Customer Reviews

Phantom from Space [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

W. Lee Wilder had a penchant for making enjoyably average yet largely forgettable science fiction films. In Phantom From Space (1953), he introduces us to a much more agreeable alien than that found in his more familiar Killers From Space of the following year. Okay, so the phantom does kill a few people and cause some serious oil fires, but it's not all his fault. He's just not a people person, you see, what with being invisible and all. He's also not that bright, choosing to ditch his spacesuit and helmet rather than fall into the clutches of the humans on his tail. He needs something akin to a methane gas atmosphere in order to breathe, and a helmet-less jaunt on earth with its oxygen-based atmosphere threatens to cut short his visit in a most significant way.

The film starts out with an unidentified object hurtling from Alaska to the California coast, where the object seems to disappear. Mobile communications folks are sent out to determine the source of interference suddenly wreaking havoc in the area, and these guys keep bumping into cops investigating murders and other acts of destruction. Soon, these different forces team up with an army man and a scientist, and everyone eventually comes to the amazing conclusion that the source of all the trouble is actually a humanoid not of this world. The ending is not exactly a bright and chipper one, but it is just about the only plausible ending possible and, in its own way, it works pretty effectively.

I actually enjoyed Phantom From Space, despite a number of slow scenes in the first half of the film. The actors are reasonably good albeit colorless, and I was amused at the way the lead scientist seemed to become more and more German as the action progressed. There are certain limited parallels between this movie and Monster a Go-Go, and I feel compelled to state that the conclusion of Phantom From Space is far, far better than what you will find in its B-movie cousin. There's nothing here to make this film stand out, but it is a relatively painless and occasionally interesting cinematic diversion.

"The Phantom From Space" is a sci-fi cheapie from 1953. The first half is pretty boring, as most of the action involves driving around in ridiculous old cars with ludicrous antennae on their roofs looking for disturbances. This takes place in California, so there are some other wacky things going on, but just to make sure we understand, the bulk of the first half hour or so is narrated. As the narrator drones on over the scenes of stock footage, and the cars drive around endlessly, something finally happens! A murder by a guy in a diving suit happens, to be specific, but unfortunately for the audience, all that results for our entertainment is some really tough (not!) interrogation of the prime suspect. Ultimately a couple of people get killed and a refinery gets set on fire.

As the movie gets over the hump and starts picking up steam, we see some silly police foot chases of the diving-suit being that go on a bit too long, but ultimately corner the guy in a lab with a pretty female scientist. To evade capture the being takes off his suit and turns out to be invisible unless exposed to ultraviolet light. They chase him around until he needs to put his helmet back on while he practices Morse code with the lady scientist. She figures out that he needs to breathe methane (hence his attraction to the refinery...see how it all makes sense) but thanks to the comic relief newspaper reporter who is forever screwing everything up (at least they got that part right) he drops and breaks his helmet. Eventually we see him shriek and burn up in what I believe may be the Griffith Park Observatory, his mission having utterly failed.

This film is a borderline two or three star movie, but I decided to go with three as it was quite well made considering that it was from 1953. I liked that the film didn't attempt to make the invader from space into a killing machine, and that in the end actually made the audience feel sympathy for him. The special effects are not so special by the standards of today, but remember this was made 51 years ago, and I think was a pretty credible effort for the time. The acting is average, and the script is too. The biggest weaknesses were pacing and the whole silliness with the cars with ridiculous antennae. The second half is entertaining, and the creature actually looks good when we finally get to see him. If you can get past the first half, this is better than average for mid 1950s sci-fi.

It's about time somebody finally but out a decent print of "Phantom from space". I've been so sick and tired of finding copies that always have blurred images in them. Case in point is when a car goes by and the headlights leave a streak across the screen. I've been looking for a good copy of this film for quite awhile now and i have finally found it. I thought the picture quality was very good and the sound quality excellant. Other copy's I've seen left a lot to be desired. I've always wondered how some company"s can but out a product of inferior quality and dumb it on the general public when it come from and inferior source. I feel I am being ripped off. But Legend Films has out done them selfs with this film. Good picture and good sound. In my book this one is worth the money. I have not watched the colorized version of the film since I have no interest in faked color film. The color always looks unatural and I prefer my films in there original Black and White and aspect ratios.

