The Ultimate Guide to 1950s End of the World Movies

[@RerunZone]

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[@antonbruce1241]

"On The Beach" is probably one of the VERY BEST end of the world movies ever made. There were NO bad performances in the entire movie. Also, "When Worlds Collide" is ALSO one of the best. Great performances, and the special effects were worthy of the Oscar it received. I agree - the 1953 "War of the Worlds" was the ultimate 1950's Sci-Fi.

[@theimp5901]

I think it is the best and by a good margin. It was different than all the rest. I need to watch it again, right ? I truly remember how horribly sad Astaire was and his acting was Oscar worthy.

[@JS-fe8sx]

The book When Worlds Collide is excellent, but you need to remember it was written in 1932 with its morals etc.

[@williammurray1341]

Interesting that the book "On the Beach" reveals an attack by terrorists ignited the global nuclear exchange.

[@lancecampbell4323]

Great take on all three classic movies. Best line in the movie, “I think I’ll have a cup of tea.”

[@marktwain2053]

On The Beach was a great movie, just very unrealistic.

[@hebneh]

I watched “On the Beach” when it was first shown on TV in about 1963; I think my parents wanted us kids to see it because it was a serious, relevant topic. Two things were memorable: first, the shot of the young mother looking at the wall calendar showing it was January 1964 (which was still in the future when I saw this), along with the deserted streets of Melbourne at the very end after everyone had died. These created a major fascination for me with the concept of being in a completely deserted city. Decades later I got to actually experience this during COVID in 2020 and it was astonishing!

[@maxsmodels]

On the Beach is one of the darkest movies ever made. Hollywood at its dark best.

[@jamescox2822]

I always thought that Gregory pecks characthree.What's just a damn idiot for leaving Ava gardner So he could be locked up in a boat full of sweaty man

[@johnradovich8809]

I remember when it came out. Caused quite a stir. (showing my age) Have yet to see it. Will have to remedy that!

[@frankperkin124]

Kind if stupid. No bodies, no destruction, and that annoying Waltzing Matilda music.

[@jefferydraper4019]

The remake was even darker.

[@jefferydraper4019]

@@frankperkin124 The idea was death was from the fallout and rising background radiation, not the wreckage from the nukes.

[@robertjutton6079]

Love the spaceship design in War Of The Worlds

[@sebolddaniel]

The spaceships would hold up today, very impressive the green lights. The remake of the movie also was excellent.

[@johnmassung]

The best of the 1950's SF movies imo.

[@mikeshoreboy]

A personal favorite of mine and my grandma. We watched it every time it was on late night.

[@fw1421]

Ahh,Inger Stevens. She was such a beauty. Haven’t heard anything about her in decades. RIP Inger.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@marktwain2053]

She was ruled a suicide nearly 50 years ago, in 1970.

[@fw1421]

@@marktwain2053 Yea,sad to see such a good actress take her own life.

[@toastnjam7384]

One of my many 60's crushes.

[@tomryan914]

@@toastnjam7384 Like 'Grace Kelly', classy-looking beauty.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@tomryan914 "Classy" looks do not mean much, apparently.

[@MarkM-bg6jg]

The Day the Earth Caught Fire was superb.

[@daviddowsett1658]

Yes, the best, love the opening and closing sepia to denote the heat from the B/W, unfortunately for this listing it released on the 60's not 50's ...

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

@@daviddowsett1658 And we're not quite sure if it is the end of the world at the end of the film. Leo McKern's performance is excellent and the portrayal of the breakdown of civilization, led, -- unfortunately stereotyping young people of the 1960's -- , by hot-headed (pun intended), hedonistic youth. I was almost expecting to hear DeMille's voice intoning something like, "and they were as children..." in the scene of debauchery and the building of the golden idol in _The Ten Commandments_ .

[@larrymrobinson1051]

I remember seeing "On The Beach" as a kid the first time it came on Television in the early 60s and it was Scary! We had to talk about it in school, I think it was the next day!

[@nickimontie]

Since I don't go out on Halloween, I think i will binge these movies.

[@leoinsf]

"On the Beach" is one of the greatest movies ever made! It was ahead of its time and the message went "over people's head." Meanwhile it sends a true-real-heartfelt message!

