Tag Archives: dinosaur

“Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” (1953) – Science Unleashes The Beast

The Beast Unleashed in question is the unknown impact and power of the Atomic Bomb. It was on July 16th, 1945 that the United States detonated its first atomic bomb in a desert region near Alamogordo, New Mexico. This was a new weapon in the arsenal of US military forces. What destructive powers could be released by this furious weapon?

We get a partial answer to this conundrum in “Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” (1953). An atomic bomb is being tested in the Arctic Circle region. Its explosive power frees a frozen dinosaur embedded in ice. The creature is revived and finds an ocean route to New York City! There, havoc is naturally wrought as The Beast spreads death and destruction in its wake.

This movie is notable for allowing the talents of writer Ray Bradbury and stop motion animator Ray Harryhausen to share the screen.

Great Saturday afternoon fare!

“Reptilicus” (1961) – Regenerated Dinosaur Hand Puppet Destroys Denmark!

Miners uncover a piece of preserved dinosaur tail that ends up thawing in a scientific research facility. That ends up being an awful turn of events. The small bit of flesh soon grows and regenerates a complete dinosaur! The resilient reptile. Very soon, a full-fledged rampaging beast is on the loose and begins laying waste to the Denmark countryside where the tale takes place.

There are bits of this fantasy film that I find actually enjoyable. There is a travelogue of sorts that appears near the middle of the film that highlights some of the festive night spots and activities available for our heroes to partake in. Nicely done! The creature, Reptilicus, often spits out a neon green slimy mist at the Army fighting it off. The mist has the effect of dissolving the offending Army and its tanks, artillery and other weapons of war.

Budgetary and special effects limitations prevented not much more than a long neck attached to a vulture like dinosaur hand puppet head to represent the prehistoric beast, Reptilicus. We also see a wing-like appendage attached to the monster’s side but we never glimpse any limbs providing mobility. The beast appears to effortlessly glide over the landscape.

And, most importantly, what the heck is with the church bell sound effect that gets mixed in as part of the mighty monster’s roar? Unknown.

Q – The Winged Serpent (1982)

Not quite a horror comedy but this film definitely has some satirical touches added by director/writer, the late, great Larry Cohen.  There is also a good supply of gore such as bitten off limbs and rains of blood from the sky above.  Two New York cops are in pursuit of a crazed killer who is enacting Aztec ritual sacrifice on people.  Why, you may ask.  The rituals will summon forth, Quetzalcoatl , an Aztec god of wind and air who could give the killer more of an edge in taking New York over by force.  So, the killings continue both on the ground and in the air.  Victims are beheaded on rooftops or carried away and saved as late night Scooby snacks.  A hapless criminal stumbles upon the feathered serpent’s lair and leads the cops there to set up an ambush.  It then becomes a modern day King Kong finale.

Cohen makes great use of urban location shooting to tell his story and has a lively cast to bring this thing to life.  David Carradine and Michael Moriarity gamely go along with the grisly goings on and provide needed spark to this film.  Decent stop motion effects for the serpent and lots of interesting aerial photography to show the beast’s point of view as it flaps around town.  Cohen had by this point in his career had the It’s Alive and God Told Me To films under his belt.  Cohen just recently passed away.  An always interesting talent!