Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)

Synopsis: Roger Corman directed this big-crab classic in which a crew of scientists investigates a nuclear fallout-stricken atoll in the Pacific. There isn't a sign of life on the island, but the researchers... Roger Corman directed this big-crab classic in which a crew of scientists investigates a nuclear fallout-stricken atoll in the Pacific. There isn't a sign of life on the island, but the researchers hear voices calling to them at night, and when they investigate they are promptly clawed and eaten. It seems these gigantic mutant crabs absorb the intelligence of their victims and can speak in their voices. Russell Johnson (the Professor from GILLIGAN'S ISLAND) is a demolition expert who manages to fall in love with betrothed biologist Martha Hunter (Pamela Duncan) before the crab business gets too critical, which isn't long. Mel Welles, Leslie Bradley, and Richard Garland costar as concerned scientists and future brain food. Corman works efficiently from an intelligent script by Charles B. Griffith, achieving a brisk pace that masks the low budget. Beach Dickerson and Ed Nelson are sailors who get eaten (they also operate the crabs for Corman, and in some scenes their legs are visible). This is a fun early example of the "pick 'em off one by one" mode of horror storytelling that would later be adopted in such films as ALIEN and FRIDAY THE 13TH. [More]

Starring: Richard Garland, Pamela Duncan, Russell Johnson, Leslie Bradley

Starring: Richard Garland, Pamela Duncan, Russell Johnson, Leslie Bradley, Mel Welles, Beach Dickerson

Director: Roger Corman

Director: Roger Corman
Producer: Roger Corman
Composer: Ronald Stein

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