[@geoffreylee5199]

Those midnight movies on tv have paid off, saw all these in the late 1960s!

[@walterfechter8080]

The VERY last scene of "On the Beach" - Wow! "World Without End" featured Hugh Marlowe ("Earth Vs The Flying Saucers") and Rod Taylor ("The Time Machine"). The giant spider in "World Without End" was hokey and laughable - especially when one of the astronauts shoots it! LOL! I remember watching "World Without End," "When Worlds Collide" and "The War of the Worlds" on NBC's Saturday Night at the Movies. "The Time Machine" was also on that series of TV-run movies. Many thanks, Rerun Zone!

[@themagus5906]

"There is Still Time, Brother..." NOT!

[@tomryan914]

70's Made-For-TV movies were shit pilot for proposed series junk.

[@kronos5385]

Some very good sci-fi movies in this bunch. My favorite is World Without End, which is available on DVD and is a pretty good transfer. There's a scene, in a graveyard, when one of the crewman realizes that his family, left behind in time, grew old and died and never knew what happened to him. He's been gone for about a day. It's not only a very dramatic scene but quite sad and moving. The actor was Christopher Dark. Surprisingly deep drama for what would pass as a B movie back then (1956).

[@curbozerboomer1773]

"Dark" movies appealed to the Boomer Generation...we were living as youths, during a time of the threat of the World itself ending in a nuclear war!

[@kronos5385]

@@curbozerboomer1773 Yes, I am a post war baby boomer brat (born 1953). We lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis which was very scary. We didn't have an underground survival shelter but we knew families that did. Eventually, we just stopped worrying about it but I think today is what we should be concerned with. Nuclear terrorism is a genuine threat. But like way back then, there's not much that the average person can do about it today. We just have to live with the threat.

[@emwa3600]

@@curbozerboomer1773 They appealed to the WWII veterans, who were money-makers, financiers, writers, actors, etc. I think eventually when "target market" was considered, teens were certain in focus but not in creative moments. I think there was some appeal among near-death veterans who write out fantasy alternatives. Also, look at home many westerns and crime-dramas were popular after WWII (and during, although those WWII age actors were sometimes villified for mere acting instead of 'fighting'). When '60s TV erupted, a lot of those writers were teens in WWII action years, so I assume they were typing out their Hero/Villain fantasies, then made enough money to realize, "I can make a good living IF my fantasy writing stays good."

[@emwa3600]

@@kronos5385 Of course, we've lost more folks to diseases when one president shuts down thousand-doctor research facilities in 2018 and magically COVID takes over in 2019. "I don't need a thousand doctors!" he said. Uh huh...

[@bigbubba4170]

I would like to add "Panic in the Year Zero". A real forgotten classic.

[@PeterNebelung]

On the beach was a real mind buster. I have to say it shaped my thinking for a long time after. For anyone interested, try to get hold of a copy of "Down to a Sunless Sea" by David Graham. It's about a flight crew and passengers on an aircraft trying to survive. The war starts when they are half way across the Atlantic on their way home to London.

[@emilytrott]

Thank you for the recommendation of the book, I'll look for it. "On The Beach" really hits home for me because when I was ten years old my father was on a relief team in Algeria. The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred while he was there. "A few months after he returned home he and my mother took a six week trip to Australia and New Zealand. They were thinking of our family moving there. Though they never told me the reason why we might be moving, they may have told my sister who was four years older than me. It wasn't until I was in high school when dad told me that when he was in Algeria he thought that he might never see us again. It was thought that due to the different wind currents, the southern hemisphere might have been immune to nuclear fallout in the northern hemisphere.

[@gtlfb]

I enjoyed “Lost Missile”. One of those movies that emphasizes suspense and mystery over fancy effects. And one of my favorite movie props is the fuel gauge on the spaceship in “When Worlds Collide” - a simple dial that goes from FULL to EMPTY. I’ve seen more sophisticated instrumentation on pinewood derby cars.

[@MalachiWhite-tw7hl]

The film is largely a display of military command-and-control systems and technology, circa 1957. Will any TOS fans notice Colonel Greene?

