The Thing from Another World

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With its modest special effects, lean plot, and small cast of lesser stars, this 1951 thriller remains a sturdy blueprint for fusing horror and science fiction. The formula has been employed countless times since, fleshed out with more extensive and elaborate production values, and manned by higher profiled marquee names, but the results have yet to improve on The Thing from Another World, Howard Hawks's lone foray into sci-fi.

The story begins as military airmen are dispatched to a remote Arctic research station where scientists have detected the crash of a spacecraft. An effort to retrieve the saucer-shaped vehicle fails, but the team returns to the station with the frozen body of its sole occupant. When the extraterrestrial pilot is accidentally thawed, the crew, headed by a tough-talking pilot (Kenneth Tobey), grapples with a massive, chlorophyll-based humanoid (James Arness) thirsty for blood and in no mood for galactic diplomacy.

Hawks takes only a production credit for this low-budget exercise, but his filmmaking style transcends Christian Nyby's nominal direction: rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue, an ensemble of comrades whose professionalism is tempered by wisecracks, and unsentimental female characters (embodied by feisty romantic interest Margaret Sheridan) recall Hawks's signature works, while propelling the plot over any potential gaps in credibility. It's hardly surprising, then, that The Thing from Another World remains among the most influential science fiction movies ever shot, or that it remains exciting entertainment a half century later. --Sam Sutherland

Description

Members of an Antarctic research team are killed off by a frozen alien they uncover.

Customer Reviews:

One of the 'Best of the Best'........2007-09-12

'The Thing' (from another world) will always be considered one of the finest sci-fi flicks ever produced. It's just too bad that it was not made in color, but black & white. But, then again, the 'purest' will always use that medium, as variations in 'contrast' and 'tone' are more readily apparent. The story line is 'plausible', the acting pretty good, the special effects VERY good, and the 'message' to the world...? The only question I would have with this film is: If the 'Thing' was so intelligent, why did 'it' regard another 'alien' life-form (humans) so inferior? I know that if I ever met a 'walking carrot or cabbage', I'd certainly would want to know more about it, and not just think of it as a part of my evening's meal salad! But, considering the era it was produced, it certainly is, and will remain, a classic motion picture. And of course, two of the actors 'continued' their careers, one BIG TIME; James Arness of 'Gunsmoke' fame. The other actor who 'popped up' a year or two later was 'Scotty', the newsman who appeared as 'The Monitor' in the Sci-fi classic 'This Island Earth'.

something about the thing.......2007-09-10

Most movie buffs nowadays argue about who really directed this movie. Who cares? He did a marvellous job, creating the first great alien invasion movie. Right from the famous opening with the radioactive titles, the sudden appearance of a figure lurching in the snow, the music,everything. The tight writing, close interaction of the cast (they never seem to be merely acting" and great black & white photography combine. Yes, the aircrew are too flip in the face of a monster invader, but it has allready been made clear that they have faced death many times before in air raids over Germany. Keneth Tobey is entirely believable as the captain responsible for his crews and everyone elses survival. And yes, I would fly to the north pole to meet Margaret Sheridan. Her character is allmost unique in sf, she doesn't screm once, and even assists the men in their fight. The only - is that there are no special features on the dvd, and there must be fantastic material out there to make one!

