BY BILL ENGAR

ALL-NEW “LOST AURORA” KIT FROM ATLANTIS MODELS – EASY TO BUILD – ICONIC “SCARY ALIEN” FIGURE INFLUENCED MANY FUTURE MOVIES AND TV SHOWS – FOR AGES 14 AND UP – PAINT, GLUE, AND INTEROCITER NOT INCLUDED

#3005 -- LIMITED EDITION -- MSRP $US39.99 -- 27 PARTS MOLDED IN LIGHT BLUE METALLIC STYRENE PLASTIC -- 7 INCHES TALL (APPROX 18 CM)

​Atlantis Models has released their Metaluna Mutant!  This is an ALL NEW styrene figure kit created from original Aurora company masters!  Aurora Models prepared to release a new science fiction kit line in the mid-1970’s, but alas, it did not happen.  They created artwork for Metaluna Mutant, designed the kit and produced masters, but cancelled the kit prior to cutting tooling for a mold.  The company went out of business soon after.  Monogram Models bought Aurora’s assets in the late 1970’s and merged with Revell about ten years later.

When Atlantis Models acquired many assets of a bankrupt Revell USA in 2018, they found a treasure trove of other items aside from hundreds of classic toolings.  Aurora Models preserved the Metaluna patterns and Atlantis has used these masters to create brand new tooling for the injection-molded styrene kit to be released in 2022.

Original Aurora box art, first created in the 1970's, has not seen the light of day on a styrene model kit prior to the Atlantis release.  It's truly a lost classic.

Metaluna Mutant was featured in the science fiction classic 1955 movie, “This Island Earth.”  Near the end of the movie, this bioengineered life form sneaks onto an escape craft fleeing an exploding planet.  It emerges from hiding and threatens the raven-haired heroine.  Perhaps this 1955 plot sounds familiar from a much newer movie.  We’ll discuss the particulars in our bonus features.  Metaluna Mutant was a landmark movie alien design and has an important place in science fiction movie history.  We’ll discuss that as well.

27 styrene plastic parts molded in light blue metallic make up the kit.  When built, the figure is 7" tall.  In 1/12, this scales out to be 7 feet tall, which is just right for the alien threat from another world!

Metaluna Mutant is molded in 27 light-blue metallic styrene parts.  The figure is designed with posable arms and claws.  It’s much easier to build than an interociter.  While the kit was very recently tooled, the build experience will have a vintage vibe with some minor sinkholes and flash.  It should be comparable to many modern and vintage styrene figure kits.

Metaluna's head has authentic insectoid detailing and an oversized, exposed brain.

Metaluna's oversize arms and carapace-like backpiece.  Be a little careful with your gluing and the figures arms are posable!

The sculpt and parts are a good representation of “Metaluna Mutant” as seen in the movie.  The kit was made to the high standards of figure sculpting that made Aurora Models famous.  Of course, it was Aurora’s pattern makers that did the sculpt; Atlantis Models simply finished their work by cutting model kit tooling from the Aurora-made masters.

Metluna's torso and trouser-like legs!  The suit used for the movie was supposed to have a segmented insect look, but the effect didn't work.  The model matches the movie alien!

The back of the figure's head depicts Metaluna's bi-lobed brain.  Base, feet, claws, eyes and display base "clapper" nameplate finish out this sprue.

Infamously, the movie costume makers experienced trouble with the bottom half of the costume.  Instead of insect-like plates, the legs were simply made from a pair of trousers and painted to match the rest of the costume.  It appears this way in the movie.  Atlantis/Aurora stuck with the trousers-look to keep authenticity to the film-appearance of the Mutant.

The figure is easy to put together thanks to a low parts count and good instructions.  There are no actual painting instructions, but the back of the box is very helpful and we'll include some screen shots of Metaluna Mutant in our bonus features as an accurate reference.

The back of the box has a nicely built-up model that can be used as a painting reference.

​Instructions consist of a single two-sided sheet with clear diagrams that guide assembly. 
 
Arms swivel at the shoulders, elbows and pincers are posable as well.  Take note in the instructions not to use glue where assembly is indicated by dotted lines if you want the model to have posable arms.  Solid lines mean use glue.  It’s pretty simple. 
 
There are no actual painting instructions on the instruction sheet, but the scheme is straightforward and a photograph of a built model on the back of the box gives a good idea of how Metaluna Mutant can be painted to look like the movie.  Like the build, his color scheme is easy; he’s a light blue color, a reasonable facsimile of which is provided by the kit plastic.  Certain details are red and his claws appear to be a horn-color in the movie; they’re yellowish on the back of the box.  We’ll provide some screen shots from the movie to aid painting in our bonus features accompanying this article.

