Trivia / Village of the Damned (1960)

• Contractual Obligation Project: George Sanders's reason for being in the film (he was under contract to MGM).
• Enforced Method Acting: The child actors had their heads clamped for close-ups where they had to remain completely still.
• Executive Meddling: In the original British release, the censors removed the Glowing Eyes of Doom effects when the children used their powers.
• No Budget: It was only made for £80,000 (which in today's currency would be just under £700,000).
• Not Screened for Critics: MGM didn't bother, as they thought the film would sink without a trace.
• Playing Against Type: George Sanders. Usually playing a slimy or intimidating villain, here he's a kindly and intelligent father figure.
• Reality Subtext: Martin Stephens had to film this only three weeks after his own father had passed away, resulting in some very real emotions spilling into David's relationship with his father.
• Referenced by...:
  • A Dennis the Menace Christmas: When Dennis' attempts to bring Christmas cheer to Mr. Wilson result in Henry and Alice owing Mr. Wilson approximately $45,000.00, they try to take their mind off it by watching television. Unfortunately for them, Children of the Damned is one of the movies playing on television, along with The Bad Seed (1956) and Rosemary's Baby.
  • Iron Maiden did a Filk Song mostly based on the sequel, given its name is "Children of the Damned".
• Shrug of God: Wolf Rilla didn't realise that the children's appearance resembled that of Hitler youths until later.
  "I'm convinced that was an unintentional subtext; after all, the war was still fresh in our memories."
• Sleeper Hit: MGM were convinced the film would be a flop and released it with very little fanfare. To their shock, positive word of mouth led to it grossing $2 million worldwide. People were reportedly queuing in the street to see it.
• Star-Making Role: Martin Stephens had smaller parts in films before this, which was his first starring role. It led to him starring in The Innocents next year.
• What Could Have Been:
  • The film was planned to be produced in Hollywood, with Ronald Colman in the lead role. Due to the then-controversial subject matter (virgin birth), it was shelved for three years. Colman passed away in the meantime. (And his replacement George Sanders became Happily Married to Colman's widow).
  • Russ Tamblyn was considered for a role.
  • A Spiritual Successor was planned, based on John Wyndham's novel The Chrysalids, but never materialised.
• Writing by the Seat of Your Pants: As the film was planned to be shot in America, Stirling Silliphant's original script had to be hastily re-worked to match British life more accurately. Director Wolf Rilla and producer Ronnie Kinnock had just one weekend to do it.
  Rilla: "I still don't think the script was as good as it could have been, but there simply wasn't time."

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