The Night The World Exploded (1957)

A seismologist (William Leslie) has developed a machine that can predict earthquakes. As earthquakes suddenly continue to rock not only the U.S. but the world, the doctor discovers that the world will explode in four weeks! Directed by Fred T. Sears (EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS) and produced by Sam Katzman, the King of low budget 1950s sci-fi. This being a Katzman production, the special effects are minimal, mostly styrofoam rocks falling down. The "big" special effects consist of stock footage and newsreel footage, some of it borderline exploitation as we're seeing actual tragedies rather than special effects. Of course, much of the film's brief running time (1 hour, 4 minutes) is devoted to the unrequited love of Leslie's scientist by his loyal assistant (a feisty Kathryn Grant). Katzman actually sprung for some location shooting in the famed Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. With Tristram Coffin and Raymond Greenleaf.