THE MONOLITH MONSTERS

The monolith monsters "attack"

THE MONOLITH MONSTERS (1957). Director: John Sherwood. Colorized.

Geologist Dave Miller (Grant Williams of Doomsday Machine) returns from a trip to discover the nearly petrified body of his partner, Ben (Phil Harvey of The Land Unknown). The office is wrecked and full of odd black rocks. Miller discovers a similar situation at the home of a little girl who was on a field trip with his gal pal, Cathy (Lola Albright). Now the child's parents are dead, their home is wrecked, and the girl's arm is nearly turned to stone. While Dr. Hendricks (Harry Jackson) does his best to save the child's life, Miller, Police Chief Corey (William Flaherty), Prof Flanders (Trevor Bardette of Jungle Girl) and Dr. Reynolds (Richard H. Cutting) try to figure out what the deal is with these rocks. Eventually it is determined that this strange material comes from a meteor, and that when it is exposed to water it expands ... and expands .. and apparently affects human tissue. If the population of the town isn't petrified -- literally -- the whole place may be wiped off the map by tons of crushing rocks!

Grant Williams must deal with giant rocks

The Monolith Monsters might have worked better as an episode of, say, Science Fiction Theater rather than a full-length movie as its menace -- however potentially disastrous the situation -- doesn't compare to rampaging dinosaurs or bad-tempered giant insects. These are just, well, rocks. However, the movie is fast-paced and entertaining, and the cast, including stalwart Williams, pretty Albright, and the rest, play it all with absolute conviction. Les Tremayne, who appeared in dozens of these "B" productions, distinguishes himself with his fine performance as frustrated small-town newspaper publisher, Martin Cochrane. 

Verdict: A lesser "monster" movie but not without interest. **1/2.