Ralph Meeker stars as John Dexter, a wealthy adventurer/hunter who is on a fishing expedition in a Latin American country with his secretary(played by Janet Blair) and other members when they stumble upon a humanoid-shaped sea creature that they manage to capture. The creature has sonic abilities to use as a self defense weapon, or to communicate with others of their kind, as they will all discover when a rescue mission is mounted... Henry Silva co-stars as General Mercurio, the country's dictator. Good premise here, and the creature costumes really are not that bad at all, though this is marred by the dull, clichéd human characters. Still, a guilty pleasure.
20 Reviews
An Homage To '50s Sci-Fi
ferbs542 May 2017
"The Outer Limits" producer Joseph Stefano has been quoted as saying, regarding the episode "Tourist Attraction," that it was "the closest we ever came to those kinds of shlocky sci-fi movies that overran the 1950s," and a rewatch of this episode #13 last night has only reinforced the veracity of that remark. Whereas many of the first season "OL" episodes have greatly impressed me by dint of their resemblance to European art films, "Tourist Attraction" does indeed strike the viewer as a throwback homage of sorts to the kind of Saturday afternoon matinée films that the fortunate kiddies of the 1950s were able to see in their neighborhood theaters as part of a mind-warping double bill. In this episode, which I had memories of as one of the lesser Season 1 episodes, business bigwig John Dexter--portrayed by the great Ralph Meeker, late of such films as the classic sleaze noir "Kiss Me Deadly" (1955) and "Paths of Glory" ('57)--goes on a fishing expedition in the Central American country of San Blas. He manages to capture an enormous creature in Lake Aripana that is apparently a cross between a fish and a dinosaur, and plans to bring it back to the States with him. This does not sit well with the country's ruling despot, General Juan Mercurio (the great character actor Henry Silva, who many might recall from his earlier work on such classic films as 1960's "Ocean's Eleven" and 1962's "The Manchurian Candidate," and who would star in an upcoming "OL" episode, "The Mice"), who quickly redubs the find Ichthyosaurus Mercurius and demands the creature be kept in San Blas, to be exhibited in the country's World Fair. Dexter, a callous, unemotional, overbearing tyrant of sorts himself, plots to smuggle the gigantic whatsit on his own plane back to America, all the while arguing with his secretary/galpal, Lynn (Janet Blair, who, the previous year, had appeared in the "psychotronic" film "Burn, Witch, Burn"). But all heck breaks loose when the creature's sonic cries for help bring forth a whole gaggle of its fellow Ichthies from the waters of Lake Aripana....
"Tourist Attraction" feels like a somewhat padded episode for me, with shots of a Carnivale-type of affair, long passages of underwater scuba diving and so on...not to mention TWO expositional commentaries from the "Control Voice" during the course of the episode itself! Screenwriter Dean Riesner's script is middling at best, with touches of Stefano frills here and there, and Hungarian director Laslo Benedek's helming of the film is competent, if no more. Fortunately, the episode still manages to please, largely by dint of the three performances by the leading players, and the FX on display here. Indeed, I have long thought that the look of the so-called "bears" in this episode to be very impressive (I can hear you laffing at that remark), and well recall the first time that I saw them. I was a high school kid at the time (more decades ago than I care to admit), and watching this episode on a local station here in NYC one Saturday afternoon while in the process of getting what Jay Thomas has referred to as "herbed up." Maybe it was my state of mind, but when those creatures arose from the waters of Lake Aripana, my eyes were just boggling out of my head. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! The crew responsible for these critters--Byron Haskin, Wah Chang and all of Projects Unlimited--is to be commended for a job well done. These critters were apparently not only difficult to produce, but also impossible to maneuver underwater--one of the men inside his creature suit almost drowned. The creation of these monsters also busted the budget for this landmark series yet again. But the bottom line is that despite the excellent creature FX, "Tourist Attraction" remains one of the lesser efforts of the generally superb Season 1. It is NOT artful, like so many of the other episodes that came before and would soon follow, but it yet still manages to entertain. Fortunately, the series would rebound in a big way the following week with one of its most fondly remembered outings..."The Zanti Misfits"!!!
