UFO TARGET EARTH

Nick Plakias

UFO TARGET EARTH (1974). Director: Michael A. DeGaetano. 

Alan Grimes (Nick Plakias) is a communications researcher attached to a small-town college. One day some telephone lines are crossed and he inadvertently overhears a conversation at the nearby military base about UFOs. Grimes becomes convinced that there is some strange activity occurring out near a power plant and the adjacent lake, and enlists the help of psychic Vivian (Cynthia Cline), Dr. Mansfield (LaVerne Light), and associate Dan Rivers (Tom Arcuragi). Alan discovers that there is indeed something weird in the lake, and encounters strange aliens of pure energy who have a rather unhealthy use for him. 

That hair! Phil Erickson and Nick Plakias

The memory can play tricks on you. I actually saw this film in theaters long ago and my recollections told me to take another look at it. Too bad. Yes, it has its eerie moments, but it's not very good. The acting can best be described as earnest but uninspired. It has the look of an ambitious student film that is padded with all sorts of stuff just to get an acceptable running time. One of the most amazing things in the movie is the hairdo affected by Dr. Whitham (Phil Erickson), which reminds one of Donald Trump's! General Gallagher, whom Alan tries to interview at the military base, is played by Brooks Clift, the older brother of the famous Montgomery Clift! Most of the people who participated in this film had few if any additional  credits. 

Verdict: Atmospheric but rather dull hodge podge. *1/2.