It just kept mewing like a cat!.......2007-09-08

The Thing is one of the all-time great sci fi films. It's also one of the greatest horror films! Watch in awe of the fast-paced, overlapped dialogue that Howard Hawks made famous and that Steven Spielberg emulates. This is how real people talk--butting in, talking over each other, lots of people talking at the same time--not fake "movie talk" where everyone politely waits their turn to deliver an obviously memorized line. Though The Thing has Howard Hawks' fingerprints all over it, it is not actually directed by Howard Hawks, contrary to what many believe (he was the producer). The look and feel of this film is amazing. It's uncanny how well the film holds up, as well as how creepy it still is. I love the sounds the "Thing" makes: "I was shooting it and it just kept mewing like a cat!" Famous scenes from this film appear in both John Carpenter's Halloween (characters are watching it on TV) and in Rob Zombie's (horrendous) remake. Carpenter of course later remade The Thing, providing one of the best horror remakes in history (though the original is still much better). In this original the scene where they try to burn the "Thing" is one of the most effective in movie history. Carpenter tried to match it with his famous "blood testing" scene, which is also very creepy stuff. Incidentally, Carpenter's is a more faithful adaptation of the story the movie is based on (called "Who Goes There?"), which was also used in Horror Express starring horror greats Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as well as in an X Files episode. This film is a masterpiece all around and is as good as it gets folks. The characters are great and the banter and humor are flawless. Think Stalag 17 as horror/sci fi and you'll have an idea as to what the amazing quality of this production is. Watch and enjoy! This belongs in any self-respecting sci fi fan's collection right next to The Day the Earth Stood Still and Forbidden Planet.

Even Better In The Winter!.......2007-09-03

The only times I will watch this great flick is in Winter. And I try to pick a bitter cold day (or night), open a window or two, and keep the coffee flowing ("...anyone for some coffee?"). This plus the realistic,
overlapping dialogue that Mr Hawks is known for, only adds to the great viewing of this excellent film.

Great product quality and great shipping service........2007-08-27

The DVD is of superb quality. An original theme at the time it was made, just a few years after the Roswell espisode, it's a great sci-fi horror movie. A truely historical post-war time piece that paved the way for many UFO and alien movies to come.

Girls From Another World: Rollergator/Things/Toad Warrior/Big Sister 2000

Average customer rating:

Does This Violate The Geneva Convention?
Don't waste your time or money!
Bad Film

Girls From Another World: Rollergator/Things/Toad Warrior/Big Sister 2000
Starring: Julie Strain , Jill Kelly , Conrad Brooks , Joe Estevez , and Camille Solari
Director: Scott Shaw
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EUMMKC
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Customer Reviews:

Does This Violate The Geneva Convention?.......2006-10-16

I think that coerced viewing of these films could be in violation of the Geneva Convention. Let it be known that these films are worth only one star, but I awarded a bonus star for Rollergator's initial entrance. This will test your will like nothing else I have ever seen. It makes Ed Wood look like a master of the genre; it makes William Shatner seem positively sedate. Good luck.

I bought the set for "Rollergator." I had no idea what it was about, but the title was appealing to a bad movie fan. I originally thought it might have had the lowest production values of any film in history. (My mind was changed later that day.) The film does not star a roller skating alligator, but rather an eleven year old ("I'm not a baby! I'm almost twelve!") talking, purple alligator who rides in a backpack of a girl who roller skates.

Joe Estevez stars as the evil carnival owner "Uncle Chi Chi," who wants to exploit "Baby Gator" for profit. This is a very talented alligator: not only does he talk, he raps: "There was a little gator, who was a mean roller skater...," and, "I like to rhyme, and I like the slime...." He also does celebrity impersonations. Be sure not to miss Baby Gator's impressions of Ricky Ricardo and Elvis, in particular.

Along the way a variety of characters are introduced to muddy the plot. There is a middle age soccer mom ninja with a backpack full of celery and cabbage, Chi Chi's nephew who wants to take over the hot dog concessions at the carnival, and last but not least, Ed Wood veteran Conrad Brooks ("Glen or Glenda") as the "Swamp Farmer," Baby Gator's mentor. Gator wants to get back to the Swamp Farmer, but before that can happen, three other events have to occur: a pointless pram theft is followed by the slowest chase (on skateboards) ever filmed, and the absolute worst ninja battle ever. The swordplay and slingshot use is not to be missed. I would love to know Conrad's take on this film: I will bet you that he thinks "Plan 9" is better, too.

