Alas, there was once a bitchin website with stills, much of the history of how Wise came to want to make this flic (it was based on the story Farewell to the Master by [link|http://www.moviediva.com/MD_root/reviewpages/MDDayEarthStoodStill.htm| Harry Bates].) and much else about the psych as well as movie details. Ran out of money I guess.. it was a very well crafted 'site' to boot :-/

550K hits on TDTESS, etc. - from which you can see that a sizable group deem this, well...

... The science fiction film genre had relatively few serious entries to its credit before TDTESS. Metropolis (1926) and Things to Come (1936) stand out for lack of competition, provided mostly by the likes of Saturday afternoon serials, such as those featuring Flash Gordon and Crash Corrigan. This film was envisioned from the beginning as an "A" picture with first rate production values and cast, and struck such a chord with Cold War audiences that Sci-Fi films have been taken seriously ever since.

(I trust you've seen the two earlier mentioned..?)

What you don't usually read much about - is the timing/audience/milieu of this '51 'A' film - though some of the links attempt a feeble recap.

As with those who've only read about Mc Carthy and The Fear shtik (think Rove - 55 years ago?) - you can't quite imagine the effect of this {clearly metaphorical and well acted} commentary on The Times. (Now.. all are jaded, having seen every 3rd-rate hack's dim vision of this or that silly dystopia, all this dross accompanying the rise of the action-for-action's-sake POS as today's standard fare.)

I've noticed through the years - peoples' reaction on first viewing. It can be a litmus for lots of 'attitudes', as well as a one's 'history inventory'. I deem it one of the Greats: so many have copied the plot, yet they all fuzz together in not approaching the virtuosity of Patricia Neal, Michael Rennie et al. Kinda like the happy accident of Casablanca?

And.. have you ever seen a more loathsome ex-fiance than Hugh Marlowe?
Well, HAVE ya, sucker??


Gort, barenga!