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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).

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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!
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Them! Facts
Unique script that begins as a standard police murder mystery and ends as a science fiction classic.
The camera Dr. Pat Medford is using in the helicopter is a Stereo Realist, which is a 35mm format stereoscopic (3-D) still camera. This is both perfectly natural and ironic since the film itself was originally planned as a 3-D release.
In 1998, Joan Weldon revealed that during the shoot of Them!, the temperature reached 110°F and both she and Edmund Gwenn were wearing wool clothing. It was even more insufferable for Gwenn, who struggled with advanced arthritis. Although unnoticeable to audiences, he was in pain and was helped off set by his valet.
Shortly after the helicopter reconnaissance, a meeting opens with an army officer looking through a Stereo Realist red button viewer. He is evidently looking at 3-D slides taken by Dr. Pat Medford. A second viewer is on the table next to Dr. Medford. This was rather clever product placement, considering the film was originally slated to be shot in 3-D format.
The B-25 Mitchell bomber transporting the doctors Medford was actually the personal transport for a 2-star General.
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