“The dead will kill the living. And the people of Earth with cease to exist.”
Dr. Karol Noymann (John Carradine) is an atomic scientist who was killed in a laboratory explosion. His colleague, Dr. Adam Penner (Philip Tonge), is concerned about the hazardous affects of atomic energy. He wants to stop the testing. He resigns his position with the government.
An alien takes over Noymann’s dead body and visits Dr. Penner. He tells Penner that his race has been based on the moon for the last 20,000 years and killed all the inhabitants. He also says Earth must surrender to them or the aliens will take over all the dead bodies on earth and destroy mankind. Dr. Penner relays the meeting with his daughter (Phyllis Byron) and family friend, Dr. John Lamont (Robert Hutton). Penner wants Lamont to relay the alien’s message to the government. When he does, Penner is labeled a crank.
Penner, Phyllis and John go to the cemetery and tell the invisible alien that people don’t believe him. In response two more dead people’s bodies are taken over and the aliens broadcast from different sporting events that the Earth needs to surrender or it will be destroyed. The Earthlings refuse to surrender. The aliens take over dead bodies all over the world and wreak havoc everywhere.
The government sends Major Bruce Jay (John Agar) to take Dr. Penner, Phyllis and Dr. Lamont to a secret bunker to keep them safe so they can try to find a way to stop the aliens. When they arrive at the bunker they contact Washington. They are told that the situation is worse. With little to go on Penner must find a way to stop the aliens or the world will be lost.
“Invisible Invaders” was released in 1959 and was directed by Edward L. Cahn. The movie is only about 67 minutes long. Part alien movie, part zombie movie. All cheese. God bless John Carradine. No one can pretend that schlock is art better than he can. His character is named Karol Noymann but the voice over and ending credits call him Carl Noymann. It also seems that, whenever an alien talks, it sounds like John Carradine.
The reason the aliens are invisible is largely due to the invisible budget for the film. Still it was a neat plot devise. The zombies looked pretty cool but with such a low budget most of the special effects went to zombie make up and that neat radiation suit John Agar wears. They didn’t even have to spring for a space ship. That was invisible most of the time too. When they did show it… well I suppose a matte painting of a spaceship is good enough.
The movie is a combination nuclear annihilation and alien invasion movie. Both apocalyptic and two big fears in the 50’s. As for the zombie aspect Edward Cahn is very familiar with that theme. Prior to “Invisible Invaders” he directed three other movies with a zombie theme, “Creature with the Atom Brain”, "Zombies of Mora Tau”, and “The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake”. It’s also very similar to “Plan 9 from Outer Space”, another zombie/alien movie that came out the same year. Only not as preachy. It’s a fun hokey bit of ham and cheese on rye.