You grew up in the 1950s. You were a first-hand witness to probably the greatest decade of monster movies ever produced. It was during this ten-year period that so many classics were made. This is the decade that introduced us to Godzilla (1954), Rodan (1956), and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953). Hammer Studios reinvented the classic Universal Monster movies in color. Of course, there were countless alien invasion films. Many of these films are, to this day, some of the best made. The subject of this review is one that has stood the test of time (67 years and counting at the time I am writing this) and remains one of the greatest science fiction movies ever made.
On April 6, 1951, RKO Radio Pictures released a film. It set the standard for all science fiction films to come. In fact, this movie was very influential to future directors. One such director is John Carpenter, who later remade the film in 1982. Based on the short story “Who Goes There?” by John W. Campbell, this film was produced (and some say directed) by Howard Hawks. It had a budget of $40,000. The film took the fear of isolation to new heights. It is stylish, fun, and terrifying all at the same time.
I was not fortunate enough to have seen this film when I was growing up. However, I read about it in magazines such as “Famous Monsters of Filmland.” Though it was shown on Saturday afternoons on the Creature Double Feature, I never saw it. When I checked the TV Guide weekly looking for late-night showings in the early 70s, I never saw it listed. I finally got to see it for the first time when the film came out on video cassette in the 1990s. It quickly became one of my favorite films.
I try to watch it at least once a year. This is especially true around Halloween. This annual viewing was influenced by the scene in the 1978 film Halloween where Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Tommy Doyle (Brian Andrews) were watching this film on tv on Halloween night. The story is great. The acting is wonderful and very fluid. The black and white photography adds so much atmosphere. The soundtrack, with its use of a Theremin, adds just the right amount of creepiness to an already fantastic film!
From the opening scene, the movie’s title literally burns into the screen. You know you are in for a treat. Right away, we meet some of the main characters. These include Captain Patrick Hendry, portrayed by genre regular Kenneth Tobey, and Ned Scott, played by Douglas Spencer. Scott is a newspaper reporter looking for the scoop of the century. A scientific expedition in Anchorage, Alaska, notifies the Air Force. They believe a strange aircraft has crashed in the area. Hendry, his men, and newspaperman Scott are sent to investigate.
When they arrive in Alaska, we are introduced to more of the key players. These include Hendry’s love interest Nikki Nicholson (Margaret Sheridan) and Dr. Arthur Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite). They explain that they filmed something that looked like a meteor falling from the sky. It then leveled out as if under control. Eventually, it crash-landed. When they arrive at the location they find a section of the ice, circular in appearance, that had melted and re-frozen very quickly, with what appears to be a vertical stabilizer sticking out of the ice.
The ice is thick. Thermite is used to melt the ice. It is hoped that this will expose the ship below the surface. A chain reaction between the thermite and the ship causes the craft to explode, to everyone’s disappointment. They check radiation levels after blowing the ship up. This leads them to something else, not far from what is left of the ship. It is a being from another planet that was thrown from the ship when it exploded. Using axes, they chop the body out to bring it back with them to base camp. The ice-encased body is kept in a non-heated store room. Eventually, it thaws out because of a misplaced electric blanket. This allows the Thing to escape. The remainder of the film is spent with the crew not only trying to survive, but trying to capture the Thing on orders from the military brass.
There is so much to love about this film. The acting is top-notch. Many conversations overlap with each other, as often happens when a lot of people are involved in a discussion. The chemistry between the characters is very realistic. It is easy to believe these people have known each other for a while. This makes their plight even more stressful for the viewer. You care about these people and their survival. Most of the movie was filmed on soundstages. You do believe that they are somewhere isolated. It also feels very cold. The sets are very realistic. Little details add to the believability of where these people are. You can see the actors’ breath from the cold.
The special effects in this film are also really good, especially for the time. The special effects era of the 1950s had not taken off yet. What they accomplished was simply amazing. The design of the Thing (played by James Arness) is simplistic. However, make-up artist Lee Greenway created something interesting. It was quite terrifying at the time. When Hendry and his men come face to face with the Thing for the first time, the Thing swings at them with his arm. In reaction, they slam the door on him, catching his arm. As it pulls his arm through, the thorns on the back of his hand shred the door jamb. I always remembered my uncle telling me of how he saw this film in the theater as a kid when it came out and that this very scene scared him so much he ran out of the theater!
In one scene, Hendry’s men shoot at the door behind which the Thing is hiding. Bullet holes appear in the door in perfect timing with the gun firing. Later, the severed arm of the Thing is shown. As the scientists examine it, the arm starts to move on its own. The thorns on the back of the hand gently tap at the table it is on. This creates a chilling scene both visually and audibly. The seed pods grown by Dr. Carrington are equally creepy as they slowly pulsate as though they are breathing. When it is said it sounds like a newborn baby crying when you listen to them with a stethoscope, it’s enough to send shivers down your spine!
One scene seemed extremely dangerous to film. It was the part where the Thing is doused in kerosene and lit on fire. At times, it’s obvious that a stunt man in an asbestos suit plays the Thing while on fire. However, none of the supporting cast had the same protection. At one point, Margaret Sheridan’s character holds a mattress in front of her. It is meant to protect her, although it doesn’t seem like great protection from anything. The Thing swipes at her. It shreds the mattress. It also causes it to light on fire, all while the actress is holding it! Then, more kerosene is thrown at it while he is near her, igniting him further AND the wall that she is pinned against! I would love to find out exactly the details on how this scene was shot and if any actual injuries occurred. Unfortunately, even with the release of this film on Blu-ray, no documentaries or commentary were included. I am not sure if any even exist.
When it comes to science fiction films of any period, it just doesn’t get better than this. John Carpenter did a great job on his remake. However, it is this classic, in black and white, that still stands out to this day. It is so much fun to watch. This movie also ends with one of the most famous quotes ever spoken in a science fiction movie, spoken by Scotty as he is sending his article over the wire for the anxious world to hear. He says, “I bring you a warning. Every one of you listening to my voice. Tell the world. Tell this to everybody wherever they are. Watch the skies. Everywhere. Keep looking. Keep watching the skies!“
Don’t forget to check out my entire FILM BOOK OF FEAR series! If you want to order a copy of this film for your movie library, click on the image below.
