The Magnetic Monster (1953)

Richard Carlson had the good fortune to star in three of the most highly regarded sci -fi/ horror films of the 1950s: Creature from the Black Lagoon, It Came from Outer Space, and this one, the first but least famous of the three, The Magnetic Monster. Perhaps it's the least famous because the "monster" is really a radioactive element that "eats" energy or else it expands and "kills" when it causes accidents and explosions. The Magnetic Monster is akin to The Monolith Monsters in that it's really a disaster movie , not a monster movie. Bill Warren sees it as a Dragnet-style detective story.

Whatever it is, it's good. Within minutes, we empathize with our hero (who works for the OSI, a government science investigation agency), and we understand his task: solve the mystery of the magnetism that causes metal objects and machines to malfunction, or even fly into the air uncontrolled. I know that the science (like "unipolar magnetism") is fictitious . But from the serious acting, and from the straightforward direction that eschews a score, it seems real. Carlson is curious, frightened, and strong-minded at once. Bill Warren praises the performance, and calls the film "one of the best low-budget science fiction movies of its period." John Stanley says "The good cast makes up for the intangible monster."

Goldweber, David Elroy (2012-06-14). Claws & Saucers: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy Film: A Complete Guide: 1902-1982 (Kindle Locations 46503-46532). David E. Goldweber. Kindle Edition.

Writer-producer Ivan Tors worked with Curt Siodmak on the Magnetic Monster story, and used the same OSI institute in Gog. King Donovan played supporting roles in dozens of films and TV shows in the 1950s and 60s, including Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Donovan is a veritable co-star here as our hero's bespectacled partner.

Goldweber, David Elroy (2012-06-14). Claws & Saucers: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy Film: A Complete Guide: 1902-1982 (Kindle Locations 46542-46547). David E. Goldweber. Kindle Edition.