The Phantom Planet has everything an old low-budget science-fiction movie needs—a tin-can rocket, mysterious little people, a monster that looks like an angry pile of driveway gravel, and an astronaut having the worst day of his career.
First, the poor man crashes. Then he shrinks. Next, an alien court sentences him to remain miniature. By the time that growth machine starts stretching him up and down, even the little alien has had enough: “You need a Valium!”
That is what I enjoy about these old movies. The special effects may look cheap today, but the filmmakers had plenty of imagination. Give them a rocket, some rocks, flashing lights and dramatic music, and they would take us clear across the universe.
Now here is the real question: If you landed on a strange planet and suddenly became six inches tall, would you remain calm—or would that little alien be telling you the same thing?
Now here is a shorten version of the movie (27mins)......
—BJ
Press Play for the BJ introduction, followed by the movie.
