Audrey Dalton on what it was like filming ''The Monster That Challenged the World''

"I was puzzled by it," Dalton said.

United Artists

Working on a science-fiction film is no easy feat, especially if we're talking about some of the earlier sci-fi classics. While most sci-fi films are consumed by special effects, decades previously, film crews were forced to rely on their own creativity if they wanted to achieve some true movie magic.

In an interview with The Classic Film and TV Cafe at the Williamsburg Film Festival, Audrey Dalton spoke about her experience filming the hit film, The Monster That Challenged the World. Dalton, who played Gail MacKenzie, mentioned that while she was a bit confused by the film initially, she had no misgivings about the job she had been hired to do.

"I was puzzled by it," she said. "I was a working actor. I believed that was my job and you did your job. In those days, I was not picking and choosing. I never really did, unless it was offensive or something I didn't want to do. I thought it was a very interesting experience—as all my movies were in different ways."

While the film has its fair share of tense moments, Dalton revealed that the filming process was anything but uncomfortable, despite the tone of the movie.

"The monster stuff was fun, crouching behind a desk with a monster breaking down the wall," she said. "But you had to play it very straight. Once you start seeing the funny side of it, it doesn't work."

The film also gave Dalton an opportunity to work with esteemed actor, Tim Holt, who played John Twillinger. Dalton remembered him fondly, offering him the highest praise anyone can give an actor: that they weren't like an actor at all.

"Tim Holt had come out of retirement to do this movie. He was a quiet, very nice man—the most "unactor" actor that I ever worked with."

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25 Comments

Runeshaper 28 days ago
Sounds like she really enjoyed making this movie (-:
KawiVulc 29 days ago
Audrey Dalton was a cutie, especially in the early 50's Titanic. Love it when she shows up on westerns!
MeFanFromSavan 30 days ago
Audrey Dalton was like the Vivien Leigh of television.
I think when providing these interviews there should be a picture of an Audrey Dalton.
or whomever. Especially as you described her as a Vivian Leigh type.
justjeff MikefromJersey 28 days ago
[image=https://weigel-comments.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Ep4wy-1728325104-images.jpg]
MikefromJersey justjeff 28 days ago
Whoa. Thank you.
justjeff MikefromJersey 28 days ago
You're welcome... Remember when MeTV fails you, Google steps in! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
scp 1 month ago
I like "The Monster That Challenged the World," but that little girl is one of the most irritating characters I've ever seen.
MannyOlavarria scp 29 days ago
Irritating was the girl in the Twilight Zone episode Caesar and Me. I was hoping the dummy would do something to her.
Mark MannyOlavarria 29 days ago
That little girl grew up to be glamorous Morgan Brittany, known for roles on Dallas and other shows.
Snickers scp 28 days ago
Then you never saw Dakota Fanning's character on the the remake of "War of the Worlds". She was so irritating I was hoping she would get the heat ray.
MannyOlavarria Mark 28 days ago
Wow! I remember Morgan Brittany! Thanks for the info.
MannyOlavarria Snickers 28 days ago
Lol! She could’ve been a secret weapon against the aliens.
Snickers MannyOlavarria 27 days ago
You got that right!
MichaelGreene 1 month ago
In a number of these 1950s creature features, the actors had to react to things that would not be there when the actors' filming was done, and would be added by the SFX folks later on. Sometimes (like the 1953 War of the Worlds), the reactions would be memorable. In some(like 1957's "The Giant Claw"), the reactions were unintentially hilarious, considering what that movie's monster was like.
Spaceseed MichaelGreene 30 days ago
Bird was made in Mexico.
Snickers Spaceseed 28 days ago
I thought it was made in China everything else seems to be.
tootsieg 1 month ago
Loved the shout out to Tim Holt. My favorite “cowboy”.
MrsPhilHarris tootsieg 28 days ago
Loved him in The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre.
tootsieg MrsPhilHarris 27 days ago
Same here. A great movie.
cperrynaples 1 month ago
Yes, this movie will be on Svenghoolie tonight! And I believe Tim Holt will get the Perry Mason joke...LOL!
PS just saw the new Matlock and it's pretty good! Loved the inside joke EXCEPT the Andy Griffith version ran from 1986 to 1995 NOT 1984-1992! I also loved that Kathy Bates grew up in Naples, where I live!
justjeff cperrynaples 28 days ago
Hang in there, what with the hurricane possibly coming your way... Best wishes for a safe passage through the storm...
Snickers cperrynaples 28 days ago
Ditto. Stay safe and take care.
Spaceseed 1 month ago
A favorite monster of mine. Audrey was beautiful.
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