The Strange World of Planet X [Cosmic Monsters] ** (1958, Forrest Tucker, Gaby André, Martin Benson) – Classic Movie Review 3758

Wyndham Goldie.

Director Gilbert Gunn’s 1958 British sci-fi movie stars Alec Mango as British scientist Doctor Laird, who is experimenting with the Earth’s magnetic field along with his team. But, just when when their insect enlarging contraption starts breeds mutated giant carnivorous bug monsters from insects, a benevolent alien emissary called Mr Smith (Martin Benson) arrives from outer space in a flying saucer.

Thanks to the daft, hard-to-swallow tale and the cheap, sparing effects, this low-budget outing is more like a Comic Monster movie than Cosmic Monster movie of the American title. But, with its eerie atmosphere and tense mood, the movie is some fun if you’re in the mood and at least to be valued as a rare Fifties Brit foray into sci-fi.

As the hero Gil Graham, tall, rugged Forrest Tucker is the seemingly obligatory American in a British action thriller of the period. Also in the cast are Gaby André, Wyndham Goldie (as Brigadier Cartwright), Hugh Latimer, Dandy Nichols, Richard Warner, Patricia Sinclair, Geoffrey Chater, Hilda Fenemore, Susan Redway, Catherine Lancaster and Neil Wilson.

Paul Ryder’s screenplay is based on a 1950s TV serial by René Ray.

It is the last film of Wyndham Goldie (July 5, 1897 – September 26, 1957), also known for Old Bones of the River (1938), The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939), Night Train to Munich (1940), Seven Days to Noon (1950), Doctor in the House (1954) and Brothers in Law (1955).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3758

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