A new era of the B-movie was born in the 1950s. While the term originally referred to the second film in a double feature that defined much of the moviegoing experience during the Golden Age of Hollywood, a 1948 landmark Supreme Court antitrust ruling against major studios’ monopolistic practices upended the way films were distributed. While the traditional double feature waned, the demands of the burgeoning drive-in theater market gave way to the rise in independent genre films.
Two such low-budget B-movies made a mark in 1959: The Giant Gila Monster and The Killer Shrews. Produced by radio broadcasting magnate Gordon McLendon and future Gunsmoke actor Ken Curtis, the sci-fi horror movies were shot back-to-back in under three months with much of the same crew before being distributed together.
Both films are directed by Ray Kellogg, who had no prior directing experience, but his visual effects work on the likes of...
Two such low-budget B-movies made a mark in 1959: The Giant Gila Monster and The Killer Shrews. Produced by radio broadcasting magnate Gordon McLendon and future Gunsmoke actor Ken Curtis, the sci-fi horror movies were shot back-to-back in under three months with much of the same crew before being distributed together.
Both films are directed by Ray Kellogg, who had no prior directing experience, but his visual effects work on the likes of...
- 12/12/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
The premiere release from Film Masters—the new vintage film restoration and distribution company, launched in June by industry veteran and film historian Phil Hopkins—is a two-disc collection featuring cult favorite The Giant Gila Monster with bonus film The Killer Shrews, which were originally released as a double-feature, drive-in bill in 1959.
Bloody Disgusting has learned that the Blu-ray & DVD will release on September 26.
The classic era of drive-in schlock was near its end at the time, but there remained a dedicated audience for this pair of no-budget howlers from director Ray Kellogg and producer Gordon McLendon.
The Giant Gila Monster (from a new 4k scan of 35mm, original film elements): When two teens disappear from a small Texas town, the locals think they’ve eloped. But soon it becomes clear that something much more sinister is afoot. And if a giant Gila monster isn’t enough for you,...
Bloody Disgusting has learned that the Blu-ray & DVD will release on September 26.
The classic era of drive-in schlock was near its end at the time, but there remained a dedicated audience for this pair of no-budget howlers from director Ray Kellogg and producer Gordon McLendon.
The Giant Gila Monster (from a new 4k scan of 35mm, original film elements): When two teens disappear from a small Texas town, the locals think they’ve eloped. But soon it becomes clear that something much more sinister is afoot. And if a giant Gila monster isn’t enough for you,...
- 7/19/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Ride ’em, rope ’em, bite ’em? Is this ‘Dracula Goes West,’ or ‘Fangs of the High Chapparal?’ The fading Universal-International house of horrors squeaks out a bizarre horror item that one sits through just out of curiosity… are these people serious? We respect the professionalism of Michael Pate, Kathleen Crowley and Bruce Gordon as they give their all to a dead horse of a concept. A threadbare production stages us vampiric action so tame that it’s toothless, figuratively and literally. Critical snipers suggest that the whole thing might have been some kind of in-house joke — if so, where are the laughs?
Curse of the Undead
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1959 /B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 79 min. / Street Date October 6, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Eric Fleming, Michael Pate, Kathleen Crowley, John Hoyt, Bruce Gordon, Edward Binns, Jimmy Murphy, Helen Kleeb, Jay Adler, Eddie Parker, Don Sullivan.
Cinematography: Ellis W. Carter
Film...
Curse of the Undead
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1959 /B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 79 min. / Street Date October 6, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Eric Fleming, Michael Pate, Kathleen Crowley, John Hoyt, Bruce Gordon, Edward Binns, Jimmy Murphy, Helen Kleeb, Jay Adler, Eddie Parker, Don Sullivan.
Cinematography: Ellis W. Carter
Film...
- 9/29/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Glurg garrgle gurgle raaaaw! It's the razor-clawed reptile-man that scared the bejesus out of little kids, way back when. Jack Kevan's basic monster mash drags its feet a bit, but technically it's as slick as they come. Plus, the encoding is perfect. And did I mention the scary parts? This one inspired plenty of gory nightmares. The Monster of Piedras Blancas Blu-ray Olive Films 1959 / B&W / 1:78 widescreen / 71 min. / Street Date September 13, 2016 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.98 Starring Les Tremayne, Forrest Lewis, John Harmon, Frank Arvidson, Jeanne Carmen, Don Sullivan, Pete Dunn, Joseph La Cava, Wayne Berwick. Cinematography Philip Lathrop Film Editor George Gittens Assistant Director Joseph C. Cavalier Written by H. Haile Chace Produced by Jack Kevan Directed by Irvin Berwick
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
We 'fifties kids love our monster movie memories. I was glued to the set every weekend to see what Science Fiction Theater had to offer,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
We 'fifties kids love our monster movie memories. I was glued to the set every weekend to see what Science Fiction Theater had to offer,...
