Invaders From Mars

The image of the backyard path curving up the hill alongside a wooden fence leading to the ominous pit of white sand that has a habit of devouring unsuspecting citizens had nestled deep in my subconsious after watching this on tv as a young'un. But that's all I remembered as I watched this again this week. I did not remember the laughable baggy, satiny sacks of costume the actors playing the martians, or muTANTs as they are referred to in the movie, had to wear. I didn't remember the loving parents or the police chief or the little girl who get sucked into the white sand pit and return as stiff martian servants. And I definately did not remember Helena Carter, in her final film rolm, as Dr. Blake who comes to the rescue, helping David defeat the awful martians and getting his loving parents back. From the moment she is introduced in her long white dress with the dash of red up on the shoulder I was intriqued. But what really struck me was the sound of her speaking voice. I wish I could describe it but it's a case of you just have to see the movie to understand what I'm talking about. It's almost like she has some kind of accent but it's not really that. My question is, is there a woman alive today that sounds like this?! I think this tone, or texture of speaking expired sometime in the 1950's. I know this has nothing to do with Invaders From Mars but I just wanted to comment on that. Other than that I give much praise to this classic '50's film. The look, the characters and the story are all hall of fame worthy. p.s.watch for a very small part with Barbara Billingsley, the Beaver's mother                              10/7/08