It Conquered The World (1956) Movie Review

Here are my thoughts on another old Roger Corman movie, this one starring Peter Graves, Beverly Garland, and Lee Van Cleef (wow!).
You can watch the movie here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZqxnGScg7itoJIsi=-NBU42FQIm0PRWxd
~Related Corman reviews~
Not of This Earth: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fImniZ6NebuapNU
The Wasp Woman: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHjHmHiDj6qMmLs
A Bucket of Blood: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2qrc5KZbd6gpZI
The Little Shop of Horrors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2qrc5KZbd6gpZI
I've also done mini reviews of these Corman-directed movies: Attack of the Crab Monsters, Creature from the Haunted Sea, The Secret Invasion, Von Richthofen and Brown, and Frankenstein Unbound. There are several others I've seen, but so far I haven't reviewed them.
Special thanks to everyone who helps support the channel at ko-fi.com/weiselberry!

[@justinplayfair4638]

I LOVE Beverly Garland in this! When most other female monster movie leads are twisting their ankles trying to escape, Garland's Claire grabs a rifle and goes to kill it! Before Ripley and Sarah Connor, there was Claire Anderson!

[@jumbosilverette]

When Beverly Garland first saw the monster on set, she exclaimed “THIS” Conquered the World!? I could beat it off with my handbag!’

[@ronnieburton1312]

I never knew that! That's hilarious! Thanks 😊

[@bingerz237]

The best Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes are usually the ones where the cheesy movies they watch can be fun and enjoyable on their own. It Conquered the World is certainly one of them. The whole cast is pretty good, but it is Beverly Garland who steals the show. She was such a good sport about the MST3K treatments of her movies, so much so that she graciously agreed to be their ConventioCon ExpoFest-A-Rama's guest of honor, and appeared alongside TV's Adam West to introduce the Swamp Diamonds and The Gunslinger episodes for Turkey Day '94. A legend in her own right, God rest her soul.

[@kennethmatthew9638]

It is 😂

[@iNuchalHead]

No. It is not a good movie. I love it. One of my favorite MST3k episodes, and I enjoy watching the movie itself, too.

[@D.A.B-w7n]

I can’t help but love all the early 50’s through mid-60’s sci-fi and monster movies, regardless of budget. Even the most schlocky B-movie from that period is more entertaining to me than anything that’s made today. Yes, even Corman super schlock! Keep it up, the more people exposed to these treasures the better, thanks.

[@LiamMichael-zr1uz]

Thanks for reviewing this movie. I enjoy some of Corman’s movies, particularly the ones he did in the 50’s. It Conquered the World is a favorite, second only to Little Shop of Horrors (1960). Poor Paul Blaisdell, gets a bad rap for the creature in this movie but it was originally supposed to be shown only in shadow. Corman’s obsession with keeping the budget low resulted in the finale being shot in daylight and the creature looking ridiculous.

[@mrmatt6740]

Its really amazing what Paul (and his wife Jackie) Blaisdell created on very small budgets and very tight time schedules. Their creatures are memorable and standout in rather limited and low budget pictures.

[@AppleOno]

This sounds like a hoot! As usual, I enjoyed your detailed and well-researched review!

[@kellyjkennedy]

Nice to know that Paul Blaisdell was the man who with some foam rubber, chicken wire and paper mache gave me some of my worst childhood nightmares with his goofy, but creative monster designs! lol But I've grown to appreciate Corman and his low budget, entertaining films. What he lacked in quality he definitely made up for in quantity! And I think he enjoyed what he did as much as anyone. Also watched your review featuring production designer William Menzies, another unsung Hollywood magic maker! Both great reviews JW, enjoyed them. Your video library is a treasure trove! :D

[@carminedawg9506]

Beverly Garland is great in everything .

[@walterfechter8080]

Harrah for Thee Cor'man! Great story, great cast and a hokey monster. Peter Graves delivers a great moral message at the end of the film. Who could ask for more? Frank Zappa loved this film (and the monster)!

