Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers (1956)

Starring Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor, Donald Curtis, Morris Ankrum, John Zaremba
Directed by Fred F. Sears
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A rocket scientist and his new wife are contacted by aliens in a flying saucer, who are ready to conquer the Earth with their fleet of ships.

This is a bit of a rarity in Ray Harryhausen films in that no actual living creatures are animated by the special effects titan, but the flying saucers and their targets of destruction alone.  Nevertheless, it's quite a piece of work for Harryhausen, as the film contains some truly iconic scenes of the saucers destroying Washington D.C.'s national monuments, something that had never been done on screen before.  The cast is fine too- Marlowe is believable as focused scientist Russell Marvin, and veteran actor Ankrum brings intelligence and gravitas to his role as General John Hanley, who is cruelly used by the aliens.  Although uncredited, voice actor extraordinaire Paul Frees provides the clear but somewhat distorted voice of the aliens which is crucial to the unfolding of the story.  It's a shame with the creative gifts of Harryhausen that so much military stock footage had to be used in the picture although it's understandable.  It still remains a Harryhausen classic, and well worth revisiting often.

World Without End (1956)

Starring Hugh Marlowe, Nancy Gates, Nelson Leigh, Rod Taylor, Shawn Smith
Directed by Edward Bernds
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

Four astronauts and their spaceship are propelled 600 years into the future in a freak accident, and return to an Earth decimated by atomic war, forcing the civilized survivors to move underground.

The special effects are fairly weak, and the short skirted outfits the women are outfitted in rather sexist, but I still found this to be a fun example of 1950s sci-fi, with characters I cared about and a screenplay effectively filled with conflict.  Battles between the astronauts and the one-eyed mutants on the surface are well-staged, and the film had something to say about humanity in its focus on the underground people, whose comfort with their settlement and technology was dooming them as a race.  Familiar faces abound in the cast, including a young Rod Taylor, and the design of the underground settlement was believable if somewhat spartan.  I enjoyed it and would recommend it, but it's far from the most distinguished sci-fi picture, which I didn't have a problem with.

13 Frightened Girls! (1963)

Starring Murray Hamilton, Joyce Taylor, Hugh Marlowe, Khigh Dhiegh, Kathy Dunn
Directed by William Castle
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

An American diplomat's teenage daughter studies up on espionage and becomes a secret and successful spy, but doesn't plan on the dangers she will encounter.

Although the screenplay sometimes borders on the ludicrous, this is a very fun picture with Dunn winning the audience over with a charming and engaging performance.  Although I've seen it grouped in with Castle's horror films, it definitely isn't one, but succeeds on its own merits, with some talented young actresses joining Dunn in the cast.  It paints the Chinese as villains in rather broad strokes when judged by modern standards, but fortunately avoids any kind of racist propaganda.  I enjoyed it, and appreciated the filmmakers' avoidance of the most predictable conclusion.

The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)

Starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray
Directed by Robert Wise
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A spaceship lands in Washington, D.C. bearing an alien visitor with a message for humanity, but one he insists he must personally deliver to representatives of every nation on Earth.

A powerful sci-fi classic you'd have to think was especially relevant during the atomic scares of the 1950s, but still strikes similar chords today, this picture is certainly among the best work of all those involved from cast to crew.  A terrific screenplay makes its points without hammering the viewer over the head, composer Bernard Herrmann perfectly captures the paranoia at the heart of the film with an eerie and suspenseful music score,  and Rennie makes the alien Klaatu believable in a simple and direct performance.  Few films are as thought-provoking and entertaining at the same time.

Castle Of Evil (1966)

Starring Scott Brady, Virginia Mayo, David Brian, Lisa Gaye, Hugh Marlowe
Directed by Francis D. Lyon
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A ruthless scientist's heirs gather at his island sanctuary to discover he is dead, but that he blames one of them for his death, and that he will obtain his revenge from beyond the grave.

Not a great movie, or even a particularly good one, but I found it to be a welcome time-passer with enough sci-fi and horror elements to keep me interested.  The cast of Hollywood veterans is a plus, with Brady, Mayo, and Marlowe providing worthy characterizations, but the film is heavier on exposition than action or suspense, although there's a few memorable creepy moments.  More mystery and atmosphere would have gone a long way, but it's still worth seeing.