Review of The Thing from Another World (1951) by James M — 25 Feb 2010

The original Thing couldn't afford to portray the shape shifting alien organism from the source story "Who Goes There?" that John Carpenter brought to frightening life in his classic remake and settled for Gunsmoke actor James Arness as a blood sucking alien with the characteristics of a vegetable.

It may sound silly but this is a fun, scary and suspenseful flick that is a classic in it's own right and one of the finest 50's sci-fiers there is. Great cast, great dialog, tense action and a great monster as played by James Arness.

For years it is rumored that producer Howard Hawks actually directed the movie, not the credited Christian Nyby but, whoever is responsible crafted a great movie that is still held in high regard today.

A bit of trivia: The Thing's frightening and unique growls were created by taking the meows of a cat and slowing them down drastically to achieve the sound that has scared viewers for almost 60 years.

And who can forget the ominous final lines of dialog :"Watch the skies...everywhere...keep looking...keep watching the skies...".