[@faithcastillo9597]

Do you know what was great about growing up in the '60's and '70's? All of the wonderful old movies from the '30's, '40's, and '50's were on tv.... for free!! I grew up watching the Friday and Saturday night creature features with my dad, so became a bit of a film buff, especially science fiction. Im 65 now, but, my love for these fantastic films is still going strong. Thanks very much for posting this little piece of my childhood.

[@jasonstarks3796]

Robert Loggia was young? Hard to imagine. Loved everything he did.

[@paulcopherjr.9541]

Loved his Disney series Nine Lives of Elfego Baca and later T.H.E. Cat where he was a jewel thief with kind heart.

[@TamiJoeris-ge5dg]

I like The Last Man On Earth with Vincent Price 😊

[@rohmarts]

Some absolute gems on this list

[@jepolch]

Thanks Rich. So great to be reminded of these classic SCI-FI movies.

[@Indrid__Cold]

The scene in When Worlds Collide that always captivated me is that brief scene where we actually see earth being destroyed (while our space colonists are conveniently unconcious from G-forces of the escape velocity). The way the land masses are ripped away from earth's surface by the gravity of Bellus as its gravity tears at the planet before impact is so realistic! The effect still stands up today.

[@AndrewGivens]

There is something utterly horrific about seeing our planet being completely destroyed. That film haunted my imagination for years and years after. I still think it's a fantastic movie - and that rocket ship, my gosh!

[@aramboodakian9554]

Wow I thought I’d seen all the 50s sci-fi movies, but you have brought up some I never heard of. Also I had been looking for the movie that preceded in plot to “The Time Travelers”1964 and you named it “World Without End””. Thank you for another amazing video!

[@michaelmayo]

Gotta show my love too for "Robot Monster," the ultimate "Budget? We don't need no stinkin' Budget" movie that shows you don't need talent to make a movie. You were right about the 3D. I got to see it projected in 3D at a film fest and was really surprised at how sharp and clear the 3D was. They may not have had a budget, but someone had to know what they were doing to pull that off because 3D was tricky to do in those days.

[@RSEFX]

Thanks for this video. I grew up seeing these movies on their initial theatrical run. You might consider adding: INVASION USA, CAPTIVE WOMEN (aka 1,000 YEARS FROM NOW and 3000 AD), BEYOND THE TIME BARRIER (filmed in 1059 but released in 1960) and the warning movie ROCKETSHIP X-M (which shows what happened to a civilization on Mars following atomic war). There's also the European (Eastern European?) RAT (aka ATOMIC WAR BRIDE, which combines atomic war reality with a lot of satire). Glad to hear you talk about FIVE and THE LOST MISSILE in your video, both small films that are actually pretty effective.

[@davidhynd4435]

Teenage Cavemen. The most terrifying aspect of the film being the 30 and 40 year old "teenagers".

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Nothing will top almost 30 year old Steve McQueen being the young good hearted but troublemaking teenager in the og Blob😂 sure older people have portrayed the same age but none as famous as the man himself lol

[@tomryan914]

@@benderbendingrodriguez420 I thought Aneta Corsaut was SO pretty.

[@DoubleMrE]

You should’ve included ‘Panic in the Year Zero’ 😉

[@deniseeulert2503]

I came here to mention that film

[@dontask8979]

Thats on my top 5 movies of all time.

[@AlanBurge]

Thank you. I couldn’t think of the title even though I have it on DVD.

[@TimMacPA]

Yep, came here to mention it. But it is 62 and these were all 1950's. Great film...

[@WTH1812]

"One the Beach" was a very unsettling story. Relatable characters in a hopeless situation, until a faint hope arises. Great performances, enticingly bleak cinematography, from the start, an atmosphere of trying to survive when there's no reason to. Jumping ahead to 2012 is an epic comment on the priorities of friends in their late 20's, early 30's together for a group lunch. Not filled with over the top effects, brave heroes, or filmed in Dark-O-Vision, it perfectly captures the young adults of the day.

