When you have no money and lack resources, the only thing filmmakers have control over is the story. The Thing From Another World is not exactly Shakespeare. For the most part, it is a straight narrative with interesting themes woven throughout. The dialogue services the plot and is primarily expository. There are some side relationships, like between expedition leader Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) and mission specialist… I mean, secretary Nikki Nicholson (Margaret Sheridan).
It also reflects the values of America at the time. The nation was more pro-Military than they were pro-Science or pro-Environment. The U.S. military would love to get their hands on alien weapons and flying saucer technology. As the monster is on its killing spree, we have Dr. Carrington as the sole source of empathy for the alien stuck on a hostile planet. He pleads with the military regimen to show kindness and respect, and in 50s-fashion, the notion is laughed off, and our crew returns to Alien hunting.
“…the evolution of genre storytelling and how far it has come…”
The only way to watch older films is to put ourselves in the shoes of movie-goers from that time. In this case, the big studios, RKO, just needed to produce content (yeah, nothing’s changed) for their theater chains. Families needed something cheap to do on the weekends. What hasn’t changed is our need to be transported to a different world and feel love, patriotism, and in this case, frightened. Then again, I’m wondering just how scared those audiences were? How serious were genre films taken at that time?
Yes, The Thing From Another World is antiquated sci-fi, horror but it’s hard not to remark on the evolution of genre storytelling and how far it has come for a medium that is still relatively new. If anything, Nyby and Hawks’ film will appeal to cinephiles or at least make for a few good mocking laughs.
"…I'm wondering just how scared those audiences were?"
I consider The Thing from Another World the best science fiction movie I’ve ever seen. I’ve watched it over 100 times and it never gets old. The best scene is when they try to figure out the size and shape of the object. It gives me chills every time. No other movie comes close.