[@garysatterlee9455]

This movie was remade as ZONTAR: THE THING FROM VENUS. But, I feel the original is the better of the two. No, this is by no means a great Sci-Fi film but, it's memorable in many ways and a fun way to pass the time.

[@theresasilvia8407]

I watched this movie back-to-back with the Zontar remake and walked away thinking how much better Roger Corman was than most other B movie impresarios at delivering films that both entertained and endured. When he was at his best, the low budget ethos was actually part of the magic. Of course having go-to talent like Beverly Garland and Dick Miller helped

[@Ned_of_the_Hill]

Another great review! And another movie I have to track down and watch again. I haven't seen this movie for 25 years.

[@JEFFIE-jp6kj]

You're so lucky to have your mother to watch these with .. I always tried to share my favorite Sci-Fi/ chillers with my mom but she despised the genre .. sigh

[@alandhopewell]

Good to see you so early. This is a real classic. You might want to check out the 1966 made for tv remake, ZONTAR, THE THING FROM VENUS.

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, I posted at a reasonable hour this time! :)

[@kirksworks]

I really like this movie. The monster created by Paul Blaisdell is a ridiculous design, but I love it. So 50s! And you’re right about Beverly Garland. She was a good actress and deserves more recognition. Also, the score by Ronald Stein makes the movie work. He scored a number of Roger Corman films, including Little Shop of Horrors Premature Burial; and The Haunted Palace. I recently watched the 1964 Corman WWII film, The Secret Invasion, a story similar to The Dirty Dozen, but made years before. It’s just about as good, and made with a lot less money. It’s one you might want to check out. Glad you enjoyed It Conquered the World. It’s a mixed bag, but the good things are really good. Thanks again for another great review!

[@Weiselberry]

I watched The Secret Invasion a few years ago. I think I did a mini review of it... And yes, I didn't mention the music this time, but it did complement the film nicely.

[@sams5963]

Wonderful to see you again this week.... and early! ❤

[@peterkarargiris4110]

The Cucumber Monster ? Nah, he looks more like an exotic species of chili - Jalapeno The Chilli Monster ! Excellent review as always. I've never seen this movie but I remember the monster from sci-fi fan magazines (fanzines) dating way back to the 70s. Your mom sounds so cool. You should do a collaboration video with her one day. Cheers from South Australia.

[@Kevin-u3x]

One of my all time favorites since the age of 6!!! Thanks for reviewing this gem. Now I may watch this myself tonight!!

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

This film is quite good and different from what you first expect, the creature reveal is also a strange looking one, the acting is okay over all, but as you say Beverley Garland is the stand out performance in it.

[@philipgior3312]

Wow, haven't seen this one since I was a kid many moons ago. When I first saw the title I had it confused with "The Monster That Challenged the World", a movie which I held in higher esteem than this one and which came out around the same time. (not sure if you have ever reviewed that one, but if not, might be worthwhile). Thanks for yet another great review!

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

You are right-“The Monster that challenged the World” is a better film,more interesting characters,genuinely creepy and horrifying monsters,more enjoyable.

[@Weiselberry]

I saw The Monster That Challenged the World AGES ago, back before I'd formed an appreciation for movies like this. :) All I remember are mollusk monsters and eye goop.

[@3colossus3]

There was a novel called The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein that was published in 1951 that had jumping jellyfish that took over peoples brains.

[@dedcowbowee]

Frank Zappa has a song about this and other "horror" movies on a live album. "Zappa And Mothers Live" he describes this monster as an inverted ice cream cone, lol.

[@kevincarssow2902]

Yep, "Cheepnis" from his album "Roxy and Elsewhere." "I eat a hotdog, it tastes real good and then I watched a movie from Hollywood..."

[@dedcowbowee]

@@kevincarssow2902 YES! Thanks, i remembered so wrong, lol. i never forgot that opening verse though, lol. Monster destroying the city (Tokyo?) was "A large poodle-Dog" called "FRUNOBULAX". 🤣

[@sumo0172]

Thank you for sharing this video! This is legit one of my guilty pleasures. And it is 99% because of the monster. It's a goofy movie. But that monster is chef's kiss good! Also I really like Lee Van Cleef in this. Like you said, I can't really explain why but I feel like he eats up his role. I don't know, maybe I just Lee Van Cleef too much.

