The Magnetic Monster

This is very good 1950's science fiction. At the center is Curt Siodmak, a pretty good writer who involves us in a tale where the use of a particle accelerator causes magnetism to go crazy. It results in implosions that could eventually end all life on earth. It's up to Richard Carlson and King Donovan, staples in the movie genre of the time, to come up with a solution. This is post atom bomb time and we are treated to a lot of moralizing about life and its preciousness. This could have gotten out of hand but is reined in pretty well. I thought the science was reasonable and the acting quite good. Stereotyping was kept to a minimum and allowed the principles to do their thing. Very good scene in an appliance store at the beginning.

"The Magnetic Monster" was a superior sci-fi B movie of the 1950's. Rarely seen these days, it hasn't gotten the appreciation it deserves as an unusual sci-fi classic.

Two scientist-detectives from the Government "Office of Scientific Investigation (O.S.I.)" are sent to investigate some bizarre events, like some guy found dead of radiation poisoning in an apartment building where metal objects have become magnetized. They eventually discover the cause: somewhere there's a new, accidentally created radioactive isotope with the unique property to "grow" by assimilating surrounding energy into itself. As it grows geometrically, its magnetic field and radioactivity increase too, potentially threatening the very existence of Earth itself. Our heroes race to find and destroy the thing somehow.

For its time, the plot tried hard to be realistic, with realistic-sounding science and a semi-documentary style reminiscent of detective movies. Even a deliberate bit of comic relief as the detectives are initially stymied by false leads. ("Some guy phoned to complain that the battery in his hearing aid burned out and he wants us to look into the matter." "Oh, fine!")

With the new crimes of computer hacker attacks and bioterrorist attacks, the notion of detectives with scientific training is no longer science fiction. When the Government started investigating the deaths of people from anthrax in October 2001, I thought O.S.I. had finally come to pass.

"The Magnetic Monster" is a much better than average sci-fi/horror film from an era known for schlocky films in this genre. It works well because they manage to make the story seem possible...and much of it is because its told in a semi-documentary style.

When the story begins, some investigators from the OSI are looking into strange phenomena....and a really weird one comes to them. It seems a business is magnetized and all the clocks are broken. When Dr. Stewart (Richard Carlson) tosses some metal washers into the air, they are sucked onto the ceiling as some magnetic power is THAT strong and appears to be coming from the floor above. There, they find a dead man....killed from radiation. In fact, the whole place is very radioactive. What has happened here? And, where is the source of the magnetism, as it appears as if someone took the source with them...meaning that some object is MUCH more magnetic and dangerous than what the OSI team just found. What ttey don't realize is that the powerful substance is so powerful that it threatens to destroy the planet unless something is done quickly.

As I already mentioned, the style of the film makes it work well. Giving the story a seemingly credible scientific explanation also works well. Overall, an entertaining story which is surprisingly literate and enjoyable.

Forget the low budget and limited special effects. This is an exciting film. If you can transport yourself back to the time when science was young and naive, you can get caught up in this film. The "monster" is an isotope created by a mad scientist. It will, if not destroyed, eventually engulf the world. Earnest atomic scientists are in a race against time to transport it to Canada where the only instrument powerful enough to destroy it is located. Once there, they even run afoul of a jealous Canadian scientist who attempts to foil their last ditch efforts. The climax, with electricity surging and sparks flying is actually thrilling. This one has some of the laughs one expects from a low budget monster film, but it also achieves drama and excitement. The acting is even better than usual.

Now it wouldn't be a low budget film without at least one or two cheesy special effects. Don't miss the shot of some steel slugs tossed up and supposedly sticking to the magnetized ceiling; some of them actually roll off camera. However, this is just entertainment when combined with the taut, fast-paced story line, excellent performances and exciting climax. I recommend it.

Jeff Stewart (Richard Carlson, also in Creature from the Black Lagoon & It Came from Outer Space) is an A-man working out of the Office of Scientific Investigation (OSI). He narrates this story regarding the discovery/creation of a new unstable radioactive isotope.

The movie is part MacGuyver, part Mr. Wizard and part Golden Age Radio program. This movie entertains while it educates. I haven't learned as much from a movie since the Miracle of Life in high school health class. Dr. Stewart explains theories and principles of chemistry, physics and even earth science through the use of simple everyday items (God bless you Mr. Wizard). He also manages to make these "models" by combining everyday items (God bless you MacGuyver).

The special effects are simple and hardly believable, yet still effective in conveying the science of the story. This movie reminds me of a golden age radio program when a chicken heart grows so large as to destroy the earth. This movie follows in the footsteps of that program.

The same can be said of the Outer Limits. It was a show that was severely limited in budget, yet still managed to convey some poignant stories about science and humanity. The thing that all these things have in common is the realization that there are unknowns out there that can kills us. Science will either saves us from the unknowns, or be the Pandora's box to our destruction.

There is a pretty good selection of stars in this movie : Kathleen Freeman (best remembered by me as the woman at the supermarket with the silver revolver from Innerspace), Michael Fox (whom I remember as the announcer from the Longest Yard - 1974) and Leonard Mudie (whom one will remember as one of the survivors from the Star Trek episode The Cage).

The science seems a little hokey, but one has to remember the movies of the time. I mean having a terminal computer called the Brain and a data mainframe called MANIAC is quite silly. Yet it is still believable. This is a very good science fiction movie (especially when one takes in account when it was made and the obviously limited budget). I recommend this movie for anyone who is a fan of classic science fiction.