Review of The Phantom Planet (1961) by William W — 29 Nov 2013

The thing about bad movies, at least the worst ones, is the lack of any sort of structure, or story ideas. Actually, anything resembling some sort of talent put into them. Sure The Phantom Planet is not a great movie at all, but after watching it, you can tell that an attempt was made by someone to do at least something with it.

It didn't work, but the movie has some sort of structure and has something to say, which is more than I can say for a lot of the bad movie fodder floating around out there. Don't get me wrong though.

I'm not saying it's a hidden gem. The dialogue is corny and laughable, a lot of the effects are bad and the acting is not great, but it does feel genuine. At least it does to me. I rather liked the effect of Captain Chapman shrinking in his spacesuit after he crashed on the planet's surface, but that's the most memorable thing about it, and they even re-use it later in reverse when he goes back to normal size.

The Mystery Science Theater 3000 version offers up some laughs, which is better than nothing.