Them! (1954)

Directed by Gordon Douglas. Starring James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, James Arness, Joan Weldon, Onslow Stevens, Sean McClory, Chris Drake, Mary Alan Hokanson, Sandy Descher.

Early effort in the burgeoning “atomic monster” sub-genre of the 1950s, where nuclear panic signified beaucoup box office; far better than average for the dubious pack even though its fundamental core characters, acting, plotting, and dialogue are still firmly in the B-picture ranks. A catatonic little girl is found wandering through the New Mexico desert, shocked into her state after witnessing the arrival of “them!” (them being a colony of colossal irradiated ants). Strong opening scenes and exciting climax compensate for the usual lulls of droning science talk and forced patter. Expert direction and startling images (e.g., a ribcage falling from an ant’s jaws) make it a must even for those who aren’t especially enamored by monster movies. Makes repeated use of the Wilhelm scream to entertaining effect. Look for Leonard Nimoy in an uncredited bit part.

71/100