Gorgo (1961)

Greedy sailors capture a giant lizard off the coast of Ireland and sell it to a London circus. Then its mother shows up.

Director:

Eugène Lourié (as Eugene Lourie)

Writers:

Robert L. Richards (screen story), Daniel James (screen story)

Stars:

Bill Travers, William Sylvester, Vincent Winter

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bill Travers	...	Joe Ryan
William Sylvester	...	Sam Slade
Vincent Winter	...	Sean
Christopher Rhodes	...	McCartin
Joseph O'Conor	...	Prof. Hendricks
Bruce Seton	...	Prof. Flaherty
Martin Benson	...	Dorkin
Maurice Kaufmann	...	Radio Reporter (as Maurice Kauffman)
Basil Dignam	...	Admiral
Barry Keegan	...	Mate
Tommy Duggan	...	1st Naval Officer (as Thomas Duggan)
Howard Lang	...	1st Colonel
Dervis Ward	...	Bosun

Storyline

A salvage vessle is nearly sunk off the Irish coast by an undersea earthquake. A few nights later, a walking sea monster tangles with the fishing boats and enters the town. The salvage vessel captures Gorgo and takes it to London for display. Gorgo's mother, who is upset and significantly larger follows his trail to London leaving a wake of destruction in her path.

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Plot Keywords:

sailor | boat | giant lizard | lizard | ireland | 

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Taglines:

Like nothing you've ever seen before!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

29 March 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fornaldar-skrímslið

Filming Locations:

Coliemore Harbour, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

King Brothers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original script had no military action indicated. Director Eugène Lourié argued that gunfire would kill a beast, no matter how big. The King Brothers wanted guns and they got them.

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Goofs

The sailors put into port on what is supposed to be a small island off the West coast of Ireland. They encounter a local, and ask him a question, which he answers in Irish (Gaelic): "Cad a dhéanfaimid anois?" whilst gesturing in the direction they need to travel. This means, "What will we do now?" Anybody who understood this will wonder why he would answer in this way, until later in the film, when it gradually emerges that this is what he always says when required to utter a line that we are not supposed to understand. There is actually one occasion when the phrase used fits the situation.

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Quotes

Radio Reporter: Picadilly. The heart of London. Words can't describe it. There's been nothing like it, not even the worst of the Blitz! This section is complete shambles. People running, mad with fear.

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Connections

Featured in Creepy Classics (1987)

User Reviews

Good British Godzilla

Gee,after reading all the comments from the MST3K-wannabes,I'm not sure whether I should say that I enjoyed "Gorgo",that the special effects were quite adequate,if not outstanding,that Travers,Sylvester,and Winters do quite well in the acting department,and that it has a really nice Angelo Lavagnino musical score.Oh well,I'll say it anyway..........