‘From the depths of the sea… a tidal wave of terror!’
Attack of the Crab Monsters is a 1957 American science-fiction horror film written by Charles B. Griffith and produced and directed by Roger Corman.
Plot:
A group of scientists lands on a remote island in the Pacific to search for a previous expedition that disappeared and to continue research on the effects of radiation from the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests on the island’s plant and sea life. They learn to their horror that the earlier group of scientists have been eaten by mutated giant crabs that have gained intelligence by absorbing the minds of their victims.
Members of the current expedition are systematically attacked and killed by the crabs, which are invulnerable to most weaponry because of the mutation in their cell structure.
Finally, they discover the crabs are the cause of the earthquakes and landslides that are destroying the island. As the remaining expedition members struggle to survive on the ever-shrinking island, they must also find a way to stop the crabs before they reproduce…
Reviews:
“Unlike practically everything else of its time and type, it makes a good-faith effort to be scary, and Corman demonstrates a great deal of imagination in finding shortcuts and workarounds to make up for the money he didn’t have. It’s a pretty audacious move trying to make a film involving a disintegrating island on a $70,000 budget…” 1000 Misspent Hours and Counting
“There are a number of surprising, scary, and freaky moments. There are enticing underwater shots of fish and manta rays. There are numerous quotable lines, some purposely funny and others unconsciously so.” David Elroy Goldweber, Claws & Saucers
Buy Crab Monsters…: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
“Strictly in the shrimp league, yet by being shoddy and laughable Corman creates an entertaining framework with Charles Griffith’s script. A charming niaveté is at work as monsters gobble up characters (some scenes are gruesome)…” John Stanley, Creature Features
“… (a) more ambitious production, it covers the methodical destruction and inundation of an entire island – all of which occurs off-screen. Charles B. Griffith’s screenplay keeps the story hopping for just over an hour but limits the show to a minimum of locations.” DVD Savant
The movie shows its low budget, particularly in the crabs themselves, which are highly unconvincing. But it certainly moves at a cracking pace.” Alan Frank, The Horror Film Handbook
Offline reading:
How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime by Roger Corman with Jim Jerome, Da Capo Press, New York, USA, 1998
The Films of Roger Corman by Alan Frank, Batsford , London, 1998
Buy: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
“The crab was built by a Hollywood special effects firm and looked quite realistic. It stretched about fifteen feet and was held together with wires. Ed Nelson, who went on to star in TV’s Peyton Place, made his acting debut inside the monster.” Roger Corman
Free to watch online on Dailymotion:
Cast and characters:
Richard Garland … Dale Brewer
Pamela Duncan … Martha Hunter
Russell Johnson … Hank Chapman
Leslie Bradley … Doctor Karl Weigand
Mel Welles … Jules Deveroux
Richard H. Cutting … Dr James Carson
Beach Dickerson … Seaman Ron Fellows
Tony Miller … Seaman Jack Sommers
Ed Nelson … Lt. Quinlan
Robin Riley … Seaman
Doug Roberts … Seaman
Charles B. Griffith … Seaman Tate
Maitland Stuart … Seaman Mac
Filming locations:
Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park – 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California
Leo Carrillo State Beach – 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California
Marineland of the Pacific – 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, California (underwater scenes)
Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California
Technical credits:
1 hour 2 minutes
Audio: Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Black and white
Aspect ratio: 1.78: 1
