Cosmic Monsters (1958)

Scientists are working on some sort of magnetic ray that changes the molecular structure of metals, and it might be interfering with televisions at the local pub. Funding was in danger of being cut until the military recognized the tactical benefit. A strange visitor appears to inform them of a greater danger.

Originally titled “The Strange World of Planet X”, it was renamed for American audiences. Neither title hits the mark. But it has many of the tropes of 50’s sci-fi: an obsessed scientist, unintended consequences, giant bugs, and a budding romance.

Our lead is Forrest Tucker whom people my age may remember as Sergeant O’Rourke from F-Troop. A better actor than many in this tier of film but he lacked leading man good looks. He was believable as a lab assistant only because his duties were limited to turning dials when Dr. Obsessive barked at him.

50’s gender politics are revealed when an injured lab assistant is replaced by a woman. Our hero spouts the expected misogyny but is surprised to discover she is both attractive and qualified. I don’t ding it for this because it subverts the stereotype rather than confirm it. She is played by French actress Gaby André, but her accent was deemed too thick so they dubbed her with an English actress. It was very noticeable.

Like all 50’s sci-fi B films, the science is garbage. I won’t go into it. It was, however, surprisingly gory by 1950’s standards. Not as talkie as some UK films but it does border on having too many secondary characters for a drive-in audience to follow. Dumb as it is, it's well executed, does a lot with a limited budget, and is quite engaging. All in all, it wasn’t half bad. AMRU 3.5.

"Yea, I know the type. Frustrated angular spinster. Very dedicated to her calling. Without a sense of humor, bossy, and infuriatingly right every time."

Dodsworth (1936)

Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston) sells off his car company to do some traveling and reconnect with the wife. Her desire to shed her hayseed lifestyle and fear of middle age lead to her innocent flirtations becoming problematic.

The film features a very young David Niven as a wannabe suitor to the Mrs. Dodsworth. He didn’t think much of the role or experience, and director William Wyler didn’t think much of him. Ruth Chatterton plays the discontented wife. At 44, she was also facing a midlife crisis herself. She would appear in two more features in the next two years, then relegated to television.

But in many ways, this is Mary Astor’s film. Huston gets all the screen time but she’s always in the periphery. The good girl, or, the right choice. Not sexually aggressive or terribly beautiful, she is nevertheless appealing. Ironically enough she was going through a bitter custody battle during filming where her ex-husband was releasing excerpts of her stolen diary detailing affairs and sexual encounters. Mary wasn't staid and matronly in real life.

Dodsworth is an interesting and sometimes amusing drama, but I didn’t find much else there. Still, it was well written, well acted, and well paced. AMRU 3.5.