The Blob *** (1958, Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe) – Classic Movie Review 2103

Director Irvin S Yeaworth Jnr’s 1958 B-movie horror flick stars Steve McQueen in his first leading role, billed as Steven McQueen. In this irresistible low-budget schlock, a gelatinous alien goo arrives on Earth via a meteorite and begins increasing in size each time it consumes people, getting bigger and bigger.

McQueen’s character Steve Andrews and his gang of teenage hot-rodders witness the blob’s destructive power but can’t convince the nearby townsfolk of the danger. So then the teens have to do battle themselves against the gungy giant man-eating blob of jelly from outer space.

Although the film is fondly regarded and fun to watch, its quality is in truth as scanty as its budget. By far the best thing about the movie though is McQueen, who does show promise of his future star quality. Aneta Corsaut [Aneta Corseaut], Earl Rowe, Stephen Chase, John Benson, George Karas, Lee Payton, Elbert Smith and Olin Howlin [Olin Howland] also feature. The title song is by Burt Bacharach.

The movie has continued to fascinate people. In 1972 Dallas star Larry Hagman directed a low-budget sequel titled Beware! The Blob, starring Robert Walker Jnr. The Blob was remade in 1988 by director Chuck Russell, co-written by him and Frank Darabont, and starring Kevin Dillon.

And in 2014, Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and The Expendables 2 film-maker Simon West has signed up to direct another remake. He has teamed up with producers Richard Saperstein and Brian Witten (Devil’s Knot) for the project, planned to begin shooting in summer 2015.

‘With modern CGI we can now fully realise the potential of The Blob,’ West said. ‘The world I create will be totally believable, immersive and emotionally satisfying. It’s a thrill to introduce an enduring icon to a wider audience and a whole new era of fans.’

But there is still no sign of it, though it is still said to be in development.

Rob Zombie also planned to remake the film in 2009, but the project was cancelled.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2103

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