History Museum screens sci-fi cult classic

The Northwest Montana History Museum’s next Movie Night at the Museum will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, with the 1957 low-budget sci-fi classic “Plan 9 from Outer Space.”

What do you get when you combine famous schlock director Ed Wood, posthumous footage of Bela Legosi, and a plot about aliens wielding a weapon to resurrect the dead on Planet Earth? You get the sci-fi “classic” “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” one of the first cult films and the movie that defined “so-bad-its-good” cinema.

Like a lot of B-cinema, “Plan 9” seemed doomed to obscurity. That all changed in 1980, when film critics Harry and Michael Medved published a book called “The Golden Turkey Awards: The Worst Achievements in Hollywood History,” where they named “Plan 9” "the worst movie ever made." The book became a bestseller, and readers suddenly needed to experience the "quality" of “Plan 9” for themselves. It became a cult classic almost overnight.

Even Seinfeld got in on the fun:

“This isn’t ‘Plans One Through Eight from Outer Space,” Jerry tells Elaine in a season two episode of the sitcom. "This is ‘Plan 9.’ The one that worked. The worst movie ever made!"

Of course, there is no Plan One through Eight. The eventual title was a poor marketing decision by director Wood, and certainly not the smallest mistake made in the film's production.

If you have a cough, a fever, or are feeling under the weather, plan to visit the museum some other time; not only for your own health, but for the well-being of the staff and other supporters.

There is no charge for the film, and donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of showing the films. Popcorn is also free; wine, beer, pop and water will be for sale. Seating is provided, but film fans can bring their own floor pillows, portable chairs, or whatever is comfortable for viewing the film.

The Northwest Montana History Museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E., in Kalispell. Call 406-756-8381 for more information.