The Night the World Exploded
| The Night the World Exploded | |
|---|---|
Black and white | |
Production company | Clover Productions |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 64 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Night the World Exploded is a 1957
double bill with The Giant Claw
.
Plot
The scientific team of Dr. David Conway (William Leslie), Dr. Ellis Morton (
Carlsbad Caverns
and descend to a hitherto unexplored level.
Here they find a strange ore which, when removed from contact with water, becomes highly explosive, and realize that this element, somehow working its way from deep in the Earth, is responsible for the earthquakes. Although the material is not analyzed for
specific atomic traits
, it is named Element 112 just because so far, 111 chemical elements had been discovered. A computer determines that in approximately one month, enough of Element 112 will emerge from the deep earth to cause the entire planet to explode. A desperate operation ensues worldwide to blast and trench the ground to let water in and cover Element 112, keeping it from drying out and expanding.
Cast
- Kathryn Grant as Laura Hutchinson
- William Leslie as Dr. David Conway
- Tristram Coffin as Dr. Ellis Morton (as Tris Coffin)
- Raymond Greenleaf as Gov. Chaney
- Charles Evans as General Bortes
- Frank J. Scannell as Sheriff Quinn (as Frank Scannell)
- Marshall Reed as the General's Aide
- Fred Coby as Ranger Brown
- Paul Savage as Ranger Gold
- Terry Frost as Chief Rescue Worker
- Lyle Latell as Civil Defense Chief Carson
Production
The Night the World Exploded went into production with shooting locations at the Carlsbad Caverns in
Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California; and the ElectroData (Burroughs) Corporation Building in Pasadena, California. Principal photography took place from November 8–20, 1956.[3]
Reception
double bill with The Giant Claw (1957). Critical reception was not positive, with Hal Erickson of The New York Times later commenting, "Despite all the scientific doublespeak, 'The Night the World Exploded' is doggedly non-intellectual in its execution and appeal."[4]
Film critic Leonard Maltin noted that the film disappointed: "Scientists discover a strange, exploding mineral that threatens to bring about title catastrophe and rush to prevent it. OK idea hampered by low budget."[5]
See also
References
- ^ The Night the World Exploded at the American Film Institute Catalog.
- ^ Walker 1997, pp. 241, 393.
- ^ "Original print information: 'The Night the World Exploded'." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: April 8, 2015.
- ^ Erickson, Hal. "Overview: 'The Night the World Exploded'." The New York Times. Retrieved: April 8, 2015.
- ^ Maltin, Leonard. "Leonard Maltin Movie Review: 'The Night the World Exploded'." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: April 8, 2015.
Bibliography
- Walker, John, ed. Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies (14th ed.). New York: HarperResource, 1997. ISBN 0-06-093507-3.
