Moviedrome Introduction
Film Details
Release Date: 1956
Stars:
Dana Wynter as Becky Driscoll: Wynter plays the female lead, a love interest for Dr. Bennell and a key character in the unfolding events.
Plot Summary:
The plot revolves around Dr. Miles Bennell (played by Kevin McCarthy), a local doctor who becomes increasingly alarmed when his patients report that their loved ones have been replaced by emotionless duplicates. As Miles investigates, he discovers that alien spores from outer space are taking over human bodies while they sleep. These duplicates, or "pod people," look identical to the original humans but lack any true emotion or individuality.
The tension builds as Miles tries to escape the town and warn others about the invasion, all while being pursued by the emotionless pod people. The film serves as an allegory for the fear of conformity and loss of individuality during the McCarthy era and the Red Scare in the United States.
Personal History
Aware, but unconvinced as to whether I have seen this or any of its many remakes.
Current Review
I'm finding a few themes with these Moviedrome films. This contains the similar themes of mob mentality as "Johnny Guitar". Another commentary on the McCarthy witch hunts.
A simple story - our hero Dr Bennell is shown as looking crazed as he explains that his town has been taken over by doppelgangers. A bit of screen shimmying and we head back in time to tell his tale. Its 1950s small town America. Everyone knows everyone. All the men are in suits. All the ladies are in ball gowns. In the middle of the afternoon. Slowly, more and more townsfolk claim that their family members are not as they seem. They look the same, have the same memories but are devoid of emotion and "the spark" that makes them human.
The investigation gathers pace. Large pods are found. Lots of running around and hiding in abandoned mines. In suits.
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| Leg it - Aliens..... |
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| .... that start life in Pods |
Its nicely understated, with no shocks but a creeping sense of menace. There are big questions on what it is to be human. Those turned seemed to embrace a life without love or emotion. But not our Dr and his love interest.
Quirky Facts
- The film originally had a different ending that was deemed too bleak by the studio. In the altered ending, Dr. Miles Bennell is seen running on a busy highway, desperately shouting at passing cars, trying to warn them about the alien invasion. This scene was changed to a more optimistic ending. I think it might have been a better film if it ended at the highway. See the first desperate quote.
- Director Don Siegel and actor Kevin McCarthy both make brief cameo appearances in the 1978 remake of the film, which starred Donald Sutherland. Siegel appears as a taxi driver, and McCarthy has a small role as a man frantically shouting about the alien invasion. See future inspiration.
Quotes
Dr. Miles J. Bennell: In my practice, I've seen how people have allowed their humanity to drain away. Only it happened slowly instead of all at once. They didn't seem to mind... All of us - a little bit - we harden our hearts, grow callous. Only when we have to fight to stay human do we realize how precious it is to us, how dear.
Dr. Dan 'Danny' Kauffman: Love, desire, ambition, faith - without them, life's so simple, believe me.
Dr. Miles J. Bennell: I don't want any part of it.
Dr. Dan 'Danny' Kauffman: You're forgetting something, Miles.
Dr. Miles J. Bennell: What's that?
Dr. Dan 'Danny' Kauffman: You have no choice.
Sustenance
I do love 1950s America. Drive to a meal out and have a Martini before looking at the menu. Get confronted by an alien life force that whats to replace you and pour yourself and your lady a stiff bourbon to get over the shock.
Future Inspiration
Don Siegel has become a favourite Director by stealth. Dirty Harry has always been one of my favourite films but I've enjoyed other his other films without knowing. The Black Windmill from 1974 a case in point. He has a list of 29 credits, so I won't set an impossible task and will look to revisit his middle ground.
- Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)
- The Beguiled (1971)
- Dirty Harry (1971)
- Charley Varrick (1973)
- The Black Windmill (1974)
- The Shootist (1976)
If only for the Twitter memes, I should watch the 1970s remake with Donald Sutherland doing a lot of pointing.
AI make some usual recommendations but one name that kept coming up was the Midwich Cuckoos. I have the series on the Sky Planner.
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