The Blob (1958)

Director:

Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.

Writers:

Kay Linaker (writer)
Irvine Millgate (story)

Release Date:

12 September 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Beware of the Blob! It creeps, and leaps, and glides and slides across the floor.

Plot:

An alien lifeform consumes everything in its path as it grows and grows.

Plot Keywords:

Disbelieving Adult | Teen Hero | Toy Gun | Acid | Disbelieving Authorities

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Steve Andrews (as Steven McQueen)
Aneta Corsaut	...	Jane Martin
Earl Rowe	...	Lt. Dave
Olin Howland	...	Old man (as Olin Howlin)
Alden 'Stephen' Chase	...	Dr. T. Hallen (as Steven Chase)
John Benson	...	Sgt. Jim Bert
George Karas	...	Officer Ritchie
Lee Paton	...	Kate, the nurse (as Lee Payton)
Elbert Smith	...	Henry Martin
Hugh Graham	...	Mr. Andrews
Vincent Barbi	...	George (cafe owner) (as Vince Barbi)
Audrey Metcalf	...	Elizabeth Martin
Jasper Deeter	...	Civil Defense volunteer
Tom Ogden
Elinor Hammer	...	Mrs. Porter

Also Known As:

The Glob (USA) (working title)
The Glob That Girdled the Globe (USA) (working title)
The Meteorite Monster (USA) (working title)
The Molten Meteorite (USA) (working title)
The Night of the Creeping Dead (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

86 min | USA:82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:12 (nf) | Australia:M (alternate rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Canada:PG | Finland:K-16 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Fairview Productions

Trivia:

This independent production was originally picked up by Paramount for use on the bottom half of a double bill with their in-house production of I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958). Early marketing tests and initial bookings indicated that a larger share of the ticket buyers were coming for this film rather than "I Married a Monster," so it became the main feature and more money was spent on its promotion.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The shot of electrical wire that falls on the diner to try to stop the blob is clearly cel animation, not live-action.

Quotes:

Tony Gressette: All right Steve, you made us waste our 80 cents, now what gives?
[all the teenagers demand to know what's going on]
Steve Andrews: Would you believe me if I told you there was something inside of that rock we found tonight? Something that could wipe out this whole town?
Tony Gressette: [all the teenagers laugh] Hey knock it off! Go ahead, Steve.
Steve Andrews: I saw this thing kill Doc Hallen tonight.
[all the kids are shocked]
Steve Andrews: That's right.
Tony Gressette: What is it?
Steve Andrews: I don't know, but one thing's for certain, if it can kill Doctor Hallen it can kill somebody else.
Al: Well what do you want us to do, Steve?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Screamtime (1983)

Soundtrack:

THE BLOB

A True Classic

No hidden agenda. Pure scifi. All fun.

I saw the original on TV and was scared pretty bad. I was a kid :)

The original one can be appreciated more when compared to the new one which I saw and have forgotten. The original one, starring the great movie star Steve McQueen (BULLET), is by far the better and only version anyone should see.

The movie production is dated, but the fx used to make the Blob stands up the test of time. I was convinced that that thing was moving on its own accord. 10/10

-Zafoid