IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953)

• Director: Jack Arnold
• Cast: Richard Carlson, Barbara Rush, Charles Drake
• 1953 | Film: 80mins | USA | Subtitles | Event: 20:45 – 23:10 [18+]

“FROM THE DARK SWIRLING REACHES OF OUTER SPACE COME THE XENOMORPHS!”

A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert. Only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely.

Cult film night BAR TRASH continues with CELLULOID JAM, an unofficial celebration of 50 years of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975).

Referenced in ROCKY HORROR’s lusciously lip-synched opening number — ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature’ — IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953) is based on a story by science fiction legend Ray Bradbury and directed by Jack Arnold (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON) from a screenplay by Harry Essex (OCTAMAN). It almost featured work by BAR TRASH favourite ‘The Lady From The Black Lagoon’ aka Milicent Patrick, but her alien designs were held over for THIS ISLAND EARTH (1955) which was released after she’d been fired by the studio.

The first 3D film from Universal International, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE is a much-loved classic that was nominated to join the American Film Institute’s ‘Top Ten Science Fiction Films’ of all time in 2008 (but didn’t quite make the cut…). One of a rush of mind-warping alien invasion films from this era (others include INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS and INVADERS FROM MARS), the film is anchored by two strong performances by Richard Carlson (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON) and Barbara Rush (WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE) who won a Golden Globe in 1954 as ‘most promising female newcomer’ for her role.

“IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE remains the granddaddy of the ’50s atomic-scare pictures.” 

Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

Polite notice: We are still trying to find a decent anaglyph 3D source for IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE. If we are unsuccessful, we will show Universal’s recent digital restoration in 2D with subtitles. Stay tuned!

// Part of BAR TRASH: CELLULOID JAM, a fan-powered celebration of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo (creator of BAR TRASH and QUEER HORROR NIGHTS), all films screen with an introduction, intermission, and subtitles/captions (where possible!). Tickets from £3.50. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for news and updates. //