Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still but he told us where we stand. Here we are, we have finally arrived at the countdowns official zero hour. Halloween is finally here and since it is a Sunday we will be watching films and typing blog posts as much as we can. We will be posting all day long and we are starting with this classic. The cold war had begun and Americans were suspicious of everything. This movie exploits all of those fears that were occurring at the time. Could still be true today in fact.
Michael Rennie plays Klaatu an alien from outer-space who lands on Earth. His mission is to warn all of us that other alien leaders are concerned with Earth's place in the universe now that we have atomic power. Patricia Neal plays the widowed mother of Bobby, portrayed by Billy Gray, who is a young boy Klaatu befriends. Hugh Marlow plays the jealous boyfriend Tom while Sam Jaffe is the kind scientists, Professor Barnhardt, who tries to help Klaatu. There's even the small role of Mrs. Bailey, the kindly older woman who owns the boarding house, played by Frances Bavier. We know her better as Aunt Bea from the Andy Griffith Show.
This is just one of those movies that always puts me on the edge of my seat. No gore, not really much in the way of special effects just a great script loaded with suspense. Originally it was a short science fiction story written by Harry Bates titled Farewell to the Master . The film was brought to the big screen by Edmund H. North who wrote the screenplay and Robert Wise who directed. Not only is this one loved by yours truly it is also a favorite of Denise, the Horror Honey. Do yourself a favor though, don't see the remake with Keanu Reeves; it's nowhere near as good as this. "Klaatu barada nikto." Which roughly translated to "I give this four Gorts out of five.".
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