The thrills have definitely faded from this well-produced but dated 50's sci-fi epic, but there's still some fun to be had for patient comedy buffs: a "Howlin"-ly funny bit by veteran character actor Olin Howlin. Olin shows up 3/4 of the way through the film, just as you might be about to channel-flip, and breaks up the joint!! He plays an alcoholic patient in a veteran's hospital psycho ward, and is one of just a few witnesses to the whereabouts of the giants ants. But, there's no grim business here, just a hysterically funny scene in which Our Heroes try to interview Olin, who, as you might have guessed, is less than forthcoming, and just about the LEAST reliable witness in history!! Equally funny are the deadpan expressions of his fellow actors, particularly poker-faced James Whitmore, who are reduced to playing Jack Webb-like straight men to Olin's schtick!! (Would that we could have been flies on the wall during rehearsals for this scene!!) So, next time the films pops up on cable, flip back just before it ends to catch Olin--and we'll make you a Sergeant--In Charge of the Booze!!!
