Aliens Not After Asylum
Having just got married, military scientist Dr. Russell (Hugh Marlowe) and his wife Carol (Joan Taylor) are heading back to the research centre where his project to launch satellites is commencing. But first on the way back they not only have an encounter with a flying saucer but when they get back they learn that the satellites are falling back to Earth for no apparent reason. It is then that Dr. Russell realises that he has been contacted by aliens who want him to arrange a meeting with the World leaders to arrange for the their invasion without causing the population to become hysterical and panic. It is then that Dr. Russell sets about creating a weapon to protect mankind from an alien invasion.
Oh what it must have been like to be a young child in the 1950s and having the golden age of sci-fi to enjoy with a level of naivety when it comes to space, aliens and shifty government officials. Sadly I wasn't born until the early 70s and frankly missed out on what is still a much cherished era of cinema for those who lived through it and enjoyed the wow factor of seeing a spinning flying saucer on screen or stared goggled eyes when a beam of light seemed to x-ray the skull of a victim, showing their brain.
I could go on mentioning all those elements which made up 1950s sci-fi movies but instead I could just tell you to watch "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" which might now sound like one of those bad Asylum movies but is in truth the quintessential 1950s sci-fi movie. We have the heroic scientist and his attractive, in this case wife, we have the threat from aliens who are going to invade and evaporate are minds and we have the special effects not only of flying saucers but also aliens which waddle along. And I have to say for someone who is not overly bothered by 1950s sci-fi it is kind of entertaining even if it is comical when it comes to the threat of these waddling aliens.
Okay so watching "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" now it is hard not to crack a smile at much of what dates it but in a way the hilarity of these waddling aliens in semi phallic helmets adds to the enjoyment. So does all the typical alien propaganda as America must not only save the planet but destroy anyone who is different to them.
What this all boils down to is that "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" is, I am sure, loved by those who not only grew up on 1950s sci-fi but those who have fallen in love with the genre since. For me, as someone who has never been bothered by 1950's sci-fi, this is both watchable and enjoyable both in a good and a bad way.
