Battle of the Worlds (1961)

I found this movie in one of those Mill Creek 50-packs. It's a low-budget sci-fi film that works better with ideas than special effects. As a MST3K fan I found myself riffing some scenes out of habit. But as flawed as it is, trashing it outright misses the better points.I don't know what movie Claude Rains thought he was in, because he truly brings his A-game as a curmudgeon. He's the professor (often in a hammock) who the futuristic government doesn't believe. Stuck in his belief of scientific fact, he is not taken seriously.Does Rains chew the scenery? Yep, but it's fun and funny. I felt he probably enjoyed this character. He gives Prof. Benson mannerisms and tics that a lesser actor would not have bothered with. So he is 2 of my 5 points, because is so fun to watch.

For me this film is an old friend. Its a film I've seen countless times thanks to showing on the Late Late Show while I was growing up.Its been forever in the bargain bins. The film is about a giant asteroid that comes close to earth and our attempts to find out why its sending out ships to attack us. As a film its an okay time killer its not bad. Its not great but its definitely not bad. Its certainly better than many of the space opera films that followed in its wake through the 60's and early 70's. One of the reasons I think the film works, and is the reason I will watch the film again and again is the presence of Claude Rains as the mad genius who wants to know whats going on so he can save the world. Its a force of nature performance that allows him to really tear the roof off and go for it. Certainly it more than a little over done but some how seeing the great man being out of character is a great deal of fun. I really like the film and recommend it to those with a love of science fiction

"CORNFIELD!!... YOU'RE WONDERFUL!" Claude Raines stars in a movie in which I was forced to watch with the volume set very high (at my mother's, who bought this terrible movie, wishes). I never really understood the plot as it doesn't seem explained much at all; the only things I got was that the world was in danger and a senile old man that everyone likes (despite his hatred and constant acts of crudeness to everyone else) is sent in to help. Then they enter a tunnel, with what looks like a bunch of children's toys holding it together, where the old man laughs again before going out with the planet. As said before, I never got the plot and I chose not to watch it again. If I put it up, I deal with Claude's bombastic insults towards his annoyingly "quaint" co-workers. If I put it down, I still won't get the plot as no one will be speaking.Thank goodness for Star Wars to come along and make a TON of more sense, as well as something likable.I also never truly understood what the song is playing in the opening titles. It sounds like she's saying, "We are but SPIDERZCH.." followed by a direct shout of the director's name: "ANTOOOOOOOOOINE!!!!!"

What a low point for the man from "Casablanca" and "The Invisible Man." He plays a testy old guy who seems to strike fear into all those around him. He is an astronomer who is aware that some odd thing is going on, having to do with a planet/asteroid that is approaching the Earth. Apparently, it is a screening device for flying saucers, set to attack and destroy the earth. It's another one of those movies where everyone understands the science, but the viewer has not a clue what they are talking about. Rains keeps talking about the Bigwigs in the government. Apparently, there is some kind of federation that sets up roadblocks and whom he must answer to. He wants total control of the efforts to get rid of the invaders. He banters and intimidates. He almost has a glow on him when he appears in different places. There are lots of explosions and few explanations. Rains becomes possessed and will listen to no one. It's just not very good.