This obscure sci-fi flick was directed by Phil Tucker of ROBOT MONSTER (1953) fame and released directly to television. The plot involves two extraterrestrials who are sent to Earth to disrupt the space program at Cape Canaveral and prepare the way for an invasion force. Hiding out in a secret laboratory in the mountains, they also plan to capture Earthlings, primarily women, to transport back to their planet. At the beginning of the film, the two aliens, Hauran and Nadja, appear as small circles of light. They need human bodies to perform their dastardly deeds. When they find a man and woman (Jason Johnson and Katherine Victor) on a beach who seem to fit their needs, the aliens arrange a car crash that kills the two humans. They then take possession of their dead bodies and begin walking around like zombies. The crash causes one of the man's arms to be severed. The enterprising female alien picks it up and calmly asserts, "I'll sew it back on in the laboratory". Such a profound demonstration of problem solving skills should bode well for their planned takover of the Earth. The rest of the story involves scientists from Cape Canaveral joining forces with local law enforcement in order to defeat the aliens and keep the Earth safe for truth, justice, and low budget film production.
Speaking of low budgets, this 68 minute gem must have cost considerably less than Mr. Tucker's beloved classic ROBOT MONSTER, if that's possible. The special effects are few and not very special, and the cast appears to consist of mostly amateurs. Except, of course, for Miss Victor, who starred in some other sci-fi flicks of the period (TEENAGE ZOMBIES (1959), WILD WORLD OF BATWOMAN (1966). She manages to inject some dark intensity into her portrayal of Nadja.
The film was shot mostly in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, using the same caves where Tucker filmed ROBOT MONSTER. That explains why mountains are seen near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Worth seeing for anyone interested in Grade Z sci-fi and horror. I plan to watch this one again and again. But be forewarned. There are no monsters in the picture. Only a couple of space zombies who look just like Jason Johnson and Katherine Victor.
Your review made me laugh in all the appropriate places. Sounds like an interesting film and one that would be fun to watch/make fun of. Never heard of the film, by the way. Not sure how you find these.
ReplyDeleteJim, you must be bored out of your skull if you're exploring my blog again!! But I do thank you for paying another visit. This is a sci-fi flick that I heard about for years but never saw. A few years ago I found it available from a private seller on his ioffer page. That's a network of sellers which is kind of like Ebay, only there is no bidding process. I think most of the DVDs are really DVD-R's and they're probably recorded from VHS or sometimes from TV. This is a very fun little movie! Glad you enjoyed my review!
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