"Tourist Attraction" feels like a somewhat padded episode for me, with shots of a Carnivale-type of affair, long passages of underwater scuba diving and so on...not to mention TWO expositional commentaries from the "Control Voice" during the course of the episode itself! Screenwriter Dean Riesner's script is middling at best, with touches of Stefano frills here and there, and Hungarian director Laslo Benedek's helming of the film is competent, if no more. Fortunately, the episode still manages to please, largely by dint of the three performances by the leading players, and the FX on display here. Indeed, I have long thought that the look of the so-called "bears" in this episode to be very impressive (I can hear you laffing at that remark), and well recall the first time that I saw them. I was a high school kid at the time (more decades ago than I care to admit), and watching this episode on a local station here in NYC one Saturday afternoon while in the process of getting what Jay Thomas has referred to as "herbed up." Maybe it was my state of mind, but when those creatures arose from the waters of Lake Aripana, my eyes were just boggling out of my head. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! The crew responsible for these critters--Byron Haskin, Wah Chang and all of Projects Unlimited--is to be commended for a job well done. These critters were apparently not only difficult to produce, but also impossible to maneuver underwater--one of the men inside his creature suit almost drowned. The creation of these monsters also busted the budget for this landmark series yet again. But the bottom line is that despite the excellent creature FX, "Tourist Attraction" remains one of the lesser efforts of the generally superb Season 1. It is NOT artful, like so many of the other episodes that came before and would soon follow, but it yet still manages to entertain. Fortunately, the series would rebound in a big way the following week with one of its most fondly remembered outings..."The Zanti Misfits"!!!
Muddled Takeoff on "Creature From the Black Lagoon"
andyetris23 June 2008
A wealthy Norteamericano scientist (Ralph Meeker) brings his team to a banana republic in search of scientific fame. He discovers that a legendary lake monster is in fact a living fossil, an ichthyosaur. The millionaire's egotistical plans for the monster are obstructed, however, by the egotism of the local dictator (Henry Silva), by his own team's commitment to scientific integrity, and by certain remarkable properties of the monster itself...
Once again, as too often on THE OUTER LIMITS, a decent story is undermined by clumsy plotting and awkward direction, which combine with low budget to stumble us to the usual preachy moral, which could have been better supported by the story elements.
Once again, as too often on THE OUTER LIMITS, a decent story is undermined by clumsy plotting and awkward direction, which combine with low budget to stumble us to the usual preachy moral, which could have been better supported by the story elements.
Perfect 60's Cheesy Creature Episode
AudioFileZ19 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
While it seems "Limits" aficionados can't seem to agree on this episode for one raised on alien invader movies of the sixties this fits right in. The Outer Limits was always a bit ham-stringed by budget, but it seems the most was made out of that limited budget here. The creature is more "right" than not and the story treads around some of mankind's worst attributes centering on the big ones: greed and fear.
The excellent actor Ralph Meekler plays an American millionaire whose hobby involves exploitation of South American third-world countries as well as a curious marine biology slant. He discovers a pre-historic sea creature and seeks to bring it back to the states for some serious study and, assuredly, fame and fortune. Two things stand in his way, however, a young blood-thirsty dictator and laws of nature. While his endeavor results in a calamity the viewer is led to believe that both the non-descript banana republic as well as Meekler's character find a kind of redemption as handed to him by nature taking it's course through the strange creatures release.
Tourist Attraction provides as much as can be asked on a limited budget and it is a welcome break from the extraterrestrial world regularly explored on the series. If you were raised on 60's alien sci-fi tales there's much to be mined here. This has just the right bit of cheese to entertain while exploring some dark fears.
The excellent actor Ralph Meekler plays an American millionaire whose hobby involves exploitation of South American third-world countries as well as a curious marine biology slant. He discovers a pre-historic sea creature and seeks to bring it back to the states for some serious study and, assuredly, fame and fortune. Two things stand in his way, however, a young blood-thirsty dictator and laws of nature. While his endeavor results in a calamity the viewer is led to believe that both the non-descript banana republic as well as Meekler's character find a kind of redemption as handed to him by nature taking it's course through the strange creatures release.
