THE 27TH DAY was one I saw only recently (within the last few years, I mean) as it didn't seem to get any TV play when I was a kid. The story tells of how a being from another world abducts a handful of earthlings (an American reporter, a red soldier, a poor Oriental farm girl, etc) and gives them each a set of capsules capable of destroying all life on Earth. If they can use them correctly or not at all within 27 days, humanity will be spared. The group plans to just keep the capsules a secret until the 27 days are up, but the Martian goes on television and makes sure the rest of the world knows what's going on and who has the capsules! Intriguing drama somewhat undercut by it's rather fanciful and silly ending. Still, the performances are strong and concept powerful. Joins a handful of political 50's science fiction movies like the under-rated RED PLANET MARS, though this has nothing over the Peter Graves epic. Gene Barry stars here, not long before he became television's Bat Masterson. Happily, the film now resides on a nice DVD release alongside other classic gems via Mill Creek.
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