The Flying Saucer
Encyclopedia
The Flying Saucer is an American
, black-and-white
science fiction
feature film
, produced independently
by Colonial Productions Inc. and distributed in the USA by Film Classics Inc.. The film script was written by Howard Irving Young from an original story by Mikel Conrad
, who also produced, directed and starred in the film. Co-starring with Conrad were Pat Garrison and Hantz von Teuffen. It was the first film to deal with flying saucers, and has no relationship to Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
.
spies have begun exploring a remote region of the Alaskan Territory
in search of answers to the worldwide reports of "flying saucers", and convince a wealthy playboy, Mike Trent (Mikel Conrad), who was raised in that area, to assist a secret service agent in exploring the area for the USA and determining what the Soviets are up to. To his pleasant surprise, he learns that the agent is a woman, Vee Langley (Pat Garrison), and they set off together, he posing as himself suffering from a nervous breakdown, and she posing as his nurse.
They are met at Mike's family's cabin in the wilderness by a new, foreign-accented caretaker named Hans (Hantz von Teuffen). Mike is skeptical of the entire UFO matter until he spots one flying close, nearby. He is less skeptical about his attraction to Vee. Meanwhile, Hans seems curiously determined to make him suspcious of Vee's affections. Assorted complications ensue until Mike and Vee finally learn that Hans is one of the Soviets' agents, trying to get flying saucer, an invention of an American scientist, Dr. Laughton . Laughton's assistant has other ideas. A communist sympathizer, he is trying to sell the sauce to the Soviet agents.
Eventually, Mike and Vee locate the hiding place for the saucer, bring the spies to justice, and witness the flying saucer explode in mid-air, as one of the spies tries to escape with it, as a result of a bomb placed aboard it by the scientist.
d in the USA by Realart Pictures Inc.
, on a double bill with Atomic Monster, the retitled-reissue of Man Made Monster
, originally released by Universal Studios
in 1941.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
science fiction
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, produced independently
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
by Colonial Productions Inc. and distributed in the USA by Film Classics Inc.. The film script was written by Howard Irving Young from an original story by Mikel Conrad
Mikel Conrad
Mikel Conrad was an American actor and film director, writer and producer. He was born in Columbus, Ohio and died in Los Angeles, California at the age of 63.-Actor:* Godzilla, King of the Monsters!...
, who also produced, directed and starred in the film. Co-starring with Conrad were Pat Garrison and Hantz von Teuffen. It was the first film to deal with flying saucers, and has no relationship to Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers is an American black and white science fiction film, directed by Fred F. Sears and released by Columbia Pictures. The film is also known as Invasion of the Flying Saucers. It was ostensibly suggested by the non-fiction work Flying Saucers from Outer Space by Donald...
.
Synopsis
American Intelligence officials have learned that SovietSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
spies have begun exploring a remote region of the Alaskan Territory
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
in search of answers to the worldwide reports of "flying saucers", and convince a wealthy playboy, Mike Trent (Mikel Conrad), who was raised in that area, to assist a secret service agent in exploring the area for the USA and determining what the Soviets are up to. To his pleasant surprise, he learns that the agent is a woman, Vee Langley (Pat Garrison), and they set off together, he posing as himself suffering from a nervous breakdown, and she posing as his nurse.
They are met at Mike's family's cabin in the wilderness by a new, foreign-accented caretaker named Hans (Hantz von Teuffen). Mike is skeptical of the entire UFO matter until he spots one flying close, nearby. He is less skeptical about his attraction to Vee. Meanwhile, Hans seems curiously determined to make him suspcious of Vee's affections. Assorted complications ensue until Mike and Vee finally learn that Hans is one of the Soviets' agents, trying to get flying saucer, an invention of an American scientist, Dr. Laughton . Laughton's assistant has other ideas. A communist sympathizer, he is trying to sell the sauce to the Soviet agents.
