Movies - Teenagers from Outer Space

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	Movies - Teenagers from Outer Space

Teenagers from Outer Space is a 1959 science-fiction B-movie about an extraterrestrial ship landing on Earth to use it as a farm for its food supply. The crew of the ship includes several teenagers (who ironically look quite old for teenagers), two of whom oppose each other in their activities.

Summary

The laws of their world forbid the use of planets on which intelligent life exists, and they've seen proof that there's intelligent life on earth; however, they're concerned about the lack of suitable planets to raise "gargans", a lobster-like (but air-breathing) animal which is a staple on the homeworld and which thrives on Earth. In addition, these aliens by and large presume themselves to be the supreme race; they are disdainful of "foreign beings", no matter how intelligent, and pride themselves on the fact that families and friendships are forbidden on their world. The youngest explorer, Derek, disagrees, revealing himself to be a member of an underground which commemorates earlier, more humane periods of the homeworld's history. Running away, he attempts (like Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still
) to blend in with typical 1950s American small town culture. He boards at a private home and becomes close friends with the teenage daughter of the family, ultimately falling in love with her. The project leader becomes hostile and attempts to recapture his companion, using his disintegrator raygun to kill numerous people in the process.

Analysis

Perhaps the most notable thing about Teenagers from Outer Space is that it was almost solely the work of one man, Tom Graeff (1929-1970), who, in addition to playing the role of reporter Joe Rogers, wrote, directed, edited, and produced the film, on which he also provided cinematography, special effects, and music coordination. Although the film's quality can certainly be challenged, Graeff's multiple duties and obvious hard work in creating the film prove that, not unlike Ed Wood, Coleman Francis, and other directors who have achieved "cult" status, he possessed levels of enthusiasm and dedication that far outstripped his talent, and many find it curious that he apparently never produced another film.

Some rumors claim that Graeff developed Teenagers from Outer Space as a vehicle for his lover, David Love (b. 1934), who, at age 25, starred as the heroic "teenage" alien Derek (his only known film role) and also served as production associate; the female lead, Betty Morgan (played by Dawn Bender in her only starring role) begins the film as the girlfriend of Graeff's character but ends up falling for Love's character, which may be a private joke between the two lovers.

According to the IMDB, over half the cast of Teenagers from Outer Space never appeared in any other film, and one might theorize that many of them were personal friends of Graeff (a casting technique that also links Graeff to the likes of Wood and Francis). Harvey B. Dunn, an actor seen in several Ed Wood productions, plays Betty's grandfather.

The film was lampooned in June 1992 as an episode of the movie-mocking television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. The film was titled The Gargan Terror for its release in the United Kingdom.

The full-length film is also included in the 2005 videogame Destroy All Humans! after the main story campaign is completed.

Teenagers from Outer Space is also a comedic RPG from R. Talsorian Games, inspired by anime such as Urusei Yatsura.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Teenagers from Outer Space ]

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