One of the best things about 1950s sci-fi/horror flicks is their strangeness.
Usually the monsters/aliens come from a strange world unlike our own, and they learn quickly that humans are a fabulous Food Source.
The 1958 cult classic, The Blob, is an excellent example of this wonderful strangeness.
First, the monster in this scifi/horror extravaganza is an alien blob – an actual gelatinous mass – that feeds on living flesh. One might have thought that a jello-y blob would be vegan, but therein lies the danger of Making Assumptions.
Second, the invading blob doesn’t make a sound, not even a squishing noise or burp, as one might expect. It is a Silent Terror.
Third, the blob arrives on earth via meteor, and the town it invades is also strange; it’s one of the politest towns in North America. Sure, there are a few tensions – a police officer thinks he’s being overlooked, and a father is angry when his daughter runs Afoul of Authorities. But the citizens of this town are ultimately cooperative and easily Reasoned With.
(A community without widespread bitterness and strife? Science fiction, indeed.)
Finally, the strangest thing, we think, is the cast. Although the actors are generally pretty good, you can’t help but notice all the “teenagers” in this flick seem to be in their 20s.
Indeed, The Blob appears to be specifically written for adults masquerading as teenagers.
Steve McQueen was 27 years old when he made The Blob, and it was his first starring role. When you watch him on screen, you realize there was no way he wasn’t going to be a Star.
McQueen has an endearing youthfulness about him. Watch him, for instance, with his aw-shucks manner, try to woo Potential Girlfriend Aneta Corsaut (also not a teenager). Yet when it comes time for McQueen’s Showdown with the blob, he’s Mr. All-Business.
Yet, the whole idea of Adults-as-Teenagers gives the impression adults are better film teenagers than actual teens, i.e. here’s how film teenagers should respect their parents; this is how film teenagers should treat their friends. The movie is both condescending and admiring of this demographic at the same time.
Now, The Blob ain’t exactly an Andy Hardy romp, but, curiously, it wasn’t regarded as a Throwback to another era when first released. The 1950s was a time when filmmakers were exploring teenage angst (e.g. Rebel Without a Cause), and The Blob deliberately avoids this minefield. Commentary on teen defiance looks like this, for example:
Police Officer 1: (shrugs) Kids are kids. Police Officer 2: What does that prove? Every criminal in the world was once a kid.
The script is also a little On The Nose when some of the teens decide to catch the midnight “spooky show” at the local movie theatre. We know the blob will eventually ooze into the theatre during this horror show, and we are not disappointed with the resulting mayhem.
Here, then, is another mixed message: The blob devours the very audience to which it caters. But that’s also why this strange film remains a cult classic.
In The Blob, filmmakers are careful not to show Too Much Too Soon. We first see the blob as a bit of harmless-looking slime, and we don’t see how much it’s grown – shockingly – until later in the film.
According to IMDb, filmmakers fashioned the blob out of red dye and silicone, and, curiously, it has never dried out. You’ll notice, during the film, that the blob becomes an increasingly darker red as it consumes more victims.
But get this! There is an actual Blobfest, held every July in Phoenixville, PA, where some exteriors of the original film were shot. If you keep an eye on ticket sales, you could get in on the annual re-enactment Colonial Theatre exodus:
Sources vary, but it appears The Blob was made for an estimated $110,000 US (approx. $1.1M US today), and it grossed $4 million US at the box office ($41.3M US today).
McQueen was offered a 10% share of the profits, but he turned it down in favour of a $3,000 salary because, apparently, he needed the rent money.
If you’ve seen this film, you’ve noticed the astonishing amount of continuity errors in this film. But multiple continuity errors are part of the best sci-fi B-movie traditions, and we mean it.
If you haven’t yet seen The Blob, we hope you’ll track it down. It’s a fun ride in the 1950s’ sci-fi landscape.
P.S. The film, Daughter of Horror (1955), as shown on the ill-fated theatre marquee, is a film about a young woman’s nightmarish experiences on skid row. If you’ve seen it, please let us know your thoughts.
The Blob: starring Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe. Directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. Written by Theodore Simonson & Kay Linaker. Tonylyn Productions, 1958, B&W, 86 mins.
I realize I haven’t commented in what seems like forever, so I thought it best to pop in and say how much I always enjoy your reviews. They are so entertaining and often admirably hysterical. Good to see you are still keeping the faith with your blog. I’m on hiatus from Bonnywood as I figure out my next life steps…
And yes, I would LOVE to do the “running from the theater” reenactment. Of course, I’d have so much fun doing so that I would be that one blonde guy in the middle of the screen who appears to be giddy with delight as he drags along a member of the Pink Ladies… 😉
Great review. I saw this film as a kid and it spooked me out but also fascinated me that such a creature might invade Earth. Watched it later as a young adult and still enjoyed it.
I’ve seen this but keep meaning to watch, Son of Blob as directed and stars Larry Hagman and made in 1972. Thanks for the reminder of this great Steve McQueen debut.
It may surprise you to know I didn’t see The Blob until this year. It was always on my radar, but I continually assumed it was colorized because the colors are so vibrant. I found the Blob itself to be surprisingly scary despite the inherent silliness of the movie. You’re right that the adults playing teenagers are pretty distracting. Yet it’s still a quintessential B movie.
It seems to be a television and film staple that teens are almost always played by adults, although 27 is pushing the limits of believability (as if a giant red gelatinous blob isn’t lol!).
I loved this fun post, Ruth — I laughed out loud, for real! I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen The Blob — I guess I’ve seen that theater seen so many times that I feel like I’ve seen the movie. I’m going to have to check it out, though. I wish they’d show it at TCMFF!
