{"id":73479,"date":"2021-07-03T08:57:47","date_gmt":"2021-07-03T15:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=73479"},"modified":"2022-02-15T23:49:32","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T06:49:32","slug":"satan-bug-the-1965","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=73479","title":{"rendered":"Satan Bug, The (1965)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;A virus &#8212; airborne, but self-perpetuating. Indestructible. Once released it will multiply at a power beyond our calculations.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Poster-198x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-73480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Poster-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Poster-178x270.png 178w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Poster.png 575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a life-destroying virus is stolen from a biological warfare lab, a former private investigator and intelligence agent (George Maharis) is recruited to help track down the lunatic (Richard Basehart) who threatens the existence of the world.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anne Francis Films<\/li>\n<li>Dana Andrews Films<\/li>\n<li>John Sturges Films<\/li>\n<li>Richard Basehart Films<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<li>Scientists <\/li>\n<li>World Domination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDescribed <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Satan_Bug\">on Wikipedia<\/a> as a &#8220;crime science fiction suspense film&#8221;, this adaptation of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Satan_Bug_(novel)\">Alistair MacLean&#8217;s 1962 novel<\/a> is an ultimately disappointing entry in this subgenre. After living through a year+ of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was deeply interested in watching a film about how a lethal virus might be let loose on the planet &#8212; yet the first half-hour consists primarily of elaborate set-up and talk. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1965\/04\/15\/archives\/the-satan-bug-brings-a-talented-cast.html\">Bosley Crowther of The New York Times<\/a> got it right in the opening lines of his review:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;For all the talented people who worked on or in <em>The Satan Bug<\/em>&#8230; this highfalutin drama about stolen death germs and hot pursuit has much the triteness and monotony of an average serial television show. That is because its information is mainly conveyed in talk rather than in the kind of action that makes for excitement and suspense.&#8221; <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Attempts are made to inject suspense and tension &#8212; as when Maharis (handsome but bland) suits up to enter a lab he may not return from alive: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Suit-Up.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and the numerous times when a vial of astronomically lethal liquid is seconds away from shattering and spreading: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Vials.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; but it&#8217;s somehow not as compelling as it could (and very much should) be. With that said, director John Sturges and DP Robert Surtees make excellent use of location shooting opportunities across Southern California:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Pool.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; including an encounter in Palm Springs and the climax in Dodger Stadium. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73482\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Locales.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch for Dana Andrews in a minor role as the father of Maharis&#8217;s lover (Anne Francis): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Francis-Andrews.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Richard Bull (of &#8220;Little House on the Prairie&#8221; fame) as one among several besuited men attempting to handle the situation: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Bull.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Robert Surtees&#8217; cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Effective location shooting in Southern California<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Cinematography3.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Palm-Springs.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>De Patie-Freleng&#8217;s creative opening credits<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-73486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Satan-Bug-Titles.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jerry Goldsmith&#8217;s score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo; you can skip this one unless you&#8217;re curious. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0059678\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1965\/04\/15\/archives\/the-satan-bug-brings-a-talented-cast.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/69764\/satan-bug-the\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/sciencefiction\/satan-bug-1965.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/17754\/the-satan-bug#articles-reviews?articleId=28059\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;A virus &#8212; airborne, but self-perpetuating. Indestructible. Once released it will multiply at a power beyond our calculations.&#8221; Synopsis: When a life-destroying virus is stolen from a biological warfare lab, a former private investigator and intelligence agent (George Maharis) is recruited to help track down the lunatic (Richard Basehart) who threatens the existence of the world. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Anne Francis Films Dana Andrews Films John Sturges Films Richard Basehart Films Science Fiction Scientists World Domination Review: Described&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=73479\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=73479"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81299,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73479\/revisions\/81299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=73479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=73479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=73479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}