Title: The Man from Planet X
Rating: PG
Genre: science fiction

The Man from Planet X (1951)

 

A professor is studying a rogue planet that is nearing the Earth and invites an old acquaintance who is a reporter to join him and his daughter at a remote Scottish island he has determined to be the closes the two worlds will get to one another. Shortly after the reporter arrives and reacquaints himself with the professor, his daughter, and a somewhat shady assistant, they discover a mysterious device. They quickly discover the presence of an alien and try to communicate with him. The shady assistant is determined to use the alien’s knowledge for himself but is soon under the control of the alien along with the daughter so it can complete its mission. The reporter, with the assistant of the local police, is able to get help from the military, allowing him to rescue those under the alien’s control before they attack. The rogue planet passes by moments after the alien’s ship is destroyed and the survivors are left to wonder what would have happened if the alien’s plans had come to fruition.

 

Cast

 

Robert Clarke as John Lawrence

Margaret Field as Enid Elliot

Raymond Bond as Professor Elliot

William Schallert as Dr. Mears

Roy Engle as Tommy, the Constable

David Ormont as Dr. Robert Blane

 

 

Admittedly a low budget sci-fi film I didn’t really expect The Man from Planet X to be comparable to more expensive productions of the same era like The Day the Earth Stood Still. Rife with plot wholes, cheesy lines, and some wooden acting there were aspects of the film I truly did enjoy. I think the film was brilliant in its use of production, music, and atmosphere that gives the film a decidedly creepy and moody noir feel. The alien, despite the cheap costuming, is also brilliant as it appears menacing in some scenes while in others sympathetic and endearing which highlights the question of the alien’s intentions.

 

 

Rating: 5.5/10.0