War of the Colossal Beast (1958)

Glenn Manning, "The Amazing Colosasal Man," believed dead after falling from the Hoover Dam, reemerges in rural Mexico, brain damaged, disfigured, and very hungry.

Director:

Bert I. Gordon

Writers:

Bert I. Gordon (story), George Worthing Yates (screenplay)

Stars:

Sally Fraser, Roger Pace, Duncan 'Dean' Parkin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Fraser	...	Joyce Manning
Roger Pace	...	Maj. Mark Baird
Duncan 'Dean' Parkin	...	Col. Glenn Manning (as Dean Parkin)
Russ Bender	...	Dr. Carmichael
Rico Alaniz	...	Sgt. Luis Murillo
George Becwar	...	John Swanson
Robert Hernandez	...	Miguel
Charles Stewart	...	Capt. Harris
June Jocelyn	...	Mrs. Edwards
John McNamara	...	Neurologist
Loretta Nicholson	...	Joan
Raymond Winston	...	Arthur Lang
Jack Kosslyn	...	Newscaster
George Navarro	...	Mexican Doctor
Bob Garnet	...	Pentagon Correspondent

Storyline

A mysterious series of food truck robberies makes government officials doubt that the 60-foot tall Colossal Man is dead. He is discovered in a desolate mountain range in Mexico, insane and horribly disfigured. The military drugs him and transports him back to America where he promptly escapes and wreaks havoc on a city.

---

Plot Keywords:

black and white to color | catatonia | child in danger | color scene | american stereotype | 

---

Taglines:

The towering terror from hell!

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Revenge of the Colossal Man

Filming Locations:

Griffith Observatory, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carmel Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

American-International changed to title to a more dramatic-sounding "War of the Colossal Beast" and avoided mentioning in the ad campaign that it was a sequel to an earlier film.

---

Goofs

Hal Torey plays the official at the Department of Health and Welfare but is not listed as such in the cast list.

---

Quotes

Joyce Manning: Do you know what it's like, just sitting around waiting for news?
Maj. Mark Baird: You mind if I suggest a remedy? It's an old one , but it usually works. Find something else to occupy your mind. Do you have a job?
Joyce Manning: I write copy for an advertising agency .
Maj. Mark Baird: Now that should help you forget your troubles.
Joyce Manning: I can imagine myself going back to write all those tired old adjectives: "Tremendous," "Gigantic," "Colossal!" You know what they'd mean to me now, don't you? Glenn! A colossal freak, Major, and he's my brother!

---

Alternate Versions

The original 16mm U.S. television syndication prints had the color finale printed in black and white.

---

Connections

Featured in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

User Reviews

There wasn't a lot of reason to make or watch this one...

I love 1950s sci-fi and horror films. Sure, many of them are quite cheesy but they are also quite fun. And this is the biggest reason NOT to see this film--it simply isn't any fun.

Although you would think that the enormous man died at the end of "The Amazing Colossal Man", somehow Colonel Manning somehow ends up in Mexico. This, despite two bazooka blasts and a 700 foot fall at the end of the last movie. The only think I liked about this angle was the great makeup job--with the Colonel's partially exposed skull. The other problem with the man now is that he's obviously brain damaged and just growled and grunted throughout the film! Not surprisingly, when the Air Force brings him back to America, bad things ensue.

In addition to a rather unnecessary plot, the film also suffers from 'flashback-itis'. In other words, much of the film consists of film footage from the first film in a cynical attempt to pad the movie--which is sad because even with this recycled footage it's only a little over an hour long.

So here's the negative: the script is dull, filled with rehashed material and the leading man growls and grunts throughout the entire movie. On the positive side: cool skull makeup. All in all, the skull makeup pales in comparison to the rest of the movie! My advice is only see this is you are very, very bored...and not particularly choosy.