[@daytonfandray8761]

One of my all-time favorites. Cheesy as it is on the surface, I keep coming back to it again and again. There's something truly ominous about it and I think Lee Van Cleef really shines. I have heard that Corman came away from this saying that he learned that his creatures should never be shorter than the leading lady. Probably an apocryphal story, but sometimes those are the best kind. I was hoping you'd get around to this one. Now, if you could just give us your take on First Man into Space, I'll be a happy viewer.

[@cerealreview1041]

The look on its face! what a magnificent beast, reminds me of a film that you or chat may know. The Lost Continent. A ship gets stuck in weeds then raiders in snow shoes cross the vines to take the crew. the creatures of this Sargasso area are huge crustaceans that make 'IT' look like a beauty. Its worth watching and maybe reviewing, based on a Dennis Wheatley story.

[@dakinglives]

Always a good day when a new Weiselberry vid drops! As the lore goes, we weren't supposed to see the alien at all, except for like the brief glimpses we got before the climax; but either, one, filming took too long and they ran out of daylight coming into the cave, or two, the generator to run the lights either broke down or someone forgot to bring it (either way Corman was too cheap to fix or retrieve it), or third, there was never a generator to begin with. And while some would contend the decision to bring the sentient fungus / Venusian Turnip out of the cave was a mistake due to its wonky realization, I contend that this was not a mistake but one of the greatest moments in cinematic history! No joke. That final battle is an amazing bit of staging and editing and expended Bosco's syrup, IMHO. There are a ton more hilarious first hand production stories to be had on this film (and others) in Corman's biography, Randy Palmer's Blaisdell biography, and Mark Thomas McGee's Fast and Furious: The Story of American International Pictures. I took a shot at collecting most of them into one place when I took a deep dive on this one in a Corman retrospective a few months back if anyone would like to know more. confirmedalan01.blogspot.com/2024/06/it-conquered-world-1956.html I agree it's a weird one to judge. I usually don't like it when these vintage Sci-Fi epics are all talk and no show, but I think you hit the nail on the head by describing it as more of a domestic drama than an alien apocalypse. Like an alien version of Dark Shadows.

[@jefflivengood1860]

Another great review lovely lady!

[@rogervandusen8361]

I always enjoyed this movie. The alien design, while goofy, is original with its bioloical conrol devices that die once the target is stung.

[@ChristopherElli-cc1ly]

Im agree with you. As a kid in the 70s, Saturday afternoon were all 50s and 60s low budget Sci-fi and horror movies. Good script, disappointed monsters or makeup. But old Doctor Who are the same, and i love them. My mom would also watch them with me.

[@Captain327]

I remember liking this one, it got a lot of good things going for it, despite its limitations. It's funny that having such a wacky monster ensured the movie was remembered. The alien in 1980's 'Without Warning' also uses flying bloodsucking creatures to hunt its prey. The filmmakers might have been inspired by 'It Conquered the World'? There was a bit of a revival of interest in 50s sci-fi/monster movies in the 1980s after all.

[@geocarlisle]

Cucumber? I’ve never heard that comparison between the alien in this movie and a terrestrial vegetable. More often I’ve seen him (it) called the “carrot man from Venus”, though I think okra bears a closer resemblance. Anyway, an entertaining, even thought-provoking, review of one of Corman’s goofiest works. Incidentally, I first saw this many years ago on a date at a drive-in theater that was hosting a dusk-to-dawn sci-fi/horror marathon. I think it’s a testament to the film that, despite the reputation drive-in theaters had as hormonally driven romantic venues for teenagers on dates, my date and I paid more attention to the movie than we did to each other. Actually, I fondly remember the entire night as innocent, chaste fun spent happily enjoying hours of “so bad they’re good” films with a very pretty friend in between runs to the snack bar for junk food and visits with schoolmates.

[@nbgko9427]

Sit back and let the edification begin. Great channel Weiselberry. 👍

[@enscroggs]

Your next assignment: "Robinson Crusoe on Mars", surprisingly good sci-fi/survival adventure from the days when Mars was mysterious.

