Plan 9 from Outer Space

Plan 9 from Outer Space 1959

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Criswell, the narrator, kicks off the tale of GRAVE ROBBERS FROM OUTER SPACE, cautioning viewers about the shocking truths that lie ahead. As the story unfolds, we find ourselves at a small gathering around a grave as mourners pay their respects. An elderly man, played by Bela Lugosi, mourns for his recently deceased wife. Following the ceremony, a man reading from the Bible, Clay Stone, guides the old man away, with the others trailing behind. Just as two grave diggers commence their work, we see pilots Jeff Trent and Danny in a cockpit, discussing their landing approach with the Burbank tower. Suddenly, a mysterious flying saucer interrupts their routine.

The flight attendant, Edith, senses something amiss and enters the cockpit. Their unease deepens when the UFO lands in the graveyard, provoking a strange noise that sends the grave diggers fleeing. Amid this chaos, the old man is seen plucking a flower from his late wife’s garden, overwhelmed by grief as the narration reveals he has left his home for the final time. The horrifying sound of brakes screeching fills the air as an ambulance rushes him to the hospital, where he meets his end.

Later, mourners visit the old man’s above-ground crypt, baffled at how he is laid to rest above ground while his wife lies below. They remain oblivious to the fact that his resurrected wife, a vampire, lurks nearby, observing the scene. Panic ensues when a girl, played by Gloria Dea, screams upon discovering the bodies of the grave diggers. The police, led by Inspector Clay, arrive to investigate the mysterious deaths. Clay interrogates Larry, who informs him that the girl and another man discovered the bodies. Clay hands the investigation over to Lt. Harper, who soon notices an overwhelming stench emanating from the graves.

In a nearby home, Jeff and his wife Paula unwind on the patio, remarking on the surreal number of sirens they’ve heard that day. Jeff recalls a flying saucer he spotted during his flight, but before he can delve deeper, a saucer zooms by, knocking them over. This startling turbulence affects both the couple and the officers handling the bodies nearby. As Clay observes the saucer landing, he approaches the old man’s crypt, where he is suddenly ambushed by the vampire and the old man, now risen from the dead, leading to a fatal encounter.

As the narrative progresses, the film’s tension builds—newspaper headlines scream about “SAUCERS SEEN OVER HOLLYWOOD,” prompting military intervention led by Colonel Edwards. They attempt to defend against the aliens, only to find their missiles ineffectual. The plot thickens aboard the aliens’ mother ship, where Eros and Tanna convey their objectives to their leader: to activate Plan Nine—a plot involving the resurrection of the dead to create zombies.

Back at the airport, Jeff prepares to return to work but is distracted by his mounting fears about his wife’s safety. Meanwhile, the old man, having transformed into a menacing figure, invades Jeff’s home. Paula receives an eerie telephone call, and before long, she is confronted by the spectral figure, resulting in a frantic escape into the graveyard.

As police investigation resumes, the aliens’ machinations lead to more chaos. The film showcases a myriad of confrontations between the living and the resurrected, highlighting societal and governmental inadequacies in addressing this otherworldly menace.

In a final showdown, a desperate battle unfolds on the alien craft, culminating in an explosive escape as the saucer—haunted by disaster—crashes and ignites over Hollywood. The narrator wraps up the tale with, >“God help us in the future,” echoing the dire implications of the events just witnessed, leaving audiences to ponder the precariousness of their existence against alien forces.

Timeline

Track the key events of Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Criswell's Warning

The narrator, Criswell, sets the stage for **GRAVE ROBBERS FROM OUTER SPACE**, delivering a cautionary message about the shocking truths to come. His words intrigue the audience, hinting at the dark themes that will unfold throughout the narrative.

A Mourner's Grief

The story begins at a solemn gathering around a grave, where mourners pay their respects. Among them is an elderly man played by Bela Lugosi, who mourns for his recently deceased wife, highlighting the theme of enduring love and loss.

Graveyard

The Mourner Guided Away

As the mourning ceremony concludes, a man reading from the Bible, Clay Stone, takes the elderly man away from the grave. The gathering disperses, unaware of the bizarre events about to unfold in the graveyard.

Graveyard

Unexpected UFO

As two grave diggers begin their work, pilots Jeff Trent and Danny discuss their flight plans in the cockpit. Their routine is disrupted when a mysterious flying saucer suddenly appears, marking the start of chaos in the narrative.

Cockpit

Chaos in the Graveyard

The flight attendant, Edith, enters the cockpit sensing something strange and soon after, the UFO lands in the graveyard. The arrival of the saucer creates panic among the grave diggers, who flee in fear from the ominous noise that accompanies it.

Graveyard

Final Farewell

Amidst the chaos, the elderly man, overwhelmed by grief, plucks a flower from his late wife's garden. The narrator emphasizes that he has left home for the last time, foreshadowing the grim fate that awaits him.

Elder's Home

The Old Man's Demise

The sound of ambulance brakes echoes as the elderly man is taken to the hospital, where he meets his end. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the unfolding horror, as he transitions from mortal to supernatural.

