Other Mutant Offspring

Films like “King Kong” in 1933 popularized the notion of rampaging monsters but it wasn’t until the ‘50s that the threat of The Bomb got film makers to imagine the effect of radiation on a myriad of critters.

The trend of mutant monsters, spawned by science-gone-mad, got its big push in 1953 with “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.” Notable for its animation effects by Ray Harryhausen, and for being spawned by Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Foghorn,” the film finds its prehistoric title creature--something called a “rhedosaurus”--”coming to life” following atomic testing inside the Arctic Circle.

Next thing you know, the folks in Manhattan are running for their lives!

(The rhedosaurus meets its end when a couple of sharp-shooters take aim from the Coney Island roller coaster.)

But it was the success of “Them!” and its giant ants that really got the invasion under way.

Among the ‘50s-era titles/creatures that put American moviegoers under siege:

“Creature with the Atom Brain” (1955)--What happens when a mad scientist (clues hint to a former Nazi) takes out a guy’s brain and replaces it with a radio-controlled sponge-like substance? Zombification.

“Tarantula” (1955)--An artificial nutrient--one that’s been atomically concocted--births this enlarged tarantula. When it makes its way to a small town, it’s up to the Air Force to go on the attack. That’s Clint Eastwood, as lead pilot, in the plane that does the napalming! But it was a trained tarantula named Tamara that got the starring role.

“It Came From Beneath the Sea” (1955)--Thanks to H-Bomb testing in the South Seas, an octopus grows and grows . . . and makes its way to San Francisco Bay, where tourists on the Golden Gate are in for a big surprise.

“The Beginning of the End” (1957)--Giant grasshoppers munch their way across the country, finally wreaking havoc in Chicago. See them scale the sides of the Wrigley Building!

“Godzilla, King of the Monsters” (1956)--Japan’s cult hero wasn’t always a nice guy. When first glimpsed by American audiences (the Japanese caught sight of him in 1954), he was pretty steamed, given to lots ot destruction with his radioactive breath.

“Attack of the Crab Monsters” (1957)--Roger Corman lets loose a pair of giant land crabs. See, they were on this island that was enveloped in radiation fallout . . . and along come these unsuspecting island visitors.

“The Deadly Mantis” (1957)--A gigantic mantis that gets its start in the Arctic heads for New York City--with a brief stop off to scale the Washington Monument.

“From Hell It Came” (1957)--And along comes . . . the killer tree trunk! Complete with mean little eyes. And a heritage that includes--yep--radiation!

“20 Million Miles to Earth” (1957)--The Ymir, which did battle with an elephant in Rome! Looked like a dinosaur-fish?

“Rodan” (1957)--When just a tyke, Rodan gobbled up some radioactive larvae--which accounts for the fly guy’s penchant for stirring up trouble.

“The Giant Claw” (1957)--How can we not include the silliest looking monster of them all? OK, so it wasn’t spawned by radiation. It’s from outer space! But c’mon! One more attempt to cash in on monster mania resulted in a goofy-faced buzzard that could conceivably bring about death by laughter! (Great fun for kids!) See The Giant Claw destroy the U.N. Building! But try to keep a straight face.