Tourist Attraction provides as much as can be asked on a limited budget and it is a welcome break from the extraterrestrial world regularly explored on the series. If you were raised on 60's alien sci-fi tales there's much to be mined here. This has just the right bit of cheese to entertain while exploring some dark fears.
The Creature and Land Of The Giants Actor Make It Okay
StuOz28 June 2014
Another take on The Creature From The Black Lagoon.
Not a favourite episode of this series but the goofy sea creatures remain forever locked in the memory and it is fun watching the character "Tom" as the actor playing him - Jerry Douglas - would go on to play a time traveller in one of the very best episodes of - Irwin Allen's Land Of The Giants - titled: A Place Called Earth (1969).
These are not really solid reasons for making this hour good but I just can't bring myself to calling Tourist Attraction a stinker. Perhaps you would do better watching the three Creature From The Black Lagoon films of the 1950s?
Not a favourite episode of this series but the goofy sea creatures remain forever locked in the memory and it is fun watching the character "Tom" as the actor playing him - Jerry Douglas - would go on to play a time traveller in one of the very best episodes of - Irwin Allen's Land Of The Giants - titled: A Place Called Earth (1969).
These are not really solid reasons for making this hour good but I just can't bring myself to calling Tourist Attraction a stinker. Perhaps you would do better watching the three Creature From The Black Lagoon films of the 1950s?
Fun episode
TCurtis919217 December 2019
"The forces of nature will not submit to injustice."
classicsoncall5 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The first thing I thought about while watching this episode was "The Creature from the Black Lagoon", one of the better horror flicks coming out of the Fifties. The creature here however, looked somewhat clumsy and almost comical by comparison. The budget for the story must have been relatively generous since a whole contingent of them emerged from Lake Aripana at the finale in order to rescue one of their own. The mythical Latin American country of San Blas was the setting for this one, with dictatorial General Mercurio (Henry Silva) intending to commandeer the captive beast in order to feature it at his country's historic World's Fair. While adventurous tycoon John Dexter (Ralph Meeker), who captured it, wants to bring it back to the States for research. In the country's ancient past, the dolphin-like animal with some sort of telepathic ability was revered as a god, which might explain why a major dam burst to destroy the local village and palace of the authoritative general, since there was no other reason for its timely destruction.
You'll be glad to see the end credits.
Sleepin_Dragon30 April 2023
John Dexter head to The Caribbean to make his scientific mark, he discovers and captures a bug eyed beast, and takes it back to a scientifically facility, a tug of war for ownership begins.
It isn't totally woeful, I could watch it again, but when I compare this to almost every other episode I've seen, it's not in the same league. If you're a fan of 1950's monster horror, then this may just appeal to you, it is essentially a dupe of Creature from The Black Lagoon, only it doesn't really have the same charm, and unusual for this show, it looks a bit cheap.
It really is just a monster of the weak episode, but every single cliché imaginable is here, the loud tycoon, the tin pot dictator, the bug eyed monster, the South American dictatorship, the useless armed guards, the list goes on.
Ralph Meeker was the best thing about it, Dexter was a strong character, sadly the others, and the episode in general are forgettable.
4/10.
It isn't totally woeful, I could watch it again, but when I compare this to almost every other episode I've seen, it's not in the same league. If you're a fan of 1950's monster horror, then this may just appeal to you, it is essentially a dupe of Creature from The Black Lagoon, only it doesn't really have the same charm, and unusual for this show, it looks a bit cheap.
It really is just a monster of the weak episode, but every single cliché imaginable is here, the loud tycoon, the tin pot dictator, the bug eyed monster, the South American dictatorship, the useless armed guards, the list goes on.
Ralph Meeker was the best thing about it, Dexter was a strong character, sadly the others, and the episode in general are forgettable.
4/10.
Not even close to being among the best in the series.
planktonrules28 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is a sub-par episode for several reasons. First, it relies on a silly 1950s/60s sort of sea creature. It's not much more realistic than that seeing in such schlock as "The Horror of Party Beach"! Second, and a MUCH better reason for it failing, is that the script is just muddled and stupid. It's ill-defined, preachy and not particularly scary or effective.