The kit includes a very nice base with an “atom” diagram.  Those familiar with the movie will remember that such Bohr atom-style imagery is heavily used in the film; the movie was released in 1955 during a time when atomic power was seen as new and futuristic.  A filmmaker’s clapboard is included as a small nameplate; you’ll cut a stamp-sized placard out of the instructions to affix to this piece to finish the kit’s nameplate.  If you don’t want to cut your instructions, you can always make a copy.  We’d recommend use of Testors Clear Window Maker and Parts Cement to glue the piece of paper to the plastic part and you can spray it with some clear sealer later after it dries.

Metaluna Mutant comes in a square box like some of Atlantis' other classic figure kits.  And, Atlantis Models makes their kits in the USA!

Here's what you'll see when you first pop the lid off your Metaluna Mutant kit!

In addition to the historic nature of the subject portrayed, this model kit has a history spanning over four decades and as many companies.  It may represent perhaps a record for the length of development time for a model kit!  As a “Lost Aurora” monster kit, it will likely become a collector’s item.
 
We’re very impressed with Atlantis Models’ interpretation of Metaluna Mutant.  Atlantis is known for re-releases of classic subjects from legacy tooling made by former companies, but they have also released a few “all new,” original kits.  We hope to see more of them!  We give Atlantis Models’ Metaluna Mutant an enthusiastic four thumbs up!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THIS MODEL KIT TO REVIEW AND ENJOY!  CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT MODEL KITS AVAILABLE AT ATLANTIS-MODELS.COM!
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BONUS FEATURES

WHAT THE HECK IS AN INTEROCITER?   OR -- ABOUT "THIS ISLAND EARTH"

Over time, the image of Metaluna Mutant is what is most remembered from This Island Earth.  The scientist-characters are about the same as any other sci-fi movie from the period.

​“This Island Earth“ is a classic 1955 science fiction movie.  Humanoids from the planet Metaluna recruit Earth scientists to help them acquire uranium needed to continue a war against another alien race on their own besieged planet.  Hunky scientist-pilot Cal Meacham passes the audition by assembling a mysterious interociter from found Metalunan parts.  An interociter was a big console with a triangle-screen that was a communications terminal/energy transfer device.
 
Fast forward to the end of the movie; Meacham and his old-flame Dr. Ruth Adams flee the exploding planet Metaluna and are threatened on their way by the scary Metaluna Mutant.

The Metaluna Mutant is perhaps the most enduring part of This Island Earth.  The rest of the movie hasn’t aged quite as well as other classics like "The Day the Earth Stood Still."  "This Island Earth" has in fact been given the MST3K treatment (lampooned on "Mystery Science Theater 3000"), not the sort of legacy any film director would cherish.

The first view of Metaluna Mutant, perhaps the scariest-looking space alien up to 1955 when "This Island Earth" was first made...

...And the reaction of the scientist-characters when seeing the mutant for the first time.  Like many classic movies with scary monsters, Metaluna's scenes were kept short to let the viewer's imagination fill in the gaps. 

Interestingly, the actors and director were less than enthusiastic about the inclusion of Metaluna Mutant in the picture in the first place.  However, the studio, Universal-International, wanted a monster along the lines of Creature From the Black Lagoon in the movie.  Of course Universal Studios was already known for its beloved monster movies, going back over 20 years prior to the making of This Island Earth.

Scientist Cal Meacham won't be able to help his old flame Dr. Ruth Adams fight off Metaluna Mutant in time.  What will happen next?

This screen-grab photo of Metaluna Mutant provides excellent painting reference for the Atlantis kit.  The blue metallic plastic is a pretty nice facsimile of Metaluna Mutant's finish.  Special effects artists actually used ketchup since stage-blood stained the costume.

Perhaps the decision that etched Metaluna Mutant into cinematic monster history was involving legendary makeup man Bud Westmore.  Westmore utilized a creative team to design and build the creature.  Milicent Patrick, designer of the famous Gill Man from Creature from the Black Lagoon designed Metaluna Mutant.  The concept was based on an unused idea from 1953’s "It Came From Outer Space."  Artists who actually made the costume included Jack Kevan, Bob Dawn, John Kraus, and Beau Hickman.  While Westmore is often credited with creating the Metaluna Mutant,  his role was managerial and the former-named individuals actually did the heavy lifting to make it happen.

