| The Mole People | |
|---|---|
| |
| Riffed by | Mystery Science Theater 3000 |
| Riffers | Mike Nelson, Tom Servo played by Kevin Murphy, Crow T. Robot played by Bill Corbett |
| Series | None |
| Date Released | February 15, 1997 |
The Mole People is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Virgil W. Vogel. It was riffed by Mystery Science Theater 3000 and aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in February 1997.
Synopsis and Preview[]
MST3K - Favorite Moments - The Mole People
[Spoilers Begin]
A narration by Dr. Frank Baxter, an English professor at the University of Southern California, explains the premise of the film and its basis in reality. He briefly discusses the hollow earth theories of John Symmes and Cyrus Teed among others, and says that the movie is a fictionalized representation of this unorthodox point of view.
Archaeologists Dr. Roger Bentley and Dr. Jud Bellamin stumble upon a race of Sumerian albinos living deep under the Earth. They keep mutant humanoid mole men as their slaves to harvest mushrooms, their primary food source, since they can grow without sunlight. The Sumerian albinos' ancestors moved into the subterranean after the cataclysmic floods in ancient Mesopotamia. Whenever their population increases, they sacrifice old people to the Eye of Ishtar, which is really natural light coming from the surface. These people have lived underground for so long that they are weakened by bright light which the archaeologists brought in the form of a flashlight. However, there is one girl named Adad who has natural Caucasian skin who is disdained by the others since she has the "mark of darkness." They believe the men are messengers of Ishtar, their goddess.
When one of the archaeologists is killed by a mole person, Elinu, the High Priest, realizes they are not gods. He orders their capture and takes the flashlight to control the Mole People, not knowing it is depleted. The archaeologists are then sent to the Eye just as the Mole People rebel. Adad goes to the Eye only to realize its true nature and that the men had survived. They then leave for the surface. Unfortunately, Adad dies after reaching the surface, when an earthquake causes a column to fall over and crush her.
[Spoilers End]
Cast and Crew[]
- John Agar as Dr. Roger Bentley
- Cynthia Patrick as Adal
- Hugh Beaumont as Dr. Jud Bellamin
- Alan Napier as Elinu, the High Priest
- Nestor Paiva as Prof. Etienne Lafarge
- Phil Chambers as Dr. Paul Stuart
- Rodd Redwing as Nazar
- Robin Hughes as First Officer
- Frank Baxter as Himself
Quotes[]
Notes[]
- Frank Baxter appears in SRD's Movie Night #2: The Alphabet Conspiracy.
- Alan Napier went on to play Alfred in the 1960s Batman TV Show.
See Also[]
- Revenge of the Creature (MST3K)
- The Leech Woman (MST3K)
- The Deadly Mantis (MST3K)
- The Thing That Couldn't Die (MST3K)