"Tourist Attraction" begins with a Howard Hughes-like Millionaire (Ralph Meeker) off on an expedition in his boat in a Latin-American nation. He stumbles upon a primordial humanoid sea creature! Clearly it's really just some guy in a silly rubber suit--and you can see the place where the feet in the wet suit and the flippers meet!! And as Meeker is a VERY determined man, he MUST capture the thing in order to aggrandize himself. However, when he does, an even bigger megalomaniac (Henry Silva, as 'El Presidente') demands that the creature be turned over to him--and he wants to name the animal after himself! Of course, there's more to the story than this. Sadly, what more there is isn't all that good. The story is goofy and is as much a diatribe against nasty dictators and rich adventurers. The only hiccup in this predictable mess is that at the end, Meeker, like the Grinch, changes his mind as his heart grows two sizes that day!! Silly and very forgettable.
"Tourist Attraction" begins with a Howard Hughes-like Millionaire (Ralph Meeker) off on an expedition in his boat in a Latin-American nation. He stumbles upon a primordial humanoid sea creature! Clearly it's really just some guy in a silly rubber suit--and you can see the place where the feet in the wet suit and the flippers meet!! And as Meeker is a VERY determined man, he MUST capture the thing in order to aggrandize himself. However, when he does, an even bigger megalomaniac (Henry Silva, as 'El Presidente') demands that the creature be turned over to him--and he wants to name the animal after himself! Of course, there's more to the story than this. Sadly, what more there is isn't all that good. The story is goofy and is as much a diatribe against nasty dictators and rich adventurers. The only hiccup in this predictable mess is that at the end, Meeker, like the Grinch, changes his mind as his heart grows two sizes that day!! Silly and very forgettable.
Based on H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu
jwadams8419 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I thought the lake monster looked pretty cool compared to some of the bad special effects on other episodes such as the absurd looking rockets, etc. I'd like to walk him around my neighborhood on a leash and see what the neighbors would do.
It is clear however that this was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's story The Call of Cthulhu. On the other hand it's interesting that a lot of the themes from The Outer Limits reappeared on the original Star Trek and the Twilight Zone in later years.
Hollywood invented recycling before it became a fad. If you read old science fiction or look at old movies you see how the plots repeat in later shows and movies.
It is clear however that this was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's story The Call of Cthulhu. On the other hand it's interesting that a lot of the themes from The Outer Limits reappeared on the original Star Trek and the Twilight Zone in later years.
Hollywood invented recycling before it became a fad. If you read old science fiction or look at old movies you see how the plots repeat in later shows and movies.
Terrible and Messy Episode
claudio_carvalho2 March 2018
The forgettable "Tourist Attraction" is a terrible and messy episode of "The Outer Limits". The writer entwines a clichés dictator of a banana republic in Latin America with a coelacanth with an obnoxious and chauvinist American millionaire in a senseless story.The result is the worst episode of this intriguing series. My vote is three.
Title (Brazil): "Atração Turística" ("Tourist Attraction")
Title (Brazil): "Atração Turística" ("Tourist Attraction")
Something's Fishy
Hitchcoc8 January 2015
This has multiple stories going, none of which is very interesting. You have the insensitive megalomaniac who abuses his female partner. You have the cowardly scientist who takes off, leaving his boss to the dangerous fish. You have the fish themselves which are about as stupid looking as any of the monsters (men in sweatsuits with fish heads). You have the banana republic leader who thinks he is helping people but is only serving himself. Anyway, the bossy guy is clueless. One of the most ridiculous scenes has to do with allowing an undependable alcoholic guard to watch over the captured fish-man (when it has been announced that this may be the discovery of the century). His buddy comes over with wine and a checkerboard and turns up the heat in the refrigeration unit and allows the guy to thaw. They get drunk and the prized possession gets out. Pretty dumb.
