Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)

In rural Arizona, countless killer tarantulas are migrating through a farm town, killing every living thing in their path. The town's veterinarian will do everything in his power to survive the onslaught.

Director:

John 'Bud' Cardos

Writers:

Richard Robinson (screenplay), Alan Caillou (screenplay)

Stars:

William Shatner, Tiffany Bolling, Woody Strode

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Shatner	...	Rack Hansen
Tiffany Bolling	...	Diane Ashley
Woody Strode	...	Walter Colby
Lieux Dressler	...	Emma Washburn
David McLean	...	Gene Smith
Natasha Ryan	...	Linda Hansen
Altovise Davis	...	Birch Colby
Joe Ross	...	Vern Johnson
Marcy Lafferty	...	Terry Hansen
Adele Malis-Morey	...	Betty Johnson (as Adele Malis)
Roy Engel	...	Mayor Connors
Hoke Howell	...	Earl Forbes
Bill Coontz	...	Clyde (as Bill Foster)
Whitey Hughes	...	The Baron
Jay Lawrence	...	Deputy

Storyline

Investigating the mysterious deaths of a number of farm animals, vet Rack Hansen discovers that his town lies in the path of hoards of migrating tarantulas. Before he can take action, the streets are overrun by killer spiders, trapping a small group of towns folk in a remote hotel.

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Plot Keywords:

girl in very short dress or skirt | girl in a notably short outfit | arizona | aviation | tragic event | 

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Taglines:

A living crawling horror on earth

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to popular belief (and in the film), the venom of most tarantulas is not dangerous to humans, causing no more harm than a bee sting (unless the person is allergic to the venom). The worst injury most of the actors suffered while handling the tarantulas was troublesome itching caused by the spiders shedding their urticating bristles.

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Goofs

When Rack Hansen and Diane Ashley arrive at Terry's farm, they get out of Rack's truck and close the doors. A moment later when they rush back with Rack's niece, Linda, the truck doors are open.

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Quotes

Betty Johnson: I understand you're... you're a scientist. You know you and Vern have a lot in common.
Diane Ashley: Oh... uhh, really?
Vern Johnson: That's how I make all my money... kinda scientific you know... through chemicals.
Diane Ashley: Oh, you're a chemist?
Betty Johnson: You dont understand, Vern invented a new kind of chemical toilet... you know the kind they use at construction sites.
Vern Johnson: Sold the business though... sold out to my partner... just couldn't take the pressure anymore.
[Laugh]
Vern Johnson: Uhh Say
[looks over shoulder at wife]
Vern Johnson: Uhh, say, can I buy you a drink? A ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Killer Fish Dinner with Frank Pesce and William Lustig (2014)

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Soundtracks

Things I Treasure
Written and Sung by Dorsey Burnette
Available on Calliope Records and Tapes

User Reviews

Mummy, I can't sleep ever again

Because I am pretty damn well scared of spiders, this film really sh*t me up. The acting and the dialogue are pretty risible, but theres some good effects (for the budget) and there are some genuinely disturbing moments especially when a man goes up in a plane and there are dozens of huge spiders in the cockpit with him, and they crawl all over him, and he can't do anything, and one of them goes on his FACE and he starts to scream and its the most genuinely frightening scream that I have ever heard, and when spiders take over the town and there is panic everywhere. The shock ending is great as well, and pretty revolutionary for the time. This film is a little like Night Of The Living Dead, in that the characters end up boarded up in a farm house, with the enemies swarming outside. And they look out of the window..... Well, I guess you'll just have to watch the movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kingdom of the Spiders

Filming Locations:

Camp Verde, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arachnid Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1