This Island Earth
| This Island Earth | |
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| Directed by | |
| Produced by | William Alland |
| Written by |
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| Based on |
This Island Earth 1952 novel by Raymond F. Jones |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
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| Cinematography | Clifford Stine |
| Edited by | Virgil Vogel |
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Production
company |
Universal Pictures
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| Distributed by | Universal International |
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Release date
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Running time
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86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $800,000 (est) |
| Box office | $1.7 million |
This Island Earth is a 1955 American science fiction film from Universal International, produced by William Alland, directed by Joseph M. Newman and Jack Arnold, that stars Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue, and Rex Reason. It is based on the novel of the same name by Raymond F. Jones, which was originally published in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories as three related novelettes: "The Alien Machine" in the June 1949 issue, "The Shroud of Secrecy" in December 1949, and "The Greater Conflict" in February 1950. The film was released in 1955 on a double bill with Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.
Upon initial release, the film was praised by critics, who cited the special effects, well-written script, and eye-popping Technicolor prints as being its major assets. In 1996, it was edited down and lampooned in the MST3K film Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie.
Dr. Cal Meacham (Rex Reason), a noted scientist and jet pilot, is sent an unusual substitute for electronic condensers that he ordered (after nearly crashing a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star during a cross-country flight, prior to being saved by a mysterious green glow). Instead, he receives instructions and parts to build a complex communication device called an interocitor. Although neither Meacham nor his assistant Joe Wilson (Robert Nichols) have heard of such a device, they immediately begin construction. When they finish, a mysterious man named Exeter (Jeff Morrow) appears on the device's screen and tells Meacham he has passed the test. His ability to build the interocitor demonstrates that he is gifted enough to be part of Exeter's special research project.
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Wikipedia