Plan 9 from Outer Space

Plot

In California, grieving old man Jeff Trent mourns his recently deceased wife when both are mysteriously resurrected by aliens Eros and Tanna using an advanced electric device. The aliens have also revived Inspector Clay, who was murdered by the zombie-like couple, as part of 'Plan 9' - their ninth attempt to conquer Earth by creating an army of the undead. As flying saucers appear over Hollywood and Washington D.C., a colonel, police lieutenant, commercial pilot, his wife, and a policeman unite to investigate the strange occurrences and confront the extraterrestrial threat. The aliens reveal they're trying to prevent humans from developing a 'solaranite' bomb that could destroy the universe, leading to a climactic confrontation in the aliens' spaceship where humanity's fate hangs in the balance.

Historical Background

Made during the height of Cold War paranoia and the UFO craze of the 1950s, 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' tapped into contemporary fears of atomic annihilation and extraterrestrial invasion. The film reflected the era's fascination with space exploration following the 1957 launch of Sputnik, while also embodying the low-budget exploitation film culture that thrived on drive-in theaters. Hollywood was transitioning from the studio system to independent productions, allowing filmmakers like Wood to create movies outside mainstream constraints. The 1950s also saw the rise of teen culture and B-movie horror films that appealed to younger audiences seeking sensational entertainment.

Making Of

Edward D. Wood Jr. was notoriously passionate but technically inept, often shooting scenes in single takes regardless of mistakes. The production was plagued by financial issues, with Wood frequently borrowing money from friends and using his own apartment as a filming location. The famous scene with the police car driving past the same house multiple times was due to budget constraints preventing location changes. Wood's friendship with the aging Bela Lugosi inspired him to create the film as a showcase for the horror icon's final performance. The cast was largely comprised of Wood's regular troupe of amateur actors, including his girlfriend Dolores Fuller and friend Tor Johnson. The film's poor quality was exacerbated by Wood's insistence on using stock footage from military films and his inability to properly sync sound with picture.

Visual Style

The cinematography, credited to William C. Thompson, is characterized by inconsistent lighting, visible shadows from microphones, and dramatic shifts between day and night within the same scene. The flying saucer effects were achieved through simple models suspended by wires, with the strings often visible on screen. The film uses extensive stock footage, including military aircraft scenes that bear no relation to the main story. Camera work is notably shaky, with many shots featuring poor framing and focus issues. The cemetery scenes feature the infamous wobbling cardboard tombstones, while interior shots often reveal studio equipment and crew reflections. Despite these technical flaws, the film exhibits a certain visual charm through its earnest attempt at creating atmospheric horror.

Innovations

While not technically accomplished, the film pioneered certain low-budget filmmaking techniques that have become standard in independent cinema. Wood's use of stock footage to pad running time influenced later exploitation filmmakers. The film's creative use of household items as props (hubcaps as flying saucers, shower curtains as spaceship interiors) demonstrated resourcefulness under extreme budget constraints. The decision to use a stand-in for Bela Lugosi, while technically crude, was an early example of creative problem-solving in filmmaking. The film's editing techniques, while often jarring, showed an experimental approach to continuity that has been studied in film schools as examples of what to avoid. Its technical failures have ironically made it a valuable teaching tool for film students studying production mistakes.

Music

The film's score consists largely of stock music from other productions, including pieces from 'Carnival of Souls' and various horror films. The most recognizable music is the theremin-heavy theme that plays during the flying saucer sequences, creating an otherworldly atmosphere despite being recycled material. Sound quality is notably poor, with dialogue often mismatched to lip movements and background noise frequently audible. The film features minimal original composition, relying instead on public domain classical pieces and library music. The audio mix is inconsistent, with some scenes having nearly inaudible dialogue while others feature overly loud sound effects. Despite these technical shortcomings, the soundtrack has become iconic in its own right, with the main theme being instantly recognizable to bad movie enthusiasts.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene with Criswell rising from a coffin delivering his cryptic narration about future events
• The flying saucers wobbling on visible strings as they 'fly' across the screen
• Inspector Clay's dramatic death scene where he falls over with exaggerated theatricality
• The scene where Tor Johnson's character struggles to exit his grave due to the small size of the dug hole
• The confrontation in the spaceship where Eros delivers his passionate 'stupid minds' speech
• The police car driving past the same house multiple times in supposed pursuit
• The scene where characters appear to walk through walls due to poor double exposure effects

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics universally condemned the film as amateurish and incoherent. The Los Angeles Times called it 'an exercise in incompetence,' while Variety described it as 'a bewildering mess.' Modern critics have reassessed the film through the lens of camp and outsider art, with The New York Times later noting its 'accidental genius' and Entertainment Weekly calling it 'the Citizen Kane of bad movies.' The film currently holds a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics acknowledging its entertainment value despite its technical flaws. Film scholars have written extensively about its place in cinema history as an example of passionate but failed artistry.

What Audiences Thought

Initial audience response was overwhelmingly negative, with many theatergoers demanding refunds. However, over decades, the film developed a massive cult following, with fans celebrating its unintentional humor and technical blunders. Midnight screenings became popular in the 1970s, with audiences shouting back at the screen and participating in interactive viewings similar to 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.' Modern audiences often watch the film specifically for its bad quality, with many considering it a rite of passage for bad movie enthusiasts. The film's reputation has grown through home video releases and streaming platforms, introducing it to new generations who appreciate it as an unintentional comedy.

You Might Also Like