The Thing

In 1982 John Carpenter unleashed The Thing. I didn't know it at the time but it was based on the novella "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell. I read it was freaked out.

But what Carpenter does in The Thing is create a near perfect sci-fi/horror film.

Here is the original trailer

I recall seeing this on HBO in 1983. My parents were out doing yard work, and I snuck into the house. We would never actually pay for HBO. We either had a free trial offer or we stole it by wrapping tin foil around the cable cord (it worked! But it came in in black and white).

I caught it right at the point where the doctor attempts to apply a defibrillator to one of the 'infected.' In the scene, the doctor applies the pads, and just as he presses down, the alien transforms the man's chest into a giant mouth. The doctor's hands sink in - all the way up to his forearms. Then the mouth shuts. The doctor screams and his arms are bitten/ripped off at the forearms.

Well, that was enough for me. I was outside all too happy to do yard work.

But that scene sparked my imagination and I never forgot it. Now, I show The Thing routinely in my sci-fi class.