[@aadamtx]

Good collection, particularly the animated shorts which are rarely scene. Most of these films (eg., The Lost Missile) are available here on YT for free. On the Beach is admittedly slow, but the cast is excellent, including Tony Perkins and Ava Gardner. Although it just missed being a 1950s film, I highly recommend THIS IS NOT A TEST (1962), an interesting drama again with no special effects but with good suspense.

[@AndrewGivens]

Some people rag on 'This Is Not a Test' for having terrible acting and horrible characters, but I think it's a really good TV movie with a very tight study of character dynamics when faced with an overwhelmingly dire situation. I love that none of the characters really have any good ideas and only 'fallback modes'. The ending is very dark, grim and absolutely perfect.

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

My dad used to talk about World Without End a lot as one of those films that made a strong impression on him as a kid. It even had Rod Taylor (RIP) before he did The Time Machine!!!

[@peace-yv4qd]

Grew up in the 50's and going to the movies was very often an escape from a not so happy childhood. It was at times a surrogate baby sitter. I recall quite vividly a school alarm going off and dropping to the floor and getting under my desk and covering my head during a nuclear bomb drill. So laughable in a way. If a bomb actually did drop, I lived in Southern California, we would all be toast regardless. Another nice thing about growing up in California I would actually run into some of the actors I saw on the big screen. The actor in the Day the World ended, Paul Birch, was at an arcade in Big Bear California when I was there camping with my grandfather. He stood next to me playing an arcade game.

[@PeterNebelung]

I'm in Canada, so I never really experienced the whole Cuban missile crisis duck under the table thing. But at the beginning of the school year, we had a new student come into class. Her dad had transferred to a company in Toronto. She told us all about it. We didn't think much until one day the siren went off. She was on the floor in a heartbeat, a completely Pavlovian response. She was a good kid, and I often wonder what became of her.

[@petehoskins1267]

On The Beach, a great story with closing radiation sweeping down the AU coast to Melbourne & the population trying to deal with this, well cast, directed and acted. The remake which I actually watched first is also very well done but the original is the best. 5/5

[@debrapaulsonphotography-da4857]

I didn't know they did a remake! Love the original, now I must hunt down the remake for movie night!

[@emilytrott]

It is absolutely the best of the cold war nuclear apocalypse movies made during that time. I watched it on the late movie in 1970 or '71 when I was in high school, and it had such an effect upon me that I didn't watch it again for more than fifty years. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.😥 I think that, like "Fail Safe", it was about people and how they coped with a hopeless situation. I agree that the original was better but the remake starring Armand Assante was very good, and I liked the ending much better.

[@mikestanley9176]

@@debrapaulsonphotography-da4857 it was made in 2000 for Showtime.

[@Brunoburningbright]

I also loved the soundtrack. I've found "Waltzing Matilda" fascinating ever since.

[@emilytrott]

@@Brunoburningbright ❤

[@wirebrushofenlightenment1545]

Interesting selection of films. Some I haven't seen - but will have to check out.

[@drbluzer]

Although not an "end of the world movie" , my favorite movie from 1951 is the four star classic "THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL" with its eerie soundtrack and fantastic special effects ! I was born in 1951 and the first time that I saw this movie as a kid , the soundtrack freaked me out and I nearly crapped my pants !

[@johnvan6082]

RALPH was trapped in the mine for a few days , not years .

[@flyingwombat59]

About a week… maybe 10 days. Have to rewatch it.

[@capnkwick4286]

The TV show The Twilight Zone did quite a few "end of the world" scenarios. Time Enough At Last - a man who likes to read is the sole survivor, but breaks his glasses so he can no longer read Two - starring Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery (see Bewitched) - two survivors of a war, from opposing sides are the only ones left alive. Bronson does most of the talking while Montgomery uses facial expressions and body language to communicate that she does not trust him. For that matter, The Twilight Zone has quite a few future movie stars that may have gotten their start with the TV show.

[@tomryan914]

TZ 'One More Pallbearer', end of world, scared my 6 year old self.

[@nickn1782]

I was happy to discover several films in this that are new to me.

[@ivane5110]

Wow! Im a major 50s sci fi fan but never heard of World withou End. AWESOME! cant wait to see it. I'llfinish watching once i do (though will let this run through to end for the algarythms or whatever thats called.

