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This article refers to the film. For the comedic role-playing game, see Teenagers from Outer Space (role-playing game). Teenagers from Outer Space is a 1959 science-fiction B-movie about an extraterrestrial ship landing on Earth to use it as a farm for its food supply. The crew of the ship includes several teenagers (who ironically look quite old for teenagers), two of whom oppose each other in their activities. The independent film was originally distributed by Warner Brothers. It was titled The Gargon Terror for its release in the United Kingdom. The film was lampooned in June 1992 as an episode of the movie-mocking television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. The full-length film is also included in the 2005 videogame Destroy All Humans! after the main story campaign is completed.
Summary The laws of their world forbid the use of planets on which intelligent life exists, and they've seen proof that there's intelligent life on earth; however, they're concerned about the lack of suitable planets to raise "gargans", a lobster-like (but air-breathing) animal which is a staple on the homeworld and which thrives on Earth. In addition, these aliens by and large presume themselves to be the supreme race; they are disdainful of "foreign beings", no matter how intelligent, and pride themselves on the fact that families and friendships are forbidden on their world. The youngest explorer, Derek, disagrees, revealing himself to be a member of an underground which commemorates earlier, more humane periods of the homeworld's history. Running away, he attempts (like Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still) to blend in with typical 1950s American small town culture. He boards at a private home and becomes close friends with the teenage daughter of the family, ultimately falling in love with her. The project leader becomes hostile and attempts to recapture his companion, using his disintegrator raygun to kill numerous people in the process. Production
Problems In June of 1958, Bryan Pearson, who invested $5,000 in the production, took Graeff to court to get his investment returned after Graeff sold the film. Graeff and the Pearsons, who had been good friends during the production of the film, never spoke to each other again. Analysis One notable aspect of Teenagers from Outer Space is that it was largely the work of a single person, Tom Graeff (1929-1970), who, in addition to playing the role of reporter Joe Rogers, wrote, directed, edited, and produced the film, on which he also provided cinematography, special effects, and music coordination. According to the Internet Movie Database, over half the cast of Teenagers from Outer Space never appeared in any other film. Harvey B. Dunn, an actor seen in several productions from cult-film director Ed Wood, plays Betty's grandfather. Some of the music used in this film was later used in the classic film, Night of the Living Dead. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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