''Zontar, the Thing from Venus'' (also known as ''Zontar: The Invader from Venus'') is a 1967 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

horror science fiction film directed by

Larry Buchanan Larry Buchanan (January 31, 1923 − December 2, 2004), born Marcus Larry Seale Jr., was a film director, producer and writer, who proclaimed himself a " schlockmeister". Many of his extremely low-budget films have landed on "worst movie" lists o ...

and starring

John Agar John George Agar Jr. (January 31, 1921 – April 7, 2002) was an American film and television actor. He is best known for starring alongside John Wayne in the films ''Sands of Iwo Jima'', '' Fort Apache'', and '' She Wore a Yellow Ribbon''. In h ...

and Susan Bjurman. It is based on the

teleplay A teleplay is a screenplay or script used in the production of a scripted television program or series. In general usage, the term is most commonly seen in reference to a standalone production, such as a television film, a television play, or a ...

by Hillman Taylor and Buchanan. It is a low-budget

16 mm 16 mm film is a historically popular and economical gauge of film. 16 mm refers to the width of the film (about inch); other common film gauges include 8 and 35 mm. It is generally used for non-theatrical (e.g., industrial, edu ...

color remake of

Roger Corman Roger William Corman (born April 5, 1926) is an American film director, producer, and actor. He has been called "The Pope of Pop Cinema" and is known as a trailblazer in the world of independent film. Many of Corman's films are based on works t ...

's ''

It Conquered the World ''It Conquered the World'' is an independently made 1956 American black-and-white science fiction film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, starring Peter Graves, Lee Van Cleef, Beverly Garland, and Sally Fraser. ''It Conquered the World'' ...

'' (1956), which also featured an alien invader from Venus.

Plot

At a dinner party with their wives,

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil List of government space agencies, space program ...

scientist Dr. Keith Ritchie ( Anthony Huston) reveals to his colleague Dr. Curt Taylor (

) that he has secretly been in communication with an alien from Venus named Zontar who he claims is coming to Earth to solve all of the world's problems. However, as soon as Zontar arrives on Earth via a fallen

laser A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". The fi ...

satellite A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioi ...

it quickly becomes obvious that the three-eyed, bat-winged, skeletal black creature has a hidden agenda, as it begins causing local power outages that stop telephones, automobiles and even running water from working, and it starts taking control of people's minds using flying lobster-like "injecto-pods" that sprout from its wings. Only after his wife is killed does Ritchie finally realize that Zontar has come not as a savior but as a conqueror, and he goes to confront the hideous alien in the sulfur spring-heated cave that it has made its secret base.

Cast

as Dr. Curt Taylor * Susan Bjurman as Ann Taylor * Anthony Huston as Keith Ritchie * Patricia De Laney as Martha Ritchie * Neil Fletcher as Gen. Matt Young * Warren Hammack as John * Colleen Carr as Louise * Jeff Alexander as Rocket Scientist *

Bill Thurman Bill Thurman (November 4, 1920 – April 13, 1995) was an American film and television actor. From the early 1960s until his death in 1995, he frequently appeared in B movies and independent films, often playing "redneck types" or sheriffs. He w ...

as Police Chief Brad Crenshaw * Andrew Traister as Sgt. Magalari * Jonathan Ledford as Gate Guard * George Edglley as Mr. Ledford * Carol Gilley as Alice * Bertha Holmes as Townswoman

Reception

In a review for AllMovie, Paul Gaita wrote "For experienced

cult movie A cult film or cult movie, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a cult following. Cult films are known for their dedicated, passionate fanbase which forms an elaborate subculture, members of which engage in ...

watchers, ''Zontar'' is the cinematic equivalent of a car accident, an unpleasant spectacle from which one cannot look away". Chris Eggerston of Bloody Disgusting criticized the alien in the film for resembling "a human-sized shit-monster with wings", but felt that it looked better than the alien from ''It Conquered the World''. ''Zontar, the Thing from Venus'' is arguably Buchanan's best known film.Goodsell, Greg, "The Weird and Wacky World of Larry Buchanan", ''Filmfax'', No. 38 April/May 1993 p 64 From 1981–1992 ''Zontar, the Magazine from Venus'' was published in Boston. It included an interview with Buchanan by Rev. Ivan Stang. ''Creature Feature'' gave the movie one star, stating it was so inept that only fans of so bad it's good films would enjoy it. ''

TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program listings information as well as entertainment and television-related news. The company sold its print magazine division, TV Guide Magazine LLC, in 2008. Corpora ...

'' states that while the movie is not good, it is not as bad as its reputation suggests.

In popular culture

''Zontar'' was famously spoofed by SCTV in the Season 4, Cycle 2, Episode 3 sequence "Zontar", originally broadcast October 30, 1981.

Plot

Cast

Reception

In popular culture

See also