Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (a.k.a. Invasion of the Flying Saucers and Flying Saucers from Outer Space) is a 1956 American science fiction film from Columbia Pictures. It was produced by Charles H. Schneer, directed by Fred F. Sears, and stars Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor.
The plot see's aliens from a dying planet seeking another world to live, but unlike most alien invasion films, they actually came in peace. Although, things go awry due to a miscommunication, so when a group of aliens in metallic suits exit the saucer and infantry guards open fire, killing one alien, they then go on the attack, I mean, wouldn't you?
The stop-motion animation special effects were created by none other than the SFX master, Ray Harryhausen. The film was probably an inspiration for many movies to follow showing the destruction of national monuments and government buildings. For increased realism in the scenes depicting saucers crashing into them, Ray also animated falling masonry. Some animation of figures were also used to show the aliens emerging from the saucers.
The film's iconic flying saucer design, a stationary central cabin encircled by a rotating outer ring with slotted vanes in it, which matched eyewitness descriptions recorded by Maj. Donald Keyhoe in his best-selling non-fiction book titled Flying Saucers from Outer Space. At a tribute to Harryhausen held in Sydney, Australia, the animator said that he had consulted with well-known 1950s UFO contactee George Adamski about the depiction of the flying saucers in the film. He also noted that Adamski had become quite paranoid by that time.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
DATE(S) VISITED: JUL 4, 2019
LOCATION: WASHINGTON D.C.
Due to Team H's short time in D.C. we only managed to visit a few related sites to this old classic movie. One being the Washington Monument. Alas, no UFO's were seen hovering over the city... I guess the 4th July fireworks kept them at bay?