THEM! (1954) & Beyond-Ants in the Cinema !!! And your patio, your house, in your shoes and your !!!!???
TOP SECRET!!! Special meetings at the top level of the government… No one is talking. “No comment” is the status quo. What are they not telling us?! Unusual sightings in the skies, strange disappearances. A lone girl found wandering in the desert. The state police, F.B.I. and the department of Agriculture all working together. Talk about odd bedfellows. What could it all mean? A nationwide order issued to stay inside!!! And a quote from the bible “
“Unless something is done and done quickly, man as the dominant species of life on Earth will be extinct within a year.”!!!
There is no word to describe THEM!
We all have seen them. Scurrying around beneath our feet. Crawling on our arm, invading our homes every spring and fall…especially if you have a sliding glass door. At least I have. Oh and they usually are the uninvited guests that show up when you have a picnic. I know you thought I was going to say Uncle Al and his family- yeah usually late and never bring a dish to pass. Some may not even pay attention to them!! But in 1954 that was about to change. At least at the local cinemas across the country. For this was the year that cinema houses would start to see a trend or what could be called a sub-genre within Science Fiction film, mutated bugs, bug people & giant-sized bugs. And it was all brought on by the atom bomb. The consequences of man’s dabbling in the unknown and with the unknown.
The film in question burst on the screen as the forerunner of this new genre/sub-genre. It provided shocks and thrills not only in the very creatures- the invaders from below the very ground we walk on. Normally conducting their business right under our very feet and us never giving it a thought. Well at least until THEM! arrived. They can lift 10 times their weight, they have an amazing social network and war like. One queen can produce 1000s of eggs from one pregnancy and they have existed for a few million years. a few million more than us. I am talking about ants and in this case desert ants…highly aggressive and intelligent.
THEM! was to have been a *3D presentation. The process that was taking theaters and the movie going public for a fun “ride”. Once you put on those crazy looking glasses with the red and green lenses everything from bubbles to flaming arrows were jumping off the screen. Imagine had Warner gone thru with this. It may have changed the perspective of the film and the very response by critics and audiences alike. Recently converted over to Hi -Def and released on Bluray format. It takes on an almost 3D look -so maybe getting the just rewards it deserves visually. The crisp, clear image and sharp audio will really make jump at times. This is the best way to enjoy it. But make sure you hide all the sugar if decide to watch TV in the midnight hour. Just would not want the ants mistaking you for a cube of sugar-remember these “little” guys can lift 10x their weight, plus the fact I just got a new couch.
- (Bluray-Warner Archive) see link below (extras…test footage of the mechanical ants)
- *Trivia- 3D — in the 50’s this was the process that movie companies thought would help protect them from that boxy thing that was popping up in peoples’ living rooms across the nation. The problem, it was costly and required 2 projectors started simultaneously, created the stereoscopic images-3D. This demanded every 3D picture to have an intermission as well. This made it possible to set up the second half of the film. In addition, the image had to be checked quite often for adjustment. This was time consuming for the projectionist and annoying for the movie going audience. When it was working correctly there was nothing like it.
When it was working correctly there was nothing like it. The fact is, that many films from the era & were released in 3D- were actually saved by this process. Robot Monster is such an example. It had such fun effects that people forgave the almost nothing plot… it was camp on camp … nonsensical but no one cared when you were dodging bubbles coming right at you… then there were the exceptions like Hondo starring John Wayne .. a classic with or without the 3d, but I saw this when local TV stations around the country were airing 3D films as part of a promotion tied in with 7 Eleven where you had to stop there to pick up your glasses. That night I was dodging arrows and ducking arrows in my living room. This brought the realism to the scene and made a big impact on me. A real “wow” factor.
- 30 years later-
Above- the trailer for Comin At Ya (1981). The 3D film has seen a resurgence many times over the last 60 years plus. But it was the genius of Tony Anthony and the revolutionary 3D process and polarized glasses to really give the term eye popping -off the screen cinematic experience in to a reality.
From this moment on in cinema history someone was continually trying to one up or at least join THEM in what would become its own sub-genre of giant/mutated bugs. Now there is even a bug people sub-genre and just plain good old, fashioned creepy crawling bugs. Prior to 1954 we were entertained by or scarred and a combination there of “big” apes- King Kong & son, Mighty Joe Young, dinosaurs-The Lost World , Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. Probably the movie serials gave us more exposure in some cases or the promise there of. However after 1954 came The Deadly Mantis, The Black Scorpion and The Beginning of the End(grasshoppers).