Hospital

Terrifying Revelations

Mourners gather to visit the old man's above-ground crypt, puzzled by the fact that he is buried above while his wife lies below. Unbeknownst to them, his resurrected wife, a vampire, silently observes the scene, adding an unsettling layer to the narrative.

Crypt

Scream of Terror

Panic erupts when Gloria Dea's character screams upon discovering the bodies of the grave diggers. The police, led by Inspector Clay, arrive to investigate the strange deaths, escalating the tension in the story.

Graveyard

Interrogation Begins

Inspector Clay interrogates a witness named Larry about the grim discoveries. With suspicion growing, Clay passes the investigation responsibility to Lt. Harper, who soon notices a foul odour wafting from the graves, heightening the mystery.

Flying Saucer Encounter

At their home, Jeff and Paula discuss the numerous sirens they have heard. Just when Jeff recalls seeing a flying saucer earlier, one suddenly zooms past, causing unexpected turbulence and panic at their location.

Jeff's Home

Ambushed

As Clay approaches the old man's crypt, he is ambushed by the vampire and the resurrected old man. This encounter concludes with a fatal confrontation, marking a significant turning point in the narrative.

Old Man's Crypt

Military Intervention

With reports of UFO sightings flooding in, military forces led by Colonel Edwards gear up to confront the alien menace. However, their attempts to thwart the invasion prove futile, as their missiles are rendered ineffective against the extraterrestrial beings.

The Aliens' Plan

Onboard the alien mothership, Eros and Tanna disclose their sinister plans to raise the dead via Plan Nine. This chilling revelation drives home the thematic elements of fear and the consequences of meddling with life and death.

Alien Mothership

Final Battle and Aftermath

As tension escalates, a desperate battle erupts on the alien craft, culminating in a dramatic escape as the saucer crashes over Hollywood. The narrator concludes with a somber warning about the future, leaving audiences to reflect on the fragility of humanity in the face of such terror.

Hollywood

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Jeff Trent (Gregory Walcott)

Jeff is a pilot caught in the midst of an alien invasion, illustrating a blend of bravery and fear. His character embodies the everyman, attempting to protect his family while grappling with the surreal circumstances that unfold around him. Jeff's narrative arc showcases his evolution from skepticism to active involvement against the extraterrestrial threat.

✈️ Pilot 🛡️ Protector 😨 Everyman

Inspector Clay (Tor Johnson)

Inspector Clay is portrayed as a determined police officer facing a peculiar crisis with little to no guidance. His attempts to maintain order in the chaos reveal his dedication to duty while confronting an absurd and horrific situation. Clay's character reflects the challenges of authority figures in managing unconventional threats.

👮‍♂️ Authority ⚖️ Justice 🚨 Investigator

Paula Trent (Mona McKinnon)

Paula is Jeff's wife, narratively positioned as a source of fear and vulnerability amidst the alien upheaval. Her character is crucial in propelling Jeff into action, as her safety becomes intertwined with the larger conflict. Paula's struggle against supernatural forces symbolizes the everywoman's plight during crises.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Wife 💔 Vulnerability 🚪 Escapist

Setting

Uncover the settings of Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Set in a vague present that feels like a snapshot of mid-20th century America, the film captures the essence of traditional societal structures contrasted against the impending alien invasion. The mundane reality of everyday life is abruptly disrupted by extraterrestrial encounters, illustrating a period marked by both optimism and paranoia towards the unknown. The backdrop reflects a time when the fascination with outer space and horror stories began to intertwine.

Location

Graveyard, Burbank, Hollywood

The story is set in a seemingly peaceful graveyard where mourners gather, only to be disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious flying saucer. Burbank serves as the backdrop for the pilots' encounter with the alien craft, while Hollywood becomes a focal point for the unfolding chaos, highlighted by newspaper headlines about the UFO sightings. This juxtaposition of serene finality and cosmic intrusion amplifies the eerie atmosphere.

🪦 Graveyard 🛩️ Burbank 🌆 Hollywood

Themes

Explore the core themes of Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


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Resurrection

The theme of resurrection pervades the film, with both the old man's return from the grave and the creation of zombies by aliens. It raises questions about mortality, the afterlife, and the potential consequences of disturbing the natural order. This theme resonates with audiences as they ponder the implications of life beyond death and the ethics of interfering with such forces.

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Chaos

As the story unfolds, chaos ensues both at the graveyard and in the lives of the characters affected by the alien invasion. The disruption of normalcy highlights societal fears, particularly around government inadequacies and how they respond to extraordinary threats. The rising panic among characters reflects broader societal anxieties about the unknown, suggesting a critique of how society handles crises.

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Alien Intrusion

The film prominently features the theme of alien intrusion, symbolizing fears of the unknown and the uncontrollable. It serves as an allegory for the human condition in the face of unforeseen threats. The aliens' plan to resurrect the dead transforms the mundane into the supernatural, emphasizing humanity's vulnerability in a universe filled with mysteries.

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