A giant lizard terrorizes a rural Texas community and a heroic teenager attempts to destroy the creature.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Don Sullivan | ... |
Chase Winstead
|
|
| Fred Graham | ... |
Sheriff Jeff
|
|
 |
Lisa Simone | ... |
Lisa
|
| Shug Fisher | ... |
Old Man Harris
|
|
|
|
Bob Thompson | ... |
Mr. Wheeler
|
|
|
Janice Stone | ... |
Missy Winstead
|
|
|
Ken Knox | ... |
Horatio Alger 'Steamroller' Smith
|
|
|
Gay McLendon | ... |
Mom Winstead
|
|
|
Don Flournoy | ... |
Gordy
|
|
|
Cecil Hunt | ... |
Mr. Compton
|
|
|
Stormy Meadows | ... |
Agatha Humphries
|
|
|
Howard Ware | ... |
Ed Humphries
|
|
|
Pat Reeves | ... |
Rick
|
|
|
Jan McLendon | ... |
Jennie
|
|
|
Jerry Cortwright | ... |
Bob
|
|
|
Beverly Thurman | ... |
Gay
|
|
|
Clarke Browne | ... |
Chuck
|
|
|
Grady Vaughn | ... |
Pat Wheeler
|
|
|
Desmond Dhooge | ... |
Hitchhiker
(as Desmond Doogh)
|
|
|
Ann Sonka | ... |
Whila
|
|
|
Yolanda Salas | ... |
Liz Humphries
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Gordon McLendon | ... |
Narrator (uncredited)
|
|
|
Patricia Simmons | ... |
Sherry (uncredited)
|
|
|
Angus G. Wynne III | ... |
Dumb Teen (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Ray Kellogg | ... | (directed by) |
Written by
| Ray Kellogg | ... | (original story by) |
| Jay Simms | ... | (screenplay by) |
Produced by
| Ken Curtis | ... | producer (produced by) |
| B.R. McLendon | ... | producer |
| Gordon McLendon | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Jack Marshall | ... | (music composed by) |
Cinematography by
| Wilfrid M. Cline | ||
Editing by
| Aaron Stell | ... | film editor |
Set Decoration by
| Louise Caldwell | ||
Makeup Department
| Corinne Daniel | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Ben Chapman | ... | production manager |
Art Department
| Louise Caldwell | ... | art designer (as Louis Caldwell) |
Sound Department
| Milton Citron | ... | sound effects |
| James Richard | ... | sound effects |
| Earl Snyder | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Ralph Hammeras | ... | special photographic effects |
| Wee Risser | ... | special photographic effects |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Harry L. Gianneschi | ... | camera assistant |
| Henry A. Kokojan | ... | camera operator |
| George Gordon Nogle | ... | camera operator |
| William John Ranaldi | ... | camera assistant |
Music Department
| Audrey Granville | ... | music associate (as Audray Granville) |
| Jack Marshall | ... | conductor |
| Don Sullivan | ... | special songs by |
| Paul Tanner | ... | musician: electro-theremin (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Audrey A. Blasdel | ... | script supervisor (as Audrey Blasdel) |
Additional Crew
| John Mulkey | ... | car owner (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Hollywood Pictures Corporation (II) (presents)
Distributors
- McLendon-Radio Pictures Distributing Company (1959) (United States) (theatrical)
- Eros Film Distributors Ltd. (1959) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Metro Goldwyn Mayer (1962) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Screen Entertainment (1964) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- American-International Television (AIP-TV) (1971) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- VCI Home Video (2000) (United States) (VHS)
- Alpha Video Distributors (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Reel Media International (2004) (World-wide) (VHS)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2006) (United States) (VHS)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2006) (United States) (video)
- Reel Media International (2007) (World-wide)
- Shout! Factory (2010) (United States) (video) (MST3K version)
- Sinister Cinema (2010) (United States) (DVD)
- American Pop Classics (2015) (United States) (DVD)
- Film Detective (2015) (United States) (DVD)
- Gemini Entertainment (2022) (Japan) (video) (VOD)
- Stream Go Media (2022) (World-wide)
- Film Masters (2023) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- ROKiT FLIX (2023) (United States)
- YouTube (United States) (video) (VOD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of: affiliated with A.F. of L.)
- Legend Films (colorization)
- Legend Films (restoration)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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 |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The Biggest Terror Ever Unleashed on the Screen! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $138,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The voice heard 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. (additional info) During the making of the film, several times Chase's car broke an axle. It was common for this car because of its high speed. Also due to rough country roads. This may be why the frequent tire changes noticed in the movie. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Hookers in a Haunted House (1999). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Mushroom Song See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The title "The GIANT GILA MONSTER" is printed in letters covered with reptile scales See more » |
| Quotes |
Sheriff Jeff:
I ask you what time it is and you tell me how to build a clock, just answer the question! See more » |