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{{Short description|1965 British film by John Gilling}}
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{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Night Caller from Outer Space
| name = Night Caller from Outer Space
| image = "Night_Caller_from_Outer_Space"_(1965).jpg
| image = Lobby_card_for_film_Night_Caller_from_Outer_Space_(1965).png
| image_size =
| caption = Lobby card for US release
| caption =
| director = [[John Gilling]]
| director = [[John Gilling]]
| producer = Ronald Liles
| producer = Ronald Liles
| writer = Frank Crisp (novel)<br>[[Jim O'Connolly]] (screenplay)
| writer = Frank Crisp (novel)<br />[[Jim O'Connolly]] (screenplay)
| starring = [[John Saxon]]<br>[[Maurice Denham]]<br>[[Patricia Haines]]<br>[[Alfred Burke]]<br>[[Warren Mitchell]]
| starring = [[John Saxon]]<br />[[Maurice Denham]]<br />[[Patricia Haines]]<br />[[Alfred Burke]]<br />[[Warren Mitchell]]
| music = [[Johnny Gregory (bandleader)|John Gregory]] (composed and directed by)
| music = [[Johnny Gregory (bandleader)|John Gregory]] (composed and directed by)
| cinematography = [[Stephen Dade]]
| cinematography = [[Stephen Dade]]
Line 16: Line 16:
| studio = Armitage Film Productions Ltd.
| studio = Armitage Film Productions Ltd.
| distributor = [[Butcher's Film Service]] (UK)
| distributor = [[Butcher's Film Service]] (UK)
| released = 1965
| released = {{Film date|1965}}
| runtime = 85 minutes
| runtime = 85 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
Line 23: Line 23:
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''Night Caller from Outer Space''''', also known as simply '''''The Night Caller''''' or '''''Blood Beast from Outer Space''''', is a British 1965 [[science fiction film]] directed by [[John Gilling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bec215c |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713133509/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bec215c |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 July 2012 |title=The Night Caller &#124; BFI &#124; BFI |publisher=Explore.bfi.org.uk |date= |access-date=11 April 2014}}</ref> It is based on Frank Crisp's novel ''The Night Callers''. A [[colourised]] version of the film was released in 2011. It is also known as ''Blood Beast from Outer Space'' and ''The Night Caller''.
'''''Night Caller from Outer Space''''' (also known as '''''The Night Caller''''' and '''''Blood Beast from Outer Space''''') is a British 1965 [[science fiction film]] directed by [[John Gilling]] and starring [[John Saxon]], [[Maurice Denham]] and [[Patricia Haines]].<ref name="BFIsearch">{{Cite web |title=Night Caller from Outer Space |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150044580 |access-date=27 January 2024 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}}</ref> It was written by [[Jim O'Connolly]] based on Frank Crisp's 1961 novel ''The Night Callers''. A [[colourised]] version of the film was released in 2011.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


==Plot==
==Plot==


Scientist Dr Morley and his American associate Jack Costain (John Saxon) detect a meteorite heading to Earth. After determining where the meteorite has crashed, they and their aides investigate a meteorite in the British countryside, discovering that it is an alien device from [[Ganymede (moon)|Ganymede]], a moon of [[Jupiter]]. The device is in the shape of a small sphere.
Scientist Dr Morley and his American associate Jack Costain detect a meteorite heading to Earth. After determining where the meteorite has crashed, they and their aides investigate a meteorite in the British countryside, discovering that it is an alien device from [[Ganymede (moon)|Ganymede]], a moon of [[Jupiter]]. The device is in the shape of a small sphere.


While working nights at the lab, secretary Patricia Haines (Ann Barlow) see something moving in the lab. Dr Morley attempts to communicate with the creature, but he is killed. The creature escapes the lab. Costain begins to track the creature.
While working nights at the lab, secretary Ann Barlow sees something moving in the lab. Dr Morley attempts to communicate with the creature, but he is killed. When the creature escapes the lab, Costain begins to track it.


