If you wish to see what type of science-fiction films were being offered in the 1950's this is one which you should start with. As a child, this film scared most of the small children in the theater. The special effects were definitely sub-par to the modern techniques of today, but it's simplicity is what makes this early monster movie so great. In this story we have our hero Dr. Cal Meacham and former girlfriend Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue) taken to a secret lab in the mountains where they are asked to join a select group of world scientists. The scientific ensemble is presided over by two strange individuals called Exeter (Jeff Morrow) and Brack (Lance Fuller) who later reveal they are from a planet called Meta-Luna. It is a planetary problem on the far off world which the two Earthlings are asked to help. When they arrive they observe the destructive ongoing interplanetary war, introduced to 'the Monitor' the ruler of the planet and meet some incredible creatures which from a child's point of view are terrifyingly out of this world. The movie is fun to watch and interesting to see even as an adult. Look closely and you'll see Russell Johnson (Gilligan's Island's Professer) play scientist Steve Carlson. **
Review of This Island Earth
