The Mole People (1956)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Virgil W. Vogel

Writer:

László Görög (written by)

Release Date:

December 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

...a savage civilization a million years old, raging with blood-lusting fury!

Plot:

A party of archaeologists discovers the remnants of a mutant 5000 year old Sumerian civilization living beneath a glacier atop a mountain in Mesopatamia.

Plot Keywords:

Albino | Ishtar | Glacier | Flashlight | Creature

Cast

John Agar	...	Dr. Roger Bentley
Cynthia Patrick	...	Adad
Hugh Beaumont	...	Dr. Jud Bellamin
Alan Napier	...	Elinu, the High Priest
Nestor Paiva	...	Prof. Etienne Lafarge
Phil Chambers	...	Dr. Paul Stuart
Rodd Redwing	...	Nazar
Robin Hughes	...	First Officer
Frank Baxter	...	Himself (in introduction) (as Dr. Frank C. Baxter)

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-12

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Goofs:

Factual errors: Lafarge says "Dr. Bentley, do you remember the Gilgamesh tablets that George Smith found?" George Smith did not find the Gilgamesh tablets, he was the British Museum assistant that first translated the tablets in 1872. The tablets were discovered in 1839 by A.H. Layard. Later, Dr. Stuart questions the existence of a "Sumerian version of Noah's Ark?". Dr.Bentley responds "Exactly. The flood has been proven to be a historical fact, why not a Sumerian version?". The Sumerian version (the story of Utnapishtim and the flood) is found in the Epic of Gilgamesh which they spoke of earlier. Therefore, it should be no surprise to Dr.Stuart. These do not appear to be very learned archaeologists.

Quotes:

Dr. Roger Bentley: Archaeologists are underpaid publicity agents for deceased royalty.

Movie Connections:

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I don't care what anybody says, this film is a hoot!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's cheesy bw 50's sci fi. But it's GREAT cheesy bw 50's sci fi! The Mole People would be campy if it weren't so earnest. It takes itself so seriously it even begins with a pseudodocumentary prelude explaining the hollow Earth theory.

Part of the fun is seeing future TV faves Hugh Beaumont (Beaver's dad), and Alan Napier (Alfred the butler) teamed with legendary 50's hack actors John Agar and Nestor Paiva.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 gave Mole People the full treatment and it was one of the funniest MST3K episodes ever. For the full effect I'd suggest you view the straight version first and then try to find the MST3K episode.