In 1958 a small production company, who until then had only made religious films, decided to try to get the B-slot of a double feature. Their efforts resulted in The Blob: one of the milestones of ‘50s sci-fi.
From the opening credits The Blob is pure fun. A series of pulsing red blob-outlines slowly approach you from some distant point to a ukulele and saxophone serenade. The image is soon joined with a song that sounds like a ‘50s cigarette jingle: “Beware of The Blob it creeps, and leaps, and glides and slides across the floor…”
The Blob Invades
The movie opens up with a young couple making out at Inspiration Point. A meteor crashes nearby and they go to investigate. They aren’t the only ones, however. The meteorite crashes in the backyard of an old coot, who goes out there with his dog to poke it with a stick.
Inside the meteorite, as the curious old man discovers, lurks The Blob. There is a classic moment where The Blob climbs his poking stick, and he stares on in horror- but bafflingly decides not to simply drop the stick. Soon The Blob has consumed his hand and turned it into more blob.
The young couple encounters the man and that’s where their troubles begin. From there on out no one will listen to them about the dangers of The Blob- not doctors, policemen, or parents. Only other teenagers will take them seriously- until, that is, The Blob has grown building-sized and is entirely out of control.
Steve McQueen vs. The Man
In one of the roles that established his career, Steve McQueen (The Magnificent Seven, The Thomas Crown Affair) plays a frustrated youth who no one will listen to. The character is reminiscent of James Dean’s Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause three years previous.
The difference between the two roles is their relationship to authority. Steve Andrews is disenfranchised- authority unfairly won’t listen to him. He struggles with them though because he has a cause. Jim Stark is disaffected- he rejects authority before it has the chance to reject him. The Blob is an sci-fi action adventure movie, whereas Rebel is a psychological portrait.
The Colors in New Digital Transfer
One of the most striking features of The Blob is its fantastic color palette. Huge splashes of color often dominate the screen. From the beautiful mauve Blob to the baby blue car that Steve McQueen drives around, watching this movie makes you feel like you just walked into a '50s diner. This movie keeps you visually hooked, particularly if you're viewing the remastered Criterion Release.
The Blob is a Fun Old Hit
This movie has aged well. The parts that have become less relevant with time have gained a quality somewhere between delight and nostalgia. Whether you’re a science fiction buff or just looking for an entertaining way to spend an hour and a half, The Blob is a good choice.
