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Tarantula

  • 19551955
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
9.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Agar and Mara Corday in Tarantula (1955)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi

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

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
9.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jack Arnold
  • Writers
    • Robert M. Fresco(screenplay)
    • Martin Berkeley(screenplay)
    • Jack Arnold(story)
  • Stars
    • John Agar
    • Mara Corday
    • Leo G. Carroll
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jack Arnold
  • Writers
    • Robert M. Fresco(screenplay)
    • Martin Berkeley(screenplay)
    • Jack Arnold(story)
  • Stars
    • John Agar
    • Mara Corday
    • Leo G. Carroll
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 126User reviews
    • 94Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    Tarantula
    Trailer 1:50
    Tarantula

    Photos110

    Leo G. Carroll in Tarantula (1955)
    Tarantula (1955)
    John Agar, Leo G. Carroll, and Mara Corday in Tarantula (1955)
    Tarantula (1955)
    Tarantula (1955)
    John Agar and Mara Corday in Tarantula (1955)
    Tarantula (1955)
    Tarantula (1955)
    John Agar in Tarantula (1955)
    Leo G. Carroll and Mara Corday in Tarantula (1955)
    Leo G. Carroll in Tarantula (1955)
    Leo G. Carroll and Mara Corday in Tarantula (1955)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Agar
    John Agar
    • Dr. Matt Hastingsas Dr. Matt Hastings
    Mara Corday
    Mara Corday
    • Stephanie 'Steve' Claytonas Stephanie 'Steve' Clayton
    Leo G. Carroll
    Leo G. Carroll
    • Prof. Gerald Deemeras Prof. Gerald Deemer
    Nestor Paiva
    Nestor Paiva
    • Sheriff Jack Andrewsas Sheriff Jack Andrews
    Ross Elliott
    Ross Elliott
    • Joe Burchas Joe Burch
    Edwin Rand
    Edwin Rand
    • Lt. John Nolanas Lt. John Nolan
    Raymond Bailey
    Raymond Bailey
    • Townsendas Townsend
    Hank Patterson
    Hank Patterson
    • Joshas Josh
    Bert Holland
    Bert Holland
    • Barney Russellas Barney Russell
    Steve Darrell
    Steve Darrell
    • Andy Andersenas Andy Andersen
    Wag Blesing
    Wag Blesing
    • Townsmanas Townsman
    • (uncredited)
    Dee Carroll
    Dee Carroll
    • Telephone Operatoras Telephone Operator
    • (uncredited)
    Edgar Dearing
    Edgar Dearing
    • Second Trampas Second Tramp
    • (uncredited)
    George DeNormand
    George DeNormand
    • Arizona State Trooperas Arizona State Trooper
    • (uncredited)
    Don Dillaway
    Don Dillaway
    • Jim Bagnyas Jim Bagny
    • (uncredited)
    Clint Eastwood
    Clint Eastwood
    • Jet Squadron Leaderas Jet Squadron Leader
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Hendricks
    Jack Hendricks
    • Ranch Handas Ranch Hand
    • (uncredited)
    Jane Howard
    Jane Howard
    • Jean - Professor Townsend's Assistantas Jean - Professor Townsend's Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jack Arnold
    • Writers
      • Robert M. Fresco(screenplay) (story)
      • Martin Berkeley(screenplay)
      • Jack Arnold(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In the Arizona desert, Professor Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll) 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 (John Agar), is puzzled by the strange case and, with Deemer's recently arrived (and very pretty) assistant, Stephanie "Steve" Clayton (Mara Corday), 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. —garykmcd
    • monster
    • arizona desert
    • desert
    • vivisection
    • kaiju
    • 113 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • More terrifying than any horror known to man comes a creeping crawling monster whose towering fury no one can escape!
    • Genres
      • Horror
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Leo G. Carroll and this movie's title, "Tarantula", were mentioned in the song "Science Fiction Double Feature" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).
    • Goofs
      Mistake in the German translation: When Prof. Deemer refers to the world population growth, the numerical "billion" is translated into German as "Billionen", which actually mean "trillion".
    • Quotes

      Stephanie 'Steve' Clayton: Science is science, but a girl MUST get her hair done.

    • Connections
      Edited into Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999)

    User reviews126

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Surprisingly Good Sci-Fi
    In Desert Rock, Arizona, a disfigured man is found dead and identified by Professor Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll) as his assistant and friend Dr. Eric Jacobs, who would suffer from acromegalia. The country doctor Matt Hastings (John Agar) is puzzled with the mysterious disease and decides to investigate further about acromegalia. Professor Deemer omits that Dr. Eric Jacobs and Dr. Paul Lund were researching with him a nutrient to increase the food supply in the world and they have been affected by the experiment. Soon Paul Lund, who has also been affected and is mad, breaks and sets the laboratory on fire and a huge tarantula escapes.

    Meanwhile, the gorgeous Stephanie "Steve" Clayton (Mara Corday) arrives in town to work with Dr. Jacobs, and Dr. Hastings drives her to Professor Deemer's house in the desert. She is hired by Deemer and she finds that he is sick. When cattle bones are found in a farm, Hastings collects material and flies to a laboratory, where he learns that the sample is of tarantula's venom. But the scientist does not believe that one tarantula could ever produce such quantity of venom. The doctor returns to Desert Rock sure that the species is part of Prof. Deemer's experiment and the locals are threatened by the dangerous tarantula.

    "Tarantula" is a typical sci-fi of the 50's and a surprisingly good film. The screenplay is very well written and the movie is supported by good direction, performances, cinematography and special effects. My vote is seven.

    Title (Brazil): "Tarântula!" ("Tarantula!")

    Note: On 16 Sep 2018 I saw this film again.
    helpful•19
    4
    • claudio_carvalho
    • Jul 24, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 1956 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tarantula!
    • Filming locations
      • Dead Man's Point, Lucerne Valley, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,100,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White

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