Great, fun review! The Blob is one of a handful of sci-fi films that people can recall from that era, partly due to Steve McQueen’s presence, and partly because it’s frightening and amusing at the same time. There’s so much lore around it — you’ve done a great job in picking out some of the more interesting and fun backstories!
Larry Hagman (!) directed a sort-of sequel called Beware! The Blob. It’s pretty bad. On the other hand, the 1988 remake The Blob is pretty decent entertainment.
Gee, McQueen looks so youthful, lol. I’ve been wanting to watch this movie and this review has me hooked. Thanks again for joining the blogathon, Ruth–it was a pleasure as always! 🙂
You made The Blob sound so interesting – probably more interesting than it really is. I’m always in for strange movies, and you’ll keep an eye on this one.
Thanks for the kind comment and congrats on another great review!
Le
I had my first encounter with this film a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised how quickly it won me over! The magic had to have begun with the title song, right? 😉 A delightful read as always, Ruth!
Silver Screenings 
I realize I haven’t commented in what seems like forever, so I thought it best to pop in and say how much I always enjoy your reviews. They are so entertaining and often admirably hysterical. Good to see you are still keeping the faith with your blog. I’m on hiatus from Bonnywood as I figure out my next life steps…
And yes, I would LOVE to do the “running from the theater” reenactment. Of course, I’d have so much fun doing so that I would be that one blonde guy in the middle of the screen who appears to be giddy with delight as he drags along a member of the Pink Ladies… 😉
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Bahaha! The Pink Ladies. That is awesome!
Have you written about your next Life Step options? I haven’t visited your site in a couple of weeks, but I will drop by this weekend.
P.S. Thank you for your very kind words. You’ve made my day. 🙂
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Great review. I saw this film as a kid and it spooked me out but also fascinated me that such a creature might invade Earth. Watched it later as a young adult and still enjoyed it.
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It’s a really enteryaining film, isnt it? The images of the blob are iconic.
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It was such a strange and terrifying creature!
It’s funny because when I watched it as a kid it I never even noticed the teens were adults 😁
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I’ve seen this but keep meaning to watch, Son of Blob as directed and stars Larry Hagman and made in 1972. Thanks for the reminder of this great Steve McQueen debut.
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I was reading about Son of Blob & wondering, Is the director THE Larry Hagman? I must check it out, and I bet a person can find it on YouTube.
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It most certainly is THE Larry Hagman, son of Mary Martin and actor who played JR Ewing…(scoots off to YouTube).
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I just queued up The Thing From Another World…popcorn is ready! Nice post 🙂
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Wish I could join you!
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Here’s an idea for a film: Fake Teenagers From Outer Space!
A parody of this? 🙂 https://debbimacktoo.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/new-bad-film-series-teenagers-from-outer-space/
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I love Teenagers from Outer Space, thanks to your review. I actually own it on DVD, if you can believe it.
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It may surprise you to know I didn’t see The Blob until this year. It was always on my radar, but I continually assumed it was colorized because the colors are so vibrant. I found the Blob itself to be surprisingly scary despite the inherent silliness of the movie. You’re right that the adults playing teenagers are pretty distracting. Yet it’s still a quintessential B movie.
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I’m a little surprised that you hadn’t seen The Blob until this year, but I am glad you were able to see it at last.
You make a hoid point about the colours. They’re almost saturated at times, hey?
It’s a solid B movie, and one that every film buff ought to see.
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It seems to be a television and film staple that teens are almost always played by adults, although 27 is pushing the limits of believability (as if a giant red gelatinous blob isn’t lol!).
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Haha! That’s an excellent point. Here’s this giant red Jello ball rolling around, and I’m fixated on the age of the actors.
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Ha ha!
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I loved this fun post, Ruth — I laughed out loud, for real! I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen The Blob — I guess I’ve seen that theater seen so many times that I feel like I’ve seen the movie. I’m going to have to check it out, though. I wish they’d show it at TCMFF!
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Oh yeah, a screening at TCMFF would be terrific! Here’s hoping it happens.
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Yikes – I had to come back just to correct my spelling — “scene,” not “seen”! :0
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No worries – stupid autocorrect.
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Great review of a great little film!
And now I want to go to Blobfest!!!
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I totally want to go to Blobfest too. How fun would that be?
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Great, fun review! The Blob is one of a handful of sci-fi films that people can recall from that era, partly due to Steve McQueen’s presence, and partly because it’s frightening and amusing at the same time. There’s so much lore around it — you’ve done a great job in picking out some of the more interesting and fun backstories!
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Thanks! The Blob has a special place in my heart, just like it does with so many others.
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Larry Hagman (!) directed a sort-of sequel called Beware! The Blob. It’s pretty bad. On the other hand, the 1988 remake The Blob is pretty decent entertainment.
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I hadn’t heard of either of these films before researching The Blob. But I’ve got both queued up, ready to watch.
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Gee, McQueen looks so youthful, lol. I’ve been wanting to watch this movie and this review has me hooked. Thanks again for joining the blogathon, Ruth–it was a pleasure as always! 🙂
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Thank you for hosting. This blogathon was so much fun!
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Thanks, Ruth–so glad you could take part! 🙂
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You made The Blob sound so interesting – probably more interesting than it really is. I’m always in for strange movies, and you’ll keep an eye on this one.
Thanks for the kind comment and congrats on another great review!
Le
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I hope you get the chance to see this quirky film. It’s a must if you’re a Steve McQueen fan.
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I had my first encounter with this film a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised how quickly it won me over! The magic had to have begun with the title song, right? 😉 A delightful read as always, Ruth!
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Thanks for dropping by, and so sorry for the delay in responding. I think I accidentally turned off WordPress notifications settings or something.
Anyhoo, I agree that the magic in The Blob starts with the title song. Who doesn’t love that jazzy sound, amirite?
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