Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)

Director:

Bernard L. Kowalski

Writers:

Leo Gordon (original story)
Leo Gordon (screenplay)

Release Date:

October 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Massive Blood Sucking Monsters!

Plot:

After local-moonshine swilling trapper Lem Sawyer sees a giant creature, people start disappearing....

Plot Keywords:

Swamp | Monster | Explosion | Used As Bait | Hick

Cast

Ken Clark	...	Steve Benton
Yvette Vickers	...	Liz Walker
Jan Shepard	...	Nan Greyson
Michael Emmet	...	Cal Moulton
Tyler McVey	...	Doc Greyson
Bruno VeSota	...	Dave Walker
Gene Roth	...	Sheriff Kovis
Dan White	...	Porky Reed (as Daniel White)
George Cisar	...	Lem Sawyer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Guy Buccola	...	Giant Leech (uncredited)
Joseph Hamilton	...	Old Sam Peters (uncredited)
Walter Kelley	...	Mike (uncredited)
Ross Sturlin	...	Giant Leech (uncredited)

Directed by
Bernard L. Kowalski

Writing credits
Leo Gordon		(original story)
Leo Gordon		(screenplay)

Produced by
Gene Corman	....	producer
Roger Corman	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Alexander Laszlo

Cinematography by
John M. Nickolaus Jr.		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Carlo Lodato

Art Direction by
Daniel Haller		(as Dan Haller)

Production Management
Jack Bohrer	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John C. Chulay	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Richard M. Rubin	....	property master (as Dick Rubin)

Sound Department
Al Overton	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Charles Rosher Jr.	....	first assistant camera

Editorial Department
Anthony Magro	....	associate editor (as Tony Magro)

Other crew
Kinta Zertuche	....	production secretary

Production Companies

• American International Pictures (AIP)

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1959) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (1959) (UK) (theatrical)
• Rhino Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Madacy Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• SlingShot Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• E-Realbiz.com (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• E-Realbiz.com (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• Elite Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Madacy Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Marengo Films (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Elite Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• BijouFlix Releasing (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Brentwood Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Rainbow Products Limited (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Echo Bridge Home Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD)
• FilmAnnex (2006) (worldwide) (all media)
• Nostalgia Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Enterprise, The  DVD authoring
• Healthways Inc.  underwater equipment (as Healthways)
• Ryder Sound Services  recorded by (as Ryder Sound Service)
• Screen Time Images  film restoration

Also Known As:

"The Giant Leeches" - USA (promotional title)

Runtime:

62 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (Certificate #19203) | UK:PG (2005) | UK:X (cut) | USA:Unrated (DVD)

Filming Locations:

Chaplin Studios - 1416 N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

The music score for this film was a stock score used previously in the film Night of the Blood Beast (1958), also produced by Gene Corman, brother of Roger Corman (it can also be heard in Beast from Haunted Cave (1959)).

Goofs:

Continuity: Mike wires the explosives to the detonator box and the plunger is all the way up as he walks over to Steve and the rest of the group. Steve then walks over to the detonator box to set off the charge but now the plunger is down, he has to pull up before he pushes it down to set off explosives.

Movie Connections:

Featured in God Bless America (2011)

Surprisingly good for a bad film

Regardless of the rabid fans of MST3K (myself included), attack of The Giant Leeches isn't the horrid film they make it out to be. Certainly it is low budget, but trying to shine through the lackluster production is a film that has some good writing, few plot holes, and exhibits an actual knowledge of the subject (swamps, critters, rednecks who are a danger to themselves and others...).

As far as Corman flicks go, this one has a good feel to it. Some drama, tragedy, comedy (well, some that was intentional), and an attempt at a real story. The screenwriter, Leo Gordon, has created a good feel for the south, and is an accomplished (although not great) practitioner of his trade. So, laughs aside, watch this movie again and focus on the plot when you can. There is no hocus pocus, minimal pseudo-science, and some likable characters.

Oh yeah, and please don't be a danger to yourself or others...