The only thing going for "Rollergator" is the music: it features nonstop guitar noodling during the entire film. The music's awful, but at least it drowns out the dialogue.

"Things" is almost unwatchable. It is a contrivance where two short horror vignettes are combined with the most pointless wraparound video I have ever seen. This movie does not entertain in any way. If you insist on watching it, expect to see a monster appearing to be a cross of "Alien" and "Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo." It is kept in a box by a diabolical man and is trained to attack anyone not wearing a hat. The phrase "The man with the hat owns the box" is of huge significance in this unsuspenseful and unscary piece of excrement. The second vignette is actually worse, and is all about unscheduled eyeballectomy via X-acto knife and a haunted clown cookie jar. Please note especially the horrendous special effects in which frying eggs morph into eyes.

"Toad Warrior" was another reason I bought the set. How could a grade-Z cinemaphile not love that title? This film appears to have been made later the same afternoon that "Rollergator" was shot. It once again stars Joe Estevez, this time as a mob boss, and Scott Shaw as "Max," who looks like Gregg Allman after a bender. Conrad Brooks and Rollergator make a special guest appearance. The film is about Dr. Trixie T and her toad serum which can turn people into toads and vice versa. The toads in question have the worst costumes I have ever seen anywhere, period. The toads wearing shorts and jeans running after ultralight planes will haunt me for a while. The plot makes no sense. None. I will just tell you that it involves Joe Estevez versus "Humphrey Bullfrog" trying to obtain the serum from Dr. Trixie T, ninjas, kamikaze pilots, a frog bar in which a toad girl croons "My Kind of Frog" with the worst guitar accompaniment ever, a talking crocodile alarm clock, and the worst acting and dialogue imaginable. After watching this, I have decided that this has even lower production values than "Rollergator" (but barely.)

There is a guy called "Overlord War Toad" who does the worst impression of Brando brooding in "Apocalypse Now" ever. He blathers on and on about war and killing. He rubs a crystal a lot, and talks about when he was in Frognam. Max, a mercenary, is his enemy, and has his way with the ladies (notably an agent named "Spangle.") He is also Dr. Trixie T's ex-boyfriend, and the flashbacks are just painful. Max has to take a group of agents (the Bangles, judging by their appearance) into the desert, and gets to say lines like "Ride well, Cycle Toad." There are several scenes repeated throughout the film for padding, oh, I mean, dramatic effect, and it finally concludes with a big fight and chase around an abandoned highway overpass (where, incidentally, four characters play catch with a satchel during the credits.) There is threatening dialogue abounding ("I'm hungry for frog legs!") and a surreal sequence where Dr. Trixie T lectures Joe Estevez about DNA (I'll boil it down to the biological maxim "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," though it's irrelevant to the plot anyhow) and teaches him the "Hokey Pokey" in one sitting. You will not believe this scene.

I can't tell you not to watch "Toad Warrior," but prepare to be tormented. A lot.

"Big Sister 2000" is an unwatchable wannabe psychological thriller combined with a women's prison film. It fails on all levels, from the "plotline" about anarchists versus the oppressive government, to the Clintonian cigar imagery. Just say no.

Don't waste your time or money!.......2006-08-30

I do not remember what prompted me to buy that dreadful DVD, but I am regretful I made that expenditure. There was not much of a plot. The DVD was based on a purple talking aligator. I kept fast-forwarding to possibly see something that held my interest, but there is absolutely nothing to recommend. I rate this terrible-terrible DVD a negative 1,000.

