BUCKET LIST UPDATE No. 155: Watch “Invasion USA” (1952)

When it comes to classic movies from the 1950s, it’s hard to beat “Invasion USA.” For years, I’ve seen this movie listed on numerous “best of” lists, but I’d never watched it, which is why I put it on my “bucket list” a few years ago. I finally finished watching it from start to finish last Thursday, and I enjoyed finally scratching it off my “bucket list.”

Directed by Alfred E. Green, one of early Hollywood’s most prolific directors, “Invasion USA” hit theaters in 1952. The cast included Gerald Mohr, Peggie Castle, Dan O’Herlihy, Phyllis Coates and Knox Manning. With a shooting budget of just $127,000, most folks today would consider it to be a "B" movie.

The movie begins in a big city bar, where a few random Americans are discussing communism and fears of a possible foreign invasion. There’s a TV on the wall and things take a turn for the worse as World War III kicks off before their very eyes. Reports begin to stream in of foreign invaders parachuting into Alaska and taking over civilian airfields.

A few of the bar patrons are from the West Coast, and they begin trying to get home to their families. Airports are jammed packed with others trying to do the same thing and only a lucky few make it back home. Those who do arrive home find themselves near the front lines as the foreign invaders drop atomic bombs on Seattle and continue attacks along the West Coast.

The U.S. begins to counterattack by bombing important cities and locations in the attacking country. (Throughout the movie, the name of the enemy country isn’t specifically mentioned, but the fact that it’s Russia is made pretty plain.) On the home front, the casualties continue to mount up.

I don’t want to give the ending away for those of you who haven’t seen this movie, but it does end with somewhat of a surprise ending. The movie comes off with a heavy “Twilight Zone” feel to it in the end, which actually allows you to breath a sigh of relief in light of all the doom and gloom the movie brings on.

For those of you who haven’t seen this movie, be forewarned. It did come out in the 1950s and is not the slick Hollywood type of movie that you’re used to watching nowadays. Most folks would consider this movie to be low budget and “cheesy,” but that’s not to say that it isn’t worth watching. Just take it at face value and watch it with an open mind.

Having now watched this movie for the first time, it reminded me of several other movies that I’ve seen over the years. It was sort of a mash-up of “Red Dawn,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Mystery Science Theater” and “The Day After.” I feel like those of you who have seen it will know exactly what I mean.

In the end, how many of you have seen “Invasion USA”? What did you think about it? Did you like it or not? Let us know in the comments section below.