THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951)

By: Steve Biodrowski
Date: Friday, June 08, 2001

The film that really launched Hollywood' alien invasion craze of the '50s, this Howard Hawks production, directed by Christian Nyby, boasts a rapid-fire dialogue style that shoots the story along at an amazing clip. For all the science fiction trappings, the film is essentially an old fashioned horror story reset in modern drag: the enthusiastic scientist is the equivalent of a mad doctor; the military take on the Van Helsin role, eager to destroy the menace; and the alien (James Arness) bears a suspicious resemblance to the Frankenstein Monster (what with that squared off head). Oh, and all the jump-out-and-grab-you scares of the ensuing decades were never able to match the shock impact of the moment when one of the humans casually opens a door--only to find the equally surprised Thing on the other side! A film that still holds up today, thanks to fast pacing and efficient storytelling.