Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955)

Director:

Franklin Adreon

Writer:

Ronald Davidson (written by)

Release Date:

3 January 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

MAN-MADE MONSTERS TERRIFY THE JUNGLE as a mad scientist prepares to unleash a new fury on the world! (original poster)

Plot:

Jean Evans of an international wildlife foundation has made herself at home in Africa as the elephant-riding...

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Wildlife | Safari | Panther | Scientist

Cast

Phyllis Coates	...	Jean Evans, Panther Girl
Myron Healey	...	Larry Sanders
Arthur Space	...	Dr. Morgan
John Daheim	...	Cass (as John Day)
Holly Bane	...	Rand (as Mike Ragan)
Morris Buchanan	...	Tembo
Roy Glenn	...	Chief Danka
Archie Savage	...	Ituri
Ramsay Hill	...	Comm. Stanton
Naaman Brown	...	Orto
Dan Ferniel	...	Ebu
James Logan	...	Const. Harris

Also Known As:

Panther Woman of the Kongo (USA) (working title)
The Claw Monsters (USA) (recut version)

Runtime:

167 min (12 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Company:

Republic Pictures

Trivia:

Chapter Titles: 1. The Claw Monster 2. Jungle Ambush 3. The Killer Beast 4. Sands of Doom 5. Test of Terror 6. High Peril 7. Double Trap 8. Crater of Flame 9. River of Death 10.Blasted Evidence 11.Double Danger 12.House of Doom

Movie Connections:

Featured in Firesign Theatre Presents 'Hot Shorts' (1983)

Typical old-time Saturday matinee stuff

I remember this serial from the Saturday double features at our neighborhood theatre. This was one of my favorites since it featured a woman (gorgeous Class-A actress Phyllis Coates)who could kick butt pre-Tomb Raider. I don't mean with fancy weapons and stuff - I mean who could handle a high-powered rifle, wrestle and knock out a a man twice her size, and even square-off face-to-face with a lion, armed with only a knife and a lion's headdress.(!) For its time it was pretty good. My kids got a kick out of the storyline - giant crawdads invading Africa! The Panther Girl (who is actually dressed in a leopard suit) must get to the bottom of this and stop it (with the help of Class-Z ham Myron Healey). If you're up for something corny but fun in its own way, then get this serial. Oh, for a laugh or two, check out the scene when the natives are gathered and are about to set safari after seeing the giant crawdads in action and getting the stew scared out of them. One of the actors is off-cue and is staring at someone on the crew and laughing, then gets back into character after the scene has started with everyone else looking scared, but you have to look quickly. It's worth a look - even the kids might get a laugh or two. Nothing offensive whatsoever.