The Blob (1958) (Movie Review)

 I’ve loved Science Fiction Cinima for as long as I can remember, and as such, I have a soft spot for genera pictures from the 1950’s. It was a special time in which B-Movies stole the spotlight, and some of which could be regarded as good movies in their own right, despite featuring monsters or outlandish experiments. Movies like “Them!” and “The Incredible Shrinking Man” for example went that extra mile, balancing the campy with quality, and are regarded as classics. 

For today, I wanted to look back on the 1958 Sci-Fi picture “The Blob”, which certainly sounds like your typical disposable double feature picture of the time. In fact, it was released as such, a double feature alongside a movie called “I Married a Monster from Outer Space”. However, unlike its partner, “The Blob” escaped the bottom of the barrel, took on a life of its own, and is now viewed by many as a minor classic of the genera. While personally not one of my absolute favorite Sci-Fi pictures, I’ve always retained fondness for the original movie and view it as a perfect example of how a B-Monster flick can offer a little more than what its generic title would suggest.

  Set in a small Pennsylvania town, a young teenager named Steve is out for a romantic night under the stars with his girlfriend Jane. Things take a turn when a shooting star overhead is actually a meteor, containing a mysterious liquid substance inside. The first person to come in contact with the alien slime is an old man, who’s quicky rushed to a nearby hospital. Through some very well paced build-up, we discover that this slimy entity consumes organic life, increasing its size in the prosses, and growing more red. As it gradually snatches more victims, it continues to grow in size and strength … but it’s also very good at disappearing, as it can slip through any small crack, vent shaft or bottom door space. As such, it’s tricky to convince the police of this slimy threat, when it constantly vanishes from each crime scene, without a trace of its presence. With no options left, Steve and Jane set off into the night, recruiting other teenage friends, and aim to find and destroy the alien substance before their little town becomes its menu.

 Right from the opening title card, paired with its corny “Blob” theme song, this movie sets up a tone and personality different from most other creature features of its time. The movie also draws attention to its 1950’s look and setting, which certainly adds to the film’s appeal. Everything from the vintage clothing and vehicles on display makes this picture an obvious, yet delightful time-capsule of its age. I also like the midnight theater experience on display, with characters watching older horror movies. One very amusing background detail is a poster of the 1956 classic “Forbidden Planet” … except it’s retitled “The Vampire and the Robot”.  

 On a side note, I love that the narrative is set entirely at nighttime, with the final closing shot being the only daytime frame of the film. For me, monster movies are always the most fun when set at night. Despite that, the film is still very colorful and features memorable imagery. Obviously, the effects are dated, and the miniatures couldn’t be more noticeable if they were labeled, and yet … there is a delightful, old-school charm and appeal to these effects. Even though our titular blob doesn’t have any distinct features, and is a rather simplistic design, it still somehow manages to convey a personality all its own. It also shines in a number of highlights, including an encounter in a convenient store, and of course the most memorable scene of all is when the blob attacks the movie theater.    

 This was also one of the first creature-features to have teenage characters as the main heroes, which would eventually become commonplace in the 1980’s. The characters are all basic, but likable, with our lead teen Steve played by Steve McQueen in his very first leading role. He’d of course go on to great success in classic movies like “Bullet” and “The Great Escape”, so it’s fun to see where his career really kicked off. Outside of the novelty, Steve McQueen brings a real charm and likability to what could have easily been a one note performance. Actress Aneta Corseaut, from “The Andy Griffith Show” played girlfriend Jane and is just likable enough … although, she’s victim to some predictable tropes, like tripping over objects so boyfriend Steve can carry her over the threshold.   

 The one aspect of this film that really tries my patience is it’s “Boy Cried Wolf” formula. We see in the opening that our teen heroes get themselves into mischief all the time and aren’t on best terms with the local police. Naturally, they don’t believe their story of a monster from space on the loose, and every time our teen heroes try to convince them of the truth, it goes through the lengthy and predictable motions of the authority figures not believing them. I’ve never been fond of this convention, and it’s generally been overplayed in monster movies, but this movie especially plays a tediously long game of these teens trying to convince the police, only for it to go nowhere.

 Fortunately, things do level out with a decent ending, in which our leads get trapped at a diner. Outside, all the members of this small community band together to rescue them and stop the monster once and for all. Typically, you’d see military forces come in for the climactic showdown, but instead it’s just these local civilians all coming together to save the day, and it’s great. After discovering that heat and electricity have no effect, they discover that cold is the monsters one weakness. Thus, through the combined forces of the town, they encase the Blob in a block of ice and later have it dopped off in Antarctica. We close on one of those cheesy “The End … or is it?” cards that were commonplace of the time.

 There was a sequel over a decade later in 1972, but the less said about that one the better. I do enjoy the 1988 remake of “The Blob”, which had more detailed effects, a faster pace, and is generally more fun to watch. That said, it still doesn’t have the same charm or likable leads of the original, but it’s nice to have both films as options. All that being said, I know “The Blob” is more of an acquired taste, and won’t be for everyone, but I don’t think it should be dismissed as a disposable product of the time. There is satisfaction to be found in the films thrills, it characters and more than anything else, it highlights that simplicity goes a long way in making a good monster movie.

Thanks for reading my review of the 1958 Sci-Fi picture “The Blob” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!