Movie: When Worlds Collide (1951)

Producer George Pal and director Rudolph Mate teamed up in 1951 to bring movie audiences one of science fiction's most revered films, When Worlds Collide. The title says it all, with plenty of dazzling special effects and drama as Earthlings prepare for a cataclysmic end.

Based on the Novel by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie

When Worlds Collide was based on the novel of the same name by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie. Published by Frederick A. Stokes in 1933, When Worlds Collide was first serialized in Blue Book magazine begining with the September 1932 edition.

Screenplay, Director, Music

Sydney Boehm wrote the screenplay for Paramount Pictures with Rudolph Mate directing. Mate's previous credits included the taut thriller D.O.A. (1950). Leith Stevens wrote the stirring music score.

When Worlds Collide Cast

Richard Derr plays pilot David Randall and Barbara Rush is Joyce Hendron. Other principal cast members are Peter Hansen (Dr. Tony Drake), John Hoyt (Sydney Stanton), Larry Keating (Dr. Cole Hendron), Judith Ames (Julie Cummings), Stephen Chase (Dr. George Frye), Frank Cady (Harold Ferris), Hayden Rorke (Dr. Emery Bronson) and Sandro Giglio (Dr. Ottinger).

Sharp-eyed viewers can also spot Kirk Alyn and Stuart Whitman in tiny roles.

Budget, Special Effects

When Worlds Collide was budgeted at a hefty $936,000, quite an outlay of capital at the time.

Making the picture unique are the special effects, with such big name talent as Tim Baar and Gordon Jennings expertly delivering the goods. Earthquakes and a flooded New York City are the big disaster visuals, along with the fantastic rocket whose design was rendered by famed space artist Chesley Bonestell.

Bellus, Zyra, Earth

When Worlds Collide is a cautionary tale of our crowded galaxy. Dr. Cole Hendron discovers that a giant planet named Bellus is on a collision course with Earth. Hurtling through space with the rogue Bellus is a smaller-sized planet called Zyra.

Hendron takes his case to the United Nations, warning the assembled diplomats that the catastrophic event will take place in approximately eight months. He proposes that spaceships be built in order to transport a small group of survivors to Zyra in order to preserve the human race.

Hendron's warning is discounted by a number of scientists and world leaders, forcing him to seek private funding from wealthy industrialist Sydney Stanton.

Release, Reveiws

When Worlds Collide was released in August 1951.

"Top honors for this inter-planetary fantasy rest with the cameramen and special effects technicians..." said Variety.

Film Analysis

Although When Worlds Collide is indeed a fine example of special effects wizardry (the film won an Oscar in that department), the movie is actually a fairly slick allegory on the biblical story of Noah's Ark. As doomsday approaches, the chosen few pack their spaceship with food, books, animals and other supplies as they wait to rocket to Zyra.

Like many other sci-fi disaster films of the era -- e.g., The War of the Worlds (1953) -- When Worlds Collide features the requisite panic when the end draws near as well as a rather silly, Hollywood-contrived love triangle.

One of the film's best performances comes from John Hoyt as the villainous, wheelchair-bound tycoon Sydney Stanton. Playing his gofer with equal cowardice is Frank Cady -- forever Sam Drucker from TV's Petticoat Junction (1963-70).

When Worlds Collide DVD

When Worlds Collide is available on DVD from Paramount (2001).

2010 Remake

Director Stephen Sommers is filming a remake of When Worlds Collide. It's slated for release in 2010 -- barring of course a collision with an asteroid.

When Worlds Collide one sheet movie poster

When Worlds Collide lobby card set

When Worlds Collide Belgian movie poster

When Worlds Collide insert movie poster

When Worlds Collide first edition

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds