Review of It Came from Outer Space (1953) by Masorad ( — 16 Apr 2009

"He's more than odd, he's individual and lonely. He's a man who thinks for himself." So sayeth Dr Snell, 50s establishment mouthpiece, about our protagonist John Putnam- a man who could be forgiven for believing what he sees and having the conviction to stand up against the real heads-buried-in-sand.

Bradbury's tale is an oddity in the sci-fi/red scare genre, with characters who give an informed benefit of the doubt despite the building hysteria. The hysteria is sadly home-grown, although one wishes it had come from outer space.