[@Weiselberry]

I've seen it; here's a link to my mini review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHmTp6yGr7VgbdU

[@enscroggs]

@@Weiselberry OK. Glad you enjoyed it. RCM is one of my favorites. Since you enjoyed "The Third Man", may I recommend "Prince of Foxes" (1949) which also co-stars Orson Welles in a quite literally Machiavellian role. Shot on location in Italy, this movie absolutely demanded Technicolor to appreciate the sumptuous Renaissance visuals, but got a B&W treatment, probably out of spite aimed at Welles, Tyrone Power, or both. Also, consider "The Black Rose" (1950), the second pairing of Welles and Power, which got the needed color cinematography "Prince of Foxes" sorely missed, but slightly wasted on a somewhat aimless script' Here are two more: "Quatermass and the Pit" (aka "5 Million Years to Earth") from 1967, is another Mars-oriented sci-fi with a thought-provoking plot and a superlative cast headed by James Donald (The Bridge on the River Kwai) Andrew Kier (Cleopatra) and Hammer rep actress Barbara Shelley. "X: the Unknown" (1956) This is an oddball movie in that the format suggests another Quatermass adventure, however, it seems to have been intended as a rival franchise with a much more likable hero than the abrasive, unsympathetic Bernard Quatermass. Dr. Adam Royston (Dean Jagger) in addition to being a genius, is just a nice guy -- quite the reverse of the typical sci-fi scientist -- and shows it in Royston's ability to gain the trust of a little boy with a terrifying story to tell. Quatermass would simply intimidate the innocent witness as he usually does, but Royston wins over the boy by being a boy himself. "X" didn't have any sequels, probably for not having an impressive monster to display, but it certainly wasn't for any shortage of acting talent. Besides Dean Jagger (Twelve O'Clock High), there's Leo McKern (Rumpole of the Bailey), Anthony Newley (where to start?), Ian MacNaughton, the guy who produced "Monty Python's Flying Circus", and Hammer rep actor, Michael Ripper. As noted, the monster isn't impressive despite its lethality. However, there are several terrifying and deadly encounters before the reveal. The phrase "banality of evil" comes to mind.

[@williambaxter4628]

Considering the movies she's been in, Beverly Garland has always been the winner.

[@deboracopeland4795]

Oh I saw this! I liked it but I love horror and space monster movies from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. ❤😊

[@davidgianatasio5747]

A bunch of these Corman classics were remade in the mid 60s as super cheap TV movies. This one was reimagined as Zontar the Thing From Venus. Essential viewing!

[@ThomasGidley-kv2uj]

Corman, Graves, Cleese, and Garland equals classic. Nice review.

[@ThomasGidley-kv2uj]

Cleef, auto correct got me

[@ratmadness4858]

Frank Zappa mentions this movie in the song Cheepnis

[@josephfragosa7023]

Awesome review. I haven't seen this in a long time. Been itching to re watch these b horror scifi movies from my collection.

[@legiontheatregroup]

This is one of the very few movies that genuinely scared me as a small child (the other was My World Dies Screaming). In both cases it was the ideas represented in these films that I found genuinely frightening - not the silly alien costume. I saw both films on afternoon television when I was only maybe seven or 8 years old. This one scared me not with the main alien design, but with the idea that the alien could send off little living parts of itself, as bat-like creatures that would infect people and subtly change their personalities. It’s an idea that is kind of a sci fi trope now, but this film was my very first experience with it. I found the idea really creepy. That all said, I have not viewed this movie in like 50 years (yikes! but true - not since my age was a single digit) so I do not know what it looks like to adults, only that it is one of only two or three movies that stand out in my childhood memory as being truly frightening due to the ideas the script presented.

[@huntercoleman460]

Neat review Jerome. Ever heard of Pulgasari? It was made in North Korea and the director was literally kidnapped to make it because Kim Jong-Il was a huge movie buff and wanted to improve North Korea’s movie industry. Toho also did the special effects for the movie.

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, Pulgasari is on my list of movies to check out!

