This Obscure 50s Sci-Fi Movie is So Bad, It's Actually Hilarious

There's nothing quite like the sci-fi and horror B-movies of the 1950s! Some films became renowned for their deep insights into humanity's struggle with untamed forces of nature (or rather, inexpensive special effects), such as Japan's Godzilla, while others were only remembered for being featured in other movies, like Tarantula.

However, many hardcore fans eagerly revisit these B-movies, relishing the awful acting and superficial plot.

Amidst the numerous low-budget films that saturated the Hollywood film industry in the 1950s, there are many bright and incredibly cheesy hidden gems. One of them is 1959's Teenagers from Outer Space. Remarkably, Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey was released less than a decade later and is still considered a science fiction masterpiece.

Despite its cheesy title, which might imply that this is one of the earliest cinematic examples of YA in pop culture, there are no actual teenagers in the movie, and all the aliens look like they're in their thirties.

In short, the plot revolves around extraterrestrials who look identical to humans and are even more narcissistic and self-absorbed than human teenagers. A group of these aliens arrive on Earth in a flying saucer to cultivate so-called Gargons — giant lobsters that breathe oxygen and provide sustenance for the alien species.

The alien with a very down-to-earth (pun intended) name, Derek (David Love), feels compassion for the local inhabitants and wants to save them from the lobsters and the antics of his sociopathic colleague, Thor (Bryan Grant), who routinely fires a ray gun at animals and humans the moment he sees any, turning them into skeletons. Hilarious, isn't it?

As the story progresses, it is revealed that Derek is a member of the resistance against the ruthless methods of his civilization. He meets and falls in love with an Earth girl named Betty (Dawn Bender). Her role in the movie is to be the prize for the alien protagonist — after all, he already has compassion for Earthlings and wants to save them.

Everything concludes with Derek killing a rampaging lobster (its 'gigantic' size was simulated by bringing it closer to the camera). Finally, an alien fleet of starships arrives, and Derek sacrifices himself, destroying his companions' ships along with his own space vehicle. Apparently, killing aliens doesn't count as cruelty because they're not human: when they kill us, it's evil; when we kill them, it's good.

There are enough cheap special effects (or rather the absence of them), ridiculous lines, and terrible acting (it should be noted that the aliens pause after every word, making their speech unbearable) to make the movie a great it's-so-bad-it's-great experience for all B-movie lovers.