Google Ads
Login | Sign Up

Them! Overview:

Them! (1954) was a Science Fiction - Horror Film directed by Gordon Douglas and produced by David Weisbart.

SYNOPSIS

Atomic radiation once again transforms tiny harmless creatures into gigantic holy terrors. Probably the best of the '50s Cold War paranoia phenomenon, this top-notch thriller presents giant ants spawned by nuclear testing using the sewer systems of Los Angeles like a vast ant farm. Ant expert Gwenn and his daughter Weldon direct the efforts and Whitmore makes sure they go in but they don't come out. Stellar effects and dignified performances make this better than average.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Them! BlogHub Articles:

No article for Them! at this time. Submit yours here.

Them! Quotes:

Robert Graham: Is's the only job you ever had?
Railroad Yard Watchman: Yes, sir. I've been with the railroad thirty years and never a blot against my record.
Robert Graham: Well, the yard cop seems to think you made a deal not to see that car broken into.
Railroad Yard Watchman: Pfah! What kind of sense does that make? Is sugar a rare cargo? Is there a black market for it? Did you ever hear of a fence for hot sugar? If I was gonna make a deal with crooks to steal somethin', it wouldn't be for forty tons of sugar. And I'll swear I didn't hear a thing Friday night.
Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: [observing the tunnel walls] Look! Held together with saliva!
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Yeah! Spit's all that's holding me together right now, too.
Dr. Harold Medford: [over the helicopter headset] Search Able to Search Baker.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Say "Over."
Dr. Harold Medford: Huh?
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Then say "Over."
Dr. Harold Medford: "Over?"
Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: Medford in Baker to Medford in Able: Go ahead, Dad. Over.
Dr. Harold Medford: Have you found anything yet?
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Say "Over."
Dr. Harold Medford: I just said it.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: I know. Say it again.
Dr. Harold Medford: Oh. "Over!"
Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: Baker to Able: Not yet. We're about three quarters of the way across our sector. We're now at coordinates Charlie-Six. Over.
Dr. Harold Medford: Well, don't pass up any possibilities. Let me know the moment you find ANYTHING.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: If you're finished, say "Over and out."
Dr. Harold Medford: But she KNOWS I'm through talking with her.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: I know she does, Doctor. It's a rule, though. You gotta say it.
Dr. Harold Medford: [irritated] Ah...
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Isn't that right, General?
Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien: Right, Sergeant.
Dr. Harold Medford: This is ridiculous! A lot of good your rules are gonna do us if we don't locate the...
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: [over the headset] Over and out.
Dr. Harold Medford: Oh, now you're happy.
Dr. Harold Medford: [addressing a group of government officials] That, gentlemen, is why you are here - to consider this problem and, I hope, solve it. Because unless you solve it, unless these queens are located and destroyed before they've established thriving colonies and can produce, heaven alone knows, how many more queen ants, man, as the dominant species of life on earth, will probably be extinct within...
[looking at another scientist]
Dr. Harold Medford: a year, Doc?
Dr. Harold Medford: Get the antennae! Get the antennae!
See More Quotes from Them!
Them! Facts
The flamethrowers used in the movie were standard World War 2 weapons and were loaned by the US Army. The actors handling the weapons were WW2 combat veterans who had actually used them in battle.
When this movie was first released in Sweden, it was strangely named "Spindlarna" (which translates as 'The Spiders')
Walt Disney screened the movie because he was interested in casting James Arness as Davy Crockett. However, he was so impressed by Fess Parker as the "Crazy Texan Pilot" that he chose him for the part.
Because of their height difference, James Whitmore was forced to wear lifts in his shoes to make it appear that he was the same height as James Arness.
WILHELM SCREAM: Can be heard four times in the film. When the giant ants attack the crew of the ship at sea, when James Whitmore's character Police Sgt. Ben Peterson is throttled to death by a giant ant, when a soldier is struck by the falling debris in the sewer and when James Arness gets separated from the rest of the Army and ants try to attack him. The ceiling falls in and while he reloading his weapon, an ant tries to attack him. There's also a scream off-screen from Peterson's partner, Ed Blackburn when he investigates the sounds made by the ants.
See More Facts about Them! >>