Major fact SCI-FI boomed in the 50’s . It was not just kaiju-giant monsters. We had aliens good (It Came From Outer Space) , bad(Queen From Outer Space)and the ugly(It, Terror From Outer Space-precursor to Alien) to prehistoric or prehistory -The Monster On Campus(this one gave me nightmares),
Creature From the Black Lagoon. How about Teenagers from Outer Space, Invasion of the Saucer Men or I was A Teenage Werewolf. The last three were aimed at the *“shoppers”…teenagers*.
- 50’s It was a time when teens were slowly taking over as the targeted audience for certain films and as potential consumers because they were coming in to their own. **Disposable income from babysitting, paper routes, a job down at the local Charbroil or neighborhood soda fountain. Drive-Ins (passion pits) now a hangout or a makeout.
- Hula Hoops, Yo-Yos the latest fads. Cherry or Vanilla Cokes or a combo. Bubs Daddy gum.
- They gathered at malt shops, record stores and congregated in front of radio stations, entering some of the craziest contests — to maybe win a bike or a trip to Hollywood… a recording contract.
DVD release -cover art-missing the Tagline-It’s No Picnic- a film that had far better advertising/promotions(books,posters) than the production actually produced. Played well at the Drive-Ins.
Ants themselves would have their day in Bert I Gordons Empire of the Ants(AIP-Robert Lansing & Joan Collins) one I can not recommend based on a so-so script and a lot of projection special effects. On the big & small screen and back small scale-normal sized but all together troublesome ants. In a jungle setting in an obvious 1954’s The Naked Jungle (Charlton Heston). In the mid 70’s came a super scary and definitely food for thought cinematic and critically acclaimed Phase IV. Intelligent ants (now ponder this we already know ants are highly intelligent think super on the brain waves).
The made for TV fare gave us -It Happened at Lakewood Manor 1977 (Suzanne Somers, Robert Foxworth, Myrna Loy and Linda Day George) explained by some climatic condition that produced these highly poisonous crawlies and that eventually were dispatched by their immediate habitat being obliterated. And thank goodness because there was nothing that seemed to stop these little guys. Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull gave us some of the most aggressive on-screen ants. They were mean, ugly and did not take no for an answer. These “little” warriors in numbers could drag a person right under the ground. In seconds. Just be glad it’s not you.
Ants would not be big again not until the modern cult classic with tongue firmly in cheek. It’s more than fun-it’s thrill ride — Dead Ant. A nonstop rollercoaster of pure entertainment with Tom Arnold as a manager leading the pack after a rock band stops off in indian territory, Joshua Tree and does the ol “ Please whatever you do, don’t do this” like don’t kill a single thing, not even a fly or an ant this case..… several funny hallucinatory experiences later after toking on some strange” weed” (more like chewing some wild peyote) comes the repercussions.
The band on a comeback tour will be lucky if they just make it back , back to anywhere. Ants of all sizes attack from everywhere. They are jumping, running, burrowing and crunching all in their path. Released in 2017 playing at lots of festivals, it has slowly developed a momentum not unlike the very the monstrous “bugs” it depicts on screen. Now a 2nd release in 2019. This film has developed a following that cried out for more exposure and well deserved. It is quirky. Each and every character right down to the medicine man who puts on war paint to save the day.
For bug-people we were treated to the movie within a movie-Mant the film that was being promoted by a larger than life producer/director/promoter /showman played by John Goodman as Lawrence Woolsey. A character patterned after and portrayed perfectly as an homage/tribute to William Castle (Bug & Thirteen Ghosts). Matinee (1993) a movie set during the Bay of Pigs and the very real threat of nuclear war. Woolsey shows up to promote his latest exploitative production-Mant. In stunning Black.White featuring Atomovision & and The trailer suggests the it is based on scientific fact .This possibly could happen- a horrific version of an “ant man” or bug-person. The story also involves a coming of age tale set in Key West at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. And culminates inside a old fashioned movie theater with my favorite-a balcony.
