Movielogr
Beginning of the End (1957)
Directed by Bert I. Gordon
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An attractive reporter investigating the mysterious destruction of an Illinois town stumbles upon a secret government laboratory conducting radiation experiments on vegetables. The lead scientist is eager to help find out what happened. Together they discover that giant grasshoppers are behind the devastation. Worse yet, thousands of them are headed toward Chicago! Can they be stopped… or is this the BEGINNING OF THE END?
Rated NR | Length 73 minutes
Actors
Peter Graves | Peggie Castle | Morris Ankrum | Than Wyenn | Thomas Browne Henry | Richard Benedict | James Seay | John Close | Don C. Harvey | Larry J. Blake | Eilene Janssen | Hyllton Socher | Frank Wilcox | Douglas Evans | Paul Grant | Richard Emory | Hank Patterson | Steve Warren | Frank Connor | Don Eitner | Rayford Barnes | Kirk Alyn | Bill Baldwin | Frank Chase | Joe Cranston | Patricia Dean | James Douglas | Paul Frees | Lyle Latell | Dennis Moore | Zon Murray | Alan Reynolds | Ralph Sanford | Bert Stevens | Alan Wells
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/30/2013 | Movie Screen | Film | Theater | 6 stars |
| (Average) 6 stars |
Viewing Notes
The second film of the 50s sci-fi double feature at the Patio (presented in 35mm by Northwest Chicago Film Society) was another I hadn’t seen and Bert I. Gordon’s second feature film. Great to see his obsession with giant creatures so early in his career. Also funny how he layers the live action locust footage with the action scenes. Definitely a pioneer of that technique I imagine.
The best thing about this movie is that it’s set in central Illinois then eventually moves north to Chicago. The location scenes of downtown Chicago look like stock footage but still very cool to see what the city looked like during that time with many of the same buildings. Fun movie and I’m thrilled to see another B.I.G. on the big screen.
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