Zaat (1971)

A mad scientist transforms himself into an aquatic killer.

Directors:

Don Barton, Arnold Stevens (uncredited)

Writers:

Ron Kivett (story), Lee O. Larew (story)

Stars:

Marshall Grauer, Wade Popwell, Paul Galloway

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marshall Grauer	...	Dr. Kurt Leopold
Wade Popwell	...	The Monster
Paul Galloway	...	Sheriff Lou Krantz
Gerald Cruse	...	Marine Biologist Rex
Sanna Ringhaver	...	INPIT Agent Martha Walsh
Dave Dickerson	...	INPIT Agent Walker Stevens
Rich Valliere	...	Deputy Sheriff (as Archie Valliere)
Nancy Lien	...	Girl Camper
Russell Holcomb
Gloria Brady
Del Galloway
Hal Nearhoof
Jim Merrill	...	Boy on porch
Elizabeth Barton	...	Girl on porch
Bob Knowles

Storyline

A mad scientist (and apparent former Nazi) unleashes his master plan: to transform himself into a mutated walking catfish, gain revenge on those who have spurned him, and kidnap nubile young women to similarly transform so that he can breed. Or something like that.

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Plot Keywords:

catfish | transformation | psychotronic film | mad scientist | creature feature | 

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Taglines:

It would take an atom bomb to wipe out the walking catfish!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The monster suit was quite cumbersome for star Wade Popwell. The suit weighed 120 pounds and stood seven feet tall with 6'5'' Popwell wearing it. At times cuts had to be made during the shooting of swamp scenes when the monster's head would crash into unseen tree branches.

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Goofs

When Walker Stevens is in bed and Rex is talking to him, the shadow of a boom mic is persistently visible before Martha joins him and the monster spies them through the window.

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Quotes

Marine Biologist Rex: But why would a monster need drugs?
INPIT Agent Stevens: For the same reason he became a vampire last night - to satisfy some physical need or urge.

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Alternate Versions

For its 1999 airing on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Zaat (shown under the title Blood Waters of Dr. Z) was heavily edited. Among the numerous scenes cut were further scenes of the INPIT agents, Dr. Leopold disposing of his victim in a vat of acid, scenes of the locals evacuating, and one bizarre scene where a band of singing hippies is taken to the jail by the Sheriff.

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Connections

Featured in Best of the Worst: Plinketto #2 (2016)

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Soundtracks

World War II Boy
(the theme from 'Zaat')
Written and performed by Jamie DeFrates and Barry Hodgin

User Reviews

Hilariously awful

An idiotic scientist decides to turn himself into a walking catfish monster. He also wants to create a new race of fellow walking catfish monsters. This is a horrible movie. It starts off with some laughable narration and an awful folk song. It only gets worse from there. That said, I was cracking up a lot throughout this thing. There's one golden moment shortly after the guy has changed into monster form. He's walking through a basement and clearly trips over something, perhaps the shitty monster costume itself. We're also privy to the long, drawn out process of him getting his machines, pulleys and other junk together for the mutation. This takes up about 20 minutes of screen time all by itself.

About halfway through the film, we get more awful singing from a bunch of hippies, followed by a march to the local jail. The so-called hero of the picture is a joke. He and his girlfriend also wear ridiculous red jumpsuits. They should have just stuck with the college guy and the sheriff, not that doing so would have saved the movie or anything. This is currently #10 on the IMDb bottom 100 list. There's no question that this is a bad movie, but I wouldn't rate it that low simply because of the amusement I got out of it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Attack of the Swamp Creatures

Filming Locations:

Green Cove Springs, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$75,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Barton Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1