Kronos *** (1957, Jeff Morrow, Barbara Lawrence, John Emery, Morris Ankrum) – Classic Movie Review 3467

Director Kurt Neumann’s enjoyable 1957 sci-fi epic is a splendidly daft relic of the Fifties, in which a meteorite falls into the sea, spilling out a huge metal absorbing machine called Kronos (so called after a bad Greek god) belonging to aliens trying to pinch our energy.

The aliens have taken over the brain of US scientist Emery and are controlling him to direct the operation. Various boffins (Jeff Morrow, John Emery, George O‘Hanlon, Morris Ankrum) have to solve all the Earth’s problems and save the day for our side.

Although made for a major studio, 20^th Century Fox, its low-budget cheapness ($160,000) scuppers its intended seriousness. It’s shot in widescreen but black and white. But, with the effects so feeble, and its scientific predictions so off-beam, it’s all the more entertaining. The unusual idea, decent acting and eerie atmosphere are further assets to the fun factor. Barbara Lawrence is the female star, playing Vera Hunter.

Also in  the cast are Kenneth Alton, John Parrish, José Gonzales-Gonzales, Richard Harrison, Marjorie Stapp, Robert Shayne, Don Eitner, Gordon Mills, John Halloran, Robert Forrest and Baxter Ward.

Spyros Skouros’, then president of 20th Century Fox, liked the concept and supported production. It is also known as Kronos, Destroyer of the Universe. Director Neumann also made The Fly.

Barbara Lawrence died on on 13 November 2013, aged 83. She also starred in A Letter to Three Wives, The Street with No Name and Oklahoma! (1955).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3467

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