James Arness in an autographed publicity still as The Thing (1951)

James Arness behind the scenes of The Thing (1951) in an image first appearing in Life Magazine.

James Arness did not attend the premiere of The Thing (1951) because he was embarrassed by his role.

The original script for The Thing (1951) featured an inhuman-looking creature looking almost exactly like the novel’s creature in its original form…blue-skinned, with three red eyes, a sucker mouth and stringy hair.

indoor scenes in The Thing (1951) were filmed at a Los Angeles ice storage plant.

James Arness grabs a 2×4 as The Thing (1951)

James Arness behind the scenes of The Thing (1951)

James Arness as The Thing (1951) menacing one of the scientists.

The Thing

James Arness as The Thing (1951)

The Thing

James Arness behind the scenes as The Thing (1951)

The Thing

James Arness behind the scenes of The Thing (1951)

The Thing

James Arness in an autographed publicity still as The Thing (1951)

The Thing

magazine article on The Thing (1951)

The Thing

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James Arness in The Thing (1951) on the cover of the 25th anniversary edition of a movie catalog.

The Thing

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James Arness and his much smaller stand in in an autographed publicity still for The Thing (1951), and a close-up of them.