The War Of The Worlds (1953)

Doomed by diminishing oxygen and falling temperatures on their own planet, Martians turn their attention to Earth's fertile planet with plans to colonize it. The residents of a small California town see what appears to be a falling meteor or comet but in reality, it's a projectile from Mars and so the war begins. Based on the novel by H.G. Wells and directed by Byron Haskin. One of the most imaginative science fiction films ever made, at least until the film's end when it goes all religious (not part of Wells' novel). Shot in vivid three strip Technicolor by George Barnes (SAMSON AND DELILAH) that just pop off the screen. The Martian vehicles themselves are marvelous creations with the body of a stingray and the neck and head of a cobra, they float across the skies. As usual with sci-fi films, the humans aren't very interesting but Gene Barry and Ann Robinson make for an attractive pair and they don't drag the movie down. With Les Tremayne, Jack Kruschen, Ann Codee and the voice of Sir Cedric Hardwicke, who does the narration.