War of the Satellites

There is nothing spectacular here, as you can expect from a so cheap and quick made movie destined to drive ins. But it is not charmless, despite the talkative topic. I would prefer some Edward Cahn's features though, as INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN.

Actually quite watchable. They had rocket stage separation sussed then which surprised me. An the launch chairs can only have come from IKEA.

Not a bad sci-fi melodrama from Roger Corman; as usual, the B-movie director gets every nickel out of his limited budget, which allows for some amusement along the way. The story sounds like STAR WARS but is told generally on a much smaller scale, as angry aliens take over human forms and invade a test base. Only a bunch of dedicated astronauts have it in their power to figure stuff out and stop them in time. Basically INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS then, but done on the cheap which means a two-week schedule. As usual for Corman this has a cheap and cheerful feel to it, enlivened by a dedicated turn from the one and only Dick Miller as the lead.

I believe that I read somewhere that Roger Corman made this film in 4 days. I first saw it on a late Friday night weekly bad movie show from Channel 8 in Cleveland, Ohio, hosted by Ernie Andersen under the moniker "Ghoulardi". You can look him up on IMDb. He had great fun at the expense of this film which he selected as the all-time worst sci-fi film ever shown on his show. He would insert himself into the film and "interact" with the characters and turn the film into an hilarious romp. After commercial breaks, all sorts of hilarious hijinks would ensue that made it worthwhile to stay up late. I found this film on Ebay on DVD and have enjoyed it immensely. Find a copy and view it - you won't be sorry!

Roger Corman is well-known for his ability to make something fun and enjoyable out of nothing and War of the Satellites fits the bill. Corman even has a bit part as a ground control radio operator! It is a fast-paced film with an interesting premise that gets right down to business. Just add a few war-surplus props, footage lifted from other films and a set that looks like a basement for a UN meeting scene and Bob's your uncle! I'd love to get my hands on those fabulous reclining chairs that were used by the crew of the rocket ships!

Sputnik had been around a few weeks and we were inundated with the whole "satellite" scare. Before that, moons were often called satellites. So, along comes Roger Corman and makes a movie that isn't about satellites but rather a dull space movie. It mimics "The Day the Earth Stood Still," in that there is a warning to the people of Earth. But it's not specific. The aliens just want the people to abandon any kind of space program. The scientists have been trying to do a little exploring, but their manned missions keep getting blown up. While they are using volunteers, there doesn't seem to be much upset as these idiots get fried in outer space. The aliens have the ability to take over the body of a dead man or woman and start to cause problems. They actually duplicate the head of the project. It's slow moving and the motivations of the scientists without proper research are pretty arbitrary.

This Roger Corman film begins with an ominous message from space...stop the space program and send no satellites into orbit or else! What exactly is 'or else'? No one knows. However, these folks mean business and soon they murder Dr. Van Ponder and replace him with identical lookalikes. Then, after a space flight is sent up with Dr. Van Ponder and several others, he begins trying to kill them off one by one! The film has a very unusual performance by Dick Miller in the lead because for once Miller acts like a leading man--and usually Corman used him more as a supporting actor or oddball. He and the rest of the cast do a decent job but the film loses points because even for a 50s sci-fi film, the outer space effects are terrible. I also thought it awfully funny how BIG the ship was. Not a bad horror- sci-fi film but one that looks cheap and could have been better.

Roger Corman directed this forgotten(and forgettable) science fiction story about Earth satellites being mysteriously destroyed, only to have it revealed that unknown aliens(who refuse to reveal themselves) are responsible, and that they warn the United Nations to stop launching them, or face destruction. Of course they refuse, leading to infiltration and sabotage on the next manned mission to continue the launches. Perennial second-billed Dick Miller(Roger Corman favorite) is given the heroic lead here, and isn't too bad; it's just a pity it comes in this lifeless and drab film, with little credibility or imagination.

Years ago, I remember seeing this movie on a local syndicated TV station. I had completely forgotten about it until I came across a website writing a review about the movie. I tried to find the video but came up empty. After searching for quite awhile, I eventually found a copy. What I can't figure out is that "War of the Satellites" was a project of Roger Corman, a somewhat well known producer and director of low budget sci fi horror films of the 50's and 60's. This science fiction thriller which probably took 2 weeks to make, has a remarkably effective storyline combined with so-so special effects for that time period. This movie is hard to find and if you do happen to locate it, I would suggest getting it because it's not that bad of a rotten tomato.

In October, 1957, the Soviet Union surprised everyone with the first successful launch and orbit of a spacecraft, a satellite dubbed "Sputnik". That name and the term "satellite" was on front pages of every newspaper in America. "War of the Satellites" was produced by Roger Corman because he knew he could get a deal (funding) from his distributor by promising a film with the then hot buzz-word, "satellite", on the marquee. His plan worked and the film was rushed together. By then, Corman had a number of capable people he could count on to pull it off. Discount the war-surplus and junkyard props and and the hardly scientific premise and "War of the Satellites" turns out to be fun and a rather credible popcorn epic. It was released on a double bill and the title brought in the expected crowd.