Killers from Space

A 1954 American science fiction film directed by W. Lee Wilder, brother of Billy Wilder. Peter Graves plays atomic scientist Doug Martin, who is presumed dead after his plane crashes on a reconnaissance flight following a nuclear test — then turns up alive, telling a story nobody believes: he was captured by aliens who plan to conquer Earth with an army of giant mutated insects and reptiles. Famous for its bug-eyed aliens (created with ping-pong balls) and liberal use of stock footage, the film features an uncredited early appearance by Coleman Francis. Its copyright was never renewed, and it has become a drive-in staple of public domain sci-fi collections.