MovieChat Forums > This Island Earth (1955) Discussion > Jack Arnold

Jack Arnold

posted 14 years ago by Deluge69-663-991830
12 replies | jump to latest

I heard that Jack Arnold directed the Metaluna scenes, which I feel still holds up.

It made me wonder how TIE would have been if Arnold had directed the entire film.

As much as I like it, and I'm sure most devoted fans will agree, the film did have its flaws. I occasionally had issues with the uneven script.

Now, if Arnold had co-written the screenplay, he might have fixed some of its problems. And his directing would have perhaps enhanced the overall production.

His added touches could of elevated the film.

I felt the ending was somewhat rushed (I'm aware they were running out of money), and it would have been great to have had more screen time on the planet.

Maybe, Arnold could have used his clout to have acquired a slightly bigger budget.

Anyways, it's still a personal favorite, a 50's pulp brought to life

Just another one of those 'What Ifs'.

[–] Dejael 12 years ago

I doubt if Jack Arnold had anything to do with THIS ISLAND EARTH. I don't think he was involved in it at all.

Dejael

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 12 years ago

A long time back there was a featured article on TIE in Starlog. In it, it was mentioned that when the exucutives screened it, they found the Metaluna scenes to be 'dull'. They then hired Jack Arnold to direct those final scenes.

Over time, it was mentioned that Arnold was unacreditted as 'co-director', although it is not listed on his web page.

I was curious if anyone else heard about this.

I just checked a critic review (Exclamation Mark) that mentions Arnold's involvement, called in to improve the Metaluna scenes.

[–] Dejael 12 years ago

The reason I made that statement is because my associate, visual effects wizard Robert Skotak, has all the critical information about that in his files, for an upcoming in-depth behind-the-scenes magazine article on THIS ISLAND EARTH in his new quarterly publication RetroSpect, which the first issue will soon be on the newsstands. I believe his THIS ISLAND EARTH issue will be out some time next year.
Beyond that, I am not at liberty to communicate. RetroSpect is a new version of his old sci-fi fan magazine FantaScene, published in the 1970s and 1980s.

I love the work of Jack Arnold, don't get me wrong. I love his Universal movies IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953) and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954), REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955), TARANTULA (1955), THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957), as well as other films he directed like THE MOUSE THAT ROARED (1959), BACHELOR IN PARADISE (1961), and THE LIVELY SET (1964).

However, THIS ISLAND EARTH was exclusively the work of director Joseph M. Newman, who had been connected with the project from the beginning.

Dejael

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 12 years ago

Sounds like it will make a great article. I'll be sure to check it out.

Perhaps those stories I read were wrong, but a few did mention Arnold's unacreditted work on TIE. Maybe it's just another one of those rumors, and it left me curious if anyone else had heard anything more about that.

That old issue of STARLOG had an excellent featured article of TIE (and did mention Arnold's involvement). It also mentioned how they pulled off some of the FX in the final Metaluna sequences. Quite a treasure.

As you probably know, Joseph Newman also directed that memorable Hitchcock Hour Classic 'An Unlocked Window'.

I'm always very interested to hear more of TIE's 'behind the scenes.' It was the first color space opera, and technicolor at that.

[–] telegonus 12 years ago

Indeed, Deluge, Joe Newman was no slouch. His TV credits are impressive, in some ways more so than his movie credits. Newman's work on the Hitchcock hour was at the level of a Brahm or a Florey at the very least.

On the other hand, TIE is a very Jack Arnold feeling film, for rather obvious reasons, yet there are things in it not typical of Arnold, whose directorial style was, if memory serves, overall more conservative than Newman's.

TIE is by no means perfect but it's one of a kind. A sort of Invaders From Mars for grownups; at times it's almost surreal. It hooked me from the opening credits the first time I saw it, and that was when I was an adult. The lettering over the outer space background was reminiscent of TV's One Step Beyond from a few years later, though a fair number of 50s sci-fi flicks use similarly themed openings, including The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Count me in as a fan of his offbeat, eccentric film. The leading male and female players were adequate, but Jeff Morrow really stood out as Exeter. He played it straight but not without a gentle, subtle "in character" humor, was solid to the very end, which I found quite moving.

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 12 years ago

telegonus-

Good hearing from you.

Seems I'm the only one to know of Jack Arnold's involvement with THIS ISLAND EARTH. Kinda makes me feel like David Vincent and his sole knowledge of THE INVADERS.

HOWEVER, if you check Joseph Newman's IMDB Bio page, it mentions that Arnold was called in by the executives to reshoot the Metaluna scenes.

Also, check critic review's #15 by 'Exclamation Mark', which also says the same.

I had that old issue of Starlog, that I bought some time back from a friend, and it also states that the big suits were not too thrilled with the Metaluna scenes, hence they brought Jack in to fix it up.

It's possible that Malton might have mentioned it in his review.

TIE certainly had that 50's Pulp flavor to it that really made it memorable. And how come every old film has to be chastised because it's (I really love this immortal platitude) "Not up to Todays' Standards".

'Todays Standards'- If that isn't the ultimate oxymoron, it ought to be.

As Production Values increase, Quality decreases. I suppose that can be considered 'Even Steven'.

I was disappointed that there wasn't an audio commentary on TIE DVD release. Some of the Film Historians, who have done other such commentaries, should consider putting one together.

Long Live Techicolor!

Also, our Thriller Thread is now on the THRILLER message board.

[–] telegonus 12 years ago

Thanks, Deluge.

The Technicolor in TIE is incredible and it feels like sci-fi as it ought to be done (or have been done) in its period. I love 50s sci-fi pictures but they tend to often be too big or too little, with a few notable exceptions. The f/x are not only fine by my but still outstanding. Metaluna looks real , and it's a stunning piece of work. I don't see how they could have improved on it.

I don't get those complaints about "not state of the art". I hate state of the art".

I noticed that on the Thriller board. They're airing it on MeTV. Sunday nights where I live, and I love them all, even the mediocre ones . La Strega was awesome, far better than I remembered. Waxworks also look and played better than ever. I think that the relative minimalism (i.e. modest budget) of the series worked in its favor. They had to make the best with what they had, and they made great use of what was there on the U-I lot at the time.

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 10 years ago

telegonus-

Regarding effective low budget, I just saw Mario Bava's RABID DOGS aka KIDNAPPED, and was hit hard by it. Easy to see the influence it had on Tarantino. By all means, check it out. Had a certain Thriller/Hitchcock mood.

I just saw Carpenter's VAMPIRES. There's a scene where they rise up from the ground, much like that scene in Bava's PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. Also redoes a crucial part from BRIDES OF DRACULA, and the ending of HORROR OF DRACULA. James Woods carries it admirably.

RABID DOGS was another long lost gem, recently restored. Bava may have had an even bigger career later, if it hadn't been scrapped.

[–] telegonus 10 years ago

Deluge,

I haven't seen a Bava or Carpenter picture in ages. Bava impressed me early on but I lost track of him and his career later on. My loss, I suppose.

Merry Christmas, btw. 

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 10 years ago

RABID DOGS aka KIDNAPPED is well worth checking out.

The less you know, the better. Had that 'Thriller/Hitchcock Hour' quality. Low budget filmmaking at its very best. Considered one of Bava's very best.

[–] sonofagun 10 years ago

Think we got a little off topic here.

Say btw, did anyone hear anything about Jack Arnold being involved in TIE??

😜

[–] KobiyashiMauru 10 years ago

Wasn't Jack Arnold in the 90's television series "The Wonder Years"? 👽✈🚀🌎