Search - Target Earth on DVD

Desperate couple threatened by a Venusian robot

Kenneth Montgomery | California | 05/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On the surface this 1954 movie appears to pretty bare-bones in comparison to other 1950s sci-fi epics. Richard Denning (Frank) and Kathleen Crowley (Nora), along with two others, are holed-up in a deserted hotel in a large American city (probably Chicago). The city's inhabitants have been evacuated, but these four have been overlooked. The menacing Venusian robot force (actually one robot), while a bit clunky and one dimensional, presents a threatening, underlying presence throughout the movie. When will it strike with its death-ray? Can anyone survive its monomaniac pursuit?

The movie's director, Sherman Rose, deftly explores the theme of loneliness and isolation among the crew's cast. Nora's failed suicide attempt and Frank's stoic acceptance of his being "rolled outside a bar after flashing a big roll" the night before seem to create a credible chemistry that bonds the characters' fates together. If misery loves company, Frank and Nora want no part of the company that waits outside the flimsy boundaries of their hotel room.

Black and white movies occasionally intensify austerity in a way that color films do not. The seeming hopelessness of Frank and Nora's situation, the desertion of the city, and unblinking, unnerving robot presence raise the emotional level of "Target Earth" up a couple of notches.

Viewers will like movie's ending too. The "science" portion of "Target Earth" gets the viewer to a strong visual climax as military scientists race against time to develop an ultrasonic sound wave generator that will defeat the invading menace. Will they get to Frank and Nora in time? Or will the lurking robot(s) find them first?

Kudos must also go to supporting actors Virginia Grey (Vicky) and Richard Reeves (Jim) as a pair of Pol Roger champagne guzzling reprobates who vow to drink their way from one end of the city to the other. As down-and-outers in their own isolated existence, their being trapped with Frank and Nora aptly points out that they have something more to live for than imbibing and gambling on the "daily double."

The acting is first rate and the story's plot comes from a nice short story called "The Deadly City" by Paul Fairman."

OK 50'S SCI-FI RELIC...

Mark Norvell | HOUSTON | 10/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"VCI did a good job restoring this vintage sci-fi invasion tale. After a failed suicide attempt, Nora King (Kathleen Crowley) wakes up to find the city deserted except for a body or two with horrified expressions on their faces. She encounters Richard Denning and they try to figure out what happened (he had been mugged unconcious) while they "slept". They meet a colorful couple drinking it up who survived also and the four band together. An invasion of robots from Venus have attacked the Earth and everyone has evacuated. (Well, actually it's only one robot clanking around but this IS a low-budget quickie). They end up in a hotel, contend with a gangster and fight the robot. Not everyone survives, but there's a rescue by the armed forces who have discovered how to demobilize the robots. With high-frequency sound! Engagingly goofy, loopy sci-fi that's competently acted but very low-budget. The robot is so cheesy looking I expected pieces of him to fall off any moment. But that was part of the fun. If this is your cup of tea, enjoy---!"

Great Theater Movie

kgardner@2dog.com | Las Vegas, Nevada | 07/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was lucky to see this fantastic movie at the Fox Theater in the 1950's. I was in the 3rd grade and remember this film...several of my buddies and I couldn't wait to see this film. In those days you only new about a new movie a week or two before it came to your theater. We were so scared, the military looked so up to date, and they were helpless. The movie was set to modern times, so we felt like we could be attacked next. Made for many many sleepless nights. a young boys delight!"

An overlooked minor gem, but NOT in widescreen

A. Gammill | West Point, MS United States | 05/20/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"You know, I'm not one of those people who insists movies be presented in widescreen. Especially for older movies, it's just not that big of a deal. But TARGET EARTH screams out for a widescreen transfer from the first HORRIBLY CROPPED FRAME. You can't even read most of the opening credits because of the sloppy transfer job. It's inexcusable, especially when you refer back to the box and see "Widescreen" prominently printed on the cover.Having said that, this was my first exposure to this taut, cheap little invasion flick, and I was fairly impressed. The black & white photography adds much to the feeling of isolation and desperation experienced by the characters. And the robot is pretty decent, by 50's sci-fi standards. Heckuva climax, too. But you'll have to see that for yourself.Recommended for any fan of classic science fiction."