The Blob (1958)
Run for your lives! It’s THE BLOB!!
Brief Backstory
Before going to work on the critically acclaimed The Great Escape in 1963 and Bullitt later that decade, Steve McQueen signed up for a spooky scary movie called “The Blob” that would amaze and shock the audience. You know, like pretty much EVERY single one of those monster movies from the late 50s? Although not as well beloved as some well known horror movies like War of the Worlds or Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Blob would still end up being a revered classic amongst the horror fan club.
Story
A local opens up a ball that’s revealed to be a monster known as the blob. One couple, Steve and Jane, witness the murder of the doctor who tried to heal the old man and try to spread the word to the public before the blob spreads all over the town, which is easier said than done.
Random Facts
This movie screams 1950s lifestyle. Diners, horror marathons at theaters, early Rock ‘n Roll, the works.
The Blob would serve as an inspiration for a SpongeBob episode titled “The Krabby Patty that ate Bikini Bottom” 50+ years later.
Paramount never released this on home video as far as I know. My copy comes from Goodtimes – known for their crappy quality of home video releases.
According to the police station calendar, this movie takes place in July 1957.
Random Opinions
Exactly where was the dog in the end? We know he wasn’t killed in the movie.
The blob looks like a giant plastic bag.
Pros
- Strange, yet wonderful opening theme.
- Scary good scenes of the blob itself flooding the theater and consuming an old man.
- The movie doesn’t focus on a flimsy relationship that much. Might not sound good for character development, but this doesn’t harm the movie in any way.
- The design of the blob is simple and basic, and isn’t resorting to being so over the top like so many others in movies nowadays.
- A lot of great dialogue, some of which is hilarious.
Cons
- Though the blob is menacing and I’ve given praise to it, it’s still pathetically laughable looking at it 65 years later. Hell even in 1958 it still wasn’t that scary.
- The police in this movie are too stupid to the point where it’s just annoying. Even Officer Barbrady’s not as stupid as they are in this movie.
Rating: 7/10 – Good
Strange to say but I liked this way more than War of the Worlds. I wouldn’t call it an “alien invasion” movie by all means but whatever the case. When a monster movie is done right, it’s amazing. When done wrong however, then it’s worthless. Thankfully the Blob isn’t like that.
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