Shortly thereafter, teenage girls begin to go missing after answering an advertisement in 'Bikini Girl' magazine. It turns out the alien wants to use women from Earth for breeding purposes.<ref name="puchalski">{{cite book
Shortly thereafter, teenage girls begin to go missing after answering an advertisement in ''Bikini Girl'' magazine. It turns out the alien wants to use women from Earth for breeding.
| first=Steven | last=Puchalski | year=2002
| title=Slimetime: a guide to sleazy, mindless movies
| page=207 | edition=2nd | isbn=1-900486-21-0
| publisher=Headpress/Critical Vision }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| first=Mark | last=Deming | title=Blood Beast From Outer Space (1966)
| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/35202/Blood-Beast-From-Outer-Space/overview | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427121310/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/35202/Blood-Beast-From-Outer-Space/overview | url-status=dead | archive-date=27 April 2010 | department=Movies & TV Dept. | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=2010 | access-date=19 September 2009 }}</ref><ref name="moriareviews.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/night-caller-1965.htm|title = The Night Caller (1965)|date = 21 June 2016}}</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
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* [[Maurice Denham]] as Dr. Morley
* [[Maurice Denham]] as Dr. Morley
* [[Patricia Haines]] as Ann Barlow
* [[Patricia Haines]] as Ann Barlow
* [[Alfred Burke]] as Detective Supt. Hartley
* [[Alfred Burke]] as Detective Supintendent Hartley
* [[John Carson (actor)|John Carson]] as the Major
* [[John Carson (actor)|John Carson]] as the Major
* [[Warren Mitchell]] as Reg Lilburn
* [[Warren Mitchell]] as Reg Lilburn
* [[Marianne Stone]] as Madge Lilburn
* [[Marianne Stone]] as Madge Lilburn
* [[Stanley Meadows]] as Det. Tom Grant
* [[Stanley Meadows]] as Detective Tom Grant
* [[Aubrey Morris]] as Thorburn
* [[Aubrey Morris]] as Thorburn
* [[Ballard Berkeley]] as Cmdr. Savage
* [[Ballard Berkeley]] as Commander Savage
* [[Geoffrey Lumsden]] as Colonel Davy
* [[Geoffrey Lumsden]] as Colonel Davy
* [[Tom Gill (actor)|Tom Gill]] as Police Commissioner's secretary
* [[Tom Gill (actor)|Tom Gill]] as Police Commissioner's secretary
Line 56: Line 50:


==Production==
==Production==
It was the first science fiction film from John Saxon.<ref name="filmink">{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|title=The Top Twelve Stages of Saxon|date=29 July 2020}}</ref> Directed by John Gilling. UK prints of the film feature [[Alan Haven]]'s version of the hit instrumental "''Image''" as the theme played over the opening credits. Export prints feature a lounge number titled "''The Night Caller''" written by Albert Hague and sung by Mark Richardson.
It was the first science fiction film featuring John Saxon.<ref name="filmink">{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|title=The Top Twelve Stages of Saxon|date=29 July 2020}}</ref>


==Reception==
== Music ==
UK prints of the film feature [[Alan Haven]]'s version of the hit instrumental "Image" as the theme played over the opening credits. Export prints feature a lounge number titled "The Night Caller" written by [[Albert Hague]] and sung by Mark Richardson.


==Critical reception==
⚫
In a contemporary review, "Byro." of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' declared that "it is simply too well-made for its own commercial good" and that it was "far above average of its kind, but it eschews a standard action-adventure climax in favor of a "philosophical" one."<ref name="variety-book">{{cite book|title=Variety's Film Reviews 1964-1967|volume=11|publisher=R. R. Bowker|isbn=0-8352-2790-1|year=1983|at=There are no page numbers in this book. This entry is found under the header "November 8, 1967"}}</ref> "Byro." noted that audiences at a [[42nd Street (Manhattan)|42nd street]] screening showed their displeasure with the film "quite volubly".<ref name="variety-book" />
''[[The Monthly Film Bulletin]]'' wrote: "An uncommonly intelligent little science fiction thriller, competently mounted and convincingly scripted. The fantasy of the first half comes off better than the more straightforward investigations towards the end, and the finale is something of an anticlimax. But the acting is always more than adequate, and Patricia Haines in particular manages to bring some character to the stock figure of the female scientist."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 January 1968 |title=Night Caller from Outer Space |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1305829797/3881BD6A9F9C4AB0PQ/1 |journal=[[The Monthly Film Bulletin]] |volume=35 |issue=408 |pages=42 |via=ProQuest}}</ref>

