October 2nd - THEM! (1954)

I have always wanted to see this movie, being a huge fan of giant monster films from the 50's and 60's. And finally I got a chance to see Them and again, I was not disappointed.

The best part of the movie is the creepy and mysterious opening. In New Mexico, police find a little girl wandering the desert in completely shock. They find her home destroyed and her family dead but the weird thing is that her home is destroyed from the inside out. Something in her home got out...and it was pretty big. Some great suspense, very well done cinematography and well acted, the film is playing up nicely. However, when we find out that giant ants are what is causing this due to nuclear atomic tests, we loose that suspense and mystery and it turns into a big bug monster film. Which isn't a bad thing I guess since it is a fun film but the opening was so much better than the rest of the film. I just can't help to think what it could have been.

The acting is good with Edmund Gwenn (Santa in Miracle on 34th Street) as the doctor who knows everything and James Whitmore (Brooks from The Shawshank Redemption) as the police sgt. who is out to stop the ants. Even Leonard Nimoy has a bit part.

According to imdb.com the film was suppose to be shot in color and in 3-D but the budget got cut at the last minute. The opening title card is still in color. The film was a huge hit and Them is now considered one of the best big bug monster films from that time. Not sure if it is my favorite but it certainly is worth a look.

Another good film! I am on a roll so far!