Keep Watching the Skies! : American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties

by Bill Warren

Relive and thrill to the science fiction movies of the '50s (through 1962), when jujubes and popcorn with extra butter went arm and arm with mad women (Attack of the 50 Foot Woman), weird teenagers (I Was a Teenage Frankenstein, Teenage Zombies), ill-fated matches (I Married a Monster from Outer Space), victims of scientific experiments (The Fly), and all those things that kept dropping in from outer space (The Blob, The Brain Eaters).

As Warren meticulously and unfailingly points out, special effects were infantile ("They fall into a huge spider web which strongly resembles a cargo net," Earth vs. The Spider), budgets incredibly small ("As Jack Moffitt noted, 'the giant spaceman must be a fugitive from medieval France since, on his chest, he wears a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis. On his back, is an Assyrian bull, indicating he may have had his cleaning, pressing and mending done in Babylon'," Attack of the 50 Foot Woman). From The Astounding She-Monster, another small budget reminder: "In the first day of filming, the She-Monster bent over to kill one of the characters and ripped (her) suit in the back ... so in all subsequent scenes, the She-Monster makes exits and entrances facing the camera. Of course, this means she is walking backward much of the time, but aliens are weird."

The book is filled with witty, fanatically in-depth critiques, with insider anecdotes. In addition to detailed plot synopses and production data, Warren cites good and bad reviews from the period, then adds his own analysis of how the film stands up after two or three decades. Credits add to and correct other publishedsources. Fantastic photographs, drawings, appendices and index are included.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Reference, Number, Memoir, History

1344 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1982

About the author

Bill Warren was an American film historian and critic, one of the leading authorities on science fiction, horror, and fantasy films.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went through a phase where I watched a lot of fifties, and sixties sci fi. In fact, I think I watched every single film I could get my hands on, or eyes on, depending on your point of view. This book is simply the most thoroughly researched book on sci fi from the fifties (it goes a little past 1960, but it mainly covers the fifties) I have read. I can't say I've read this huge thing from cover the cover, but I kept reading it for years, and always found it informative. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's taken me a while to get this, partly because of the rather hefty price tag.

However, it was worth it. Bill looks at hundreds of B-movies in a nice chatty style, mixing facts with opinions of well known 1950's movies (War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, Forbidden
Planet) with many less known, often derided ones (The Blob, Abbott and Costello Go to Mars).

It's a lot of fun, and perhaps does what it means to do, in that it's made me want to watch movies I've never watched or rewatch movies I've dismissed in the past.

A book to dip into rather than read from cover to cover. But I did enjoy reading Bill's opinions about movies that are my firm favourites, as well as discovering some I've never heard of - Fire Maidens of Outer Space, anyone?

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this more stars.

[Aki Umemoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually two volumes of reviews and criticisms of science fiction films from 1950-1962. I read this reference book from top to bottom, except for the appendixes and am very impressed with Mr. Warren's meticulous research. He not only explores movies that he's seen, but the ones that he hasn't seen (which are very few) are covered by past reviews.

It was like going down memory lane with all the B science fiction films listed in the book and the detailed synopses bring the movies back to life. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars was that I didn't agree with all his opinions on some of the films. He said in his introductions that he isn't a scholar and all commentaries are just his opinions, but be that as it may, but that's my opinion.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction from the 50s. There's also a comprehensive appendix with cast and crew of all films discussed.

[Jamie Teller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot of this book I haven’t actually read, especially in Volume I (I grew up with a copy of Volume II and am very familiar with its contents), but I’m comfortable giving 5 stars to one of the most loving and thorough books on film I’ve ever read, even if it focuses solely on science fiction (albeit using a somewhat definition of the term), and much of that schlock produced to fill out double-bills. No matter; Warren’s affection for these films and the depth of his knowledge shine through at every turn, though he isn’t afraid to let a truly wretched film have it with both barrels.

Truly essential reading for film buffs, but tragically hard to get ahold of, even though it’s been reprinted a couple of times.

[Patrick L. Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A monumental success

The author writes in a pleasingly conversational style; I feel as if I was physically present, discussing these films with Warren, the vast majority of which I have seen. Perhaps I might say that I liked some particular movies more than he. Certainly, the difference in our ages, the circumstances and the venues where we saw these creations might account for some of this. All in all, a wonderful read. Thanks, Bill!

