blob1958

Often times the films that define a genre are not the first ones in that genre. For example, “Back to
the Future” has become the flagship film of the time travel genre, but it is certainly not the first film
to have dealt with the subject. In many cases, the definitive film of a genre is the one that pays
homage to the genre’s cinematic history and narrative conventions. The adventure genre did not
begin with “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” though it does pay tribute to adventure film history as a
combination of every adventure convention, and in doing so, has become the definitive adventure
film by which all others are measured.

The 1950s science-fiction horror film was a staple of the drive-in movie theatre in the decade of
the poodle skirt. Teens flocked to the low budget, cheesy flicks to watch other teens encounter
horrific aliens from space and giant atomic monsters while trying to put the moves on their
cheerleader girlfriend at Make-Out Point.

1958’s “The Blob” was the creative apex of this genre. For a low-budget horror flick, it went for
broke to become the definition of ‘50s drive-in cinema. The actors, special effects, and
cinematography, while still endearingly unsophisticated, managed to climb head and shoulders
above all its predecessors and many of the emulators to follow.

The story is summed up in one easy sentence. Two teens from a small town must find a way to
stop a massive blob from outer space that is growing larger and larger as it consumes every living
thing in sight. Sweet!

The film was shot in color and surprisingly, in a widescreen aspect ratio, which at that time was
unheard of for a teen horror flick. The special effects in the film are simple, but meticulously
crafted in most scenes. Although dated by today’s standards, they are still an education worthy of
studying. Plus, it’s a ton of fun to watch a superimposed and “deadly” glob of cinnamon toothpaste
“attack” the teen heroes.

Steve McQueen plays the main character, aptly named, “Steve.” This would be the first major
success of his career and soon catapult him into “The Magnificent Seven,” which would lead to
stardom. McQueen had the ability to sell any story with the sincerity of his performances. He’s not
yet the lean acting machine he will become in “The Great Escape” and “Bullitt,” but you can see
the makings of his persona just under the surface here.

The local townsfolk refuse to listen to Steve, and his girlfriend Jane, played by Aneta Corsaut, who would go on to play Andy Griffith’s girlfriend in “The Andy
Griffith Show.” Of course, the local police are also no help. Steve and his friends are teens, just troublemakers who race along the streets at night. Why would
they be telling the truth? It has to be a prank. Then the body count starts to rise, the blob starts to grow, and the tension builds!

“The Blob” was so popular that it was remade in the 1980s into a really gruesome horror flick of dubious quality. The original version isn’t high quality
filmmaking, but it is innocent and honest in its simplicity, which is part of its charm. It’s the perfect, fun Friday night movie if you have plenty of soda and a large
bucket of popcorn.