The Blob (1958) MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material and mild language. Runtime: 82 mins. Director: Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr. Writer: Kay Linaker; Irving H. Millgate Cast: Steve McQueen; Aneta Corsaut...complete cast Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi/Comedy
Tagline: Indescribable...Indestructible! Nothing can stop it. Memorable quote: "I think you should send us the biggest transport plane you have, and take this thing to the Arctic or somewhere and drop it where it will never thaw."
Frank's Reel commentary:... when viewed with a nostalgic attitude and with one corner of your mind thinking back of sitting in the tuck-and-roll seats of a '57 Chevy parked at the drive-in theater, The Blob will endear itself to classic sci-fi fans more and more each time it is viewed.......full review
From amidst the post-WWII induced fears of alien beings invading the Earth comes The Blob, one of the era's schlockiest but most memorable and fun-loving creature features. Although the cinematic landscape of the time was littered with an incredibly high number of B-grade monster and teen delinquency flicks, only a small few managed to emerge, decades later, as proud representatives of the era.
Following in the footsteps of Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), The Blob shoehorns together a combination of then-popular teen angst and mass hysteria to make a technically flawed but nostalgically magical film about an asteroid that crashes to earth leaving behind a flesh-eating glob of goo that rampages throughout the city.
The Blob was Steve McQueen's third feature film but was his first starring role. The fact that he was a 27 year-old playing a teenager just adds to the film's tongue-in-cheek camp and charm. His love interest, and the film's female lead, was the 27 year-old Aneta Corsaut who would later become popular as Helen Crump of the Andy Griffith television series of the early '60s.
Together, the two teens, as wholesome as their first names, Steve and Jane (McQueen Corsaut respectively) witness a shooting star that apparently lands a short distance from where they are making out at inspiration point. They immediately jump into their car to investigate.
In the meantime, nearby, an old man pokes a stick at the smoldering meteorite, which breaks apart, revealing a throbbing, steaming puddle of what looks like colorless Jello. The blob crawls up the stick and eventually envelops the old man's hand.
As the man runs for help, he encounters Steve and Jane who gather him into their car and rush him to the town doctor. Leaving the victim in the comforting care of the doctor, the two are instructed by the doctor to investigate the landing of the meteorite in hopes that they can help get to the source of the blistering blob that now envelops the man's entire arm.
In the meantime, defying attempts by Steve and Jane to warn the citizens of the potential danger, the now enormous blob proceeds on a slimy rampage of the city, including the memorable attack of a movie theater, where the blob seeps in through the building's ductwork. In the film's climactic scene and one which is ingrained into the memory of anyone older than 40, the blob completely encases an entire diner attempting to devour the restaurant's patrons.
Directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr. and written by Kay Linaker and Irving H. Millgate The Blob has seeped its way into the lineup of the great cult classics despite its miniscule budget. The film features the hit song, The Blob, that was written by Bert Bacharach and Hal David and became a popular but short-lived hit shortly after the film's release. The tune sounds more like a Frankie Avalon beach blanket number than the stirring soundtrack for a horror flick, but perhaps that very aspect, coupled with the film's other period characteristics are what make it so charming.
Many will love the film, but probably more will hate it. It is a campy little low-budget movie wrought with silliness and an ignorance of common sense. But when viewed with a nostalgic attitude and with one corner of your mind thinking back of sitting in the tuck-and-roll seats of a '57 Chevy parked at the drive-in theater, The Blob will endear itself to classic sci-fi fans more and more each time it is viewed.
Other Features:
• Audio commentary by producer, director and actor Robert Fields
• Audio commentary by historian film historian Bruce Eder
• "BLOB-abilia!": Collector Wes Shank's rare trove of stills, posters, props (including the Blob itself!), and other ephemera
• Special collectible poster
Film historian Bruce Eder and actor Robert Fields lovingly remember this goofy drive-in fare. They focus on their star, who made his debut here -- young Steven McQueen, before he dropped the n from his first name