Outer Limits Goes Fishing
wes-connors28 February 2012
Wealthy American publisher Ralph Meeker (as John Dexter) takes secretary Janet Blair (as Lynn Arthur) and handsome marine biologist Jerry Douglas (as Tom Evans) out for a cruise in South American waters. While Mr. Douglas rubs suntan oil on Ms. Blair's back, Mr. Meeker spots an odd looking fish under water. Though looking slightly out-of-shape, manly Meeker decides to immediately plunge into the sea and capture the giant fish. It turns out to be surprisingly easy to hoist the rubbery-looking thing aboard. As it turns out, the animal is probably from a prehistoric species, and is worshiped by locals as a God. The big fish is also desired by tyrannical South American republic General Henry Silva (as Juan Mercurio). While they and a narrator banter about trying to make some sense of this episode, something fishy is brewing underwater...
***** Tourist Attraction (12/23/63) Laslo Benedek ~ Ralph Meeker, Janet Blair, Jerry Douglas, Henry Silva
***** Tourist Attraction (12/23/63) Laslo Benedek ~ Ralph Meeker, Janet Blair, Jerry Douglas, Henry Silva
One of the Best "Outer Limits"
phil123-18 January 2010
"Tourist Attraction" is certainly one of the best of the original Outer Limits series. First of all there is a very well written story by Dean Reisner who wrote the best miniseries on the air Rich Man Poor Man. Then there is the direction by Laslo Benedict who also did the original Death of a Salesman, and The Wild One with Brando. The acting is excellent. Ralph Meeker and Henry Silva develop some powerful chemistry with all the subtleties intact. I'd tell you what it is about but you can see it for free right now. Do not miss it! It is not centered on the outer limits as much as it is on the inner motives. Even the monster has human motives.
Tourist Attraction
Scarecrow-8826 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Millionaire American (Ralph Meeker, Kiss Me Deadly) fancies himself an adventurer, takes a marine biologist and fishing crew to a Latin American country (
ruled by tyrant dictator Mercurio (Fred Silva), dependent upon fierce loyalty from his people), and discovers a unique species of aquatic life that emits a supersonic beam of superior frequency (but is not harmful). Mercurio is very interested in making this discovery a tourist attraction for a festival he holds in great regard (that has not been a financial success, if anything it has been an outright failure) and will attempt to use his soldiers as means to secure it as property of his country, a National Treasure. But when a creature is unfairly treated as property to be fought over, the results are never good. It is discovered that the supersonic screech the creature emanates is in essence a communication device used to signal to its "family" in the water when in need of help. They come. A deteriorating dam in the one of the countries key cities is on the verge of crumbling, certain to bring catastrophe if the receding waters come gushing forward, and the right kind of supersonic sound just might do the trick. Meeker has a character who is cold and emotionally insolated so when a woman he "makes a deal with" offers affection, he isn't interested, and his firing of the aforementioned biologist (who left Meeker in the water to do battle with the aquatic lifeform out of fright), who made an error in judgment due to fear, is done in a tone that establishes how easy it is to drop an employee from his payroll without an ounce of care. Meeker, listed as a special guest star, shows up and I can't imagine anyone will find him easy to give a rat's ass about. It's his character, I guess, the way he goes through the motions, just involved in his own self-interests, the ending allowing him to show a bit of humanity, his once impenetrable shell wearing in its tactile strength. Jerry Douglas has plenty of charm to spare as the dashing Tom Evans, biologist and Janet Blair is Lynn, Meeker's disenchanted love interest who has a problem competing for his attention. Silva's character, strangely, while established as a formidable threat due to his power, is rather emasculated by the story, given precious little screen time, and the ending seems to convey that despite having forces at his disposal, one guard stands at the water tank holding the "tourist commodity", with Meeker and company easily subduing him. Jay Novello is Prof. Arivello, under Mercurio's command, yet his scientific loyalties outweigh his dedication to his country's dictator. There's a great story here that doesn't quite materialize; everything feels rushed hastily. This is definitely one of the great show's weaker entries, an interesting failure. The fish monster costume may be ridiculed in some circles, but I kind of like the look of it; it does have definition to it, certain outlines I think at least give it a look that is not as threatening as it is sympathetic.
Tourist Attraction
Prismark1013 May 2023
The usual fare served up by The Outer Limits is missing here. It does have men in rubber suits posing as fish monsters.
The story wants to make political points about Latin American dictators. More interested in their vanity than the fate of their people. As well as vain millionaires who just look for that next trophy to bag.