⚫
[[Stuart Byron]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that "it is simply too well-made for its own commercial good" and that it was "far above average of its kind, but it eschews a standard action-adventure climax in favor of a 'philosophical' one."<ref name="variety-book">{{cite book|title=Variety's Film Reviews 1964–1967|volume=11|publisher=R. R. Bowker|isbn=0-8352-2790-1|year=1983|at=There are no page numbers in this book. This entry is found under the header "November 8, 1967"}}</ref> He noted that audiences at a [[42nd Street (Manhattan)|42nd Street]] screening showed their displeasure with the film "quite volubly".<ref name="variety-book" />


[[Leonard Maltin]] called it a "well-done sci-fi thriller" and gave it two-and-a-half stars out of four.<ref>{{cite book | first=Leonard | last=Maltin | year=2008 | title=Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide | page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780452289789/page/980 980] | publisher=Penguin Group | isbn=978-0-452-28978-9 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780452289789/page/980 }}</ref>
[[Leonard Maltin]] called it a "well-done sci-fi thriller" and gave it two-and-a-half stars out of four.<ref>{{cite book | first=Leonard | last=Maltin | year=2008 | title=Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide | page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780452289789/page/980 980] | publisher=Penguin Group | isbn=978-0-452-28978-9 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780452289789/page/980 }}</ref>


''Creature Feature'' gave the movie 2 out of 5 stars, liking the direction.<ref>Saxon, J. (2000) Creature Feature:3rd Edition. Berkley Boulevard</ref>
Moira found the first of half of the movie to be well done, but that the film fails in the second half.<ref name="moriareviews.com"/>


Creature Feature gave the movie 2 out of 5 stars, liking the direction.<ref>Saxon, J. (2000) Creature Feature:3rd Edition. Berkley Boulevard</ref>
''[[TV Guide]]'' gave the movie 2 out of five stars, finding both the script and production values worthwhile.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/blood-beast-from-outer-space/review/115740/|title = Blood Beasts from Outer Space}}</ref>


''The [[Radio Times]] Guide to Films'' gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "You are an alien sent to Earth to find women to help repopulate your planet. How would you go about recruiting them? A wanted advert in ''Bikini Girl'' magazine, of course." The reviewer went on to call the film a "cheerful piece of nonsense."<ref>{{Cite book |title=Radio Times Guide to Films |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |year=2017 |isbn=9780992936440 |edition=18th |location=London |pages=658}}</ref>
[[TV Guide]] gave the movie 2 out of five stars, finding both the script and production values worthwhile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/blood-beast-from-outer-space/review/115740/|title = Blood Beasts from Outer Space}}</ref>


==Home Release==
==Home release==


Released on DVD in 22 December. 2011 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Night-Caller-Outer-Space-Saxon/dp/B006OSAH3W|title = Night Caller from Outer Space|website = Amazon|date = 22 December 2011}}</ref> As of August 2020, the movie is available to stream on [[YouTube]]<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-WU7e5YIi0</ref>
It was released on DVD on 22 December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Night-Caller-Outer-Space-Saxon/dp/B006OSAH3W|title = Night Caller from Outer Space|website = Amazon|date = 22 December 2011}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0059504|The Night Caller}}
* {{IMDb title|0059504|The Night Caller}}
* [http://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/night-caller-1965.htm ''The Night Caller''] at Moira Reviews


{{John Gilling}}
{{John Gilling}}


[[Category:1965 films]]
[[Category:1965 films]]
⚫
[[Category:British films]]
[[Category:British science fiction films]]
[[Category:British science fiction films]]
⚫
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:British black-and-white films]]
[[Category:British black-and-white films]]
[[Category:1960s science fiction films]]
[[Category:1960s science fiction films]]
Line 91: Line 88:
[[Category:Films directed by John Gilling]]
[[Category:Films directed by John Gilling]]
[[Category:Films based on British novels]]
[[Category:Films based on British novels]]
⚫
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:1960s British films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction films]]

