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CREEPY CLASSICS presents... |
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MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Saturday September 1, 2012 - MOVIE - Science Fiction "THE BLOB" (1958). That red jelly ooze from outer space has arrived! A meteorite from the cosmos smacks into earth and is discovered by an old codger. He pokes it with a stick and the thing cracks open, the Blob shoots out and attaches itself to his arm -- then devours him. It grows and keeps seeking other victims...Look for the theatre scene -- it features the cult classic DAUGHTER OF HORROR on the marquee in a live "Spook Show" with Bela Lugosi (who would have been dead two years when this film came out). Cool Daddy Steve McQueen and Aneta Corseaut star. Aneta went on to be Andy Griffin's girlfriend in his classic TV show. Hot rods, teenagers that look like they're in their thirties and a neat-o original monster. Suggested by Mark Ditoro - Moon Township, PA.
I got to the movie of the week a little late. Didn't get a chance to re-view it until Monday after a bout of ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (On Blu-Ray) and DR. X (1932). So it was a fun Labor Day here at the Adams house. THE BLOB is quite a favorite. It plays more horror than the science fiction after the arrival of the ooze from outer space.
(Checked on that story, it was in MONSTER MUSEUM. Called "Slime" by Joseph Payne Brennan.) Back to the movie itself. I know it's been said a hundred times in other writings...but the only thing that distracts me is the age of the high school teenagers...they all look MUCH too old for the part of teenagers. I checked Steve McQueen's age at the year of THE BLOB's release and he was 28 (looking even older). But, while distracting a bit, I still love this romp through small town America. I did notice for the first time on this viewing how much cartoon animation was used. I had remembered the diner/electricity cartoon animation...but, I noticed a lot more through the film this time. Also, the use of small pictures with the animated blob over the photos of the theater! Just like Bert Gordon's buildings in BEGINNING OF THE END. Even though it's a 2-D medium, tell tale shadows, etc...are revealing.
Poster in theater glass case: THE VAMPIRE AND THE ROBOT (great title!), a re-worked image of a FORBIDDEN PLANET poster! And, of course DAUGHTER OF HORROR on the marquee and playing in hte theater. I really enjoyed this particular viewing as I watched the Criterion DVD on a Blu-Ray player and was stunned by the clarity. THE BLOB....a favorite. -Ron Adams, Ligonier, PA
The Blob, who cares if the teenagers all look like they are all passed 19,
I think what sets this classic apart, is the creature itself, its not a 'bug-
Ron, - Larry Boyington, Oklahoma City, OK Larry, I knew about The Five-Blobs and that Hal David co-wrote it with Burt Bacharach...but I never knew about "The Zanies." -Ron
Filmed in southwest Pennsylvania, The Blob is not a typical Hollywood product (which the sequel and the remake definitely were). If it were typical "Hollywood" then the skeptical Police sergeant would have been gobbled up and Steve McQueen would have destroyed the Blob single-handed. Since it takes place over the course of a single night (Friday) there are no daylight scenes. I found the use of red lighting to be particularly effective in the early scenes of Olin Howlin (Them!) discovering the meteorite. The mood of impending doom remains relatively consistent. There are humorous bits throughout, but they do not "stop" the movie or even seem out of place. Most of the Blob's victims disappear off screen, creating a sense of mystery and of uncertainty where it's hiding or where it will strike next; a good way to use the limited budget in the movie's favor. It works better than the incessant celebrity cameos in Beware! The Blob (1972). I never noticed this before: the word BLOB is never used in the movie outside of the theme song. (The title was apparently chosen by the distributor Paramount)
Mark and all....here's something I was really happy to get from the director's son. He signed it. It's the last page of the director's script for what was known at the time of shooting - THE METEORITE MONSTER. They only referred to it as "The Monster" in the script as you can see on the last page here. It was later changed to THE BLOB before theatrical release. -Ron
Above: A deleted scene from THE BLOB (1958). The doc is eaten alive and you never actally see this on screen. They felt it was a little too graphic and left it out. This is a black and white still from the deleted shot of poor ol' doc.
Watched "The Blob" over the weekend . This was always a favorite of mine. It takes place in a simpler time period and you wouldn't anything could happen. Then all of a sudden it lands! Steve McQueen in his first starring role is great as the "teen" who tries to warn the town. He does all he can along with his girlfriend (Aneta Corsaut) and other teens who they have got to help them. Earl Rowe as Lt. Dave does a good job as the understanding police officer who is skeptical about a monster among them but once he sees it he takes complete charge. Olin Howland as the old man does great in a small role. He also had a great part in the movie "Them" where his line was "Make me a seargent and charge the booze." There are several unknown actors who supplied humor as the events unfold. This movie has a charm that higher budget movies do not have. The special effects were very good for this movie considering the budget they must have had. This might not be the best 1950's sci-fi movie ever made but it is very entertaining and well worth watching. -Dave Myers, Bryant In.
Hey Bash Synchers, And I must say I love that theme song! It had passed me by unnoticed in other viewings, but I have heard it so many times waiting for the next event during the Bash that it sticks in my head and brings back memories of the greatest of all conventions. I have it on my favs list on my IPhone and listen to it frequently, great tune and that smooth saxaphone, gotta love it!
Fan John Harris Does It Up Big! Hi Ron,
We recently had a custom movie marquee produced for our home theater by a manufacturer that supplies movie marquees for the mainstream movie chains. It’s about 4 feet x 2 feet and has the” trak system” that you can change out the movie titles and times for that nights viewing. I just installed it this week above the entrance of our home theater as you enter the room and we plan to christen it Saturday night with friends at 7:30 for the “Creepy Classics Movie Night” showing of “The Blob”! Here’s wishing everyone a great Labor Day Weekend and remember to cover the vents in your movie room so your presentation of ‘The Blob” is not interrupted! Cheers! John Harris, Birmingham SATURDAY NIGHT/WEEKEND SYNC-UP. DETAILS BY CLICKING HERE.
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It has always reminded me of H.P. Lovcraft's THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE short story in regards to a meteor coming down, an old guy finding it and bad things, really bad things, happening. There is another short story that I read for the first time about three years ago that is even closer to the story of THE BLOB. I wish I could remember the title or author right now. I believe I read it in one of those over-sized Alfred Hitchcock hardbacks for young readers. I think it might have been in the collection MONSTER MUSEUM or one of the other Hitchback big books. But, I rember checking the copyright date on the story and it pre-dated the movie.
Watched the Blob for about the fourth time this weekend. It is a fun movie, obviously made to please everyone so as to win more money, with teenagers, fast cars, cute kids, cute dogs, some old folks thrown in, and a cool monster. Great to see future star Steve McQueen being cool, and the future Helen Crump of Andy Griffith fame being a nice teenager instead of a grumpy school teacher. 
