When I started this blog (over a month ago now!) I knew that I wanted it to be more like an online magazine than my past, more personal blogs. Though I do, and probably will continue to, talk about myself a bit, I want to focus more on things that interest me than how my day went. I have several ideas in my head that have yet to make it into the blog (but just you wait!). One of the things I knew I wanted to do when it began was have a regular section devoted to reviewing movies.
My husband and I are huge movie buffs. While we both like a wide array of genres, we both are especially drawn to certain types of movies, he is a bit more into the classic old films, and I am a bit more into the cult or B movies. We tend to watch a lot of “bad movies”. Now, when I say bad, I’m not talking about the terribly written romantic comedies or spoof movies that they have out these days (uhh…Meet the Spartans….really now, is that necessary?). I love the low budget (as well as quality) films of the 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s. I love monster movies, and Sci-Fi, and all the other quirky, yet original films that where made in similar production styles. Something about their simplicity, originality, and terrible acting just really draws me in. Maybe it is from all the years of watching Mystery Science Theatre 3000.
Made in 1959, this classic Sci-Fi film is one of the first I was introduced to as a young girl. My dad just loved this movie, and to this day still cracks up over it. I chose this as the first Saturday Night Movie review for that reason, it is one of the first movies that peaked my interest in this silly, fun, and not at all scary genre.
The Giant Gila Monster is the tale of a small town in Texas that starts being terrorized by a giant monster. When a teenage couple goes missing, some friends offer to help the town sheriff to solve the mystery of their disappearance. After several days of searching, their car is finally found abandoned in a ditch. The main character, Chase, along with the Sheriff realize there is something strange going on when they realize that the skid marks from where the cars went off the road are at exact right angles to the direction of the tires. It isn’t until later in the film when the gila monster attacks a train that the town realizes just what they are dealing with. It soon becomes a race to stop the plus sized reptile, before it kills the entire town, and Chase’s younger sister.
The Giant Gila Monster is the sort of movie that makes me wish for simpler times. The main character is a good looking guy who wows his girlfriend and younger sister with his singing and ukulele playing. All the teens in this town are well off kids, with a good head on their shoulders, and a love for dancing. With drag racing, sock hops and hot rods, the gila monster soon becomes only a supporting character to these stereotypical 50’s teenagers. With a constant theme of drinking and driving this movie really makes you realize how foreign life in the 1950’s is to us.
This is a fun and easy to watch movie. The music in this movie is so upbeat and fun, it really makes you want to put on your saddle shoes and join in. The effects may have been captivating in 1959, but the only time you see the reptile look as big as he is said to be, is when he is placed next to some matchbox cars, or when he attacks a model train. Nevertheless, this movie has a special place in my heart, and is B-movie gold!
The Giant Gila Monster is public domain so can be viewed for free online. The screen is a bit small, so to get the full affect, I suggest renting the movie!
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Ivy says:
Oh my god! We have the same taste in movies, I’ve been looking around for 1960’s B-grade movie reviews but haven’t found any.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:33 pm