The Giant Gila Monster
Encyclopedia
The Giant Gila Monster is a 1959 black-and-white science fiction film
directed by Ray Kellogg
, and produced by Ken Curtis
. It stars Don Sullivan, Lisa Simone, as well as Fred Graham, Shug Fisher
and Bob Thompson. This low-budget B-Movie
featured a cast of unknown actors, and the effects included a live gila monster
filmed on a scaled-down model landscape. The movie has been released on DVD and is considered a cult classic
.
attacks the car, sending it into the ravine and killing the couple. Later, some friends of the couple decide to assist the local sheriff (Fred Graham) in his search for the missing teens. Chase (Don Sullivan), a young mechanic and hot rod
racer, locates the crashed car in the ravine and finds evidence of the giant lizard
. However, it is only when the hungry reptile
attacks a train (a model train set substituted as a low-budget effect) that the authorities realize they are dealing with a (roughly) 70-foot poisonous lizard. By this time, emboldened by its attacks and hungry for prey, the creature attacks the local town. It soon makes straight for the local dance hall where all the teenagers had gathered for a sock hop
. However, Chase packs his prized hot rod with nitroglycerin and rigs it to speed straight into the monster, terminating the lizard in a fiery explosion and heroically saving the town.
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
directed by Ray Kellogg
Ray Kellogg
Edgar Ray Kellogg was an American film director from Iowa.During World War II, Kellogg was a US Navy Lieutenant with the O.S.S. Field Photographing Branch where he became acquainted with John Ford....
, and produced by Ken Curtis
Ken Curtis
Ken Curtis was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running CBS western television series Gunsmoke.-Early years:...
. It stars Don Sullivan, Lisa Simone, as well as Fred Graham, Shug Fisher
Shug Fisher
Shug Fisher , born George Clinton Fisher, Jr., was an American character actor, singer, songwriter, musician and comedian. During a 50-year career, he appeared in many Western films, often as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers in Roy Rogers serials...
and Bob Thompson. This low-budget B-Movie
B-movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
featured a cast of unknown actors, and the effects included a live gila monster
Gila monster
The Gila monster is a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexican state of Sonora...
filmed on a scaled-down model landscape. The movie has been released on DVD and is considered a cult classic
Cult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
.
Synopsis
The movie opens with a young couple parked in a bleak, rural locale overlooking a ravine. A giant gila monsterGila monster
The Gila monster is a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexican state of Sonora...
attacks the car, sending it into the ravine and killing the couple. Later, some friends of the couple decide to assist the local sheriff (Fred Graham) in his search for the missing teens. Chase (Don Sullivan), a young mechanic and hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
racer, locates the crashed car in the ravine and finds evidence of the giant lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
. However, it is only when the hungry reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
attacks a train (a model train set substituted as a low-budget effect) that the authorities realize they are dealing with a (roughly) 70-foot poisonous lizard. By this time, emboldened by its attacks and hungry for prey, the creature attacks the local town. It soon makes straight for the local dance hall where all the teenagers had gathered for a sock hop
Sock Hop
The sock hop was an informal sponsored dance at American high schools, typically held in the high school's own gym or cafeteria. The term sock hop came about because dancers were required to remove their shoes to protect the varnished floor of the gymnasium. These hops were a cultural feature of...
. However, Chase packs his prized hot rod with nitroglycerin and rigs it to speed straight into the monster, terminating the lizard in a fiery explosion and heroically saving the town.
DVD releases
- In addition to being featured on numerous "bargain box" discs, The Giant Gila Monster has been restored in color and released as a double-feature, alongside The Killer ShrewsThe Killer ShrewsThe Killer Shrews is a 1959 science fiction film directed by Ray Kellogg. It has been released on DVD and is considered a cult classic. It was featured in the fourth season of Mystery Science Theater 3000, as well as the first season of the similar show This Movie Sucks!.-Plot:Thorne Sherman and...
, by Legend FilmsLegend FilmsLegend Films, a San Diego-based company, was founded in August 2001. The company specializes in the conversion of feature films, both new release and catalog titles, and commercials from their native 2D format into 3-D film format utilizing proprietary technology and software...
.
- The MST3K version, along with an exclusive interview with star Don Sullivan, has been released by Rhino Home VideoRhino EntertainmentRhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
, as part of the Collection, Volume 10.2 box set. Rhino also offered an individual disk for purchase on their web site (for those who already bought the now-recalled Volume 10 and who don't want to buy the additional box set). The single DVD is now out-of-print, due to only being available for a limited-time only. Both DVDs are now out of print on Rhino's website, but only Volume 10.2 is still available on Mst3k's website.
- The Giant Gila Monster was also released as part of the "Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack" DVD box set.