I have probably seen The Blob (1958) more than any other movie, somewhere in the neighborhood of forty times since I was a kid.  The only other film that threatens that record is The War of the Worlds (1953).  What is it about this silly little sci-fi horror movie that so intrigues me?

First of all, it’s not that silly.  Sure, it’s full of way-too-old actors playing teenagers, including Steve McQueen, then 28, in his first lead role.  And it has more than its share of teenage shenanigans, from the drag race where McQueen drives backwards to all the heavy petting at the midnight spook show — eventually interrupted by the title creature.  But it’s that title creature that makes everything work.

I have argued for years that there is no greater movie monster than the Blob, because it has no apparent weakness and cannot be destroyed.  Hidden within its beautiful red, gelatinous hide seems to be a rudimentary intelligence, and its relentless march upon mankind is, upon studied reflection, actually very, very frightening.

Being a teen flick, the film doesn’t work too hard to scare the wits out of its audience.  But Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.’s movie belies its bargain-basement origins and quietly surpasses its limited ambitions.  Filmed in lurid color, set during one very long Pennsylvania evening, and punctuated by scenes genuinely claustrophobic in nature, The Blob is a much better film than most people ever give it credit for being.

I love its simple premise.  A meteor falls and within the span of one night the world is facing its deadliest threat.  A simple teenager (Steve McQueen) risks his reputation to warn anyone who will listen, and it is his common sense that recognizes the only way to stop the rampage.  It’s the kind of story that I would imagine in my dreams.  My rating:  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆.  (10:4).