Alright, fellow tapeheads, gather 'round. Remember those late nights, prowling the aisles of the local video store? Sometimes you grabbed the big blockbuster, sure, but sometimes... sometimes you took a chance on that cover. The one with the intense eyes, maybe some cheap-looking sci-fi element, and a title that promised something weird. That's exactly the vibe radiating from the well-worn cardboard sleeve of Jim Wynorski's 1988 Not of This Earth. This isn't just any slice of 80s sci-fi cheese; it's a fascinating artifact born from a legendary B-movie challenge.
### Corman's Challenge, Wynorski's Hustle
Let's rewind the tape a bit. This film exists because the undisputed king of low-budget filmmaking, Roger Corman, apparently bet director Jim Wynorski (hot off Chopping Mall (1986)) that he couldn't remake Corman's own 1957 sci-fi flick of the same name on the original's notoriously tight 12-day shooting schedule and under budget. Spoiler alert: Wynorski, ever the resourceful genre maestro, reportedly won that bet, bringing this version in for a rumoured $165,000. That context is everything when you slide this tape into the VCR. You're not just watching a movie; you're watching pure, unadulterated B-movie hustle captured on magnetic tape.
### Sunnies, Suits, and a Need for Type O
The plot is wonderfully straightforward, echoing the original Corman template. A mysterious, impeccably dressed stranger calling himself Mr. Johnson (Arthur Roberts) rolls into a small California town. He sports perpetually dark sunglasses (even indoors – classic alien move!), carries a briefcase, and has a peculiar need for frequent blood transfusions. He hires a live-in nurse, Nadine (Traci Lords), ostensibly to manage his "rare blood condition." Of course, his condition is less medical anomaly and more extraterrestrial emergency – he's an alien from a dying world, desperately harvesting human blood via deadly laser beams projected from his removal-resistant peepers.
Arthur Roberts plays the alien with a kind of detached, almost corporate menace. He's not overtly monstrous, more like a persistently unsettling middle manager who just happens to vaporize people who get in his way. His performance is key; it’s stiff, yes, but it works for the character's otherworldly nature, making his sudden bursts of lethal power surprisingly effective within the film's low-key framework.
### Nurse Nadine Steps In
And then there's Traci Lords. This was famously her first mainstream acting role following her departure from the adult film industry, a move that generated considerable buzz and curiosity back in '88. Watching it now, you can see her earnestly committing to the part. As Nurse Nadine, she's the audience's anchor, slowly piecing together the bizarre truth about her employer. Is it an Oscar-worthy performance? Let's be real, this is a Wynorski/Corman production. But she brings a certain vulnerability and determination that makes Nadine relatable, and her presence undeniably adds a layer of historical interest to the film. It's a solid B-movie turn, and you can see the beginnings of the cult favourite actress she would become in films like Cry-Baby (1990).
### Wynorski-Vision: Fast, Cheap, and Entertaining
Jim Wynorski directs with the efficiency demanded by the schedule and budget. The pacing is brisk, wasting little time on complex character arcs or narrative nuance. This is drive-in style filmmaking adapted for the VHS boom: give 'em the premise, give 'em some action, throw in a little T&A (it was the 80s, after all), and wrap it up. What's impressive is how watchable it remains. Wynorski knows how to frame a shot economically and keep things moving.
The practical effects are, naturally, a product of their time and budget. Mr. Johnson's laser eyes are achieved with simple optical effects – glowing overlays that probably looked pretty cool on a fuzzy CRT back in the day. Remember how startling those basic, almost raw effects could be before CGI smoothed everything over? There's a tangible quality to the blood bags and the occasional (mildly gory) aftermath of an alien attack that feels distinctly 80s. It might look quaint now, but there's an undeniable charm to seeing filmmakers achieve these moments through sheer practical ingenuity rather than digital rendering. Supporting actors like Lenny Juliano as the put-upon chauffeur Harry add to the quirky, lived-in feel of this strange little cinematic world.
### A Relic Worth Revisiting?
So, how does Not of This Earth (1988) hold up after all these years, pulled from the dusty shelves of VHS Heaven? It’s undeniably dated, a product of its low-budget origins and the specific aesthetic of late-80s direct-to-video fare. The plot is thin, some dialogue clunks, and the production values scream "quickie."
But... there's an undeniable energy here. It’s a testament to efficient genre filmmaking, a fascinating footnote in Traci Lords' career transition, and a prime example of the kind of weird, wonderful discoveries that made browsing video stores such an adventure. It perfectly captures that specific flavour of 80s sci-fi/horror – slightly sleazy, occasionally goofy, but made with a genuine enthusiasm that shines through the limitations. Wynorski delivered exactly what was asked: a fast, cheap, and surprisingly entertaining remake that fulfilled Corman's challenge.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: The score reflects the film's B-movie limitations (budget constraints, occasional stiffness) but acknowledges its significant entertainment value for fans of the era, its historical context (Lords' role, the Corman bet), Wynorski's efficient direction, and its overall nostalgic charm. It's technically rough but genuinely fun if you appreciate its specific brand of 80s filmmaking.
Final Spin: It won't beam you up with profound insights, but for a pure hit of 80s drive-in DNA delivered straight to your VCR, Not of This Earth still offers a transfusion of retro fun – just keep your sunglasses off indoors.