This Island Earth (DVD)

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There was a lot of anxiety in America as the nation headed into the Fifties. You can thank the rise of atomic energy and Communism for that. The space race was well underway as Sputnik reached the stars before Uncle Sam could. The changes in the country were reflected in its entertainment. A new breed of comic book heroes were now getting their powers from radiation or nuclear accidents. And the drive-in theaters were playing B-movies full of giant, mutated monsters or creepy aliens from outer space. Film like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" are great examples of the genre acting as allegories of the turbulent times.

"This Island Earth" is one of the more memorable B-films from the 1950's. It stars Rex Reason and with a name like that you can bet he plays the strong-jawed hero. Reason is Cal Meacham, a pilot and scientist doing research in atomic energy. Meacham is like Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, come to life. He's tall, handsome, and intelligent with a deep, He-man voice. While piloting an experimental plane, Meacham is shocked when the power suddenly cuts out. Even more shocking is a strange, green glow that surrounds the plane and guides it safely back down to Earth.

Later, Meacham begins receiving electronic parts, far more advanced than anything he's ever seen, along with a catalog that nobody can make heads or tails out of. Meacham and his assistant just order a page full of stuff and assemble the components. They eventually put together an interroceter, a video communications device that puts them in contact with the mysterious, white-haired Exeter (Jeff Morrow). Exeter invites Meacham to a secret retreat where he's gathered the greatest minds specializing in the field of atomic energy. Together, they will work to create a better world.

Meacham is spirited away on board a remote-controlled plane and meets Dr. Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue), a former flame, at the retreat. Meacham learns he's not the only one suspicious of Exeter's plans. He and Dr. Adams attempt to escape only to be grabbed by a flying saucer which destroys the scientists' hideout with a powerful laser beam. Meacham and Adams are taken away to the planet Metaluna, which has been bombarded with meteors by their enemies from the planet Zagon. The Metalunas hope to escape their world by transporting to Earth, then using their technology to subjugate the will of the people.