This classic poster features Metaluna Mutant.  If director and actors were jaundiced on his inclusion, theater-goers loved the new "bug-eyed monster."

Many sci-fi movies were still being filmed in black-and-white in 1955.  Universal International, known today as Universal, utilized color to lavish effect in many scenes in "This Island Earth."  Here we see the interior of the Metalunan spaceship.  Note the "atom" iconography.  It's prevalent throughout the entire picture.  Atomic-everything was the wave of the future in 1955.

2022:  The classic Aurora monster model kit collection gets a new kit with the debut of Atlantis Models' Metaluna Mutant!

The costume was made out of foam rubber and fiberglass.  With actor/stuntman Regis Parton in the large-headed costume, Metaluna Mutant measured out at seven feet tall.  Makeup blood stained the costume, so ketchup was simply used instead.

As mentioned previously, the Mutant costume's planned legs didn't work and a pair of trousers was famously used instead.  This didn't bother audiences much; the Metaluna Mutant menaced his way into science fiction movie history anyway.  Next, we'll explore how many themes used in This Island Earth affected other movies made decades after.

At time of posting, "This Island Earth" can be seen free on YouTube!  Spoiler--Metaluna Mutant doesn't show up until late in the movie.  But there are a lot of awesome-for-the-time special effects and cool sci-fi stuff, so you'll enjoy watching the whole thing if you haven't seen it already. 

AVIATION GEEK ALERT:  This Island Earth has some great aviation scenes with a gorgeous T-33A Shooting Star, automated DC-3/C-47, and a very nice Stinson 108-1!

In 1955, Metaluna Mutant joined the exclusive group of iconic Universal movie monsters including Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula, Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera, The Mummy, and The Creature.  In 2022, Atlantis Models immortalized Aurora Models' unfinished Metaluna Mutant kit in styrene plastic for the first time.  Add it to your collection today!

MUTATIONS:  THEMES AND THINGS FROM "THIS ISLAND EARTH" THAT AFFECTED OTHER CLASSIC MOVIES AND TV

EXTRATERRESTRIALS PRIOR "TO THIS ISLAND EARTH"

Prior to "This Island Earth," depiction of space aliens was spotty at best.  There were a few hits but quite a few misses.

That's James Arness in "The Thing From Another World" (1951).  This monster treatment is reminiscent of Frankenstein's Monster of 1931.  Arness would later make a name for himself as Marshall Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke."  Why was Arness cast as The Thing?  Perhaps his 6'7" height had something to do with it.

Gort (left), and Klaatu, from "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951).  Gort the robot was threatening enough that a generation of kids memorized the expression, "Klaatu barada nikto."  Those who remember the movie will understand.

The conclusion of World War II created a seismic jolt in American culture that affected entertainment forever after.  The detonation of the top-secret atomic bomb that ended the War in Japan was an unexpected surprise when announced and once the war ended, Americans realized it was scientists who came up with the atomic bomb that by most accounts shortened the war and ironically saved perhaps millions of lives.  The science behind The Bomb was unfamiliar and probably a bit scary to those who had never heard of it.  Suddenly, the new technology became a topic for movies and the science fiction genre was seriously jumpstarted.   In 1951, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" directly took on the considerations of nuclear proliferation, a relatively new topic worldwide at the time. 

"Superman and the Mole Men," 1951.  Is it just me, or are these guys a little bit reminiscent of the Ewoks in 1983's "Return of the Jedi"?

"Killers from Space" (1954).  The eye effect was done with parts cut from a plastic egg tray.  This sort of budgeting is similar to that of our own YouTube channel.  Our Atlantis PBY video cost $6 to make.

The suit effects from "Radar Men from the Moon" (1952) have not aged particularly well, either.

A number of movies combined extraterrestrial themes with down-to-Earth concerns with varying levels of success.  "The Thing From Another World" put a Frankenstein's Monster-type alien in a remote Arctic setting.  Subdued lighting and careful cinematography assured that the alien threat was perhaps more imagined than seen by the viewer.  The creeping threat of Communism and technological overreach were themes explored.

"The Man from Planet X" explored the possibilities of truly alien faces in this invaders-from-space picture.  "Invaders from Mars" and "War of the Worlds" applied varying approaches to the alien invaders theme with "Invaders from Mars" taking the subtle approach.  George Pal's "War of the Worlds" was anything but subtle with its all-out technological war machine assault.  "Killers from Space" featured James Arness' brother Peter.  To differentiate his career, Peter Arness utilized the last name Graves, which came from his mother's family.