Latest revision as of 19:46, 25 October 2024

Night Caller from Outer Space
Lobby card for US release
Directed byJohn Gilling
Written byFrank Crisp (novel)
Jim O'Connolly (screenplay)
Produced byRonald Liles
StarringJohn Saxon
Maurice Denham
Patricia Haines
Alfred Burke
Warren Mitchell
CinematographyStephen Dade
Edited byPhilip Barnikel
Music byJohn Gregory (composed and directed by)
Production
company
Armitage Film Productions Ltd.
Distributed byButcher's Film Service (UK)
Release date
  • 1965 (1965)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Night Caller from Outer Space (also known as The Night Caller and Blood Beast from Outer Space) is a British 1965 science fiction film directed by John Gilling and starring John Saxon, Maurice Denham and Patricia Haines.[1] It was written by Jim O'Connolly based on Frank Crisp's 1961 novel The Night Callers. A colourised version of the film was released in 2011.[citation needed]

Plot

[edit]

Scientist Dr Morley and his American associate Jack Costain detect a meteorite heading to Earth. After determining where the meteorite has crashed, they and their aides investigate a meteorite in the British countryside, discovering that it is an alien device from Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter. The device is in the shape of a small sphere.

While working nights at the lab, secretary Ann Barlow sees something moving in the lab. Dr Morley attempts to communicate with the creature, but he is killed. When the creature escapes the lab, Costain begins to track it.

Shortly thereafter, teenage girls begin to go missing after answering an advertisement in Bikini Girl magazine. It turns out the alien wants to use women from Earth for breeding.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

It was the first science fiction film featuring John Saxon.[2]

Music

[edit]

UK prints of the film feature Alan Haven's version of the hit instrumental "Image" as the theme played over the opening credits. Export prints feature a lounge number titled "The Night Caller" written by Albert Hague and sung by Mark Richardson.

Critical reception

[edit]

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "An uncommonly intelligent little science fiction thriller, competently mounted and convincingly scripted. The fantasy of the first half comes off better than the more straightforward investigations towards the end, and the finale is something of an anticlimax. But the acting is always more than adequate, and Patricia Haines in particular manages to bring some character to the stock figure of the female scientist."[3]

Stuart Byron of Variety wrote that "it is simply too well-made for its own commercial good" and that it was "far above average of its kind, but it eschews a standard action-adventure climax in favor of a 'philosophical' one."[4] He noted that audiences at a 42nd Street screening showed their displeasure with the film "quite volubly".[4]

Leonard Maltin called it a "well-done sci-fi thriller" and gave it two-and-a-half stars out of four.[5]

Creature Feature gave the movie 2 out of 5 stars, liking the direction.[6]

TV Guide gave the movie 2 out of five stars, finding both the script and production values worthwhile.[7]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "You are an alien sent to Earth to find women to help repopulate your planet. How would you go about recruiting them? A wanted advert in Bikini Girl magazine, of course." The reviewer went on to call the film a "cheerful piece of nonsense."[8]

Home release

[edit]

It was released on DVD on 22 December 2011.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Night Caller from Outer Space". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  2. ^ Vagg, Stephen (29 July 2020). "The Top Twelve Stages of Saxon". Filmink.
  3. ^ "Night Caller from Outer Space". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 35 (408): 42. 1 January 1968 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ a b Variety's Film Reviews 1964–1967. Vol. 11. R. R. Bowker. 1983. There are no page numbers in this book. This entry is found under the header "November 8, 1967". ISBN 0-8352-2790-1.
  5. ^ Maltin, Leonard (2008). Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide. Penguin Group. p. 980. ISBN 978-0-452-28978-9.
  6. ^ Saxon, J. (2000) Creature Feature:3rd Edition. Berkley Boulevard
  7. ^ "Blood Beasts from Outer Space".
  8. ^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 658. ISBN 9780992936440.
  9. ^ "Night Caller from Outer Space". Amazon. 22 December 2011.
[edit]
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