S2 Ep. 8: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, Don Siegel)

About this episode

The Cold War Cinema team discusses the political and cultural implications of the 1956 sci-fi classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

"They're here already! You're next! You're next! You're next!" The Cold War Cinema team returns to discuss the 1956 sci-fi classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers . Something is off in the sleepy little town of Santa Mira, California. As residents begin worrying that their family and friends no longer seem to be who they say they are, Dr. Miles Bennell and his former flame Becky Driscoll slowly uncover an alien plot to replace every person on earth with otherworldly duplicates. Directed by Don Siegel ( Riot on Cell Block 11 , Dirty Harry , Escape from Alcatraz ) and written by Daneil Mainwaring ( Out of the Past ), and with uncredited work by blacklisted screenwriter Richard Collins ( Song of Russia ), Invasion explores myriad maladies in midcentury American culture. Join hosts Jason Christian, Tony Ballas, and Paul T. Klein as we discuss: The many complicated—and often contradictory—political allegories often read into the film from both the left and the right, including anti-communist and anti-conformist messages. The political and discursive handwringing done by Invasion's creative team to distance themselves and the film from its most potent politics. Invasion's other formal…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jason Christian, Anthony Ballas, Paul T. Klein

Topics covered

• political allegories
• anti-communism
• anti-conformity
• psychoanalysis
• Hollywood studio system

Keywords

• Invasion of the Body Snatchers
• Don Siegel
• sci-fi
• Cold War
• political allegories
• Hollywood
• alien plot

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Places: Santa Mira, California

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