Kronos (1957) (Widescreen Version)

aka’s: Kronos: Ravager Of Planets/War Of The Universe/Kronos, Destroyer Of The Universe

Scientists investigate what appears to be a meteorite that crashed into the ocean. After a few days and nights of mysterious lights and noises, a giant machine comes out of the ocean. It is later discovered that the machine was created by an alien race to siphon off energy from the earth. Stars Jeff Morrow, Barbara Lawrence and John Emery. Also with George O’Hanlon, Morris Ankrum & Robert Shayne. (In Widescreen format).

TRIVIA:
The communication console and screen from Klaatu’s saucer, featured in “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951), can be seen directly in the background of Labcentral’s “Astro Physics” Laboratory, where Vera Hunter and Dr. Hubbell Eliot have their confrontation. A map of the world has been placed behind the glass.

Unfortunately, before production began on this film, the budget was cut. This change required a second draft of the script, which eliminated some character development and some expensive special effects sequences.

The long shots of Kronos moving were accomplished by animation, presumably the work of special-effects-animator Gene Warren.

In March 1948, actress Barbara Lawrence was involved in an incident of what would nowadays be called stalking. While sitting in a movie theater, she was stabbed by an unknown assailant, apparently a crazed fan. The wound was so deep that she was treated at the Santa Monica Emergency Hospital. Unfortunately, the assailant was never found.

George O’Hanlon is probably best known to modern audiences as the voice of George Jetson, in the animated Hanna-Barbera TV series, “The Jetson’s”.