[@machetedonttweet1343]

"When Worlds Collide" Is a favorite of mine. I have the sequel book "After Worlds Collide" , but I'm waiting for another international vacation to finish it on the beach. The Science is good for a guy with a passing familiarity with Physics. The social response was for the audience at that time was against other ships from Russia and China. I'll finish it on my next trip. I have a Spencer novel and a Reacher novel for the trip back.

[@lazycat7409]

You will like the sequel!

[@johnjubainville7687]

The day the earth stood still is one of the best B movies

[@GatchamanG4]

I always enjoyed War of the Worlds (1953), can't beat that 3 strip Technocolor. Also When World Collide (1951). Barbara Rush was so cute. ♥️👍

[@tskmaster3837]

When Worlds Collide said George Pal to his to his bride "I'll give you such terrible thrills." I was surprised to learn how little hyperbole there was in that line when I watched the movie earlier this year.

[@themagus5906]

John Hoyt standing up out of his wheelchair and attempting to walk as the spaceship took off was one of the best moments of this film.

[@5610winston]

Read the novels, _When Worlds Collide_ and _After Worlds Collide._

[@hebneh]

“Like a…science fiction / Double feature / Doctor X…will build a creature -“

[@hypercomms2001]

0:32... Yep Melbourne... My hometown... It was a great place to make a film about the end of the world!

[@Leon1Aust]

I agree🤣 mainly because im from Sydney, and the Sydney v Melbourne rivalry.

[@MontanaVigilanteExplorer]

"When Worlds Collide": I was born in 1959 and recall seeing that with wide eyes. For whatever reason, a part of the ship launching scene was forever burned into my brain; when some (entitled rich, I think) elderly guy in a wheelchair is held back, the man holding him sacrificing himself as well so the ship has less weight and more fuel range.

[@virginia7191]

War of the Worlds and When Worlds Collide are my favorites on this list.

[@drbluzer]

END OF THE WORLD 1950'S MOVIES : @00:16 : "ON THE BEACH" ( 1959 ) @01:45 : "THE WORLD , THE FLESH , AND THE DEVIL" ( 1959 ) @03:30 : "WORLD WITHOUT END" ( 1956 ) @05:14 : "FIVE" ( 1951) @08:00 : "GOOD WILL TO MEN" ( ANIMATED ) ( 1955 ) @09:22 : "ROBOT MONSTER" ( 1953 ) @11:20 : "A SHORT VISION" ( EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATED SHORT FILM ) ( 1956 ) @12:08 : "TEENAGE CAVEMAN" ( 1958 ) @13:33 : "WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE" ( 1951 ) @15:15 : "THE LOST MISSILE" ( 1958 ) @16:20 : "THE WAR OF THE WORLDS" ( 1953 )

[@Luis-h3o1g]

What about panic in the year zero

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

The world didn't end ..

[@alfavulcan4518]

@@nomadmarauder-dw9reneither did it on several of the other movies listed. Also on my list is Day of the Triffids

[@glennso47]

How about Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary? 😂 A guy stands there and reads the book from start to finish in a monotone voice! Then he goes on to read a New York City phone book! I 😂 it’s an epic! 🥱😴 perfect for those who have trouble falling asleep. 😴

[@glennso47]

@@nomadmarauder-dw9rePanic in the year Zerex? 😊

[@betamaxblocker]

"On the Beach" is amazing! The original book by Nevil Shute is an excellent read too but the movies is bleaker in some ways. I agree that Fred Astaire was great in it as well. I wish it could have been made in color like some of the others on this list but maybe the B&W suit it better. Glad to see some of the schlocky films get some recognition here- I'm sure their hearts were in the right place even if their brains and budgets weren't.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Astaire was a triple-threat!...Amazing dancer, credible actor, and he could also sing a pop tune very well!...He had a #1 hit record in 1933...such a strong career, for a rather fey, bland-looking, prematurely balding guy. He had started out, as a dancing duo, with his sister--and wow--she had all the looks to be a star, yet she opted for marrying a millionaire and dropping out of show business!

