“The Giant Gila Monster” is a 1959 low budget “B” monster movie directed by Ray Kellogg (not a relation to Kellogg’s cereal thought the movie is as bland as corn flakes) and produced by Ken Curtis (famous as “Festus” Matt Dillon’s deputy on “Gunsmoke”.). The movie attempts to blend the teenage hot rod culture and rock’ n’ roll of the late 50’s with the popular trend of mutant monster movies.
Yes, Even in the 50's Mexican's Were Crossing the Border. This One Happened to be a Lizard.
The movie takes place somewhere in Texas, actually shot around the Dallas area. For some reason a giant mutated giant gila monster (portrayed by a Mexican bearded lizard) attacks a teenage couple at “make out point” sending them into ravine and disappearing mysteriously. The local sheriff employs local hot rodder tow truck drive to help with the investigation. In the meanwhile, the monster goes on to attack trains, hit the local town teenage rock ‘n’ roll party and menace the local comical town drunk.
The "Greatness" of Cheap Monster Movies from the 50's
The film was shot in parallel with another “B” movie classic “The Killer Shrews” to be released as a double feature in drive-in movies in the south. They debuted in Dallas, TX. Director Ray Kellogg used the Mexican bearded lizard wrecking small scale miniatures of bridges, trains, buildings etc. He also uses the infamous acting blocking technique where the actors during tedious plot line dialogue lift their legs up and put them on something to look like they are actually doing something. Oddly, the movie is supposed to be a hot rod rock ‘n’ roll monster movie it features not one, but two ukulele solos by the lead teenage hot shot. One to a crippled kid and one to the rock ‘n’ roll party. It does make Arthur Godfrey look like Frank Zappa.
If you love or just enjoy cheesy, campy monster movies from the 50’s this is a must watch. Even if you just like movies in this genre this fits the bill perfectly. It is so bad it is hilarious. Check it out. The cheaper the better.
