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"Invaders From Mars", the 1953 version.

Starting at 0:34 there is some interesting color footage of tank destroyers being prepared for rail shipment (Some M8 Greyhounds too, I think they are). This might be stock footage as the film was made in '53 and the music at this point ("U.S. Field Artillery Song") sounds more like what would be scored for a WWII propaganda film, though they might have been in service at the time of Korea, when the movie was made. Some of you bumper/vehicle/uniform spotters might can tell. The uniforms are very tidy and clearly this bit was shot in a peacetime area. I notice they are wearing leggings and appear to be near a beach so may have come ashore.

IFM was filmed in Eastmancolor, which was quite vivid...I don't notice a big change in the color quality in this segment, so who knows? Looks pretty ambitious for something staged for a Sci-Fi movie, even with Army cooperation. Scratches and other imperfections in the film stock seem to match the rest of the movie for density. In any case, you get to see some details of preparation for rail shipment in that period. Or just watch this part for fun*. "Dr. Blake" is pretty hot for '53.

Be sure to watch in "full screen". There is some more clanking-good action beginning at 41:00 and going on for some time. Then again at ~47:00, some of which look to be Stuarts!

Best line: (Spoken by suitably grizzly colonel)

"Tanks...in any normal war they're a beautiful sight...on your side."

www.youtube.com/watch?...feature=gv


*I remember seeing this as a kid, and predictably, it scared the crap out of me.

Nice link - I hadn't seen that for years! Yup, sure looks like WW2 TD Command footage of M10s on rail movement and driving. The M8s would have been from the recon element. No M20s were shown (for the gun section security detachment). Later there is WW2 footage of M4/M4A1s. Notice that there was an M3A3 on the set (the tank in the foreground of several shots) and at the climax the heros are sheltering behind an M2 or an M16 halftrack. You have to admire the fortitude ofthe MPs doing that "high speed chase" in a WC56 Everybody went into the tunnel with a .45 pistol or a carbine, but they killed the mutants with tommy guns.

Interesting!

The M10/M8 railhead file is very early TD Command Footage. Note the directional chevron tires on the M8s.

Shermans were all small hatchs, early gun matels, many had 3 pieice trans covers. Again making that early WWII file footage. There was one section, side view of some M4s moving in water that I think was the early WWII Ft. Knox demo unit which had M4A2 at that time.

I agree with M3A3 on the right side of the set shots. A M3A3 in the US in 1953? Very odd.

I don't remember anyone carring a tommy gun. But it was laying on the floor where the Col. landed. LOL

The halftrack has the M3 type extended body with large storage boxes on the rear making it a M-16. It is a M3A1 converted from APC to a M-16A1 AAA quad gun carrier. Note the lack of folding top edges

My 2 cents!
Sgt, Scouts out!

PS: Near the end as the boy is running and having flast backs of the story, I think there are 2 shots of a halftrack with a 75mm AT gun firing.

What were they doing in this scene? Looks like they were cinching them down to the rail car with wire (?)

- Roy_A_Lingle

Interesting!


I don't remember anyone carring a tommy gun. But it was laying on the floor where the Col. landed. LOL

...and it has a 50 rd. drum magazine at that! Probably an M1928A1 (can't see the fore end grip for a M1921)

Personally, I like the scene where the MP caps the General with an M1 Carbine and his briefcase explodes.

Hi Folks! Hi Dennis!

- Dennis_Smith

What were they doing in this scene? Looks like they were cinching them down to the rail car with wire (?)

That is what they are doing. I did that when the tank battalion I was in at Ft. Riley was moved down to Ft. Bragg.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts out!

Thanks Roy!

I don't see how wire could help hold a tank down. Why didn't they use chains?

Hi Folks! Hi Dennis!

Use enough and it will get the job done.

The one time I was part of a state side rail move, the wire was expendable. After we unloaded at Ft. Bragg, the wire went in the trash.

When I was in Germany, we used cable which was thrown away after the move back to base.

Chain would have cost a lot more and then what do you do with it after the move.

Spot Report!'
Sgt, Scouts out!

Thanks Roy! That makes sense.

What about the search light in this scene. In the upper right corner. Is that an actual light that was in use by the military?

- Dennis_Smith

Thanks Roy! That makes sense.

What about the search light in this scene. In the upper right corner. Is that an actual light that was in use by the military?

There are couple of other closeups of what I believe were just standard Hollywood/theater spots (big ones, like arc lamps). I suspect these were just easier to use than requesting mil issue items. They can be viewed in some detail, but I don't recall at what point in the film.

Thanks Doug,

The one on top of the guard tower when they shot General Whatshisname looked like a regular search light. But I'd never seen one with the lens extended way out in front like in the scene above.

I'll check at the Search Light News Discussion Board.