"Invaders from Mars" utilized gold makeup and add-on head and tentacle appliances.

"The Man from Planet X" utilized a sculpted head that re-proportioned a human face into something "alien."

"War of the Worlds" utilized mechanical "martians" with pulsing veins.

Finally, it was producers of "This Island Earth" who decided it was time for a memorable extraterrestrial "scary monster" and Metaluna Mutant was born.  "This Island Earth" used interesting makeup effects for its less-remembered alien characters, the regular Metalunans.  Bud Westmore created the almost subtle forehead appliances for the actors to suggest a larger brain and thus greater intelligence for the humanoid Metalunans.

Metalunan Exeter communicates from a distant planet thanks to the first interociter on earth, built from parts and instructions by scientist Cal Meacham, at right.  There's another "atom" symbol.

A closeup of Exeter, played by actor Jeff Morrow.  Forehead appliance courtesy Bud Westmore.  The Westmore name is legendary in Hollywood for creature effects and appliance-type makeup.

Initially, the Metalunans are portrayed as a benevolent race needing assistance from Earth in the form of scientific expertise and materials, specifically, Earth's uranium supply.  As time goes on, however, it is learned that the sacrifices needed from Earth may be much more than first stated.  In the film, one of the human characters points out the center forehead crease that the Metalunan humanoids possess.  It's a subtle reference that seems to grow in significance and perhaps it's no coincidence that the Metaluna Mutant, a bioengineered slave-creature created by the Metalunans, has the same sort of crease in his enlarged brain.  If the humanoid Metalunan's intentions are nuanced, the Metaluna Mutant hides no pretenses; he's just plain malevolent, symbolizing the evil side of the Metalunans.

By the end of the movie (spoiler), the hostile plans of the Metalunans for planet Earth become apparent and the appearance of the Metaluna Mutant helps reinforce this notion once the scientist characters are directly threatened by it.  If (spoiler) Metaluna Mutant didn't become a raging menace with a high body count, the inspiration was there for a number of following movies to take this theme further.  It'll be fun to see the different ways that "This Island Earth" perhaps influenced movies and even TV shows that followed; stick with us!
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AFTER THIS ISLAND EARTH:  THE MOVIE'S BRANCHES

STUCK ON THE ISLAND:  THIS ISLAND EARTH LANDS ON GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

Russell Johnson plays a scientist in a supporting role in "This Island Earth."  The actor demonstrated his ability to recite scientific lingo with a natural delivery in this movie.

Russell Johnson plays a scientist in "Gilligan's Island." The Professor could fabricate anything out of coconuts and bamboo--except repairs for the boat.

Of all the actors in "This Island Earth," perhaps Russell Johnson is remembered most by the average viewer today.  Johnson likely gained his ability to naturally rattle off technical dialogue from his WWII aviation officer training.  A real WWII war hero, he flew 44 B-25 missions as a bombardier.  In 1945, his B-25 was shot down during a Philippines campaign.  He broke both his ankles in a ditch-landing and the co-pilot died.  Johnson received an Air Medal and Purple Heart in addition to other honors for his military service.  He used his GI Bill benefits after the war for his acting studies.

Johnson had a number of roles including westerns and science fiction before landing the part of The Professor in 1964 which gave him lasting fame.  While Gilligan's Island ran for only three seasons, the show became a huge hit in syndication and ran for many years in the afternoon.  It became a favorite to a generation of kids tuning in after coming home from school.  It continued to run on many cable networks and is shown regularly, still beloved to this day.

METALUNA MUTANT:  AN ALIEN'S ALIEN

Metaluna Mutant was a classic "guy in a suit" alien.  This theme was expanded upon dramatically in 1979's "Alien."  Two years before, the original "Star Wars" jump-started the aging science fiction movie industry by creating a space-fantasy that updated story lines and special effects to state-of-the-art thanks to the imagination of George Lucas.

Dark Star's somewhat comical "beachball" alien directly influenced the phenomenal "Alien" 1979 horror film.  Dan O'Bannon pretty much expanded on his alien beach ball sequence in "Dark Star" to come up with the nasty 1979 xenomorph-monster character.  Instead of a dime-store beachball, the same "guy-in-a-suit" concept was used that brought Metaluna Mutant to life.  Swiss artist H.R. Giger's surrealistic biomechanical depictions inspired the look of "Alien."

