These compilations of classic science fiction films never seem to hit the mark. This one's strength is the interviews wit the people who acted in or directed the films. The problem, once again, is the limited footage beyond the movie trailers and any intelligent commentary. i would like to see some probing, intellectual discussion beyond the cold war, nuclear testing, and so on. Quite average in every way.
4 Reviews
Good Look at Sci-Fi Films
Michael_Elliott1 October 2015
Monster Madness: Mutants, Space Invaders and Drive-Ins (2014)
*** (out of 4)
Director Jeff Herberger has made a handful of documentaries under the "Monster Madness" headline with each of them looking at a different genre or era. As you can guess from the title, this one here takes a look at the movies in the 1950s. The majority of the movies released during this period involved aliens, large bugs, radiation and as the decade went on these movies started to be shown in drive-ins.
This is the second film in the series that I've seen. I had previously watched the one dealing with the 1930s and found it to be slightly entertaining but it didn't feature anything that we haven't seen in countless other documentaries. This one here is much better for a number of reasons but the biggest is that it does feature some archival interviews with the likes of Roger Corman, Robert Wise, Samuel Arkoff, Robert Clarke and others who were actually involved with the movies. Also interviewed are several authors and experts on the genre.
If you're a fan of this era of cinema then you'll have a good time watching the old interviews and especially when you consider that these people aren't with us any longer. Another good thing is that the film offers you a great chance to relive some of the bigger titles from the genre like THE THING, THEM and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. There are plenty of clips from those movies as well as stuff like THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS.
There's certainly nothing ground-breaking here but fans of the genre should enjoy watching the clips and interviews. Plus, going through this gives you a good starting point on what films to watch if you are new to the genre.
*** (out of 4)
Director Jeff Herberger has made a handful of documentaries under the "Monster Madness" headline with each of them looking at a different genre or era. As you can guess from the title, this one here takes a look at the movies in the 1950s. The majority of the movies released during this period involved aliens, large bugs, radiation and as the decade went on these movies started to be shown in drive-ins.
This is the second film in the series that I've seen. I had previously watched the one dealing with the 1930s and found it to be slightly entertaining but it didn't feature anything that we haven't seen in countless other documentaries. This one here is much better for a number of reasons but the biggest is that it does feature some archival interviews with the likes of Roger Corman, Robert Wise, Samuel Arkoff, Robert Clarke and others who were actually involved with the movies. Also interviewed are several authors and experts on the genre.
If you're a fan of this era of cinema then you'll have a good time watching the old interviews and especially when you consider that these people aren't with us any longer. Another good thing is that the film offers you a great chance to relive some of the bigger titles from the genre like THE THING, THEM and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. There are plenty of clips from those movies as well as stuff like THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS.
There's certainly nothing ground-breaking here but fans of the genre should enjoy watching the clips and interviews. Plus, going through this gives you a good starting point on what films to watch if you are new to the genre.
El Cheap-o!
mhorg201820 October 2019
Really, a poorly done documentary which uses the worst footage from films that could be found (including the horrible colorized versions of some films) and some of the dullest and dumbest 'experts' ever. I usually really enjoy clip shows, especially trailers, but this was poorly done. Among the lowlights, one guy who claims Anne Francis carried Forbidden Planet - I guess he really liked her swimming scene and the term Wide-Eyed Wonder. Really, give this a pass.
Atomic Invaders From Outer Space...
azathothpwiggins6 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
MONSTER MADNESS: MUTANTS, SPACE INVADERS, AND DRIVE-INS picks up where the first installment left off, taking us into the fantastic world of the 1950's.
As the title implies, big changes were underway in Hollywood, and horror was mostly replaced by science fiction. DESTINATION MOON, THE MAN FROM PLANT X, and ROCKETSHIP XM were some of the early releases that ushered in the sci-fi explosion.
The unknown aspect of outer space created a vast array of incredible story lines. Male astronauts captured by beautiful, female aliens were popular scenarios, as in CAT WOMEN FROM THE MOON.
The UFO craze led to cinematic creations like EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, INVASION OF THE SAUCERMEN, and the classic, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL.
The Cold War and fear of nuclear annihilation were big influences on the movies of the 50's. Roger Corman's DAY THE WORLD ENDED is discussed as a good example of the atomic mutant film, while THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD shows the lethal, alien invader at its most terrifying.
Giant people, reptiles, insects, invertebrates, etc., roam the Earth. THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN, TARANTULA, THEM!, etc., are examined.
Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion work is also given its due.
The undeniable influence of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON looms large, while big pictures like THIS ISLAND EARTH and FORBIIDDEN PLANET are contrasted, with FORBIDDEN PLANET seen as the more serious, influential film.
The McCarthy era's anti-communist paranoia is shown with INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS.
Fans of FIEND WITHOUT A FACE, HIDEOUS SUN DEMON, PLAN 9, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine will love their segments!
Drive-in theaters are covered for their horror / teenager exploitation potential. I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF, I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN, and TEENAGE CAVEMAN were naturals for the emerging teen market.
Interviews with Rex Reason, Anne Francis, Yvette Vickers, Kevin McCarthy, Robert Clarke, Dolores Fuller, Roger Corman, and many more, round out this wonderful tribute / documentary.
Highly recommended for the genre fan...
As the title implies, big changes were underway in Hollywood, and horror was mostly replaced by science fiction. DESTINATION MOON, THE MAN FROM PLANT X, and ROCKETSHIP XM were some of the early releases that ushered in the sci-fi explosion.
The unknown aspect of outer space created a vast array of incredible story lines. Male astronauts captured by beautiful, female aliens were popular scenarios, as in CAT WOMEN FROM THE MOON.
The UFO craze led to cinematic creations like EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, INVASION OF THE SAUCERMEN, and the classic, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL.
The Cold War and fear of nuclear annihilation were big influences on the movies of the 50's. Roger Corman's DAY THE WORLD ENDED is discussed as a good example of the atomic mutant film, while THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD shows the lethal, alien invader at its most terrifying.
Giant people, reptiles, insects, invertebrates, etc., roam the Earth. THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN, TARANTULA, THEM!, etc., are examined.
Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion work is also given its due.
The undeniable influence of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON looms large, while big pictures like THIS ISLAND EARTH and FORBIIDDEN PLANET are contrasted, with FORBIDDEN PLANET seen as the more serious, influential film.
The McCarthy era's anti-communist paranoia is shown with INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS.
Fans of FIEND WITHOUT A FACE, HIDEOUS SUN DEMON, PLAN 9, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine will love their segments!
Drive-in theaters are covered for their horror / teenager exploitation potential. I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF, I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN, and TEENAGE CAVEMAN were naturals for the emerging teen market.
Interviews with Rex Reason, Anne Francis, Yvette Vickers, Kevin McCarthy, Robert Clarke, Dolores Fuller, Roger Corman, and many more, round out this wonderful tribute / documentary.
Highly recommended for the genre fan...
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