CRACK IN THE WORLD made a big impression when I saw it as a kid. It was one of those films that I always watched whenever it played on TV. Even then I knew it wasn't in the same league as WAR OF THE WORLDS or most sci-fi films of the 1950s or 60s. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. I recently saw it for the first time as an adult and I have to say that the movie is pure corn. Honestly, even my initial suspicions back then were sorta correct: aside from the truly wacky science-fiction story and the model work, there's very else to recommend. The film is basically a soap about a relationship between an Old Scientist (Dana Andrews) and a Young Hotshot Scientist (awfully played by Kieron Moore) fighting for a Hot Blond (Janette Scott). The melodrama is unpalatable, even if one looks at it as retro camp. It kills the fun aspect of the movie dead in its tracks. In the end, the only thing I got from this film as an adult is how this annoying threesome gave birth to a second moon, not the so-called crack in the world.
Also, as a kid, the scenes with the animals in peril left an indelible impression. Looking at those scenes today, I can't help but wonder if any of the squirrels or raccoons were injured or killed for the sake of the film.
Oddly enough, the more recently released THE CORE reminded me a lot of CRACK IN THE WORLD. Both films were made and released by Paramount. Both films feel like TV movies. Both films are awful. They would make a not-so-great double feature.
Also, as a kid, the scenes with the animals in peril left an indelible impression. Looking at those scenes today, I can't help but wonder if any of the squirrels or raccoons were injured or killed for the sake of the film.
Oddly enough, the more recently released THE CORE reminded me a lot of CRACK IN THE WORLD. Both films were made and released by Paramount. Both films feel like TV movies. Both films are awful. They would make a not-so-great double feature.