Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) starring Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, Vampira, directed by Ed Wood
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]