[@emwa3600]

By the way, the 2000 remake with Armand Assante and a more Aussie cast (no need for really awful fake Aussie accents!) is pretty decent, too. I degrade it somewhat because I 'know' what's going to happen for some odd reason. I rewatch Gregory Peck's version a dozen times and Armand's only 3. It deserves more but, well, I don't really LIKE Armand very much. And a choice between Ava and Rachel Ward? Uh... why choose? I watch both in those times.

[@emwa3600]

@@curbozerboomer1773 And he was puttin' on the ritz very late in his life, and I remain impressed that he and Gene Kelly were 'doing shows' with their taps on at full-speed. Real Entertainers!

[@moggridge1]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@TheLucanicLord]

A few here I hadn't heard of. Good stuff - and a human speaking too!

[@Laceykat66]

I think "FIVE" was the first nuclear post-apocalypse movie. It seemed to have the budget and cattle call of Robot-Monster and while it was written by the very talented Arch Oboler, he showed the limit of his abilities. This could have been such a better story and Oboler has done better in many of his OTR shows. "Good Will to Men" seems like what "9" would be many decades later. Good job though I don't think War of the Worlds is quite an "End of the World" movie in the vein of your others. If you included it you need to include films like "Beginning of the End."

[@donl1410]

Great one, Rich!

[@MH-fb5kr]

PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO

[@5610winston]

There was a single panel cartoon, Gahan Wilson, if I remember it correctly, a TV reporter with chaos and destruction all around. _THIS IS IT, FOLKS! THE END OF THE WORLD, AND YOU SAW IT FIRST ON (whatever station call sign it was)._

[@johnohanian8615]

Seen both , execellent movies in all phases.

[@outerrealm]

The day the world ended starring Joe Mannix.

[@scockery]

What would Peggy think?

[@georgespalding7640]

One of the best science fiction books ever written about the end of the world Is "when worlds collide". Written with an unusual provocative flavor, sometimes rising to the level of a modern graphic comics, it unabashedly gives us a candid look at what might happen if the human race had to face the decision to leave this planet within a short time frame. The 1951 movie version of the novel, tries to emulate the tone of the book but fails to do so in a G rated version on film. This is one movie that should be done with the modern technology and great actors and could be one of the great modern sci-fi movies ever. would love to see one of the great directors such as Villeneuve give this one a shot.

[@rwill156]

"When Worlds Collide" and the follow up novel "After Worlds Collide." were some of my favorite books growing up and even now.

[@kennethlee494]

When Worlds Collide and After Worlds Collide would make a great Netflix miniseries, adapting the books more faithfully with multiple nations building arks to escape the looming destruction of Earth.

[@martykarr7058]

What made Fred Astaire's character even more tragic was the immense guilt from having worked on the UK's nuclear weapons program. And "The Day the World Ended" was one of two Roger Corman movies later remade for the drive-in and TV markets. "World"'s remake was titled "In the Year 2889", and the other was a remake of "It Conquered the World", which was remade as "Zontar: Thing From Venus".

[@frankguillen9468]

Also When the worlds stood still a movie that has the world ending or saved at the end … the not knowing makes it terrifying drama

[@hebneh]

The plot and special effects of “Robot Monster” were so hokey and silly because the entire story was the little boy’s dream. It wasn’t supposed to be really happening.

[@johnmassung]

I think "The 27th Day" (1957) should be up there. Make it a baker's dozen.😊

[@Indrid__Cold]

Ralph was only underground about a week. Long enough for the short-lived isotopes to detonate. It's always a good idea to actually watch the movies you list.

[@nickcastings1568]

On the beach & them, two really ,as a child, scary 50’s films I watched in the 70’s until Alien hit the world. And not forgetting Quattermas!

[@PeterNebelung]

There's something about sci fi that people rarely ever mention. It gets you thinking on previously never considered trains of thought. I've been a fan of Sci Fi since I was a kid, and my dad gave me a book about early rocket research. I've seen just about all of the films mentioned here. Alien?? I still have scars on my right arm where my girlfriend dug her nails in when we saw it in Toronto that summer.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Them. I’d forgotten how much that frightened the sh1t out of me when I watched it on TV in the early 70’s

[@garywemmer9342]

The World, The Flesh, and the Devil!" A spectacular movie, that will definitely grab your attention!!!!!