[@earthcreature5824]

I was used to seeing Lee Van Cleef act as cool as a cucumber in his Leone westerns.And then to see him play opposite a giant cucumber.Showing great reverence towards that cucumber.Because they are both so cool.He really should have chopped that Venusian up.Made cucumber sandwiches and served them up to English aristocrats on the lawn of their crumbling estate ( I know. IT was supposed to be a fungus ). I really enjoyed It Conquered the World. But then I just enjoyed Trap,so I have a questionable barometer of taste. Thank you kindly.

[@Kevin-u3x]

One of my all time faves since I was 6 years old!!!

[@barrywerdell2614]

This is one of Frank Zappa"s favorite movies. He commented on it in the pre-ramble to the song "Cheapnis" on the album "Roxy and Else Where"

[@emwa3600]

One of my completely biased favorites. Peter Graves. Rubber back o' head Bats. Radio-Controlled Earthlings. Beverly Garland who did a few Bad Girl Noir entries, this time setting the standard for Sarah Connor. Wavy-headed Lee Van Cleef thinking about world domination (was he a teen idol). What's not to like? This is one of the battleground films which was wildly popular on VHS but that was it's curse - when rightsholders died, their heirs believed there was a collection of films that would make them kajillionaires and there were hurt feeling, pointed fingers and ultimately a refusal to sign contracts to allow DVD rights. Nope. Never did. What a shame.

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

This was the film that clinched my love of Beverly Garland...she's just fantastic: telling of the invader on the radio is a classic scene. I was lucky enough to see this in a 35 mm revival and the audience loved her.

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Youre good! I like your reviews! I love Beverley in this and in Not of This Earth. I can imagine having drinks with her and laughing at Corman's films.

[@tonydeluna8095]

Hello to you Jerome! ❤have a great weekend

[@Ravenscroft82]

You're right about this being less of a "monster movie' than a straight up thriller; it could almost be a "Twilight Zone" episode, really. Like you, I initially watched it for the alien, but pretty quickly realized that this darned thing was pretty well written and acted. Have you ever seen the 1966 remake, Zontar The Thing from Mars? I have not but likely will at some point. Thanks again for such an entertaining and unique channel!

[@Weiselberry]

No, I've heard the title, but I don't really know anything about it, so I had no idea it was a remake of this.

[@jeffdragan429]

There's a song called Cheepnis by Frank Zappa where he talks about this film and his love of monster movies. It's very funny and even "radio friendly," not that any station would play it. I really enjoy your reviews. They are well thought out, and there's no snark, just a love of film.

[@Paladin12572]

I really enjoy this picture. I wish it would get a high-quality, official DVD release.

[@bartolomeuomacduibheamhnad6855]

I watched this film last night and it’s ……..well I’m not really sure what it is but I know I enjoyed it :D I looked up a colour image of the creature and it’s red like a boiled lobster, it’s so odd looking, lobster, starfish, cactus, beanie and a tea cosy all mixed together but the grumpy face makes it, when Graves character Paul was attempting to convince Van Cleef’s character Tom that his alien friend had no emotions and didn’t care about Tom or his wishes Paul may have thought differently if he’d seen the creatures mug because he sure did emote the look of rage at all times. Oh!! The alien reminded me of another character but I couldn’t place it until just now kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHLapmZmgrx7fposi=YOg2tudQrqCBNiCS Theres a little Patrick from SpongeBob in there too lol The film is arguably terrible but also….good lol, the relationship dynamics between the main four characters are more interesting than they have any right to be, it did feel like a thriller plus a relationship drama, I was very surprised by the film. I also thought Beverly Garland was the standout. The scene where Paul and his wife Joan witness the plane crash and then went back to casual conversation right after like nothing happened made me chuckle a little, the way the plane fell from the sky in this film looked strangely similar to a real crash that occurred in Brazil yesterday :( RIP to those who were sadly lost. I was watching one upload of this film on KZbin and there was a strange music edit over the scene with Paul in the jeep being attacked by the flying thingamajigs so I stopped it and put on a different upload, the choice of music is very peculiar ( from about 36:28 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5KyeXWvnbGWbKssi=BbTkv_MChxM8MqrJ I was also reminded of the creatures in the Star Trek episode Operation Annihilate when the flying things in this appeared and began attaching to peoples backs :D Outstanding review and so much fun as usual. ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~ :)

[@varanid9]

I've read that, supposedly, the pointy top half of the monster was added onto the costume as an after-thought because, in its original form, it was considered too comically short to be menacing enough when it is confronted by Beverly Garland's character.

