Science Fiction Movies Of The 1950s

From Don Siegel, starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan
Rated Approved

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1956 science fiction horror classic film directed by Don Siegel. The film follows a doctor in a small California town who discovers that aliens have taken over people’s bodies and replaced them with lifeless duplicates. As he struggles to warn the town of the impending danger, he soon realizes that he and his loved ones may be the aliens’ next victims. The film stars Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, and Carolyn Jones. The suspenseful film is often seen as an allegory for 1950s paranoia and McCarthyism. It has since been re-made multiple times, but it is the 1956 version that is remembered as a true classic.

From Jack Arnold, starring Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton
Rated Not Rated

The Incredible Shrinking Man is a 1957 science fiction film directed by Jack Arnold. The film follows the story of Scott Carey, a normal American businessman who is exposed to a strange radioactive cloud that causes him to begin shrinking uncontrollably. As he continues to shrink, he faces a variety of dangers, including his family's pet cat, a spider, and the increasingly hostile outside world. During his struggles, Scott must confront both the physical and psychological implications of his rapidly shrinking size. Ultimately, he is forced to re-evaluate his place in the world, as he is reduced to an almost infinitesimal size. As a result of his struggles, Scott gains a newfound appreciation for life and the world around him, no matter how small he might be.

From Fred M. Wilcox, starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Warren Stevens
Rated G

Forbidden Planet is a 1956 science-fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox. The story is set in the 23rd century and follows a space expedition that lands on the distant planet of Altair IV. The space explorers soon discover that the planet is home to a mysterious and powerful race of aliens called the Krell, who have since disappeared. The expedition quickly runs into trouble when one of their crewmembers is killed by an unknown force. The remaining crewmembers, led by Commander John J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen) and Doctor Edward Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), must race against time to uncover the secrets of the Krell before they are destroyed by their own creations. Along the way, they must also contend with the dangerous and mysterious creature, called the Id Monster. Through their investigation, the crew discovers that the Krell had created a powerful machine that could create anything their minds could imagine. But the machine spiraled out of control, creating the Id monster, and eventually destroyed the Krell civilization. The crew must now attempt to shut the machine down before it destroys the planet and everyone on it.

From Kurt Neumann, starring David Hedison, Patricia Owens, Vincent Price, Herbert Marshall
Rated Not Rated

From Stanley Kramer, starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins
Rated Approved

From Byron Haskin, starring Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Robert Cornthwaite
Rated G

From Jack Arnold, starring Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno
Rated G

From Directors: Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr., Russell S. Doughten Jr., starring Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland
Rated Approved

From Edward D. Wood Jr., starring Gregory Walcott, Tom Keene, Mona McKinnon, Duke Moore
Rated Not Rated