Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) starring Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, Vampira, directed by Ed Wood
What can be said about Plan 9 from Outer Space that hasn’t already been said? It’s clearly the cheesiest of cheesy monster movies. It’s been considered for many years the worst movie that has ever been made – although there are other contenders.
In short, aliens from Outer Space plan to destroy Earth by reanimated corpses as an unstoppable army. In that respect, it’s similar to Invisible Invaders – another low-budget invasion movie. However, Invisible Invaders also has good acting and a relatively sensible script. Plan 9 from Outer Space has neither of those.
Plan 9 from Outer Space is one of those movies that’s so terribly bad that it’s entertaining to watch and make fun of. I remember doing so with my friends when I was a teenager – and it hasn’t gotten any better since 🙂 .
Editorial review of Plan 9 from Outer Space courtesy of Amazon.com
Plan 9 From Outer Space Cult Director Ed Wood’s “cinematic masterpiece” _ and also regarded as one of the worst movies ever made! Plan Nine is so bad it’s good. Alien invaders use their dreaded “Plan Nine” to re-animate dead earthlings. They wreak havoc and unleash a host of things bizarre, macabre, horrific, and just plain horrible. Using footage from a Bela Lugosi movie he was unable to finish (due to Lugosi’s untimely death), Wood proved again he would and could make a film under any circumstances.
Hubcaps on wires doubling for flying saucers, stumbling living dead, concrete visible beneath fake grass, and mattresses visible for actors to fall on are just a few of the unbelievable gaffes and goofs you’ll see. The result is a comical and campy spoof of science fiction movies themselves. The cast includes TV horror queen Vampira, a host of zombies, military buffoons, and Lugosi in his last performance. Plan Nine has taken on a legendary status of its own and is a MUST for any serious cult film fan. Original Theatrical Trailer: 2 min. Film: Approx. 80 min.
Cast of characters
- Gregory Walcott … Jeff Trent
- Mona McKinnon (Mesa of Lost Women) … Paula Trent
- Duke Moore (Night of the Ghouls) … Lieutenant Harper
- Tom Keene … Colonel Tom Edwards
- Carl Anthony … Patrolman Larry
- Paul Marco (Bride of the Monster) … Patrolman Kelton
- Tor Johnson (The Unearthly) … Inspector Daniel Clay
- Dudley Manlove (Creation of the Humanoids) … Eros
- Joanna Lee … Tanna
- John Breckinridge … Ruler
- Lyle Talbot (One Body Too Many) … General Roberts
- David De Mering … Danny
- Norma McCarty … Edith
- Bill Ash … Captain
- Lynn Lemon … Reverend (as Reverend Lynn Lemon)
- Ben Frommer … Man
- Gloria Dea … Girl
- Conrad Brooks … Policeman
- Maila Nurmi … Vampire Girl (as Vampira)
- Bela Lugosi (The Devil Bat) … Ghoul Man
- Criswell (Night of the Ghouls) … Criswell – Narrator
[updated July 5, 2024]