The Masters September 26, 2023 BD science-fiction double-feature release of "The Giant Gila Monster" (1959) and "The Killer Shrews" (1959) takes off where Detective left off. The love begins with offering viewers the choice of the theatrical or the TV aspect ratios of the films; the theatrical versions look great on a 55" Sony Bravia 4K set.
This next generation offering is the first in an anxiously anticipated series of monthly Blu-ray releases of 4K remasters of the sublimely ridiculous micro-budget horror films that were the staple of '50s kiddie matinees.
More than most other films from any era, these cult and forgotten favorites truly appeal to everyone from 8-to-80.
Camp kids know and love this studio fare from their premieres at the Main Street movie house, their airings in the '70s syndicated series "Creature Double Feature," their '80s runs on basic cable, and/or their '80s and '90s broiler-level roasting on the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" series. The BD allows men (and women) of a certain age to share the delight of these "they don't make 'em like that anymore" labors of nerd love with their kids and grandkids.
The final note before discussing the films is that new content is especially valuable in this era of the lengthy SAG AFTRA strike.
"Gila" is a delightful schlock-and-roll tale that could have been the most-special "Happy Days" episode ever. Central character Chase Winstead (Don Sullivan) is a cool mechanic/aspiring singer who is a god to the teens with whom he hangs out and a hoodlum to the "respectable adults" in his small town.
The morality of this Hays Code era story is apparent from the start. Young lovers have gone into the woods where they become the first victims of the titular literal big bad. We soon learn both that our pint-sized Godzilla dislikes cars and that the people who warn about the hazards of hitchhiking know about that of which they speak.
The origin story of the creature is one of the most amusing aspects of the film. The explanation this time is that the right combinations of factors can bring an element of The Land of the Giants to us.
The predictable closing scene has the gang assemble at a rural barn for a "platter party" hosted by the local star DJ/comically lovable alcoholic (real-life DJ Ken Knox). The only thing that would have made this better would have been there being a bait shop sign on the side of the door. The sad part of this is that Lizzie likely just wanted to rock-and-roll all night after partying that (and every) day.
It is equally predictable that Chase heroically risks his life to flambe the "monster" who only instinctively went after those who invaded his turf.
The plethora of special features for "Gila" include the awesomely restored awesome trailer for the film, an interview with Sullivan, and audio commentary from a group that knows about that about which they shriek.
The gaping hole is the lack of a an always insightful and entertaining Ballyhoo Motion Pictures documentary on the film. The cinematic study of Kellogg on the "Shrews" disc more than compensates for that "defect."
Long before he futilely chases those Duke boys around Hazzard County, James Best stars as captain Thorne Sherman in the trope-dripping "Shrews."
Our story begins with Sherman and his first mate Griswold taking a three-hour cruise to deliver supplies to a research facility on the doctor's charted desert isle. A desire to avoid his tiny ship getting tossed on that fateful trip prompts Sherman to spend the night ahead of the weather getting rough.
The cliches continue with knowing the instant that Griswold appears on the screen that he may as well have been wearing a Gilligan-red shirt. As predicted, this character is a winner who becomes the doggies' first dinner. The question remains whether Sherman will be lucky and get away.
The game fully is afoot when the skipper and his first mate meet the professor, the movie-star-caliber beauty, and the rest. Dr. Craigis is a madman who is as crazy as you'll ever find but does not have an especially evil mind except for accepting that you must create a few Class-A vicious killers to make an omelet. The theory of "Dr. Shrinker" is that reducing the size of sentient beings will help with the overpopulation problem.
The PERFECT closing line of the film that adds an element of Bond to the existing "Jurassic Park" vibe of "Shrews" reflects the population-control theory in a manner that provides the sublimely happy ending of which viewers only can dream.
Figuratively getting from Point A to Point B requires that Sherman literally makes a march across the island. This involves a wonderfully silly "MacGyver" tactic that utilizes available resources to protect the innocent and get out of Dodge. This follows a brief recreation of "The Most Dangerous Game" involving a spurned lover. That day truly is survival for our lover who also is a rival.
The ABSOLUTE most fun of "Shrews" is the almost constantly shouting "DOGGIE" throughout most of the film. This spoiler provides a sense of the production of a movie that actually may have been made in a Hollywood basement.
The bottom line regarding "Gila" and "Shrew" is that campy humor never stops being funny. This genre also proves that you do not have to go blue or provide exaggerated action to put (or keep) butts in the seats.