Millionaire mogul John Dexter bags a sea monster who he instantly freezes. The find of the century is under the care of a drunken security guard who ends up thawing it. That unleashes a rampage but it is noticed that the monster has the ability to communicate and sentient thoughts while the rest of the monster's family looks for it.
Dexter also comes into conflict with General Mercurio who wants the monster for himself. It is after all the emblem of the country.
There was a better story in there somewhere but this was not it.
The story wants to make political points about Latin American dictators. More interested in their vanity than the fate of their people. As well as vain millionaires who just look for that next trophy to bag.
Millionaire mogul John Dexter bags a sea monster who he instantly freezes. The find of the century is under the care of a drunken security guard who ends up thawing it. That unleashes a rampage but it is noticed that the monster has the ability to communicate and sentient thoughts while the rest of the monster's family looks for it.
Dexter also comes into conflict with General Mercurio who wants the monster for himself. It is after all the emblem of the country.
There was a better story in there somewhere but this was not it.
Silly episode
kyyankee8 April 2020
A phony rubber suit monster, that is aquatic, yet gives off scuba diving air bubbles constantly, is the object of characters that you can't possibly care about. And you absolutely know that as soon as the scientist tells the peasant night watchman that the temperature is not to be changed that somebody is going to change the thermostat as soon as possible. A poor entry in a mostly well done show.
Weirdest episode until now!!!
elo-equipamentos24 January 2020
The Outer Limits has been one my favorite series ever, although this episode certainly was the weirdest until now, all previous ones were great, this one fallen down the quality, in a fictional Latin American country an selfish an eccentric rich man Don Dexter (Ralph Meeker) makes a underwater research together with a marine biologist, also with his girlfriend and former journalist Lynn (Janet Blair), the country is ruled by the dictator Gen. Mercurio (Henry Silva) with heavy hands, sounds familiar indeed, they caught a strange creature that was an ancient native folklore, they send the amphibian to be researched on the local laboratory, however Dexter wants take it to America as Tourist attraction, the final is soooo unbelievable that l'll recommend for whom may concern to see by yourself!!!
Resume:
First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 5
Resume:
First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 5
Clumsy and Awkward
tabuno18 January 2019
7 September 2010. Perhaps one of the most ambitious, yet one of the worst episodes of the series, Tourist Attraction is one of the few episodes to use periodically an on-going voice over narrative. The script and plot was clumsily handled along with a monster that seems even phony and fake even by the original Outer Limits standards. There was too much going on with several character plot outlines competing for attention with apparent two bad guys, with Henry Silva's role getting short shift. The script, however, attempts one of the more ambitious attempts at a more modernistic, post-conservative, Cold War narrative and it is commendable in its effort, but the time limitation of an hour broadcast and limited budget sabotages this respectable under-lying premise of this episode.
The worst episode, involving a large mutant frog. Incredibly boring and dumb.
fedor810 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Quite possibly the worst episode. Incredibly tedious garbage, a cheap "Revenge of the Creature" knock-off, or whatever the first fish-frog B-movie is called. We've even got a Latin dictator in the story, though I couldn't tell you why. Nor can I offer a feasible explanation why the movie's marine biologist shows zero excitement after his team fish out the stupid frog. Admittedly, this may be a sign of intelligence, that he refused to believe that this shitty prop was an actual fish-frog. It must be tough to act and react to such lousy costumes. But, of course, this was the director's fault mostly.
Naturally, there's an absolutely mindless, boring, needless, corny love-triangle, because, hey, let's get some of that lovey-dovey female demographics to help out with the ratings.
It's amazing that the show's fans actually gave this crap a rating higher than 4. In fact, much higher. Even good horror films often don't get 6,2 yet they dish out such a good rating to this junk - and just because it's part of their favourite TV show. Damn, how I hate fanatical nostalgiacs...
Naturally, there's an absolutely mindless, boring, needless, corny love-triangle, because, hey, let's get some of that lovey-dovey female demographics to help out with the ratings.
It's amazing that the show's fans actually gave this crap a rating higher than 4. In fact, much higher. Even good horror films often don't get 6,2 yet they dish out such a good rating to this junk - and just because it's part of their favourite TV show. Damn, how I hate fanatical nostalgiacs...
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