The Deadly Mantis (1957)
Reference View | Change View
- Approved
- 1h 19min
- Family, Horror
- 26 May 1957 (USA)
- Movie
A giant prehistoric praying mantis, recently freed from the Arctic ice, voraciously preys on American military at the DEW Line and works its way south.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Craig Stevens | ... |
Col. Joe Parkman
|
|
| William Hopper | ... |
Dr. Nedrick Jackson
|
|
| Alix Talton | ... |
Marge Blaine
|
|
| Donald Randolph | ... |
Maj. Gen. Mark Ford
|
|
| Pat Conway | ... |
Sgt. Pete Allen
|
|
| Florenz Ames | ... |
Prof. Anton Gunther
|
|
| Paul Smith | ... |
Corporal
|
|
| Phil Harvey | ... |
Lou
|
|
| Floyd Simmons | ... |
Army Sergeant
|
|
 |
Paul Campbell | ... |
Lt. Fred Pizar
|
|
|
Helen Jay | ... |
Mrs. Farley
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Keith Aldrich | ... |
Jerry - C-47 Co-Pilot (uncredited)
|
|
|
William Anders | ... |
Sergeant - Archer Control (uncredited)
|
| Frank Baker | ... |
Professor (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Madelon Baker | ... |
Mother (uncredited)
|
| Chet Brandenburg | ... |
Bus Disaster Observer (uncredited)
|
|
| George Bruggeman | ... |
Bus Disaster Observer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Marvin Bryan | ... |
Machine-Gunner (uncredited)
|
|
|
William Burnside | ... |
Bus Disaster Observer (uncredited)
|
| John Close | ... |
Engineer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Bud Cokes | ... |
Military Officer (uncredited)
|
|
|
Tom Cound | ... |
Group Capt. Hawkins (uncredited)
|
| Jimmy Dime | ... |
Boat Navigator (uncredited)
|
|
| Michael Forest | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
William A. Forester | ... |
Announcer (uncredited)
|
|
|
Rudy Germane | ... |
Military Officer (uncredited)
|
| Tom Greenway | ... |
Second Reporter (uncredited)
|
|
| Chuck Hamilton | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
James R. Haskin | ... |
Civilian Announcer (uncredited)
|
| Jess Kirkpatrick | ... |
Father (uncredited)
|
|
| James Lanphier | ... |
Col. Harvey (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Ned Le Fevre | ... |
Announcer (uncredited)
|
|
|
Harold Lee | ... |
Greenland Eskimo Chief (uncredited)
|
| George Lynn | ... |
Bus Driver (uncredited)
|
|
| Jack Mather | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
|
|
| David McMahon | ... |
Capt. Frank Carver (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Edward McNally | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
|
| Marvin Miller | ... |
Narrator (uncredited) (voice)
|
|
|
|
Ernesto Molinari | ... |
Italian Fisherman (uncredited)
|
|
|
Dick Paxton | ... |
Plotter (uncredited)
|
| Alan Reynolds | ... |
Guard Outside Washington Monument (uncredited)
|
|
| John Roy | ... |
Military Officer (uncredited)
|
|
| Bing Russell | ... |
State Trooper at Train & Bus Wrecks (uncredited)
|
|
| Harry Tyler | ... |
Manhattan Tunnel Spectator (uncredited)
|
|
| Sumner Williams | ... |
C-47 Pilot (uncredited)
|
|
Directed by
| Nathan Juran | ||
Written by
| Martin Berkeley | ... | (screenplay) |
| William Alland | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| William Alland | ... | producer |
Music by
| Irving Gertz | ... | (uncredited) |
| William Lava | ... | (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Ellis W. Carter | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Chester W. Schaeffer | ... | (as Chester Schaeffer) |
Art Direction by
| Robert Clatworthy | ||
| Alexander Golitzen | ||
Set Decoration by
| Oliver Emert | ||
| Russell A. Gausman | ||
Costume Design by
| Jay A. Morley Jr. | ... | (gowns) |
Makeup Department
| Bud Westmore | ... | makeup artist |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| William Holland | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Eddie Case | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Leslie I. Carey | ... | sound |
| Leon M. Leon | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Cleo E. Baker | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
| Fred Knoth | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Clifford Stine | ... | special photography |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Clifford Stine | ... | special photographer |
| Tom McCrory | ... | process photographer (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Joseph Gershenson | ... | music supervisor |
| Harris Ashburn | ... | music supervisor (uncredited) |
| Henry Mancini | ... | composer: stock music (uncredited) |
| Ethmer Roten | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Reynold Brown | ... | movie poster art (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Universal International Pictures (UI) (presents)
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1957) (United States) (theatrical) (as Universal-International)
- Empire Universal Films (1957) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Rank Film Distributors (1957) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures Proprietary (1957) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures Corporation of Far East (1958) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- Universal Film (1958) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Universal International Pictures (UI) (1958) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Doperfilme (1958) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Ultra Pictures Corporation (1964) (United States) (theatrical) (a Universal-International re-release)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- L'Atelier 13 (2008) (Spain) (DVD)
- NBC Universal Television Distribution (2011) (World-wide) (tv) (syndication)
- Shout! Factory (2013) (United States) (DVD) (MST3K version)
- Fabulous Films (2015) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2015) (United States) (DVD) (Universal Vault Series)
- Scream Factory (2019) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Jakob (2021) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2021) (Australia) (DVD)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1993) (United States) (VHS)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1993) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Ground Observer Corps. (acknowledgement)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The calving of an Arctic iceberg releases a giant praying mantis, trapped in suspended animation since prehistoric times. It first attacks military outposts to eat their occupants, then makes its way to the warmer latitudes of Washington and New York. A paleontologist works together with military units to try to kill it. Written by Anonymous |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | This Was the Day That Engulfed the World in Terror! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | During the movie, the Air Force sends out a message to members of the Ground Observer Corps asking for help in spotting the mantis. This was a real group that existed at least since World War II. It was comprised of regular citizens who received basic training in spotting and identifying aircraft, but was discontinued in 1958. See more » |
| Goofs | Since insects are cold-blooded - just like reptiles - they'd be unable to move about (much less fly) in the cold temperatures of the polar regions. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited from S. O. S. Iceberg (1933). See more » |
| Quotes |
[the officers are all staring at Marge]
Dr. Ned Jackson: It looks like you don't have too many women up here, Colonel. Col. Joe Parkman: Well, we have a little joke up here. The boys say there's a girl behind every tree. Only try and find a tree. See more » |