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The Giant Gila Monster (1959)

Not Rated | | Horror, Sci-Fi | 1959 (UK)
The Giant Gila Monster Poster
A giant lizard terrorizes a rural Texas community and a a heroic teenager attempts to destroy the creature.

Director:

Ray Kellogg

Writers:

Ray Kellogg (original story), Jay Simms (screenplay)

Stars:

Don Sullivan, Fred Graham, Lisa Simone | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Don Sullivan ... Chase Winstead
Fred Graham ... Sheriff Jeff
Lisa Simone Lisa Simone ... Lisa
Shug Fisher ... Old Man Harris
Bob Thompson Bob Thompson ... Mr. Wheeler
Janice Stone Janice Stone ... Missy Winstead
Ken Knox Ken Knox ... Horatio Alger 'Steamroller' Smith
Gay McLendon Gay McLendon ... Mom Winstead
Don Flournoy Don Flournoy ... Gordy
Cecil Hunt Cecil Hunt ... Mr. Compton
Stormy Meadows Stormy Meadows ... Agatha Humphries
Howard Ware Howard Ware ... Ed Humphries
Pat Reeves Pat Reeves ... Rick
Jan McLendon Jan McLendon ... Jennie
Jerry Cortwright Jerry Cortwright ... Bob
See full cast »
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Storyline

A couple of teenagers are reported missing in a small Texas town, and it is thought they eloped. Sheriff Jeff turns to his friend Clarence Winstead, a garage mechanic and leader of a hot-rod gang, for help. After a series of tragic motor accidents, it becomes apparent that a giant Gila monster is roaming the area depleting the town of its citizens and visitors, including two hot-rodding teens, and planning to attend the BIG record-hop party. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

nitroglycerin | mechanic | teenager | giant lizard | small town | See All (39) »

Taglines:

Only Hell could breed such an enormous beast. Only God could destroy it!

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1959 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Gigantyczna jaszczurka See more »

Filming Locations:

Lake Dallas, Texas, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$138,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures Corporation (II) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The voice you hear on the other end of the phone, when Chase eavesdrops on a phone call to the police department, is that of Ken Curtis, who served as producer on this film. He is more famous for having played scruffy deputy Festus Hagen on Gunsmoke (1955). See more »

Goofs

Chase is seen taking white wall tires off a wrecked car and putting them on his own. In the next scene, he has black wall tires on his car. The white wall tires change back and forth several times from scene to scene after that. See more »

Quotes

Sheriff Jeff: *What* did you hit him with?
Chase Winstead: My brand new, 100% completed hot rod.
Sheriff Jeff: You'd have had to start in the next county to get up enough momentum to do that to him.
Chase Winstead: Not with 4 quarts of nitro glycerin riding with me.
Mr. Wheeler: You drove across that rough field carrying nitro?
Chase Winstead: Yes sir!
Sheriff Jeff: Do you realize what could have happened?
Chase Winstead: It did. I lost my car!
Sheriff Jeff: Don't worry about that, the railroad will be *glad* to buy you a new one.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Steve Smith Playhouse: Giant Gila Monster (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

I Ain't Made That Way
(uncredited)
Composed and Performed by Don Sullivan
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this available on DVD?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Fan of 50s sci-fi? This movie is FUN!!!
31 July 2006 | by lespaulstandar – See all my reviews

OK, I know I'm in the minority here, but I have to say I love this movie.

Most people may think the acting is corny and special effects are lousy, but there is a certain kind of charm this movie has that stays with you. It's the kind of movie, if you saw it as a kid, you would never forget it.

I even think the Gila Monster is kind of cool .. Hey, he's cooler than some of those stupid Japanese monster movies (ever seen those Gamera flicks?)

The characters all have personality and charm (even the drunk is great!). The eerie music is great (it defines 1950s sci-fi), the hot-rods are cool and the low-lit scenes are great too. It just adds to the charm of the movie.

It's hard to describe, but the movie is like one of those scratchy old record albums you've loved since you bought it as a kid.

I surfed the internet after seeing the movie and found a site dedicated to the movie and its fans (the guest book is loaded with praise from the many fans who signed it).

In short, this movie is FUN, bad acting and all ... it's just a good time. Enjoy it!
16 of 18 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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