontation?
4. The centre in the desert, the laboratories? Personnel? Experiments, testing of radioactivity?
5. Twilinger, the hard commander, humourless, demanding on the men? Information about the pilot being lost, on the sea, his decisions, with the laboratory? The encounter with Gail and Sadie and the ladybug? Further decisions, more information, searching for the map, the 24-hour guard, the canals, the underground rivers? His outing with Gail? The death of the two young swimmers? The build-up to the final confrontation, finding the monsters, setting the depth-charges, rescuing his companion? The final confrontation between Gail and Sandy and his saving them with the gas pressure? A happy ending?
6. Dr Rogers, a sensible scientist, checking the radioactivity, the tests, his diagnosis? The pressure from Twilinger? His relationship with Gail and his staff? His being on the spot, the explanations to the Pentagon, the documentaries?
7. The men, the pilots and their testing parachutes, the disappearance of the parachutist? The men in the boat, dying of fright? The monster and its victims?
8. The sketch of small roles, the mother concerned about her daughter, the sheriff, the man reading the paper on guard and being consumed? Making the film more effective by these strong roles?
9. The popularity of this kind of B-budget film in the 50s, as supporting feature? How accurate a look at the dangers of the time, a touch of prophetic warning?