[@Ron20003]

Happy I found you!!

[@jhill4874]

"War of the Worlds" (1953) was so much better than the Tom Cruise pseudo remake. "Independence Day" was a better non-remake.

[@brunozeigerts6379]

I remember seeing The World, The Flesh and The Devil ages ago. Gripping stuff... (if you ignore the birds flying around when everything is supposed to be dead.) Pedantic note: If I recall, Bellafonte's character is trapped underground for a week, not years. Just long enough for the radiation to subside.

[@emwa3600]

Yes, a week or so.

[@deecook8393]

I don't think Robot Monster made that much money. In fact, Phil Tucker had a nervous breakdown after it was released.

[@AlanBurge]

I don’t believe it made that much money either. And yes, Phil Tucker did have a nervous breakdown due to the bad reviews.

[@Davidbirdman101]

I remember watching that end of the world movie with my sweetheart Peggy Sue Bailey at the old drive in theatre down on main street in every town USA. She was scared and so I put my arm around her and held her tight. I slipped her a kiss on the cheek and before you know it, we were married with fourteen kids! I finally went insane trying to feed them all and I spent my last days on earth cursing end of the world movies.

[@IvorPresents]

I loved Robot Monster. I watched it as an eight year old, on TV. The score frightened me. This monster killed a kid and would off the family but for his attraction. .. The death ray was effective even on my small screened TV, 3D would make it even more awesome. I note some of the later apocolypse movies are absent. Panic in the Year Zero., The Day the Earth. Caught Fire.

[@markwilliams8369]

I thought of The day the Earth caught Fire, but it came out in 1961, so outside the vids parameters

[@IvorPresents]

@@markwilliams8369 I like how the post Apocolips films evolved. could do a whole topic on that.

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Rich

[@Shogun459]

The World the Flesh and the Devil. Great movie. He was Days in the Mine, not years. When Worlds Collide. Great Movie. There is a Second Book, "After Worlds Collide" of course. Good read. War of the Worlds. Great Movie. Set the stage for several movies, remakes and a hit TV series.

[@mhtyler]

Good guide, but how did you miss, "Panic in the Year Zero" with Ray Milland?

[@RerunZone]

Good movie. That’ll be in my 1960s video!

[@mhtyler]

@@RerunZone And I also just thought of the original, "Day of the Triffids"! I didn't realize there were so many apocolyptic movies until I watched your video!

[@aadamtx]

@@mhtyler Yeah, but the original Triffids is so weak compared to the later BBC series. The novel is excellent, though.

[@5610winston]

Check out the novel _EARTH ABIDES_ by George Stewart. Great dystopian plot, interracial romance, "Cupid's Disease" and ... well, just read the book.

[@arrenexarch1216]

there was a sequel book written for when worlds collide which never made it to film (after worlds collide) which gives a not so positive view of the times and other cultures contributions to the world but an interesting premise

[@DeeBlake-d5m]

I'd love to see a double feature with robot and monster plan nine out of space.

[@viennasky1]

On the Beach was remade into a TV mini series with Desi Arnes in the role of Gregory Peck.

[@viennasky1]

Cerretion: it was not Desi Arnes, I mixed it up.

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

@@viennasky1Your thinking of I Love Lucy...or maybe The Big Trailer.😂

[@viennasky1]

@@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars No, I meant Armand Assante.

[@georgembigham]

Day the World Ended, there was another movie which use the very same script. The only this I can remember of it is the the monster(s) had what kind of looked snakes poking up from their shoulders.

[@frankguillen9468]

I would like to add dr Strangelove which is a comedy but HAS THE MOST PLAUSABLEVENDING

[@glennso47]

What about some Beginning of the World movies?

[@jamesweemsdishman]

That will be filmed on November 5th when Trump is reelected!👍😇😅💪🦸

[@scockery]

That's great it starts with an Earth create, altered apes and angel wings...

[@glennso47]

@@jamesweemsdishmanTrump has been re-elected. So cue the beginning of the world movie! 😊

[@glennso47]

@@scockeryThe Holy Ghost moving across the waters. But no altered apes.

