Killers From Space (1954) (film review).
After the detonation of a nuclear device in the desert, the follow-plane, carrying Dr. Paul Martin (actor Peter Graves) sees a light on the ground before crashing and considered dead. However, he reappears hours later, strolling into the airbase. A medical check reveals a cut across his left breast, but otherwise he is all right.
Martin’s not very happy that another atomic bomb test has been done without his participation and was told he’s considered a security risk and should take time off. Instead, he hangs around in his office until everyone has gone home to look and takes some files in the main vault in Dr Kruger (actor Frank Gerstle), leaving its door open when he leaves to incriminate him. Well, it looks that way, but leaving tobacco sort of gives that away. When he is about to leave the files in the desert, police detective Briggs (actor Steve Pendleton) catches up with him. He slugs the files and goes down to the town to ring his wife, Ellen (actress Barbara Bestar), apparently unaware that he’s doing anything wrong.
Once captured and in the hospital, he informs the people about his encounter with the truth serum. Martin had been abducted by aliens from Astron-Delta; a telltale sign was their eyes as big as ping-pong balls, this time caused by radioactivity. They’ve been observing the advances in nuclear tests. They also repaired his heart and saved his life. With their planet almost extinct, the billion aliens intend to settle on Earth. They’ve also been experimenting on terrestrial animals to make them grow much larger as a food source.
Now with his memories back, it’s up to Martin to stop the invasion and spoiler.
There’s a lot of stock footage used in this film, including nuclear explosions. In those days, you can always spot the intellectuals as they smoke a pipe. Well, mostly, Kruger doesn’t.
Despite its low budget production and ridiculous aliens, it’s important to consider the fact that it was released in 1954. If nothing else, it is watchable. Just beware of mad men in pyjamas.
GF Willmetts
March 2025
(pub: Elstree Hill Entertainment. 71 minute black and white film. ASIN: 764249)
cast: Peter Graves, James Seaw, Steve Pendleton, Frank Gerster, John Frederick, Barbara Bestar, Shep Menkin and Mark Scott
