Rather than McQueen , the star performers of The Blob were Thomas Spalding and Barton Sloane 's special effects .
`` The New York Times , November 7 , 1958.Variety had a similar reaction , seeing McQueen as the star , gamely `` '' giving the old college try '' '' but that the `` '' ... Star performers , however , are the camerawork of Thomas Spalding and Barton Sloaneï¿½s special effects . ''
The Blob