Halloween 2013: Review 216: "The Blob (1958)"

"That sounds like a dug"

They Weren't Ready for This Jelly

      The Blob is a 1958 sci-fi/horror film that ran double features with I Married a Monster from Outer Space. This B-movie was directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. (Dinosaurus!) and was written by Theodore Simonson (4D Man) and Kay Linaker (Drums Along the Mohawk). The film follows teenagers Steve (Steve McQueen) and Jean (Aneta Corsaut) who try to convince police officers Dave (Earl Howe) and Bert (John Benson) that an alien monster is dissolving people around town and with soon kill them all. Hijinks ensue.

This is why you don't swallow your gum.

Carnivorous Jam

      The Blob is definitely a product of the 1950s. The film almost comes across as the ultimate B-movie. A giant, awesome looking yet cheap monster terrorizes an unsuspecting small town and it's up to a group of rebellious teenagers to save the day. Man, the 1950s were great. Monsters were always attacking. It must have been so fun. Anyway, The Blob is a film that manages to get better over time. The film itself was already a goofy movie back when it first came out, but now it's even goofier. And that's great. THis is another perfect Halloween movie. Sure, it might not have much in the way of scares, but it a load of fun. The Blob is a great monster. It looks gross and menacing, even for only being a mass of goo. In fact, it shown too little in this movie. I kept wanting more of it and instead, we just got more of McQueen. Which is cool too. McQueen's quest to convince the townspeople that he isn't crazy and that they're all in danger is nice and entertaining. McQueen is good for the role, even if he looks as much like a teenager as the police officers of the town. But that's Dawson Casting for ya. Overall, there's really not a whole lot to say. The movie has great special effects and the movie theater scene is still really great. Imagine if you were watching that scene in that theater they filmed in. Now that's scary.

AHHH! HIS HAND'S MADE OF FRUIT ROLL-UP!

The Verdict

      The Blob is a fun movie that near-perfectly embodies the 1950s and B-movies. McQueen is a good hero, the story and setting are a lot of fun and the Blob is a great monster. Sure it might be a little light on substance, but it's pretty heavy on fun. And goo monsters. The Blob (1958) gets 5 stars out of 6.