A Disappointing Continuation

The first must-see film of the year.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Yes. it came out of the skies; a mysterious spaceship, being watched by Professor Elliot (Raymond Bond), lands in the moors of Scotland. An American reporter John Lawrence (Robert Clark) joins the professor in the investigation of the craft that resembles a diving bell. A distressed humanoid that piloted the craft tries to communicate that he is from a dying planet that desperately needs aid. Very low budget and the lack of lighting actually helps the atmosphere. And the alien is one of the weirdest looking visitors to step on our planet. There is more curiosity than fear generated. This film is directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and independently made and actually distributed by United Artists, no stranger to the genre. Who can't enjoy Black and White sci-fi?Also in the cast: Margaret Field, William Schallert, David Ormont, Gilbert Fallman and Roy Engel. You may recognize Harold Gould as a frightened villager.

Boring, slow, Cheap, Background Movie, Like Background Music Decent acting, but still boring. Characters suck. Story goes nowhere. Can't remember the music. The sets were cheap. It's like watching a background movie, very boring, like listening to background music. Not recommended.Boring, slow, Cheap, Background Movie, Like Background Music Decent acting, but still boring. Characters suck. Story goes nowhere. Can't remember the music. The sets were cheap. It's like watching a background movie, very boring, like listening to background music. Not recommended.

This is wonderful in its own way. An alien has landed in the moors of Scotland and an American reporter comes to visit at the behest of an astronomer who has noticed a planet heading for the Earth. In the mix is a genius scientist who has a few loose screws, played by William Schallert (remember him as Dobie Gillis's teacher and Patty Duke's father, among others). One night the daughter of the scientist is coming back from town when she encounters a space ship. Upon investigating, she sees a face in the window of the ship which terrifies her. The rest of the movie involves a series of efforts to connect with the alien (who is about as unconvincing as is humanly possible). He has no facial movements and a single expression, as if he is paralyzed. They befriend him but Schallert soon screws things up by cutting off the air supply to the poor guy. Schallert seems to think that somehow this creature will make him rich and famous, though we're never sure how that is going to happen. This guy is connected to the planet that is going to launch a full scale invasion. The reporter goes to the local authorities. People have been disappearing and there is a lot of tension. The constable, who looks like he won second place in a Rod Steiger look-alike contest helps out. He is by far the best actor and the most believable character in the movie. All activities from this point on are at best bewildering, but it doesn't matter. Made on a shoestring budget, it's very nice entertainment for those who don't wish to ask any questions.

As a mysterious planet hurls itself toward earth, an enigmatic extraterrestrial scout arrives on a remote Scottish island with unknown intentions.Edgar Ulmer is not a well-known director. Horror fans may know his "Black Cat", and science fiction fans may know him for this film. But, largely, I think he has been forgotten. And that is a shame because these two films alone make for a solid legacy.Ulmer did set design for Max Reinhardt's theater, served his apprenticeship with F. W. Murnau, and worked with directors including Robert Siodmak, Billy Wilder, Fred Zinnemann and cinematographer Eugen Schüfftan. His work is forgotten but he was a crucial piece of the early German-American film.Sure, "Planet X" is cheesy. Yes, the camera likes to sit behind trees, and it is odd how Dr. Mears is able to walk five feet behind others without being noticed. And sure, they barely spent a penny by re0using the sets of other films. And yes, yes, the Scottish constable is a silly ethnic stereotype. All these things are true. But that is the charm.This film excels because it embraces its cheese and runs with it. Could planets really come that close to earth? Obviously not. And no film would attempt that stunt today. But this was an era when science did not need to be in science fiction to be good. The world was less cynical and more relaxed. Enjoy!