Eventually, Mike and Vee locate the hiding place for the saucer, bring the spies to justice, and witness the flying saucer explode in mid-air, as one of the spies tries to escape with it, as a result of a bomb placed aboard it by the scientist.
Cast
- Mikel ConradMikel ConradMikel Conrad was an American actor and film director, writer and producer. He was born in Columbus, Ohio and died in Los Angeles, California at the age of 63.-Actor:* Godzilla, King of the Monsters!...
- Mike Trent - Pat Garrison - Vee Langley
- Hantz von Teuffen - Hans
- Roy EngelRoy EngelRoy Engel was an American television and film actor. Engel was born in New York, New York, United States.-Career:...
- Dr. Lawton - Lester Sharpe - Col. Marikoff
- Denver PyleDenver PyleDenver Dell Pyle was an American film and television actor. He is best remembered for playing Uncle Jesse in The Dukes of Hazzard .-Early life:...
- Turner, spy - Erl Lyon - Alex, spy
- Frank Darrien - Matt Mitchell
- Russell Hicks - Intelligence Chief Hank Thorn
- Virginia Hewitt - Nanette, bar girl
- Garry Owen - Bartender
The film makers
- Author/Producer/Director...........Mikel ConradMikel ConradMikel Conrad was an American actor and film director, writer and producer. He was born in Columbus, Ohio and died in Los Angeles, California at the age of 63.-Actor:* Godzilla, King of the Monsters!...
- Scenarist....................................Howard Irving Young
- Associate Producer....................Morris M. Wein
- Production Manager..................Lincoln A. Widder
- Art DirectorArt directorThe art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
.................................Charles D. HallCharles D. HallCharles D. Hall was a British-American art director and production designer. He is perhaps best remembered for his tenure at Universal Pictures, where he began his career during the silent era... - Set DecoratorSet decoratorA set decorator is in charge of the set dressing on a film set, which includes the furnishings, wallpaper, lighting fixtures, and many of the other objects that will be seen in the film. Props and set dressing often overlap, but are provided by different departments...
.............................Murray Waite - Makeup Credit.............................Harry RossHarry RossHenry "Harry" Ross was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a full back.-References:...
- Hairstyle/Wardrobe/Props..........?/?/?
- Special Effects Artist...................?
- Assistant DirectorAssistant directorThe role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
.....................Mack V. WrightMack V. Wright-Selected filmography:Director*Wolf Tracks *Masked *Thieves' Clothes *The Broncho Kid *Red Blood *The Texas Terror *Tarzan and the Golden Lion *South of the Rio Grande... - CinematographerCinematographerA cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
.....................Phillip Tannura - Sound Credit..............................F. W. Moran
- Film Editor................................Robert CrandallRobert CrandallRobert Lloyd "Bob" Crandall is the former president and chairman of American Airlines. Called an industry legend by airline industry observers, Crandall has been the subject of several books and is a member of the Hall of Honor of the Conrad Hilton college.-Life:Robert Crandall was raised in Rhode...
- Music Composer-Director...........Darrell CalkerDarrell CalkerDarrell Wallace Calker was a composer and arranger who worked on films and animated cartoons.-Biography:...
Other notes
In 1953, the film was reissueReissue
A reissue is the repeated issue of a published work. In common usage, it refers to an album which has been released at least once before and is released again, sometimes with alterations or additions....
d in the USA by Realart Pictures Inc.
Realart Pictures Inc.
Realart Pictures was a motion picture re-releasing organization started in 1948 by Jack Broder and Joseph Harris. It had no relation to the silent pictures Realart Pictures Corporation that handled Paramount releases...
, on a double bill with Atomic Monster, the retitled-reissue of Man Made Monster
Man Made Monster
Man-Made Monster is a science fiction horror film released by Universal Pictures. The film stars Lon Chaney Jr. in his horror debut. Man-Made Monster was re-released under various titles including Electric Man and The Mysterious Dr. R...
, originally released by Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
in 1941.