The Flying Saucer

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The Flying Saucer
Directed by Mikel Conrad
Produced by Mikel Conrad
Written by Howard Irving Young
Mikel Conrad
Starring Mikel Conrad
Music by Darrell Calker
Cinematography Phillip Tannura
Distributed by Film Classics Inc.
Release date(s) 1950
Running time 69 minute
Country Flag of United States USA
Language English

The Flying Saucer is a 69-minute 1950, American, black-and-white science fiction feature film, produced independently by Colonial Productions Inc. and distributed in the USA by Film Classics Inc.. It was scripted by Howard Irving Young from an original story by Mikel Conrad, who also produced, directed and starred in the film. Co-starring with Conrad were Pat Garrison and Hantz von Teuffen. It was the first film to deal with flying saucers, and has no relationship to Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

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[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

American Intelligence officials have learned that Soviet spies have begun exploring a remote region of the Alaskan Territory in search of answers to the worldwide reports of "flying saucers", and convince a wealthy playboy, Mike Trent (Mikel Conrad), who was raised in that area, to assist a secret service agent in exploring the area for the USA and determining what the Soviets are up to. To his pleasant surprise, he learns that the agent is a woman, Vee Langley (Pat Garrison), and they set off together, he posing as himself suffering from a nervous breakdown, and she posing as his nurse.

They are met at Mike's family's cabin in the wilderness by a new, foreign-accented caretaker named Hans (Hantz von Teuffen). Mike is skeptical of the entire UFO matter until he spots one flying close, nearby. He is less skeptical about his attraction to Vee. Meanwhile, Hans seems curiously determined to make him suspcious of Vee's affections, while Vee observes Hans stalking her with a rifle. Assorted complications ensue until Mike and Vee finally learn that Hans is one of the Soviets' agents, and that the Soviets are in fact the masters of the flying saucer, an invention of an American who has sold out to them.

Eventually, they locate the Soviets' hiding place of the saucer, bring the spies to justice, and witness the flying saucer explode in mid-air, as one of the spies tries to escape with it, as a result of a bomb placed aboard it by the repentant scientist.

[edit] The Film Cast

  • Mike Trent.................................Mikel Conrad
  • Vee Langley...............................Pat Garrison
  • Hans..........................................Hantz von Teuffen
  • Dr. Lawton.................................Roy Engel
  • Col. Marikoff..............................Lester Sharpe
  • Turner, spy................................Denver Pyle
  • Alex, spy....................................Erl Lyon
  • Matt Mitchell..............................Frank Darrien
  • Intelligence Chief Hank Thorn...Russell Hicks
  • Nanette, bar girl........................Virginia Hewitt
  • Bartender..................................Garry Owen

[edit] The Film Makers

  • Author/Producer/Director...........Mikel Conrad
  • Scenarist....................................Howard Irving Young
  • Associate Producer....................Morris M. Wein
  • Production Manager..................Lincoln A. Widder
  • Art Director.................................Charles D. Hall
  • Set Decorator.............................Murray Waite
  • Makeup Credit.............................Harry Ross
  • Hairstyle/Wardrobe/Props..........?/?/?
  • Special Effects Artist...................?
  • Assistant Director.....................Mack V. Wright
  • Cinematographer.....................Phillip Tannura
  • Sound Credit..............................F. W. Moran
  • Film Editor................................Robert Crandall
  • Music Composer-Director...........Darrell Calker

[edit] Other Notes

In 1953, the film was reissued in the USA by Realart Pictures Inc., on a programmed double-bill with Atomic Monster, the retitled-reissue of Universal's Man-Made Monster.