Them! (1954) and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) Saturday Monster Movies
Taking advantage of having reached the last of the initial run of Godzilla films, I thought I would look back at a couple of films that inspired the Godzilla franchise.
In 1953, the US produced a movie about a nuclear bomb test reawakening an ages-long-frozen dinosaur, who wreaks havoc on a major city. Sound familiar? In this case it is “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.” Also, instead of a man in a suit, the talents of Ray Harryhausen. Also, beyond the monster being awakened by nuclear tests, there isn’t much of a message.
In 1954, months before Godzilla made his debut, another American film looked at the consequences of nuclear testing. “Them!” is the story of mutated, giant, ants terrorizing Las Angeles. It gets a bit closer to trying to think about the consequences of mankind’s actions, but just barely so.
Godzilla took all of this Zeitgeist to its best use and—in the beginning at least—had something to say with its entertaining horror. However, by the time the 80s rolled around, it was time to rediscover its thematic core…
In 1953, the US produced a movie about a nuclear bomb test reawakening an ages-long-frozen dinosaur, who wreaks havoc on a major city. Sound familiar? In this case it is “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.” Also, instead of a man in a suit, the talents of Ray Harryhausen. Also, beyond the monster being awakened by nuclear tests, there isn’t much of a message.
In 1954, months before Godzilla made his debut, another American film looked at the consequences of nuclear testing. “Them!” is the story of mutated, giant, ants terrorizing Las Angeles. It gets a bit closer to trying to think about the consequences of mankind’s actions, but just barely so.
Godzilla took all of this Zeitgeist to its best use and—in the beginning at least—had something to say with its entertaining horror. However, by the time the 80s rolled around, it was time to rediscover its thematic core…
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