Zontar, the Thing from Venus  (1966)
[+]
(Foreign Titles)
Nomination Year: 2008
SYNOPSIS: This is a remake of Roger Corman's It Conquered the World, but without that Roger Corman panache. An experimental laser satellite is sent up into orbit, but one of the scientists who opposed the project (Keith) has been secretly in communication with an alien intelligence from Venus called Zontar. Zontar promptly steals the satellite to ferry himself to Earth, and (with Keith's help) embarks on a plan to conquer the world, hampered only slightly by the fact that he can only generate eight mind-control Zontarlings at once (and they are all single-use). After a great deal of struggle, all but one major character is killed ... and that major character strides off toward Washington, DC. Good. Or maybe that's bad.
Kevin Hogan
Smithee Award Nominations
Most Ludicrous Premise
Hypothetically Speaking...
Curt doesn't really believe Keith, but he's humoring him. "Okay, Keith," says Curt, "Let's say all this stuff is true...." And then Curt runs down the film's Premise (Zontar, alien, comes to earth in order to advance human civilization by making all humans into slaves and essentially biological carriers for itself and its descendants).
Sorry, this clip has not yet been made available!
Worst Science
Hyperspace Hypnotism
Keith hints to Kurt at dinner that he has a secret. "Say, that's a powerful-looking set. I've never seen anything like it before." It's a RADIO, rocket scientist! Keith then claims to be using a form of "hyperspace hypnotism" to communicate with "Zontar." Uhh...right. Now we know how Zontar and Keith communicate -- hyperspace hypnotism! Zontar also uses it to make people watch this film. It can be the only explanation.
Sorry, this clip has not yet been made available!
Worst Acting
"I Can't Love a Monstrous Performance!"
Susan Bjurman plays Keith's wife. In this scene, she has a bit of a breakdown. "I can't love a monster!" she half-screams half-sobs. I feel the same way about this film as a hole [sic.].
Directors
Director Claim to Fame
Larry Buchanan Was a folk musician prior to becoming a director of schlock. Helmed "It's Alive!", Mars Needs Women, and Mistress of the Apes, as well as many Smithee films. 
Cast
Actor Character Claim to Fame
John Agar <Not Yet in Database> 50's square-jawed B-movie hero; played "Police Captain" in The Amazing Mr. No Legs
Susan Bjurman <Not Yet in Database>  
Tony Huston <Not Yet in Database> Writer of The Sidehackers and Curse of the Swamp Creature, among others. 
Warren Hammack John, Zone 6 Scientist Played the titular Johnny Vik
Jonathan Ledford Zone 6 Gate Guard Eight credits, several Smithee. 
George Edgley Mr. Ledford Was a planetarium director in Mars Needs Women
Jeff Alexander <Not Yet in Database>  
Bill Thurman <Not Yet in Database> Carter in Silverado
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