THE MAN FROM PLANET X
Director: Edgar G. Ulmer
MGM

Shortly after a scientist discovers that a new planet is headed on a collision course with Earth, a modest little spacecraft slams down on the foggy moors of Scotland. Robert Clarke and Doctor William Schallert investigate and come face to face with the lone inhabitant: a short alien with a ray gun wearing an expressionless Mardi Gras mask inside a bubbled diving helmet.

Unable to communicate with this silent but friendly visitor, Clarke and Schallert take it back to their own headquarters where they attempt to make contact with it. In the best scene of the movie, a power-hungry Schallert proceeds to beat the crap out of the wimpy alien behind everyone else's back!

This only aggravates the man from planet X, so he escapes with lead girl Margaret Field, heads back to his ship, and plots an invasion. In the process, he turns a ray on a few people and makes mindless disciples out of them. Not to be outdone, Robert Clarke has the climactic honor of giving the alien a good ass kickin' as well.

Despite the funny synopsis, there is surprisingly little fun to be had with this film (aside from said beatings and some silly Scottish accents). The production was completed in only one week, but it looks like it took even less time than that. Besides, the idea is to make a "fun" feature despite limitations. THE MAN FROM PLANET X is nothing to rave about.

Compliments and thanks to MGM, though, for issuing the disc as part of their nice "Midnight Movies" series. The black and white image on this DVD is full screen, and quite acceptable despite a tendency toward slight graininess. The audio is in English or French mono, and it sounds just fine. French and Spanish subtitles are optional, and a nice theatrical trailer is gratefully included. (Joe Lozowsky)

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