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The Man from Planet X (1951) - Edgar G. Ulmer


Aliens have always been terrifying to me. The unknown. The foreign visitor from another world that cannot convey it's intentions. These old drive-in sci-fi thrillers were great. They were just scary enough to create the fear. That groups them in with the horror genre. The Man from Planet X is one of these Sci-Fi Thrillers. It creates mystery and still gets the blood rushing.


A rogue-planet has been drifting through outer space and it will pass close to earth. Scientists have dubbed the celestial body, Planet X. A news reporter has been invited to a remote Scottish island to report on the scientists findings on Planet X. While on the island a spaceship lands bringing a very strange fellow whose intentions are unknown. Some people take this mystery as a threat, as they seek to kill and profit from the alien. This obviously doesn't work out too well. 

The eerie atmosphere during this movie is terrifying. If you could imagine the mindset of these people who are dealing with this "Man from Space." The effects aren't the greatest but they are definitely effective. The actual man from space is really creepy looking. 


It's not that surprising that the horror element is delivered really well. Edgar G. Ulmer previously directed The Black Cat with Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. He's not exactly a lightweight. So this is naturally really entertaining. The acting is hokey and it has holes, sure, but it's fun, interesting, and eerie. 

This movie is good for people that are not used to fifties Creature Features or Science Fiction pieces. It's a great place to start. It isn't the best and it doesn't necessarily stand out. But it's a solid movie that entertains. You won't be disappointed. 

Director: Edgar G. Ulmer
Country: USA
Did ya know: To stretch his meager budget, director Edgar G. Ulmer was able to use sets from the big-budget epic Joan of Arc (1948). According to producer Jack Pollexfen, director Edgar G. Ulmer did rewrites, designed the moon and spaceship and glass paintings to expedite the production and cut down on expenses.
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