This cinema gem was directed by Joe Dante (The Howling/Piranha). And has the feel of the 60’s right down to the Saturday matinee films for kids, Famous Monsters of Filmland magazines in the background. Movie marquees, the automobiles, soda fountains. Even the Navy base. Looks authentic. The fashions and the colors and furniture in the scenes. Joe creates a feel good movie and with true nostalgic aura. See this film(Available on Bluray from Shout Factory and available to stream on Chiller Theater TV via Roku).
link-https://www.shoutfactory.com/
TV- Since 1954 we know the big screen has seen all kinds of ants big and small. Well Television is no stranger. Even the famous Simon Templar (Roger Moore) aka The Saint (6 Seasons-’62–’69) had a go at ants-the giant kind. Ones that seem to possess telepathy cand able communicate via radio waves. But here the real monsters was “man”. Again experimenting with mother nature. Almost tipping the scales and throwing the balance of nature completely in the opposite direction. The episode House on Dragon Rock which aired during the 6th season was one of the most atmospheric stories. Set in a small Welsh fishing village, the town folk have been plagued by some very mysterious and unusual circumstances involving mutilated livestock and farm equipment being overturned. Let’s hope Simon is up for this.
Cartoons
Our “little” friends, neighbors really and sometimes roommates have made their way from the big screen to the smaller “boob” tube (TV) either as villains, trespassers or occasionally as superheroes/intelligent (Monsters vs Aliens)characters in some of our favorites cartoons-some becoming a part of the iconic pop culture of Saturday Morning fare.
Most often our busy little..oh you thought I was going to say bees…nope- workers are seen as unwanted guests at picnics etc.. Having happened countless times -plaguing the likes of Donald Duck, Yogi Bear, the Pink Panther…even the Flintstones.
Heroes including Space Ghost, Tarzan, Superman and The Flash had their own encounters
But during the wave of superheroes — 1966–1969, a shining beacon of hope for antdom arrived in the form of one “up and atom Atom Ant!!!!”. Voice by the ever talented Howard Morris(The Nutty Professor & The Andy Griffith Show). Finally ants would get some good press.
Above — music video for James Brown energy packed I Got Ants In My PANTS
Music-Even this industry had it’s floors invaded. Chalking up another win. here is a guy that needs no introduction .yes I am talking about the King of Soul-Mr James Brown with the 1971 I Got Ants in My Pants (And I Want to Dance) or I need to Dance. No one could give so much emotion and feeling in his songs on or off the stage or in/out of the studio. As the song suggests if you got in your pants -dance. Another one for our 6 legged friends. I can just imagine probably one of the biggest party going down for one of the smallests animals on the planet as the sing is belted out. It is an infectious song. You just can’t help but start tapping some part of your body .. hand , fingers or feet. The next thing you know your dancing. Again chalking up another win. Ants for a Better Tomorrow — a little known organization here to help promote a more perfect relationship of harmony and bliss between our smaller earthlings and man. They really had a field day with this.
There are many songs abouts. Much more than I thought existed. And everything from children’s songs..Who can forget The Ants Come Marching 2x2 to punk /alternative rock-Blondie’s TheGinst Invasion to Adan Ant with Ant Invasion. In fact if you Google ant songs it pulls up top ten and the latter two songs are in that list. One only has to ask…
Ants Reality
Above- a lone Fire Ant- also known as the “Wingless Bee” . Note the stinger at the end of the abdomen — unlike a bee who loses its stinger after one encounter and then dies…the fire ant can keep on stinging. That one ant packs a wallop and lots of venom now multiple that by even just 10 or 20. Where ends the seriousness of these little guys is that you do not feel the sting or any pain until you have been stung several times. So one should not stop to feed the turtles wearing nothing but sandals.
Now the funny thing about ants are that they usually the ones who always make that commitment to showing up at the family picnic/BBQ even when Uncle Frank and Cousin Matilda are always late. But not to fret those loyal ants have no problem helping out with the leftovers, let alone the first and 2nd helpings. But imagine the hysteria if these little “guys” ever even to the small measurement of say 5,6 inches or more …and at 2 ft it would be disastrous. The bite and ramifications are unfathomable. Between the acid alone they inject and add any that are poisonous. And the pincers. Apocalyptic without question. So, is this Horror & Sci-fi? yes carefully blended together for what I call a well balanced and written story and spot on production that instills and insights thrills and maybe few a provocative thoughts about mans’ quest for and meddling in the very forces of nature. Is this the price for technological advances in weaponry and defence along with supplying the world demands for energy? Maybe — look at what our world faces right at this moment a global pandemic that could have been brought on or sped up by our neglect and lack of responsibility of addressing healthcare issues, the warming of our planet and that one can travel from point a to point b in not quite the blink of an eye but a few hours is close enough. In fact the prevailing winds can scatter ashes from a volcanic eruption hundreds of miles away and change current weather patterns and sometimes whole seasons for example when Mt St Helens literally blew her top oh a couple of decades ago or so there was for most of the northeast an extended spring temperatures and lucky if New York made it into the 80’s at all that summer following the eruption.
