This is a very famous 50s sci-fi film that was indifferently remade in the 1980s. It stars Steven McQueen (age 28) and Aneta Corsaut (25) as teenagers(!) who discover a strange blob-like thing from outer space. However, when they go to the police, the cops mostly think it's all a teenage prank and there is no obvious evidence that the monster has already eaten the doctor and his assistant. While McQueen and Corsaut (who played "Helen" on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW) did fine jobs acting, they looked nothing like real teenagers and it make me smile every time the panic was being blamed on "those crazy kids"! This is a very simple story idea and has been repeated many times--an alien lands and the "kids" see it but no one believes them, such as in INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN. However, this low-budget film worked better than most because somehow everything worked well--the monster was simple but effective, the acting better than usual and somehow they had enough money to afford to actually film it in color. A very effective and fun film--though one that fuddy-duddies and ultra-serious people should avoid.

By the way, the title song is very, very catchy and goofy and was written by Burt Bacharach. I heard it for the first time at the Sci-Fi Dine-In restaurant at the Disney-Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. At this amazingly cool retro restaurant, you sit in fake 50s cars with tables and these "cars" all face a giant screen on which old fashioned sci-fi clips are shown. Among the many clips and cartoons is a music video of sorts featuring this catchy song. If you ever get to the park, try this place. The food it okay but the atmosphere is amazing and perfect for people who love this genre.

Also, this film was part of a double-feature with another great 50s sci-fi film (and one of my favorites) I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE. What a terrific double-billing!

A horror film that is both goofy and strangely terrifying. One has to wonder about what the Creator/Deity was thinking when The Blob was made. What kind of world did it come from? When it's in it's normal habitat what does The Blob feed on? When you think about it The Blob is your ultimate doomsday weapon.

The soon to be legend Steve McQueen got his first starring role in The Blob, a 28 year old playing a teen who is out getting down to business with Aneta Corsaut when a passing meteor lands, cracks open, and out pops this Jello like creature which just absorbs whatever is living around it on contact and just grows. In the end it is covering your average greasy spoon diner with McQueen, Corsaut, and others inside.

Most of the film is McQueen trying to warn folks about it with the help of Corsaut. Of course the adults, especially law enforcement don't believe him after all he's a typical Eisenhower era teen with girls and hotrods on his mind. In fact in the middle of a mission, he takes time for a little drag race.

But it's Steve who actually discovers the secret of if not killing The Blob at least rendering it helpless and inert. McQueen was paid $2500.00 for the film, in two years that might have paid for one of his entourage.

The Blob was the farewell film of character actor Olin Howlin who usually played rustic types in a couple hundred films. He's The Blob's first victim that McQueen and Corsaut discover.

After over 50 years still an interesting and camp film.

This cult '50s classic has many things to recommend it, not least a leading man in Steve McQueen, here appearing before he was famous. This is everything you could want and expect from a monster movie, and although it follows a strict formula, that formula was still fresh and exciting when this movie was made. Any disadvantages of the low budget are dispelled by the glorious Technicolour that this movie was shot in, giving it a colourful look. Although the direction is pedestrian, the script has an appealing air of the tongue in cheek about it to keep things entertaining and a fair smattering of out-and-out comedy also helps.

From the moment we here Burt Bacarach's opening theme song "beware of the blob!" we know we're in for a good, solid, campy and light hearted movie and this is refreshingly free of the scientific investigation/jargon that tended to bog movies of this era down. The leads are all teenagers, meaning that those stuffy officials are kept to a minimum, and those that do appear are pretty good too - for example, Jim the cop, who has illusions of persecution! McQueen is refreshingly brave in the leading role, even if his acting is a bit erratic and unconvincing at times. The supporting actors are excellent, especially the guy playing Dave, a sympathetic policeman. The only exception to this statement is the annoyingly cute boy whose acting is atrocious.

The special effects of the blob rolling down the street and eating people are well done, with even a couple of moments of horror (like when McQueen sees the doctor being dissolved through his window) thrown in for good measure. Sadly the animation used at the end is highly unconvincing, ruining what could have been a solid ending and instead making it look a bit rushed and weak. It would take nearly thirty years for them to remake this movie (again as THE BLOB) and improve upon the effects here, although I'll stand by what I've said in that they more than hold up for this type of movie! Fans can also enjoy a witty bit of self-referencing in which the blob attacks members of a cinema audience (a year before THE TINGLER did the same) who are themselves watching a schlocky horror film. THE BLOB may be predictable but it's a lot of fun, and the solid acting keeps you watching. It's a rare film from the '50s that actually WANTS you to laugh at the title menace instead of the humour coming unintentionally. Altogether, this is a childhood favourite of mine that thankfully stands up as good fun at an adult level, is very nearly on equal with the excellent remake and is one of the most campy movies I've seen. Check it out!