[@SuperShecky]

I always thought it looked more like a root vegetable from Bronson Cave.

[@skadinky]

The creator of the monster, had done work for Corman on other monster movies, "memorable monsters" and because of his time and effort had asked for more money, shortly afterwards Corman replaced him with someone cheaper, and unfortunately less talent .

[@winterburden]

Thanks for this neat movie review!

[@alandhopewell]

During production, the beastie was dubbed "Beulah".

[@elmono6299]

It Conquered the World was briefly mentioned in the beginning cutscene of the 1988 cult classic Elvira Mistress of the Dark in which the Dark Mistress criticized the film and its alien monster as "looking like Gumby on steroids." 🧛‍♀️🐩

[@craigfuller1532]

Ya can't judge this kind of stuff like you would a serious film. It's just goofy fun.

[@rsacchi100]

I've seen this movie and like it. Another film maker remade It Conquered the World, The Day the World Ended, and another movie I can't think of in the 1960s. Seeing the remakes shows what a difference the better acting in the original makes.

[@moepanetta9028]

I have this movie on DVD, and yes I love 😍 it, the 1st time I saw it was in 1968, I was in high school at the time, and I would like you to do a review of zontar the thing from venus, which is a remake it conquered the world, also I love your reviews ❤❤❤❤❤. And God bless you 😊.

[@yyyfffff33333]

I wonder if Lee Van Cleef has ever played a good guy . He did have quite an evil face . Wonder if he had the same look as a child .

[@Weiselberry]

He's a good guy in For A Few Dollars More (the second entry in Sergio Leone's Dollars Trilogy, and my favorite). He did have a perfect face to play villains, but I believe he had a good attitude about it, acknowledging that his beady eyes made his fortune. :)

[@risboturbide9396]

Merci, Jerome! 🍻

[@themagus5906]

Frank Zappa once wrote a song about this movie called "Cheepnis". Larry Buchanan remade this movie 9 years later as "Zontar: the Thing from Venus". He also did a remake of "The Day the World Ended" as "Year 2889". Both sucked. But probably his worst movie was "Mars Needs Women", written by himself.

[@robertlancaster4538]

J.W. "I am all over the place ... I liked it, I enjoyed watching it ... I can't make up my mind if the movie is good or not ... does it really matter...?" J.W., I'm living for the day you review 'The Twilight People' (1972, Eddie Romero dir., Roger Corman produced in Philippines, PG stretches a bit).

[@MaskedRiderChris]

Beulah! That's what the crew called the monster on the set, legend has it. Blaisdell also worked on the original "Lost In Space" as well, if I'm not mistaken....? There was also a remake in the 60's called "Zontar, Thing From Space" that was, well, pretty awful. I remember watching it on Creature Double Feature and not liking it too much at the time, and I liked most anything on that show back in those days, for sure.

[@waltergold3457]

Attack of the killer cucumber, the pointy provocateur? 🙂

[@IronSalamander8]

I love this one. Goofy to be sure, but so much fun! I saw as a kid in the 70s and had to pick it up again. The biggest letdown for me was the general's performance is too monotone and lacked emotion, when he was controlled or not.

[@TheKKVB]

The movie has a remake called Zontar, the Thing from Venus and it's way worse!

[@emwa3600]

Agreed. I gotta admit - there are FEW movies I never recommend and that's one of them. But I've seen it with the fast forward button handy, which allowed to watch all of it in a 5-minute total skim. It still wasn't worth my time, though.

[@justinplayfair4638]

@@TheKKVB Zontar also attacked SCTV... m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnKpd2iPmLWbo5o&pp=ygULem9udGFyIHNjdHY%3D

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Good call on "Operation Annihilate . . . ."