[@pleiadecca]

Forbidden Planet, 1956. -- Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Rich.

[@thomaslongshore1295]

On the Beach, an outstanding movie.

[@hebneh]

Harry Belafonte in “The World, The Flesh and The Devil” was a miner who had only been trapped underground for several DAYS, not years.

[@chereecargill355]

"On the Beach" was one of the bleakest movies I've ever seen. I cried my eyes out when I saw it years ago. I haven't been able to watch it again although it is rarely on.

[@Redclaw-gk1cv]

The War Of The Worlds ships still look great today. They're gorgeous with their sleek look and glowing green bits, and really alien feeling. They'd make a great collector's statue/model, especially if it lit up. And maybe the Earth wasn't destroyed but civilization was pretty well devastated. In reality they'd be rebuilding for a century or more.

[@RobertandJasonMaggs]

I saw a film about 55-60 years ago about an airforce pilot that was flying either a F104 or the X15 flew through a comet tail and disfigured him Hopefully you can find it

[@TomWilder-x8k]

The really bad thing about "War of the Worlds"; is that the Alien ships were donated to the Boy Scouts for a recycling drive.

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

I remember parts of a British film about the sun getting closer and closer to Earth.

[@themagus5906]

Yes; it was "The Day the Earth Caught Fire". It was a great film with great actors / acting. Final scene was two different newspaper headlines prepared for print: "Earth Doomed" and "Earth Saved". You decide!

[@PeterNebelung]

Love that movie, I've watched it at least a dozen times, as recently as early summer this year.

[@glenchapman3899]

@@themagus5906 Thats not quiet the end. The final scene is the editor and reporter standing in a ruined pub waiting for the bombs to go off. When the time comes, there is a small fall of dust from the ceiling. Then the reporter goes out and begins to wander the ruins of London

[@glennso47]

There was a Twilight Zone episode with this same plot. Called Midnight Sun, it had to do with the sun getting closer to the earth and the earth getting warmer.

[@rwill156]

@@glennso47 Until they woke up.

[@robvangessel3766]

I streamed ROBOT MONSTER, and of course laughed a lot. I FF thru some of it but I'll give it one thing. The whole thing turns out to be a kid's nightmare. Once it's a dream, anything goes. All the more likely we'd see a gorilla suit sporting a toy space helmet running around and Champagne bubbles floating about.

[@debramorra7237]

Thanks Rich!

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

It's just barely a ' 50s movie, but one of the best ones is THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL. (It would also surprise people with some of the relationships in it.)

[@gorymarty56]

On the Beach is awesome

[@rotorheadv8]

Harry Belefonte was not trapped for years in the mine. Only several days.

[@captainape6807]

I watched Teenage Cave Man as a child on TV and its message and twist ending regarding the end of the world really disturbed me. It was the first time i was introduced to the idea of Earth being destroyed in a nuclear war. I was devastated, shocked, traumatized to such an extent that my parents took me out to the movies to cheer me up. They were extremely worried about me. Unfortunately, the film they picked was Planet of the Apes. 😐 This is a true story.

[@AlanBurge]

How could they have known?

[@captainape6807]

@@AlanBurge Well, they didn't and one has to learn about these things anyways.

[@trollonwiggins]

War of the Worlds was a very good movie...saw in the theatre when I was young and I saw a Martian behind every bush when I walked home...Robot Monster so bad t was good? Nope it was BAD!

[@crazyelf3839]

Are you aware that Inger Stevens was actually married to a black man! Which is why this movie was so relevant at the time! It was also why she didn't get better parts!

[@kayb9979]

It's a pity that "Kronos" wasn't included. It was a very good movie with a rather unsettling premise: a giant mechanical energy sponge.

[@AllanGonnella]

One of the crummiest "End Of The World" movies I've ever seen was "Panic In Year Zero" with Ray Milland and Frankie Avalon. Watching them tow that trailer around got to be pretty boring!!

[@Terminus_El_Camino]

I like "Panic in the Year Zero". It has legitimate real-world drama in it. There's some interesting parallels (unintended I'm sure) between that movie and "The Walking Dead".