Name: The Bubble
Director: Arch Oboler
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: 1966-12-21
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 4.8
Cast: Michael Cole, Deborah Walley, Johnny Desmond, Kassie McMahon, Virginia Gregg

The 60s sci-fi fever dream that makes Plan 9 look like Kubrick.

so-bad-it's-goodpsychedelic camplow-budget ambition

Overview

Science Fiction

A couple encounter mysterious atmospheric effects in an airplane and find themselves in a town where people behave oddly.

Content warning

trance domed city

conformity vs. freedomillusion of safetytechnological paranoialost identity

Standout Aspects

Practical Effects

Bubble effects so janky they transcend into accidental art.

Direction

Arch Oboler's 3D obsession produces glorious visual chaos.

Best for:Friends·Background

Heads up:Disturbing

Director

Arch Oboler

ReleasedDec 21, 1966

Runtime1h 52m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feellight

Arch Oboler Productions

Top Cast

Michael Cole

Mark

Deborah Walley

Catherine

Johnny Desmond

Tony Herric

Virginia Gregg

Ticket Cashier

Barbara Eiler

Nurse

Vic Perrin

Taxi Driver (as Victor Perrin)

Olan Soule

Watch Repairman

Ask about The Bubble

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Shot in 'Space-Vision' 3D, a single-strip over/under format that required special projectors—most audiences saw it flat and very, very confused.

Cultural

Oboler was a radio legend who blew his fortune on this and 1962's similar flop The Twonky, essentially inventing the 'auteur with more vision than skill' archetype decades before it became standard in Hollywood.