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IMDbPro

The Beast of Yucca Flats

  • 19611961
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 54m
IMDb RATING
1.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Tor Johnson, Marcia Knight, and Bing Stafford in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
A defecting Soviet scientist is hit by a nuclear explosion near Yucca Flats and roams around as a beast.
Play trailer1:18
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
A defecting Soviet scientist is hit by a nuclear explosion near Yucca Flats and roams around as a beast.A defecting Soviet scientist is hit by a nuclear explosion near Yucca Flats and roams around as a beast.A defecting Soviet scientist is hit by a nuclear explosion near Yucca Flats and roams around as a beast.
IMDb RATING
1.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Coleman Francis
  • Writer
    • Coleman Francis
  • Stars
    • Douglas Mellor
    • Barbara Francis
    • Bing Stafford
Top credits
  • Director
    • Coleman Francis
  • Writer
    • Coleman Francis
  • Stars
    • Douglas Mellor
    • Barbara Francis
    • Bing Stafford
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 157User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:18
    Trailer

    Photos106

    Tor Johnson in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Marcia Knight in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Tor Johnson in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Tor Johnson in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Mary Torres in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Mary Torres in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Mary Torres in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Mary Torres in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Mary Torres in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    Mary Torres in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
    The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Douglas Mellor
    • Hank Radcliffe
    Barbara Francis
    • Lois Radcliffe
    Bing Stafford
    • Jim Archer
    Larry Aten
    • Joe Dobson
    Linda Bielema
    • Wife on Vacation
    Ronald Francis
    • Randy Radcliffe
    Alan Francis
    • Art Radcliffe
    Anthony Cardoza
    • KGB Driver
    • (as Tony Cardoza)
    • …
    Bob Labansat
    • Javorsky's Bodyguard
    Jim Oliphant
    • Husband on Vacation
    John Morrison
    • KGB Passenger
    Eric Tomlin
    • Driver Run Off Road
    Jim Miles
    • Javorsky's Driver
    George Prince
    • Man Who Reports Murder
    • (as George Principe)
    Conrad Brooks
    Conrad Brooks
    • Man at Airfield
    Graham Stafford
    • News Boy
    Tor Johnson
    Tor Johnson
    • Joseph Javorsky…
    Coleman Francis
    • Narrator
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    • Director
      • Coleman Francis
    • Writer
      • Coleman Francis
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tor Johnson's final starring role. He had one more uncredited role in Head (1968).
    • Goofs
      When the KGB agents chase Javorski, the scene cuts between day and night repeatedly.
    • Quotes

      Narrator: Flag on the moon. How did it get there?

    • Alternate versions
      Some versions eliminate the bare breasts shot in the beginning of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Beast of Yucca Flats (1995)

    User reviews157

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    Push The Play Button, Weird Things Happen.
    THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS is a classic "good bad movie." Big Tor Johnson is a Russian scientist who is transformed into a choke-happy maniac after an A-bomb test. With two of the blandest rangers imaginable hot on his trail, the "beast" makes caveman noises, takes a nap, chases after children with a stick and, in an uncontrollable fit of rage, tosses a rock.

    While Tor's indescribable performance is enough to fill one bad movie, there are plenty of other "highlights". For one, the film was shot as a silent, with audio (including some incredibly cheesy "suspense" music) added in post-production. The voice-overs are every bit as unconvincing as the acting. It's impossible to watch the characters interact and not picture someone sitting in front of a microphone, indifferently reading from a script.

    Secondly, the film has plot holes so big not even Tor's supper could fill them. The opening scene, for instance, depicts someone (presumably the beast) murdering an innocent woman. But it's prior to Johnson's transformation, and the maniac never leaves Yucca Flats. So who did the deed? And why is it so easy for these characters to get so close to an atomic testing site? And why can't the rangers manage to climb a summit so non-challenging that a couple of young boys have no problem? I guess it helps not to be so inquiring.

    The absolute best (or worst?) part of this film is the inane "narration" by director Coleman Francis. With so much silence to fill, it often sounds like Francis is just making things up as he goes along, hoping to sound deep, sophisticated and poetic. An example: "Boys from the city, not yet caught by the whirlwind of progress, feed soda pop to the thirsty pigs." Or: "Touch a button, things happen. A scientist becomes a beast." But just reading such quotes don't do them justice. They really have to be heard, in Coleman's serious-toned voice, to be believed.

    And what about the "beast"? Despite the title, Johnson isn't much of one. He looks pretty much like the regular Tor Johnson, save for some "puffy burn" makeup. I was expecting some phony-looking rubber monster. Nor does this beast really do beastly things. He just chokes (or tries to choke) people and makes caveman noises. In the personality department, he makes Frankenstein's monster look like Freddy Krueger.

    What's most amazing about THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS is that it was a big screen release. People paid money to see this, and in its day, more than a few presumably had to cover their eyes at the sheer horror. The budget was said to be around $34,000, but you'd be hard-pressed to find where even that minute amount went. It looks a group of friends just got together one weekend to have some fun with their new film recorder. Consider the rabbit who hopped onto the set toward the end of filming. Francis just went with the unscripted moment as the rabbit investigated Johnson, who at that point was supposed to be dead but is revived long enough to kiss the animal (what's that about?) before again losing consciousness. It's reminiscent of your family's home videos when the camera suddenly jerks away from little Jimmy roasting marshmallows to an impromptu moment in the background: "Look! A rabbit!"

    Love it or hate it, THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS is truly unlike anything we've ever seen or will see again. Though it may take more than one viewing to fully appreciate the ineptness, its ridiculousness will stay with you. Recommended for anyone whose gut hurt after PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE.
    helpful•60
    4
    • ReelCheese
    • Jun 18, 2006

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between some US DVD Versions and the Uncensored Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Girl Madness
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Cardoza-Francis Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $34,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      54 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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