The Blob (Tonylyn Productions, 1958)
People make a lot of fun of this movie - and I can understand - the goofy theme song, the white bread TV sitcom presentation of 50's life - but I still say this is one of the best realized movie monsters from that decade - second only to The Creature from the Black Lagoon for realism. It's a creepy creature - it can ooze silently up on you and engulf you in a big red digestive acid bath - that is effective to me - not silly. I love this movie - always have and always will!
Beware! the Blob (Jack H. Harris Enterprises, 1972)
Now this one is a goofy flick - Jack H. Harris's sequel to his 1950's hit directed by his neighbor Larry Hagman and featuring a crazy cast of Hagman's pals, with copious cameos thrown in for good measure. The monster is still effective, but the movie surrounding it is pretty silly. Still well worth a watch.
The Blob (Tri-Star Pictures, 1988)
For whatever reason I missed this remake in the theater - and saw it on VHS when it came out. I liked it - but only saw it the one time - want to see it again and see how it holds up. It's got good names in front of and behind the camera though - so it's not a surprise that it actually worked.
Apparently there's been some talk of Rob Zombie doing another remake of this - probably off the boards now - but it sounded like it could be interesting - although I'm sure the Blob would have found itself engulfing plenty of white trash characters as played by as many genre faces as Zombie could hire - but the 1958 movie - despite being one of my favorite movie monsters - is not a sacred cow to me - so I was actually okay with this remake idea. Of course it doesn't happen.
Ah well - until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!
I've seen the original Blob a long time. Wasn't exactly impressed. Too slow and tedious.
ReplyDeleteNever seen BTB, but I love, love, love the 80s Blob. When I was 11 or 12, they showed it uncut late night on a German TV station. Blew me away!
I think you should give the original another watch - you might like it more knowing it's not as fast paced as the 1988 flick. The second one is not exactly essential viewing - but I'd be interested to read your review of it! I really need to see the 1988 again!
DeleteLove me some Blob. And the 1988 holds up quite well. Del Close ftw!
ReplyDeleteDel Close FTW indeed! It's a cool movie monster - and it actually seems made to be realized in CGI - and yet no one has touched the property in 25 years! WTH?
DeleteThis was one of my very first monster movies and I still love it. My dad used to sing the song to me all the time. It always made me laugh. And you're right. It IS a good film. Liked the remakes and such, too. I never get tired of the story.
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