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Tarantula (1955)

Approved | | Horror, Sci-Fi | 20 February 1956 (Sweden)
Tarantula Poster
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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Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
... Dr. Matt Hastings
... Stephanie 'Steve' Clayton
... Prof. Gerald Deemer
... Sheriff Jack Andrews
... Joe Burch
Edwin Rand ... Lt. John Nolan
... Townsend
... Josh
... Barney Russell
... Andy Andersen
See full cast »
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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, evidence points to a giant tarantula as the culprit. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

arizona desert | arizona | phoenix arizona | vivisection | monster | See All (38) »

Taglines:

Giant spider strikes! Crawling terror 100 feet high! See more »

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

20 February 1956 (Sweden)  »

Also Known As:

Tarantula!  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,100,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Prof Deemer predicts that by the year 2000 the human population will be 3.6 billion. In fact it was almost double that at that time. See more »

Goofs

At the tarantula's final size, humans would no longer be a suitable prey for it since more energy would be expended catching and eating such a (relatively) small food source than would be gained from ingesting it. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Airport Attendant: What's the score, Doc?
Dr. Matt Hastings: Twins. Cutest things you ever saw.
Airport Attendant: Hey, they're keepin' ya busy these days.
Dr. Matt Hastings: The desert, it gives people wonderful ideas. Check the ship, will ya?
Airport Attendant: You betcha.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of Clint Eastwood See more »

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User Reviews

 
Tarantula: First Impressions
19 March 1999 | by – 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.
13 of 19 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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