The Blob

The Blob is a 1958 American independent science fiction film about a amorphous creature that terrorizes the small town of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Directed by Irvin Yeaworth. Screenplay by Kay Linaker, Theodore Simonson.

Beware of the Blob! It creeps, and leaps, and glides and slides across the floor. Taglines

Intro Song

• Beware of the Blob! It creeps, and leaps, and glides and slides across the floor.

Steve Andrews

• How do you get people to protect themselves from something they don't believe in?
• Dad, it isn't vandalism! Doctor Hallen is dead, and he was killed by some sort of a monster! Now, I know because I saw it, Dad.
• [About the blob's weakness] CO2 ... It's cold! That's why it didn't come in the ice box after us, it can't stand cold!

Dr. T. Hallen

• [On the phone] Kate? It's Dr. Hallen, I'm still at the office... something's come up. I need you back here right away. No, you've got to come back, Kate. There's a man here with some sort of a parasite on his arm, assimilating his flesh at a frightening speed. I may have to get ahead of it and amputate. No... I don't know what it is or where it came from.
  • The long quote by Dr. Hallen about the parasite "assimilating flesh" is sampled in Lazlo Hollyfield's song "Bones" on The Pacer Ep album

Jane Martin

• [Hysterical after they just escaped the Blob] Oh, Steve, our parents! They think we're home in bed asleep, sound and safe.
• My name is Jane. It's just Jane.

Lieutenant Dave

• Just because some kid smacks into your wife on the turnpike doesn't make it a crime to be 17 years old.
• [On the radio to Washington] I think you should send us the biggest transport plane you have, and take this thing to the Artic or somewhere and drop it where it will never thaw.

Dialogues

Steve Andrews: Dave! Doc Hallen's been killed!

Lieutenant Dave: Doc Hallen? What happened?

Steve Andrews: It's over at his place! You've gotta come now!

Lieutenant Dave: Now wait a minute, Steve. Tell us what happened.

Steve Andrews: I'm trying to tell you – that this thing has killed the Doc!

Sgt. Jim Bert: What was it?! Out with it, kid!

Steve Andrews: Well it's kind of a... It's kind of a mass. It keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Lieutenant Dave: Come on, Steve, make sense.

Steve Andrews: I know, I know! Look, Dave, you gotta see this thing to believe what I'm telling you.

Sgt. Jim Bert: Maybe this thing you saw was a... monster?

Steve Andrews: Yeah, maybe it was. I don't know.

Lieutenant Dave: Hold on, Jim. Now what is this, Steve? A little while ago it was driving backwards, now it's monsters.

Jane Martin: He's not making it up, Dave, honest!

Steve Andrews: Dave, I'm not kidding you, I swear, come out to the Doc's. You can see it for yourself.

Sgt. Jim Bert: You're crazy if you go. Can't you see it's a gag?

Lieutenant Dave: He says Doc Hallen's dead, Jim. We've got to check it out. Let's go.

---

Steve Andrews: [Trying to get everybody's attention] Listen, now listen to me, everybody, this town is in danger. Now, several people have been killed already! Now we – we had to make this noise so you would listen to us, so we could warn you!

Man: If we're in trouble, where's the police?

Sgt. Jim Bert: [Sees Steve] You, boy, this time you really hung yourself.

Steve Andrews: Now, look, Sarge. Just give me a chance to talk to them, that's all.

Sgt. Jim Bert: I don't know what kind of stunt it is you're pulling here, but whatever it is, it's going to stop right now!

Officer Ritchie: Here comes Dave!

Lieutenant Dave: What's going on here, Jim? Steve!

Steve Andrews: Dave, make them listen to me. There IS a monster! We saw it again at dad's store, and it's bigger now!

Sgt. Jim Bert: Your story's gotten bigger now, kid.

Steve Andrews: Dave, look at me! Do I look like somebody's playing a practical joke? Am I laughing, or am I scared stiff?

Lieutenant Dave: He's telling the truth.

---

[Last lines]

Lieutenant Dave: At least we've got it stopped.

Steve Andrews: Yeah, as long as the Arctic stays cold.

Taglines

• Beware of the Blob! It creeps, and leaps, and glides and slides across the floor.
• Indescribable... Indestructible! Nothing Can Stop It!
• Indescribable... indestructible... insatiable.
• The indestructible creature! Bloated with the blood of its victims!
• It crawls... It creeps... It eats you alive!

Pop culture

• The long quote by Dr. Hallen about the parasite "assimilating flesh" is sampled in Lazlo Hollyfield's song "Bones" on The Pacer Ep album

Cast

• Steve McQueen — Steve Andrews (as Steven McQueen)
• Aneta Corsaut — Jane Martin
• Earl Rowe — Lieutenant Dave
• Olin Howland — Old Man (final film role)
• Elbert Smith — Henry Martin
• Hugh Graham — Mr. Andrews
• John Benson — Sgt. Jim Bert

External links

• The Blob (1958) quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• The Blob (1958) at Rotten Tomatoes