 Decemberdike
December 10th - The Night Caller (1965)
An obscure British effort from director John Gilling. Scientist John Saxon discovers a meteor which turns out to be an alien device from Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter. Something malignant breaks out of the research centre. Shortly after, teenage girls begin to go missing after answering an advertisement in 'Bikini Girl' magazine. The alien wants to use women from Earth for breeding purposes.
An impressive little film with a great cast. Joining Saxon are Maurice Denham, Patricia Haines, John Carson, Ballard Berkeley and Alfred Burke who all excel in a pacy storyline which is involving and gives everyone a lot to do. Saxon in particular who adapts to leading man status well. On occasions the film veers into Doctor Who territory - a large rubber monster hand is seen molesting women - although the alien hiding out in a sex shop is less a Who motif.
Opening with an impressive tracking shot along the River Thames, the film mixes sci-fi and horror in a contemporary setting adding the odd hallucinatory effect along the way. I have to say i was more than impressed by The Night Caller.
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