This Island Earth

One of the great things about growing up, as I did, in the fifties, this was a fantastic time for science fiction. As a young boy I would be taken to Saturday afternoon matinees and watch these flicks on the after school horror film shows. By today’s standards these films where badly produced but to a boy in the fifties it was the best stuff around. I still cannot watch one of these films except through the eyes of that boy in Brooklyn. One of my all time favorites remains ‘This Island Earth’. I never miss an opportunity to watch this classic flick again. When I learned I was to review it was I was ecstatic. Fortunately both my wife and daughter share this love of fifties science fiction so thee can be peace in the household. This film may not be as well made as others of the period but it has earned classic status because of how well it reflected the times.

Dr. Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) is one of the new breed of scientists that have come into their own after the war, a nuclear physicist. Since he was a fighter pilot during the war he is able to fly himself around the country speaking at various symposiums expounding on how controlled nuclear power will change the world. As he puts it once we combine electronics with nuclear power we will have the cart and the horse. While flying back to his lab after one such trip the controls of his plane freeze and Cal is about to crash to certain death. Just then an eerie green light, a neutrino beam, surrounds his plane and brings him safely to earth. This was such a great scene that a few years later John Broome and Gil Kane would repeat it in the origins of their version of the Green Lantern. For this scientist-slash-fighter pilot he is curious about the event but mostly un-phased. Back at the lab he checks in with his main lab assistant Joe Wilson (Robert Nichols). In contrast to Cal’s deep baritone voice and self assured attitude Joe is a squeaky little man that follows Cal around like a puppy. When Cal inquires about a replacement resistor he told Joe to order Joe replies that instead of the normal bulky part they are used to a little bead was sent. The thing is the bead held a larger charger that modern science would expect. The part was shipped by a strange company they never heard of so Cal decides to investigate. They receive a catalogue and soon 2,486 parts arrive. They come with instructions to build a device called an interociter and a warning that no part can be replaced. Cal manages to construct the device and when it is powered up a strange man with white hair and a rather large forehead appears on the screen. He explains his name is Exeter (Jeff Morrow) and invites Cal to visit a special project he is managing. Cal gets on an unmanned plane and winds up in a large compound in the mid-west. There Hal notices scientist from around the world. The all seen to have one thing in common, they specialize in nuclear physics. Among the group is Dr. Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue) with whom Cal had a fling with some years ago. Ruth and another scientist Steve Carlson (Russell Johnson) take Cal to the side to express some doubts about Exeter and his assistant Brack (Lance Fuller). They have a feeling that they are not exactly local in their origins. The truth comes out when the trio try to escape. Steve is killed and the plane that Cal are Ruth are in is brought up into a flying saucer. Once there Exeter explains that he is from the planet Metaluna. A recent war with the evil planet Zagon has depleted their energy supply and they need the help of earth’s geniuses to save their civilization. They go to Metaluna where the war is still raging. There is also a slave race of mutants, huge creatures with bulbous brains outside the skull and claws for hands.

There was a lot going on in this film, a lot more than appears on the surface. Many may dismiss this was just another fifties ‘B’ flick and on some levels they are correct but this film displays the hopes and fears of the post war generation. Even though I did laugh I have disagree with this film being used for the movie version of Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was far above the usual cheesy flicks they poke fun at. Many films of this period where based on the dangers of nuclear power. Most viewed it as a means to create unknown horrors. This film was one of hope for the future. The lack of references to the war and the dark side of nuclear reactions is noticeable. Cal invokes images of a world freed of drudgery by this power source. The people of Metaluna see our knowledge of nuclear power as a salvation for their race. The interociter was foreshadowing color television which at the time was just on the horizon. It also shows space as potentially containing good and bad aliens. Even in a race like those on Metaluna there were people like Exeter who embraced peace. The science was awful, the effects may have been cutting edge then but they hardly hold up to what more recent generations but the film stands and will continue to stand as a classic.

Like many fifties science fiction film stars Rex Reason spent most of his career in westerns. This allowed him to bring a touch of believability to his role here. Even though Cal is a genius he is also a likeable sort of guy that the audience can relate to. With his booming voice he commands the screen. Faith Domergue was an example of a new role for women in America. Since the war women have started to move out of the kitchen and into colleges and the workplace. Domergue exemplified this new woman. She plays Ruth as brilliant, confident and self defined. The women in the audience can be wowed by Rex Reason and given hope by Domergue.

A number of years back Image released a copy of this film. Now Universal has taken on the rights and their release gives the film a proper treatment. The video isimproved somewhat over the previous release. The colors, especially on Metaluna, are brighter with a better balance. There are some signs of age mostly the dreaded white speaks that are fairly consistent throughout the film.The contrast seems to also have been improved. The Dolby mono audio is crisp and clear. I would have enjoyed a few extras but the film can stand without them. If you grew up remembering films like this it is a must have for your collection. For younger viewers out there get past the old school effects and enjoy one of the films that helped to start modern science fiction.

Posted 8/25/06