An interesting note: this year (2004) The Great Escape is being re-released. By coincidence, the film that made Steve McQueen famous is based on a true story-the allied POW officers' escape from Stalag Luft III, which took place on the night of March 24, 1944. March 24 is Steve McQueen's birthday.
THE BLOB
Except for one thing, this is a forgettable flick, even in a sea of forgettable 1950s sci-fi flicks. The one thing notable about this film is that it provides an early look at an undeveloped talent in the form of Steven McQueen; later box office mega star Steve McQueen.
Many biographies of Steve McQueen note his early career attempts to follow the styles of the late James Dean and Marlon Brando. Like others who tried, McQueen fails badly in this movie. The only young actor to come out of the 1950s using his own unique style from the beginning was fellow Actors' Studio grad, Paul Newman, McQueen's internal personal rival. The Blob gives us a unique view of a young man as he struggles to find himself as an actor. In spite of the film and himself, a number of scenes show the truly great actor that will emerge within five years. Once McQueen learned to just play himself, The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape (along with a number of other excellent, but lesser publicized, films) established The King of Cool as a box office heavyweight who would ultimately outshine all his rivals. This inner character, McQueen as McQueen, has made him as strong a screen star 24 years after his death as he was in his heyday.
Only Clark Gable and John Wayne had stars that continue to shine year after year as McQueen's does.
THE BLOB
Except for one thing, this is a forgettable flick, even in a sea of forgettable 1950s sci-fi flicks. The one thing notable about this film is that it provides an early look at an undeveloped talent in the form of Steven McQueen; later box office mega star Steve McQueen.
Many biographies of Steve McQueen note his early career attempts to follow the styles of the late James Dean and Marlon Brando. Like others who tried, McQueen fails badly in this movie. The only young actor to come out of the 1950s using his own unique style from the beginning was fellow Actors' Studio grad, Paul Newman, McQueen's internal personal rival. The Blob gives us a unique view of a young man as he struggles to find himself as an actor. In spite of the film and himself, a number of scenes show the truly great actor that will emerge within five years. Once McQueen learned to just play himself, The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape (along with a number of other excellent, but lesser publicized, films) established The King of Cool as a box office heavyweight who would ultimately outshine all his rivals. This inner character, McQueen as McQueen, has made him as strong a screen star 24 years after his death as he was in his heyday.
Only Clark Gable and John Wayne had stars that continue to shine year after year as McQueen's does.