The Man From Planet X
Scen.: Aubrey Wisberg, Jack Pollexfen; F.: John L. Russel; M.: Fred R. Feitshans, Jr.; Scgf.: Angelo Scibetta, Byron Vreeland; Mu.: Charles Koff; Su.: Joel Moss, William Randall; Effetti Speciali: Andy Anderson, Howard Weeks; Effetti Visivi: Jack R. Glass, (Non Accr.) Jack Rabin; Ass.R.: Lester D. Guthrie; Int.: Robert Clarke (John Lawrence), Margaret Field (Enid Elliot), Raymond Bond (Prof. Elliot), William Schallert (Dr. Mears), Roy Engel (Tommy), David Ormont (Ispettore Porter), Gilbert Fallman (Dr. Blane), Tom Daly (Serg. Ferris), June Jeffery (Moglie Dell’uomo Scomparso); Prod.: Jack Pollexfen, Aubrey Wisberg Per Mid Century Film; 35mm. L.: 1938 M. D.: 70’. Bn.
Film Notes
The quality of The Man from Planet X is due to director Edgar G. Ulmer. Obviously, it was one of the things Ulmer did for money’s sake. But his integrity and artistic goals resulted in the first science fiction gothic horror film, probably the only one until Alien (1979). The picture is very graceful and flowing. There are excellent composition throughout the film, making it one of the best looking cheap American film. […] The alien, played by an unidentified midget actor (possibly Billy Curtis), is of an unusual though anthropomorphic design. His face is described in the script as being distorted by pressure. It somewhat resembles a ritual mask from some primitive tribe. In actuality, of course, it is a mask, but is more convincing than most, despite being totally immobile; the believability is created by lighting and camera angles.
Bill Warren, Keep Watching the Skies!, vol. 1, Jefferson/London 1986