Producer-Director Ivan Tors (1916-1983) is best known today as the man behind the original SEA HUNT series with Lloyd Bridges and a number of animal themed movies and shows in the 1960s such as FLIPPER and DAKTARI. However in the early 1950s he was interested in science-fiction. Before his SCIENCE FICTION TV series (1955-57), he made a trio of science fiction films involving the fictional OSI (Office of Scientific Investigation). GOG is the third and best of the 3 movies (the other 2 are MAGNETIC MONSTER and RIDERS TO THE STARS).
As has been mentioned in many other reviews, GOG is a precursor to several future sci-fi movies and TV series such as FORBIDDEN PLANET (the Krell machinery), THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (the underground facilities), DR WHO (the Daleks), STAR TREK (the interiors of the Enterprise), and even STAR WARS (R2-D2 moves like the robots in this film and both utilize little people to make them work). It also is a reflection of the Cold War and “Race for Space” mentality so prevalent right after the Korean War.
I first saw GOG on TV in the early 1960s in black & white. I vividly remember the metallic letters above the swirling smoke that open the movie as well as the glass breaking sound of the frozen scientist when he falls. I didn’t know the film was in color and now that I have seen it that way, I realize just how much care went into the making of GOG which belies its modest budget ($250,000). The colors used, the sets and costumes, the camerawork, the lighting are all first rate. The performances are great considering the script.
The plot combines elements of mystery (who is killing the scientists), espionage (who or what is behind the sabotage) along with the science-fiction. It also provides us with a look back at the early stages of computer development and space research and it uncannily foreshadows how technology will eventually control our lives as we become increasingly dependent on it and are at its mercy when it fails to work the way its makers intended. Two of the characters even say as much as their situation worsens.
I have not seen the new 3-D restoration but judging from the other reviews, it must be excellent. My review is based on the old MGM Limited Edition 2-D DVD-R which came out in 2011 and is less expensive than the new release. The picture is sharp , the sound effects are vivid, and the dialogue easy to follow. Surprisingly, GOG is remarkably free of 1950s sexism (outside of a few lines) as the women work on par with the men. It is truly a remarkable time capsule of a movie that remains highly enjoyable.
The Capsule Critic 