The Blob
The cult classic 1958 film “The Blob” starring a young Steve McQueen, is not only interesting to watch, it also gives the viewer a number of insights into that era. The milieu in Post World War II America is the dominant sign in the film. The era is the signified and there are a number of signifiers. The film begins with the theme song “Beware of the Blob, it creeps and leaps…” and the viewer is made aware of the fascination for monsters that Americans had during that period. Spook movies as they were called were very popular and this is conveyed through the movie that is being shown at the movie theater in the film. Interest in the unknown, outer space and extraterrestrials is projected through the landing of the shooting star and …show more content…
Its new consumerism is evident throughout. Steve’s family has two cars; the departmental store has rows and rows of shelves packed with goods, the cold storage is filled with hanging legs of ham; movie theaters and diners are air conditioned. These are all signifiers of post war American consumerism. Sgt Richie’s late night chess games over the radio, another signifier, gives indications of the advances in technology and its use in entertainment. The doctor’s chamber with its modern equipments showcases the progress in …show more content…
Within the simplicity of this red gelatinous mass lies the message about that era; that of the threat of Communism, a signifier. The Blob starts off as a white gelatinous mass but as the film progresses and as it swallows one victim after another it gets larger and redder. This symbolizes the growing threat of Communism as perceived by Americans during that period, particularly the powers that be in McCarthy’s counsel. The Blob ultimately becomes so huge that it engulfs the entire diner where Steve, Jane and the others are hiding. The political connotations are all the more apparent in the last conversation in the film between Lt Dave and Steve: “It’s not dead is it?”…”No, it’s not, just frozen. I don’t think it can be killed but at least we got it stopped.”…”Yeah, as long as the Arctic stays cold.” …This aptly signifies the fear Americans had about Communism and the need to keep it at bay and the underlying fear that it could rear its ugly head
The cult classic 1958 film “The Blob” starring a young Steve McQueen, is not only interesting to watch, it also gives the viewer a number of insights into that era. The milieu in Post World War II America is the dominant sign in the film. The era is the signified and there are a number of signifiers. The film begins with the theme song “Beware of the Blob, it creeps and leaps…” and the viewer is made aware of the fascination for monsters that Americans had during that period. Spook movies as they were called were very popular and this is conveyed through the movie that is being shown at the movie theater in the film. Interest in the unknown, outer space and extraterrestrials is projected through the landing of the shooting star and …show more content…
Its new consumerism is evident throughout. Steve’s family has two cars; the departmental store has rows and rows of shelves packed with goods, the cold storage is filled with hanging legs of ham; movie theaters and diners are air conditioned. These are all signifiers of post war American consumerism. Sgt Richie’s late night chess games over the radio, another signifier, gives indications of the advances in technology and its use in entertainment. The doctor’s chamber with its modern equipments showcases the progress in …show more content…
Within the simplicity of this red gelatinous mass lies the message about that era; that of the threat of Communism, a signifier. The Blob starts off as a white gelatinous mass but as the film progresses and as it swallows one victim after another it gets larger and redder. This symbolizes the growing threat of Communism as perceived by Americans during that period, particularly the powers that be in McCarthy’s counsel. The Blob ultimately becomes so huge that it engulfs the entire diner where Steve, Jane and the others are hiding. The political connotations are all the more apparent in the last conversation in the film between Lt Dave and Steve: “It’s not dead is it?”…”No, it’s not, just frozen. I don’t think it can be killed but at least we got it stopped.”…”Yeah, as long as the Arctic stays cold.” …This aptly signifies the fear Americans had about Communism and the need to keep it at bay and the underlying fear that it could rear its ugly head