[David Keep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

There are books that you hear about as a fan. More often than not they disappoint but this exhaustive and loving look at fifties science fiction is all that you can hope for. An amazing achievement

[Peter Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't tell you how many times I've referred to this book. Never thought the low-budget "monster movies" I grew up on would receive such loving treatment. Nice to have by my side when a new-to-me obscurity plays on cable TV's Comet channel.

[Kathleen I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining reference book

Lots of info on sci-fi films of the 1950s and very early 1960s. Plots, cast lists, production details, background - a great book to just read or use for reference.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough reference guide to all the sci-fi 1950’s and early 1960’s films featuring such cinematic greats as The Mole People, Forbidden Planet and even 1984 from 1956.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I have this on my 'read' shelf, that is not completely accurate. This book, which reviews most US science fiction films from 1950 - 1962 (as well as some non-US movies and some films in other genres with sciecne fiction elements), really is not something to sit and read straight through. I can see going back to it every so often and reading a review and background story on a film or two.

And, it is the background that sets this book abpart from so many other movie review collections. The author provides in depth information on the cast and crew, the story behind the making of each film, alternate scripts and so forth, for each movie (at least, as much of said information as exists).

Furhter, the author obviously loves the genre and the era in question. That said, on accasion this leads to some pretty harsh criticism of lesser efforts abd, at times, the sort of conflicted feelings towards films that only a true fan will have.

However, this is a tome that any self-respecting film buff will have in his library, particularly one who is interested in the science fiction genre.

[Jim Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides the best overview I've seen of those wonderful science fiction movies of the 50's and into the early 60's. if you're not quite sure what films qualify, these are the ones that used to air as Saturday afternoon matinees on your local television stations before cable television took over.

To call this comprehensive is a tremendous understatement. Here you will find plot synopses, reviews, critiques, background stories, production tidbits and pictures. You may disagree with the writer (I did on several occasions), but you'll still learn new information and probably develop a strong urge to revisit a title or two that has been lurking in faded memory.

For a number of my fellow classic sci-fi film fans, this tome occupies a place of honor on the reference shelf...and it is still well-thumbed. I had a lot of fun reading it. Turning the pages was like anticipating a welcome visit with some old friends.

[Michael Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it's a reference book, and it was written before IMDb (or even the Internet) and DVD (and only as the very dawn of home video), so the amount of research work that went into this is amazing. It's a survey of every American SF movie from 1950 to 1962, listed alphabetically by year. Entries average 2-3 pages, with some in the latter half of the book (originally published separately) going to 7 or 8 pages. I didn't read very word in the book, as his plot summaries tend to be exhaustive, unless it's a movie he hasn't seen in which case he relies on reviews. But it's great fun--for readers who enjoy such trips through reference material. I dock it a star because in the last half, he doesn't edit himself as judiciously as he does in the first half, and the pace of reading occasionally slows to a crawl.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of SF films, and golden age films in particular, I found this a great read. This is not film catalog, but more of history of the Golden age of SF films, from the 50's through the early 60's. It covers not only individual productions, but also provides an overview of the industry as a whole over the time frame.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I'm not sure how much of an audience there is for the science fiction movies of the 1950s anymore, but this is how reference books should be done. It's informative, but it's also written with a personal touch that makes the essays about each of these films very readable. The illustrations and graphics are well done, worthy of a specialist's interest.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge movie nut. And a special part of my life comes from staying up late on Friday nights with my dad and watching horror and science fiction movies double features on the local version of Fright Night Theater. Both the good and the bad. So many treasures are to be found in this book. And a lot of special memories for me.

[Mhorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

I found this a little overrated. Mr. Warren's definition of science fiction and mine vary obviously. While the book is well written, some of the worst movies have the most written, and some don't even deserve to be in the book. But there is some good, if at times, smarmy information.

[Carl I.]

So far this book is astounding!

[William A Howes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of reviews of 1950s science fiction. I read them all, even the ones I could care less for. Generally includes a plot summary, cast list, a sampling of reviews (the most disposable element), often a few behind-the-scenes bits, and it's all pretty good stuff. And you can't quibble with the thoroughness.

[Jim Mcclanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indispensable reference for those of us fixated on vintage SF movies. The author (recently deceased) provides an exhaustive compendium of films from the 1950s and early 1960s. He also gives his opinions about them, but does not use a scaled rating system, opting to just say what he thinks about each one. I am not in total agreement with his views, but cannot fault his accomplishment of providing amazing detail about each movie.