Movie Monday Review: The Blob

Jane and Steve in front of Dr. Hallen’s place.

The Blob (1958)

Starring: Steven McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland, Stephen Chase, etc.

Summary:

Teenage love-birds Steve (Steve McQueen) and Jane (Aneta Corsaut) see a “shooting star” fall to the ground. Failing to find it, they instead find an old man (Olin Howland) who is being enveloped by some sort of “blob”. They take the old man to Dr. Hallen (Stephen Chase) who is about to leave town. The doctor agrees to stay to help the old man, but soon is baffled and unaware as to what to do. He sends the teenagers back to find the source of this mysterious goop that is growing on the old man, while he sends for his nurse to do surgery.

The old man finds some goop

Steve and Jane head out and run into some of their friends who are a bit annoyed that Steve had flown past their old truck at super speeds. Therefore, they challenge Steve to a race…backwards. Steve agrees, but tricks them by stopping short, leaving the other teenagers stuck in front of a red light. Dave, the head of police, stops Steve and finally gets a promise from him that he won’t fool around anymore. With that, Steve and Jane meet up with the other teenagers and convince them to go up to the woods to look for the mysterious shooting star. But to no avail. Steve and Jane head back to town, while the other teenagers decide to go to a spook movie

The teenagers challenge Steve to a race!

Meanwhile, back at the doctor’s house, the mysterious goop has grown by devouring the old man, the nurse, and now is hunting down Dr. Hallen. Locking himself in a room, the doctor tries to call for help. Steve and Jane arrive at the doctor’s house only for Steve to see the doctor completely devoured by the blob. Scared stiff, Steve takes off for the police station. The police are skeptical about this, but decide to investigate. However, since Dr. Hallen was supposed to be out of town in the first place, they are not too concerned until they hear back from his hotel in the morning.

However, the blob is growing bigger and bigger, devouring more and more townspeople. Steve and Jane believe they are the only chance of warning the town. Rounding up their friends at the theater, they convince them that the blob is a monster that is going to eat the town. They all take off to warn people by knocking on doors and telling people on the streets. But no one will listen to them. Steve and Jane discover that Steve’s dad’s store is unlocked and the employee is missing. Upon investigation, they discover that the blob is in the store. Hiding in the ice box, they are able to get away from the oozing red giant, who backs away upon feeling the cold.

The blob has made it to the theater!

Convinced that something must be done, the teenagers turn on alarms and sirens and bring the whole town to the store. Police officer Dave is willing to listen, but is only convinced when they hear screams coming from the movie theater. Mayhem ensues as people are running in all directions. Trying to save her little brother, Jane runs into a small café and Steve chases after them. The blob covers the café and they are stuck inside. Slowly, but surely, the blob begins to ooze into the building.

The Blob

Trying to get to safety, they all head down to the basement. Trying to kill the blob, the police and fire department officers try to burn the blob, but it doesn’t even touch it. Except now, the café is on fire. Putting it out with a fire extinguisher, the blob retreats from the cold. Steve recalls what happened in the ice box and yells out to find CO2 fire extinguishers. The whole town rushes to find some and are able to freeze the blob until it is smaller and smaller. Everyone is now safe. The president orders the blob to be sent to arctic regions, so as never to kill anyone again.

Will it stay frozen?

Review:

The Blob is an interesting look at supposed horror/sci-fi films from the 1950s. Not at all as scary as one might suppose it could have been back then, it still might be a bit much for younger children. Nevertheless, the unique perspective of the teenagers helps the viewers see innocent truth. They saw the “monster”, as Steve calls it, but no matter how true that is, no one will believe them. The only glimmer of hope is from Dave, the police officer, and Steve’s dad, who know that Steve wouldn’t lie.

A good lesson in being willing to stand up for something that needs attention. At one point in the movie, the teenagers are taken home and they could easily give up and go to bed. However, Steve is determined, that no matter what, he must save the town from danger.

Jane and Steve trying to convince the police!

Part of the film shows the goofiness and, perhaps, stupidity, of the teenagers who race cars backwards, see horror films at midnight, and do other such things that no teenager should be allowed to do. Nevertheless, they grow up quickly with the experience with the blob, proving that they can be responsible. The ability of Bert (the other police officer) to forgive the teenagers for being teens only comes about because of their ability to show that responsibility and capability to get themselves out of danger.

The blob covers the cafe

An interesting film, worth watching! Also, you don’t want to miss out on its catchy theme song!

Ellen Nolan

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