With Star Wars being a huge hit, competing studios quickly developed films that would exploit a renewed interest in Science fiction movies.  At 20th Century Fox, an idea was explored that would combine space-science fiction special effects with classic horror film concepts and the movie, "Alien" was born.  Writer Dan O'Bannon used many concepts from the student film he produced with John Carpenter known as "Dark Star" for the story he wrote for "Alien."

The end-sequence of "Alien" (1979) is pretty much lifted from, or is at very least coincidentally similar to the ending in "This Island Earth."  Sigourney Weaver's escaping Ripley character is menaced by a threatening, genetically engineered monster that sneaks on board her escape craft. 

Dan O'Bannon's alien beach ball character had clawed hands that were rubber gloves to a store-bought "Creature From the Black Lagoon" costume.  Recall that  Creature and Metaluna Mutant were both designed by Milicent Patrick.  Nick Castle did the beachball "suit-performance" in Dark Star.  Nick would later direct 1984's "The Last Starfighter," a sci-fi movie known for being the first to use many scenes containing completely computer-generated (CGI) spacecraft.

MORE BRAIN-PAIN:  MARS ATTACKS

Kids loved to be scared by gory "Mars Attacks!" images such as these.  During the same period, Aurora's Monster models became a surprise hit.  Our page on this topic is one of the most popular on the Internet; don't forget to check it out.

Parents found "Mars Attacks!" images such as these the most disturbing.

In 1996, director Tim Burton made a feature film about "Mars Attacks!"  Many of the human characters in his dark comedy were just as loathsome as the aliens.  Burton actually made his special effects look low-budget on purpose as an homage to many classic sci-fi films from decades before.

"Mars Attacks!" was a set of bubblegum-style trading cards from Topps that debuted in 1962.  Sci-fi artists Wally Wood and Norman Saunders created a number of violent and disturbing images that kids loved and parents loathed.  Based on a human skull, the distended, exposed brains of the Topps Martians are very similar to that of the Metaluna Mutant.  The original series had 65 trading cards; you could get a handful for 5 cents.  You'd have to buy quite a few packs to collect the entire set or swap with your friends to get the ones you wanted.  Parental outcry caused an early discontinuation of the set.  Perhaps the fact that these cards were on sale during the Cuban Missile Crisis had parents extra-edgy.

A PLOT RECYCLED:  THE 1980'S "V" MINISERIES

Kenneth Johnson had a lot of experience with Science Fiction in the 1970's with "The Bionic Woman" and "The Incredible Hulk," a pair of hit series.  In 1983, he debuted the first TV miniseries, "V."  A set of technologically superior humanoids arrive on earth.  They claim to need help in the form of some of Earths natural resources.  In return, they promise to share their technology and cure human disease.  As time goes by, however, it is learned that they have less than benevolent plans for Earth and its people.  This plot is pretty much identical to This Island Earth.

The "Visitors" in "V" appear to be very human on the surface, but they hide some shocking secrets.   We later learn that the Visitors are at war against an unseen enemy.  In This Island Earth, the Metalunans have the same problem. 

​STEPHEN SPIELBERG PAYS HOMAGE TO "THIS ISLAND EARTH" IN ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED FILMS EVER MADE

A short clip from "This Island Earth" is featured in "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" (1982).  During a scene where ET is watching TV while Elliott is at school, the clip where scientists Cal and Ruth are taken into the Metaluna spaceship while flying their Stinson is shown.  Apparently Mr. Spielberg had enough affection for this film that he inserted the brief scene into his own movie featuring an extraterrestrial.

Spielberg turned the alien invasion theme completely on its head in E.T.  As the scene with the "This Island Earth" TV matinee clip unfolds, Elliott is in his class preparing to dissect a frog, suggesting to the viewer that the same fate awaits ET himself.  It's the U.S. government that becomes the menace!  "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" was a mega-hit blockbuster that transcended the science fiction genre to become known as one of the greatest films of all time.  It was even more popular than Star Wars!

Elliott and his friends try to save ET from being captured by U.S. government officials in E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982)

The movie-in-a-movie in E.T. The Extraterrestrial.  It's a scene from "This Island Earth."  The classic "alien abduction" scene presents the common cultural attitude at the time that the extraterrestrials would always be the invaders.

ET's reaction to "This Island Earth."  Spielberg's masterpiece suggested that maybe we shouldn't worry so much about those we don't understand.  At its basic level, ET was a movie about friendship.