A Quick Look: FIRE MAIDENS OF OUTER SPACE (1957)

   Here we have that rarest of things, a 50's science fiction picture that's... Well, not good. The concept of FIRE MAIDENS OF OUTER SPACE is quite serviceable, detailing as it does the discovery of a tribe of comely females relocated from ancient Atlantis to one of Jupiter's moons. The problem is that this is played out in about as listless a fashion as possible. The film is also embarrassingly under-funded. The soundtrack is composed entirely of classical music, and the monster is a guy in long-johns and rudimentary face make-up. Nor do I recall any particularly note-worthy performances to keep one's interest. Few genres are as consistently entertaining and better than their reputation than the 50's science fiction/monster movie, so this detracting example stands out. Now, having said that, the film does feature some decent photography at times, although nothing that really stands out in one's memory. What a missed opportunity.