a lot to chuckle about

I am an unabashed fan of 50's sci-fi, so this post is not a criticism but rather an affectionate comment on a movie with good intentions. But man, some of it does reflect the times I guess. Did they really need to make Russell Johnson's girlfriend a total va-va-voom girl? And when she leaves the office she says goodbye to Putnam in a very flirty way ... I guess with some girls it just comes naturally. When Putnam is in the mineshaft and sees Ellen, he yells "Ellen! Ellen! ... (voice drop) no you're not Ellen" in a way that had me laughing out loud - I even replayed it a few times and chuckled each time. The fake spider ... they couldn't find a spider in Arizona, or buy a $5 tarantula at a pet store? Ellen screaming at the tree and the little boy at the door - necessary? But cringiest of all, the embarrassed alien. True, not very good-looking, but he seemed to have a major complex about it. I really felt bad for him ... and then Putnam has to compound things by screaming and looking away. I'm sure that helped the thing's self-esteem. So, wonderful 50's nostalgia for a simpler time and simpler movies. But for me it can't be compared to The Thing or War of The Worlds (my favorite movie) as far as being a bona fide 'good movie' with respect to dialogue, acting, special effects.