Step 1- Make the alien invader invisible, so you only need to show doors opening and closing, and furniture moving around to indicate the extra-terrestrial presence. Step 2- Hire unknowns. Step 3- Stock footage! Stock footage! Stock footage! Actually, I happen to like PHANTOM FROM SPACE just fine. It's an average little movie with a decent storyline. Nothing spectacular, but enjoyable enough. I like the idea of an alien who is just trying to survive on our planet, without wanting to destroy us. He's stranded here with no way to communicate with our species! He kills in self-defense, only to be branded a murderer. He tries to make contact, but ends up scaring people instead. This is by no means a perfect movie. There are some lengthy patches of boredom and silliness throughout. I still recommend PFS to all science fiction fans...

sure buy this movie. it's entertaining. the special effects and costuming are way below today's standards, but it could be remade tomorrow with the right stars and writers and (in my opinion) sell movie tickets because the story line is genuine--an alien arrives and needs our help to survive. the suspense is in seeing if there's going to be a happy ending.

Whereas W. L. Wilder's following film, 'Killers From Space' (1954), offers an original twist on the time-honored invasion theme (see my review), this movie plays it a lot straighter. Its progression closely follows that of similarly themed films: an unknown presence (the Other) disrupts order, is eventually identified, tracked, and found. Yet despite this predictable structure, some key points make the film worth watching. Previous reviewers have mentioned the movie's reliance on overly talky scenes; I personally did not mind it, since the discussions are interestingly written and acted. The Phantom himself is an intriguing character. As in most sci-fi films of the 1950s, the invader is considered an enemy, but his role is quite ambiguous: the havoc he creates is linked to his own precarious situation, and the humans do not become pure killing machines eager to get rid of the Other. Not that they mind much when he dies, though... in that regard, the final scene is a little disappointing. As a whole, this film is very modest and far from exceptional, but fans of 1950s sci-fi should be pleased with its redeeming facets.

Legend Films presents "PHANTOM FROM SPACE" (15 May 1953) (73 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- An alien being with the power of invisibility lands in Santa Monica --- Killing two people who attacked him due to the menacing appearance of his space suit, the creature takes it off while being pursued by government authorities --- And check out that cool space suit! --- The ending tops all, thought, with a really cool effect that finally lets the viewer see the man behind the mask --- Each scene is gripping within the story line from director W. Lee Wilder (brother of director Billy Wilder).

Under the production staff of:
W. Lee Wilder - Director / Producer
Bill Raynor - Screenwriter
Myles Wilder - Screenwriter
William H. Clothier - Cinematographer
William Lava - Composer (Music Score)
George Gale - Editor
Jane Huizenga - Production Designer
Howard A. Anderson - Special Effects
Alex C. Weldon - Special Effects
David D. Martin - Technical Director

Story line and plot, 'The Phantom from Space' was a refreshingly different early 50s sci-fi film worth seeing --- this is not a typical "monster" from space story --- Instead the alien was a misunderstood sympathetic character stranded on earth and needing help --- He tried to communicate with humans but failed. I like to think that the more technologically advanced a race is, the less violent they might become or need to be --- find a film like this much more believable than a typical 50s "monster from space" film like 'The Thing from Another World' (1951), was an excellent film, but the advanced alien in it acted like a killer maniac. Hard to believe he could have built a ship able to travel millions of light years --- This alien in 'Phantom from Space' was also stranded here, but wanted to find a way to communicate and survive in our atmosphere, not kill --- this is refreshingly different from other 50s sci-fi films. In some ways this film reminded me of 'The Man From Planet X' maybe it was the role an unusual looking space suit played in making the alien seem more menacing then he actually was and adding a weird unearthly atmosphere to the film --- The special effects were primitive by todays standards, but got the job done nicely --- all of this just added to my enjoyment of the film.