[@jamesdenofantiquity]

Out of bog standard curiosity Jerome, do you keep track of the movies that you have seen through an Excel spreadsheet or in a Word document? I'd love to see that if you have and just to see how many movies you have watched and perhaps even which of those you have reviewed.

[@Weiselberry]

I've been keeping a private list of the movies I watch since 2014. I did make a spreadsheet a couple years ago that includes links to reviews, and I offer that as an exclusive on my Ko-fi page.

[@jamesdenofantiquity]

@@Weiselberry how many movies are you at now?

[@Weiselberry]

@@jamesdenofantiquity That I've reviewed? According to the spreadsheet, 1370 movies. That does include some duplicates (rewatches, appearances on lists...), but even if you take those out, it's still probably about 1300.

[@jamesdenofantiquity]

@@Weiselberry That's amazing.

[@Weiselberry]

@@jamesdenofantiquity Yeah, I'm pretty shocked myself. :)

[@tomjohnson4922]

I thought I had seen this one but it doesn't seem I have... will have to look for it.

[@wmbriggz]

One of the funniest monsters ever…..🎉🎉🎉

[@starvision5209]

Hey Jerome! Sorry if this has been answered but are you going to see/review Alien Romulus?

[@Weiselberry]

Probably not in the theater, but sometime later, sure.

[@wesc6755]

The monster is pretty cute though. I want one.

[@ironjade]

Paul Blaisdell isn't as well known as he should be because of a vendetta against him by a vindictive producer. I don't recall the reasons but this producer did everything he could to prevent Blaisdell's name from appearing in the credits.

[@unclepatrick2]

There was a remake called Zontar , the Thing From Venus

[@robertmunoz3113]

Hiya! So I watched this based on the review. Pretty good! I mean it's not well acted or anything but it's schlocky fun. The story is pretty decent overall. It ends with a message warning against rigid conformity and warning against those who preach about the perfectibility of man. I take it be essentially an anti-communist movie. Watching movies involving rocket launches and satellites before such things became regular is kind of hysterical. Writers just making it all up as they go along. De-orbiting and landing a satellite to tinker with it? Uh...okay! There's a little bit as they're evacuating the town and some guy is leaving only with his prized saxophone. The man has his priorities straight! Is it just me or does Lee Van Cleef look like he could be Timothy Dalton's father? I think it's the eyes. Someone quoted MST3K as saying the monster looks like a giant Vlasic pickle. It checks out. For anyone interested in manga and anime there's a three volume series and a movie called Pompo The Cinephile. It's about a Roger Corman-esque movie producer...except she's a 12 year old girl. She hires a guy to write and direct a serious movie. Shenanigans occur. It's a fun series, definitely recommend it. The movie itself is based on volume one of the manga but expanded upon. Looks *great* on bluray. Anyway, I enjoyed it overall. Goofy hook, high stakes, corny dialogue and an evil pickle with claws. And most importantly? Only 70 minutes long. Any more would have been tedious. Thanks again for the review, Jerry. Hope your weekend has been a good one!

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Lee Van Cleef looked like a mentor of mine in the legal profession. Oddly enough, Van Cleef was a CPA (as was Jack Elam). Say of that what you will . . . .

[@captainape6807]

I want to play with that monster. He'd make a great bath toy.

[@tanyabodrova9947]

A very good review of a fairly bad film. Had it been made 15 years later, Lee Van Cleef as a grizzled spaghetti western gunslinger v aliens from Venus would have been fun.

[@Politano1955]

Have you ever reviewed "The Alligator People" with Beverly Garland?

[@Weiselberry]

I haven't reviewed it, but I did see it years ago.

[@robertjewell9727]

I've always heard this creature referred to as the "carrot monster" rather than cucumber.

[@Weiselberry]

Interesting, I saw many cucumber comparisons but no carrots. The cucumber one kind of works, I guess, because of the vertical stripes at the top of the head. I just don't see a carrot, haha.

