The Monolith Monsters (1957)

After a large meteorite crashes in the California desert, when its pieces come into contact with water, they grow and multiply and move. Any human who comes into contact turns into a stone like statue. Directed by John Sherwood, this is one of the better Universal sci-fi films of the 1950s. It's surprising how well done it is in spite of a less than satisfactory screenplay. Jack Arnold (INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN)  didn't direct but he was partly responsible for the story. Much of it has to do with its rather unique concept of rock formations as "monsters" from outer space. They're nothing but rock, they don't think, they have no plans for conquering the planet, they just are. The horror comes from the mindless destruction they are capable of. The special effects by Clifford Stine and Frank Brendel hold up remarkably well. As for the actors, well ..... it's not the kind of film wheere the acting matters much but still, one can't help but feel sorry for the actors spouting the drivel. With Lola Albright (who seems overqualified for stuff like this), Grant Williams, Les Tremayne, Phil Harvey and Trevor Bardette.