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Tarantula (1955)

6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 4,471 users  
Reviews: 90 user | 54 critic

A spider escapes from an isolated desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants.

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(screenplay), (screenplay), 2 more credits »
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Title: Tarantula (1955)

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Dr. Matt Hastings
Mara Corday ...
Stephanie 'Steve' Clayton
...
Prof. Gerald Deemer
Nestor Paiva ...
Sheriff Jack Andrews
Ross Elliott ...
Joe Burch
Edwin Rand ...
Lt. John Nolan
...
Townsend
Hank Patterson ...
Josh
Bert Holland ...
Barney Russell
Steve Darrell ...
Andy Andersen
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Storyline

In the Arizona desert, Professor Gerald Deemer is experimenting with growth hormones in the hopes of finding a way to increase the world's food supply. His partner in the project was recently found dead in the desert, suffering from a disease that normally takes years to advance but in his case seems to have afflicted him in only a few days. The local doctor, Matt Hastings, is puzzled by the strange case and with Deemer's recently arrived - and very pretty - assistant Stephanie Clayton tries to figure out what is going on. When cattle remains are found in the countryside, the evidence points to a giant tarantula as the culprit. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Science-fiction's most terrifying thrill! See more »

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

14 December 1955 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Giant Tarantula  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Look for a young Clint Eastwood as the (uncredited) leader of the jet squadron that attacks the tarantula in the film's climax. See more »

Goofs

Twice in the film, Dr. Hastings lands his plane on an unpaved desert runway. Yet the sound effect when the plane touches down is the screech of tires hitting pavement. See more »

Quotes

Dr. Matt Hastings: But what if circumstances magnified one of them in size and strength, took it out of its primitive world, and turned it loose in ours?
Prof. Townsend: Then expect something that's fiercer, more cruel and deadly than anything that ever walked on earth!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Naked Monster (2005) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Tarantula: First Impressions
19 March 1999 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I was eight when I saw Tarantula on the not-so-big screen. My youthful fear of death led me to a greater concern for the disease caused by the "nutrient" than by a very large spider. It contains a classic moment found in many 50's big monster "movies." Two guys are left behind in a car (which, of course, is in bad need of a tune-up and won't start) with a couple of puny rifles. They, of course, provide an evening meal for the spider. This was probably most people's first exposure to napalm as well.


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