Daily Archives: June 11, 2016

The Black Scorpion
Directed by Edward Ludwig
Written by David Duncan and Robert Blees; story by Paul Yawitz
1957/USA
Amex Productions/Frank Melford-Jack Dietz Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Hank Scott: [after watching two scorpions fight] That’s how they kill each other – that weak spot in the throat![/box]

This movie is all about the stop-motion animation effects by Willis O’Brien, who gave us King Kong.  They are pretty amazing for the time and lift the movie above its now-standard giant creature plot.

Geologist Hank Scott (Richard Denning) and his Mexican sidekick are studying a huge volcanic eruption and earthquake in the Mexican jungle.  Inevitably, nature has awoken prehistoric beasts, in this case a nest of gigantic scorpions.  Mother scorpion is a drooling behemoth with about 50 babies.  These promptly begin attempting to sting each other to death.  The scorpions emerge from their underground home after dark to feed on human blood.

The geological mission personnel are enlisted to combat the scorpions.  They are assisted by beautiful local cattle rancher Teresa Alvarez (Mara Corday) and an annoying small boy named Juanito.  The authorities go into high alert as the army of scorpions starts moving toward Mexico City.

The effects in this movie go above and beyond standard fare with several battles among multiple monsters.  Mama does not look so much like an actual scorpion as her offspring but makes up for it with copious bodily secretions and a ghastly face.  Recommended to fans of the genre.

Trailer

The Astounding She-Monster
Directed by Ronnie Ashcroft
Written by Frank Hall
1957/USA
Hollywood International Picture
First viewing/Netflix rental

Nat Burdell: The way you keep puttin’ your foot in your kisser, it’s a wonder you don’t get athlete’s mouth!

The title character is neither astounding nor a monster.  Blech.

A couple of thugs and their alcoholic moll kidnap a society heiress.  They witness an explosion and hole up in the cabin of a geologist until daylight.  All engage in not-so-witty repartee until they see another light and one of the men goes to investigate.  He is slain by the radiation emanating from an apparently terrifying lady in a leotard and tights.  We know she is an alien because she is always double-exposed.  Things proceed until right conquers evil.  Or does it?

This movie’s only redeeming quality is that it was 62 minutes long.  Worth a miss.

Trailer