- 9/9/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Time to add some giant beastie action to your Hump Day! On tap right now is an exclusive clip from the remake of the '50s film The Giant Gila Monster, known simply as Gila! Check it out.
From the Press Release
"Rock 'n roll is here to stay" despite the best efforts of a giant gila monster in Polyscope's sci-fi comedy movie Gila!, scheduled for release on DVD this April 22nd.
Based loosely on the 1959 sci-fi classic Giant Gila Monster, the revived Gila! features a ferocious, rampaging giant gila monster, classy hot rods, vintage 50's rock 'n roll music, cute co-eds, fist fights, drag racing, and an all-star cast who rally to defend their small town.
"A perfect 'date night' drive-in movie," says producer Bill Dever. "Family fun with music, action, a very scary monster, and a terrific cast. Inspirational sci-fi horror."
It's not all the monster's fault since...
From the Press Release
"Rock 'n roll is here to stay" despite the best efforts of a giant gila monster in Polyscope's sci-fi comedy movie Gila!, scheduled for release on DVD this April 22nd.
Based loosely on the 1959 sci-fi classic Giant Gila Monster, the revived Gila! features a ferocious, rampaging giant gila monster, classy hot rods, vintage 50's rock 'n roll music, cute co-eds, fist fights, drag racing, and an all-star cast who rally to defend their small town.
"A perfect 'date night' drive-in movie," says producer Bill Dever. "Family fun with music, action, a very scary monster, and a terrific cast. Inspirational sci-fi horror."
It's not all the monster's fault since...
- 4/9/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Time to add some giant beastie action to your Monday as two new trailers and a new one-sheet have arrived for the remake of the '50s film The Giant Gila Monster known simply as Gila! Check 'em out.
The flick, directed by Jim Wynorski, features the star of the original film, Don Sullivan, who with this project is making his return to acting after a 50-year absence. He stars alongside Brian J. Gross, Terence Knox, Madeline Voges, Jesse Janzen, Christina DeRosa, Rich Komenich, Kelli Maroney, Gerard Pauwels, Ellen Kingston, Jenna Ruiz and James Wolford Hardin.
Supposedly this flick is actually gonna have a limited theatrical run which will include drive-in theatres nationwide. More on that soon enough. In the interim check out the goods below.
Synopsis
A giant lizard terrorizes a rural Midwest community with a group of heroic young people led by Chase Winstead attempting to destroy the creature.
The flick, directed by Jim Wynorski, features the star of the original film, Don Sullivan, who with this project is making his return to acting after a 50-year absence. He stars alongside Brian J. Gross, Terence Knox, Madeline Voges, Jesse Janzen, Christina DeRosa, Rich Komenich, Kelli Maroney, Gerard Pauwels, Ellen Kingston, Jenna Ruiz and James Wolford Hardin.
Supposedly this flick is actually gonna have a limited theatrical run which will include drive-in theatres nationwide. More on that soon enough. In the interim check out the goods below.
Synopsis
A giant lizard terrorizes a rural Midwest community with a group of heroic young people led by Chase Winstead attempting to destroy the creature.
- 4/1/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Indie legend and Corman go-to-guy Jim (Chopping Mall, Return Of The Swamp Thing) Wynorski is helming a remake of the notorious 1959 Ray Kellogg creature feature The Giant Gila Monster. Famous Monsters sat down with Jim to chat about the project and share some production pics. The film, aiming for SyFy release in 2012, is currently shooting in Franklin, Indiana, just outside Indianapolis.
Despite wearing it’s meager budget on it’s sleeve, the original Gila made an impression on Wynorski that endured as he made his way in Hollywood. “I saw it on TV when I was a kid, and even then I understood it was a cheaply made movie,” shares the director. “It didn’t have a big budget, but it had a cool premise with the hot rods and rock n’ roll. When the film fell into public domain, it was always in the back of my mind to...
Despite wearing it’s meager budget on it’s sleeve, the original Gila made an impression on Wynorski that endured as he made his way in Hollywood. “I saw it on TV when I was a kid, and even then I understood it was a cheaply made movie,” shares the director. “It didn’t have a big budget, but it had a cool premise with the hot rods and rock n’ roll. When the film fell into public domain, it was always in the back of my mind to...
- 12/14/2011
- by Justin
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
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