The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe

Directed by Robert Wise

Available to stream on Prime Video

In October we are watching "Spooky, Scary, and Other-worldly" movies beginning with a classic science fiction film, The Day the Earth Stood Still.

A mysterious alien (Michael Rennie) named Klaatu lands his spaceship in Washington, D.C., and tries to persuade the earth's population to listen to his message of peace; but he is met with fear, suspicion, and guns.

Why we love it: Michael Rennie is perfect as the dignified "spaceman," trying to bring some sense to the Earth.  Patricia Neal is wonderful as the young widow who understands how important Klaatu's message is, in contrast to her awful boyfriend whose jealousy causes the spaceman's death.  The plea for peace at the end from the resurrected spaceman is still quite moving.

Michael Rennie as Klaatu

Filmed amidst social and political upheaval of the early 1950's -- the Korean War and the McCarthy anti-communist witch hunts -- the film's simple stand against nuclear weapons still resonates. 

Watch the original trailer below:

Fun Facts:

• The story is loosely based on a short story by Harry Bates that had been published in a science fiction magazine in 1940.

  
  

• Sam Jaffe (Professor Barnhardt) was blacklisted by the McCarthy witchhunters during the filming, and was only allowed to finish this movie, but not to make any others for several years.

  
  

• Actors Spencer Tracy and Claude Rains had both been considered for the part of Klaatu, but it was ultimately decided to cast British actor Michael Rennie as the alien because he was more unknown to American audiences.

  

  Lock Martin, Michael Rennie, and Patricia Neal

• The haunting score is by composer Bernard Herrmann, most known for his work on several Hitchock films. His instrumentation is unusual - using no woodwinds and very few string instruments, he focuses on the electronic sounds from two Theremins. The Theremin is an electronic instrument, invented in 1928, that is controlled by sensors rather than physical touch. Below is a clip of Léon Theremin demonstrating how to play his invention, the Theremin.

• The part of Gort the robot was played by Lock Martin, the 7'7" doorman of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. He wasn't very strong and had a hard time moving in his heavy costume, so dummies had to be used in the scenes where he carries Patricia Neal and Michael Rennie onto the spaceship.

Review from "Photoplay" 1951

Featured Cocktail:

Americano

During Prohibition Campari was classified as a medicinal product, not a spirit, so it was not outlawed. Few Americans traveled to Italy so Campari did not become readily available in the US until after World War II, and only became popular in the 2000s.

The Americano is the forerunner of the Negroni.

1½ to 2 oz (45-60 ml) Campari

1½ to 2 oz (45-60 ml) sweet vermouth

Pour together over ice in a tall glass. Top with club soda; garnish with orange twist or wheel.

Cheers to the Classics!