Another thing to keep in mind is that twice a year when the we are making the transition from summer to fall and winter to spring many of our scurrying friends try to make their way in to our homes .. and ants are among the most persistent. Almost every place that I have lived, if blessed with a sliding glass door has been invaded by these 6 -legged creatures. But setting out ant traps seems to do the trick. This at least discourages them. But think about it. Here is a well- sealed structure and yet they always find a way in. Luckily, they are usually over a mere inch in length. Having to contend with THEM! I think we might be the ones doing the running.
Have these “guys” been getting a bad wrap. After all, they hallaway unwanted organic material from the very ground we walk on… keeping the forest floor clean. In fact drop a cookie, the end of your ice cream cone, even a crumb on the ground and observe how fast an ant or “two” show up. Their underground network helps airyait the soil. Ants are also part of the pollinating branch of insects. Maybe not a contribution as extensive as bees, however what they do helps maintain the food supply. So think about that the next time you go to take a step.
So I pose a question-do you think we can really predict or expect to control the result of splitting the atom?…the Bikini Atoll- the site of many above ground nuclear tests remained radioactive for years … many year. Take Godzilla was inspired by these(tests) as well as the horrifying experience that Japan endured from the first and only dropping/exploding of atomic weapons of any place on our planet ever. Hopefully to never ever happen again!!!?? Something for each of us to ponder guests as we leave each other until next time here at Reviews on the Edge…
Fresh the vaults-
Warner Archive- catch the latest from Warner including newly out on Bluray-
The Thin Man, Howard Hughes’ Underwater filmed in Superscope-with Jane Russell (this is hot title-selling out fast), Innocent Blood(a vampire tale with a twist-Don Rickles guest stars).
***now you can make it a double dose of melting wax and screen both of these molten hot cult classics.
House of Wax in 3D with the king of Horror -Vincent Price, plus the original Mystery of the Wax Museum starring Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill(one of many featuring both of these iconic actors) . Available for your viewing pleasure.
- Links
- Further reading-One that I highly suggest
Above-popping art work for the cover-everyone of the images in this jaw dropping design are covered in depth within the pages of what I consider one of the :
“Essentials of a SCI-FI fans library and for sure anyone who is a film historian”
Keep Watching the Skies-
written by Bill Warren Hard Copy and coming in at just shy of 1000 pages. This treasure trove of history and trivia should have come with a vault. I have the 21st Century Edition that has been updated and now covers every film released in the US from 1950 thru 1962.
This incredible wealth of knowledge that is stowed within these pages will not only keep you busy for days, but would make any College Prof do several cartwheels or put in for some unused well-deserved vacation time. It not only covers the films by alphabetical order along with plots and casts and crew. It houses a vast amount of behind the scenes pre and post-production right down to the amount of times the scripts were revised and by whom…also the why. If you want to know budgets, it’s here. Was it re-released? The directors and their careers. Backgrounds on actors. What was happening at the time. Example- an excellent take on Gordon Douglas (Dir THEM!) and his strides and accomplishments per and post. Enough to want you to seek out his other features. I love this because it can paint a clear picture as to why in some cases for who may have been picked or handed a project. In Douglas’s case he was a man who could get it done. and all his films are very good with tight direction. He knew what he wanted once the script had been finalized and always got the performances he needed.
So, if you are a student of film you could find a better reference to SCI-FI in the 50’s. This my go to book for research. When I am stumped or looking for some inspiration …oh and Keep Watching the Skies (it’s the closing line from 1951’s The Thing From Another World) is loaded with lots of eye candy ... the kind you drool over when you are trying decide what lobby card or poster you want on the back of your dorm room. So enjoy and like the title suggests keep alert … aliens or something could be dropping in at anytime…
This book was published by …
McFarland & Company-Publishing