[@robertjewell9727]

@@Weiselberry just did some research and Blaisdell himself described it as a pear-shaped cucumber. I confused it with The Thing from Another World (1951). Sorry about that, but really appreciate your response.

[@varanid9]

@@robertjewell9727 To be fair, I also have heard it referred to as the carrot monster, as well as cucumber. I think the carrot reference came out years later when color pictures of the monster showed it to be of an orangish hue.

[@Weiselberry]

I've been wondering why so many people here are insisting it looks like a carrot. I didn't know if that was an MST3K quote or what.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

If _Rodger Corman_ was involved, you know the movie was good AND bad...🤭

[@kennethmatthew9638]

From hell it came 😂 they call it...TOBANGA dun dun dun 😅

[@ignyup]

It's bad but enjoyable

[@ekahnoman7331]

I can't look at Peter Graves without seeing him as the creepy weirdo pilot from "Airplane" (1980).

[@thanksfernuthin]

OK, Jerome. Time to up your game a bit. Sixteen thousand subscribers is really good. I love your reviews. Unless you're literally using one of my computers from the late 90s you should be able to create videos in higher resolutions that look better. You or a friend obviously know your way around a video editor. It's impossible to have purchased a phone in the last 10 years that doesn't default to a much higher resolution than 480p. Take some of that fat KZbin cash (kidding) and buy what it takes to make cleaner, higher resolution videos. Pretty please?

[@Weiselberry]

I could have been filming in HD all along if I wanted to. It's just not my preference, and I'm not inclined to suddenly restyle my channel after ten years. For what it's worth, many people actually like the aged or retro look, which seems somewhat appropriate when I review old movies like this one.

[@thanksfernuthin]

@@Weiselberry Fair enough. If it's a choice at least that makes some sort of sense.

[@reinaldogarcia70]

So sweet , natural beauty Awesomely intelligent and well spoken

[@enscroggs]

The creature for Venus is NOT a cucumber. It's clearly a carrot.

[@niallboyle5211]

Amen!

[@ColeslawVariant]

Here's a movie for you to track down, a french zombie film from 2004 called "They Came Back" (Les Revenants). It is a very unique take on the dead returning to life, and it is not a gore film.

[@mikesilva3868]

Mst3k episode was hiliarous 😂

[@kennethmatthew9638]

Lol love this movie its funny. Peter Graves is soo philosophical but the monster in the cave just ruins it. This is giant claw funny

[@MicahHarris-k9m]

I DOUBLE DARE YOU to watch and review the Larry Buchanan remake "Zontar, the Thing from Venus." It was made b/c color TV had come in and It Conquered the World was suddenly too "dated" for broadcast. Zontar features John Agar humiliating himself by taking the leading man role. Also, "Zontar" got an unofficial sequel when Zontar crossed over with a knock off of the 80s sit-com "Different Strokes" on an episode of Second City TV. I DARE YOu to watch Zontar and enter the world of Larry Bucahan remakes of movies that weren't all that great to start with!

[@GrandCaravel]

This movie was copied beat for beat by another low-budget sci-fi movie from 1967 called “Zontar: the Thing from Venus”

[@theboombody]

All the buildup in this SLOW moving movie for THAT inflatable monster. What an awful film. Still better than Swamp Diamonds though.

[@robertmcdonald2668]

Jerome --Any B sci-fi movie review that contains the word "gobbledygook" is okay in my book; I use "gobbledygook" at least five times a day ( Wow, that's four so far today, one to go; and it's not even 10am yet!). I'll look for "It Conquered The World." My favorite Corman film is "Attack of the Crab Monsters." Have you seen it? bmcd

[@Weiselberry]

I saw Attack of the Crab Monsters a few years ago and did a mini review of it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqfQiX2GhtKWpsk That was before I developed a liking for Corman's 1950s monster movies, though, so my reaction may differ from how I'd feel about it now.

[@kevinogracia1615]

Zappa called the monster "a rounded pup tent affair. Dig, if you will. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH61Z5Wid9Vko9k This is fun. Peace on earth.

[@45641560456405640563]

First time I've seen a young Lee Van Cleef....