Originally titled Grave Robbers from Outer Space and often referred to as The Worst Film Ever Made, Plan 9 From Outer Space is also an enduring cult favourite.
A superior alien culture is concerned that humankind is advancing to such a degree as to threaten the stability of the universe (a concept which may yet prove to have been prophetic!).
The aliens arrive on Earth and initiate ‘Plan 9’ (begging the question what happened to plans 1 to 8), which involves raising the dead from their graves and sending them on a plodding rampage. The cops and the army try to stop an invasion consisting of three dead people . . . walking . . . very . . . slowly . . .
The obvious continuity errors vie for notoriety with cockpits consisting only of cardboard and a shower curtain, gravestones that blow over, inexplicable sudden changes between night and day, and pointless stock footage from war propaganda films.
Horror icon Bela Lugosi died early in the production, but rather than re-shoot the already completed sequences, Ed Wood mixed footage of Lugosi with footage using his replacement (Wood’s chiropractor, Tom Mason) – who was nearly a foot taller than Lugosi!
Inane dialogue has never been spoken with more Shakespearian earnestness: “Greetings my friends. We are all interested in the future. For that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember, my friends, future events such as these will affect you in the future”.
And that’s just the opening narration!
To be honest, Plan 9 wasn’t even Ed Wood’s worst movie.
See Glen or Glenda (1953), Bride Of The Monster (1955), Night Of The Ghouls (1959) or Orgy Of The Dead (1965) before you judge!
Inspector Clay
Tor Johnson
Vampire girl
Vampira
General Roberts
Lyle Talbot
Colonel Edwards
Tom Keene
Jeff Trent
Gregory Walcott
Paula Trent
Mona Mckinnon
Eros
Dudley Manlove
Lieutenant Harper
Duke Moore
Tanna
Joanna Lee
Patrolman Larry
Carl Anthony
Patrolman Kelton
Paul Marco
Edith
Norma McCarty
Danny
David De Mering
Ghoul man
Bela Lugosi
Ruler
John Breckinridge
The Amazing Criswell
Himself
Director
Edward D. Wood Jr.