Bad Film.......2006-08-05

I just want to say this tape is not worth the electricity to play it. If there was a lower rating I wouln give it a minus 5

Sci-Fi 3-Pack (The Thing from Another World / Them / Forbidden Planet)

Average customer rating:

Great films, but there's a better way to purchase them
Great pack of classic Scf-fi.
Sci Fi 3-Pack(The Thing from Another Planet/Them/Forbidden Planet
Carrots, bugs, and tin cans

Sci-Fi 3-Pack (The Thing from Another World / Them / Forbidden Planet)
Starring: Margaret Sheridan , Kenneth Tobey , Robert Cornthwaite , Douglas Spencer , and James R. Young
Director: Christian Nyby , Howard Hawks , and Gordon Douglas
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000765I4U
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Customer Reviews:

Great films, but there's a better way to purchase them.......2007-09-01

I've been monitoring prices on these great classic 50's sci-fi films for some time, and for the life of me I don't know why people selling this trio used think they can get away with selling this three-pack for one hundred dollars. Especially when all three films are still in print, one is available as a double feature with an additional film, and another has been reissued in a two disc edition. If you buy all three new on this site you pay less than half of what these "vendors" are asking you to pay used for the same three films bundled together.

"Forbidden Planet" is now in a two-disc edition that was reissued in 2006 with lots of extras, "Them!" is available in a double-sided disc with "The Beast from 20000 Fathoms", and "The Thing From Another World" is available in the same edition as the one in this old three pack. If you don't like double-sided discs you can still get "Them!" alone on one one-sided disc. Take the money you save and go out and buy "Blade Runner" to go along with these.

Great pack of classic Scf-fi........2007-03-09

I've wanted these on DVD for sometime. Each story has great effects for the time - with Forbidden Planet being the best - even better then a lot of model based effects from movies made years later.

Sci Fi 3-Pack(The Thing from Another Planet/Them/Forbidden Planet.......2007-02-07

Classic Sci Fi. All three stories are original, and fun. The special effects are GREAT!!!!! See Robie the Robot for the first time, and possibly the first mini-skirt.

Carrots, bugs, and tin cans.......2006-02-18

The Thing From Another World
James Arness veggies out

It is easy to just say this is a classic. What makes it the classic is the formula and people. (Directed by Howard Hawks). There is the standard 50'sw sci-fi prolog. You are set up as they go to investigate a crash in the snow. The investigators hold hands in the snow to figure out the size of the downed plane under the ice and find it has a peculiar shape. From there you know it can only get better.

Do not expect the book story. But do expect blood and fire and sinister doings. There are naïve scientists, dubious airmen, and a generator running out of fuel.

By the way while your are at it just whose side is Dr. Arthur Carrington on?

And does Nikki just scream a lot or does she usually bring up the true nature of the threat?

Any way you slice it or dice it this movie holds it's own up against the bug pictures like "THEM!"
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THEM!
A movie worth ant-icipation

This is a movie about taller-ants. Fess Parker almost gets cough with his pants down. This is not a fly-by-night movie. It is an ant-by-night movie. William Schallert "Colossus - The Forbid Project" gets to be the Ambulance Attendant. Leonard Nimoy is the Telex operator. If this keeps up, he may find himself on a starship, where he can deal with ant-imatter. James Arness only wants to help Joan Weldon out of a plane and into the ant-echamber.

I watched this several times with my wife. The ants make a noise similar to a loose fan belt. So every time we pass a car with a loose fan belt she says, "Get the other antenna." This movie also makes a good background movie.

Don't wait for this to go on clear-ants.
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Forbidden Planet
Id vs. ego

In the 23 century a rescue ship is sent to the planet Altar to look for survivors of an earlier expatiation. They find nothing except an ominous voice warning them not to land. What would you do?

Notice that the investigating party is the captain, first officer, and medical doctor. Can your say Star Trek?

This movie has many plusses as both sociological (people like to compare this to Shakespeare's "The Tempest"). Visual from the color of the sky to the accoutrements of Altiara (Anne Francis). The speculation on what would you do in this situation. And the introduction of Robby the robot who went on to be a star in other movies and a guest on many TV programs.

The movie was great I watch it over and again. However it made a major deviation from the book or the book by W.J. Stuart, also written in 1956, deviated from the movie.

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