Runtime: 83 minutes
Directed by: Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr…. and Russell S. Doughton, Jr.
Starring: “Steven” McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland, Stephen Chase
From: Paramount
Beware of The Blob… it creeps, and leaps, and glides, and slides across the floor…
Yes, I’ve known of the hysterical opening credits song (and how groovy the credits were) for years now. Heck, I’ve known it was written by BURT BACHARACH and Mack David-brother of his songwriting partner Hal-yet it was just last night that I finally gave this a shot. I’ve seen some cheesy 50’s and 60’s sci-fi before, and at times was charmed by their low-budget silliness. Make no mistake about it, The Blob is also campy entertainment-yet has more merit than I suspected going in. To steal a quote, the song makes you think that it’ll be a good time when Blobbie visits town—which is not the case!
Steve McQueen (or Steven, as the groovy credits proclaim) as the lead did help, even in his first big role. Of course, it’s kind of ludicrous that he is playing a teenager when he was in his late 20’s at the time… and appeared to be in his 30’s! The same goes for his co-star Aneta Corsaut-only a few years younger-and many of the “teens” spotlighted. There is a scene of hot-rodding as they were attempting to ensnare the Rebel Without a Cause crowd along with the sci-fi fans. They were typical rebel youths, for sure. The titular blob was in a meteorite that crashed in rural Eastern Pennsylvania, found by someone best described as “an old coot” and it becomes larger/more lethal with time.
Steve-that’s his character’s name also-sees the “monster” and of course some of the adults think he’s full of it. I stated “some” as refreshingly, this does not fall into the cliché loathed by me where no adult believes someone young no matter the circumstances. Steve’s dad doesn’t dismiss his claims and there’s even a sympathetic ear in the police department. Another refreshing detail was that the teens weren’t useless once the chips were down and The Blob was at his most destructive-the adults learned they weren’t so bad after all.
The effects were of their time and rather charming. Parts of the film undoubtedly appeared low-buck, not to the point that it ruined your immersion into the plot. The acting and dialogue were sometimes rather rough. On the other hand, Steve and his gal Jane were rather likable which kept me engaged when The Blob wasn’t seen often until the final act due to the obvious budgetary reasons. It was schlock that wasn’t forgettable slop—which is a hoot when I read after the movie that many of the people on the crew were involved with religious and/or educational shorts.
This is worthy of viewing during Spooky Season for those that view such things as summer turns to fall then Halloween arrives. As for the 80’s remake directed by Chuck Russell-no relation-I plan on checking that out during Spooky Season this year.
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