the cast includes:
Ted Cooper ... Lt. Hazen
Tom Daly ... Charlie [Agent Charlie]
Steve Acton ... Mobile Center Dispatcher
Burt Wenland ... Agent Joe (Mobile 7)
Lela Nelson ... Betty Evans
Harry Landers ... Lt. Bowers
Burt Arnold ... Darrow
Sandy Sanders ... First Policeman
Harry Strang ... Neighbor
Jim Bannon ... Desk Sgt. Jim
Jack Daly ... Joe Wakeman
Michael Mark ... Refinery Watchman
Rudolph Anders ... Dr. Wyatt
James Seay ... Maj. Andrews
Noreen Nash ... Barbara Randall
Steve Clark ... Bill Randall
Dick Sands ... The Phantom

BIOS:
1. W. Lee Wilder (Director)
Date of Birth: 22 August 1904 - Sucha, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Sucha Beskidzka, Poland]
Date of Death: 14 February 1982 - Los Angeles, California

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Legend Films Trailers

The complete print was restored and colorized by Legend Films, using the latest technology --- Although the Legend Films release was advertised under its reissue title, both the color and black and white prints featured the original title and opening credits --- Legend Films can restore, colorize and release many of the classic earliest black and white films --- a patented coloring and remastering process makes each film picture perfect plus more vivd than ever --- no one can resist collecting every title that Legend Films releases.

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector.

Total Time: 73 mins on DVD ~ Legend Films. ~ (10/21/2008)

Specifically regarding the DVD released by Alpha Video. The source print was poor and the DVD picture quality ranges from substandard to fair but the entire film has a soft image. Some segments are very soft with much surface noise. Dark scenes are very noisy and soft which is very distracting as they look like as if transferred from a worn VHS videocassette.

So, only purchase if you are willing to watch a substandard image and don't bother buying if you have an HD screen.

The picture on the box looks much better than the actual phantom, but this movie has its moments. Though the film was low budget, and there are some silly moments, the film tries to be somewhat serious, and rather than the usual approach to aliens in the 50s, meaning shoot to kill, dissect them, and then ask questions, the people who encounter the phantom make an attempt at communication. If they would have had better gadgets, perhaps they could have spoken.

A space ship goes from Alaska to California, which seems awfully sensible if you consider the weather in the two states. Unfortunately, the landing is a bit rougher than the alien had planned, and the alien has to literally come ashore. Unfortunately for the alien, bizarre-looking space suits were out of season at that time, and the local fashion police attacked him. The space suited phantom had to kill in order to defend his right to express himself through his uniform.

Unfortunately, killing people is mostly frowned upon in California, so the local gendarmes attempt to track the being down, using super incredible whiz-bang detection equipment. I was confused as to whether I should be impressed or laugh, so I finally chose rolling my eyes each time I saw a cheesy "dish" car. Just think, a satellite dish on the roof of a car might be all the rage today.

Eventually there is quite a crowd chasing one, poor defenseless alien around. The alien decides to ditch his space suit to take advantage of his natural invisibility. Needing to breath the special mixture provided by his suit seemed to advise against taking his space suit off. The next thing you know the space suit dissolves, except for the helmet.

There is a brief moment where it looks like everyone was going to sit around a campfire and sing "Kumbaya" when a goofy reporter sets off a flash bulb, frightening the alien and generally decreasing the low opinion of everyone with respect to reporters. The frightened alien breaks his helmet, which then quickly dissolves, and then makes a break for the observatory. Fortunately, his pursuers have ultraviolet lights that enable them to see the alien in a flashy blurry way, so that we can see the exciting climax to the movie.

This movie was decent. I enjoyed seeing an alien in the position of inadvertent visitor who just wanted to live, while there were also people who wanted him to live. The first half of the movie is slow, but after everyone ends up in the laboratory building things start picking up. It is too bad that the atmosphere needed by the alien was not readily available. If you consider yourself a fan of classic science fiction, I urge you to watch this one because it takes a different approach from other similar movies from that era. Somehow, I do not see this movie as having been a big hit in theaters.

this was great older movie showing the old cars of 1950s and how americans talk , the story is great the ending well what ever, it good for kids and all ages