Customer Reviews

Cult Classics: Earth vs. the Spider/War of the Colossal Beast

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First off, you might be wondering why this isn't the proper double feature - that being the Amazing Colossal Man and War of the Colossal Beast. Well for some odd reason, Sam Arkoff's estate has control of the second film and his AIP partner James Nicholson has the rights on the first film.

Both of the films were made by the amazing Bert I. Gordon. The "I" was for Incredible. Earth Vs. The Spider (1958 - 73m) all you have to know about this film - it's big spider. This was a busy year for Bert because he also gave us War of the Colossal Beast (1958 - 69m) - (along with Attack of the Puppet People - part of MGM's Midnite Movies series). We thought we saw the last of Col. Glenn Manning, a man who grew to 60 feet tall after getting too close to an atomic blast. But now he's back and not looking too good - he really should use more lotion.

Both of these films are Psychotronic gems. I remember seeing both Colossal films on Channel 56's Creature Double Feature in Boston. Do hope the Nicholson estate gets their titles onto high quality DVD releases.

American-International Studios made the most fun movies I can recall. Some even had sparks of genius, but almost all were entertaining. I didn't know that Nicholson & Arkoff had separate control over the various films. Certainly, AIP knew how to market their films, with the drive-in crowd, the brilliant Roger Corman doing Poe, and the Beach Party movies with Frankie and Annette. They even got an Oscar nomination once, for "Wild in the Streets" (Editing). They also had terrific product placement ads, like in "The Spider", promoting Puppet People; Dorothy Malone putting on a record (in "Beach Party") with an AIP label; and more. I agree that the Colossal Man movies should've been put together on a disc; the other "Cult Classics" DVD released by Lions Gate (How to Make a Monster/Blood of Dracula) was wonderful, and I hope they keep doing it. Perhaps now I understand why "Invasion of the Saucermen", "It Conquered the World", "The Day the World Ended", and, best of all, "Not of this Earth", haven't been released. I hope that Mr. Nicholson's estate lawyers will realize that there's a waiting public out here, and they can blood-suck the family quite a bit by suggesting they release these essential gems. Anyone else agree? UPDATE: "Day the World Ended" has been released on a double-bill with "The She-Creature", cheesy but fun. "Day/World Ended" is listed as AIP's FIRST film! Really good, too.

This is a great giant monster on the loose movie. Originally it was titled simply "THE SPIDER" (The version I grew up with) but was retitled "EARTH VS. THE SPIDER" when it was sold to television in a package deal with "EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS". (The same thing happened when AIP sold "GAPPA: THE TRIPHIBIAN MONSTER" as "MONSTER FROM A PREHISTORIC PLANET" in a TV package with 'VOYAGE TO A PREHISTORIC PLANET" and "DESTROY ALL PLANETS" WITH DESTROY ALL MONSTERS". Get it?)
Anyway its a fun movie and its about as good, or maybe, dare I say it, even better than Universal's "TARANTULA".
It is also a shame that they couldn't pair 'WAR OF THE COLLOSAL BEAST" with AMAZING COLLASAL MAN" But those are the breaks, man.

Having grown up during the 60's and seeing both of these movies during my "formative years", I have to thank Bert I. Gordon for giving me such a good scare (yes, SCARE!). How could anyone back then NOT be terrified of the hideously disfigured 60 ft. colossal beast who only wanted to be left alone in the desert to raid unsuspecting delivery truck drivers of their food provisions? And how could anyone back then NOT be terrified of the bad acting and the sight of a giant spider that would change it's scale in almost every shot? These are the types of films that are probably sneered and ridiculed by the majority of post-baby boomer's, but for a 46 yr. old kid who refuses to totally grow up, I raise my glass and toast to a genre of film that keeps that little boy in me alive and well.

These two movies are great together! EARTH VS. THE SPIDER has always been a personal favorite. I love the big arachnid and it's howl of doom! The same howl used by THE BEAST FROM HAUNTED CAVE! Gene Roth (Attack Of The Giant Leeches, She Demons) is the skeptical sheriff. He soon finds out that those wacky teens are telling the truth! Check out that giant spider web in the caverns. Yeah, it's just made of rope, but it works somehow. Perhaps Bert I. Gordon's best movie. WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST has the big fella still running around in his titanic underwear, causing mayhem like never before! I prefer the original, but hey, this one ain't a bad sequel. I like the giant's half-obliterated face. It adds a frightening look to an otherwise "human" behemoth. Ya gotta love the huge hypodermic needle too! Buy this double-dose of giant-astic fun immediately!...

These are two wonderful old films that bring back so many memories of happier times. I used to watch these wonderful old horror films on Double Chiller Theatre every Saturday night. The movies did not start until 11:30 and I used to beg my mother to let me sit up and watch the double feature. She said yes most times and I'd always make my sister sit up with me, but she would always fall asleep. However I would still end up getting so nervous and scared watching these movies that I'd be up the rest of the night. As for the movies, both are tons of 1950's fun. The transfers are excellent on both films and the sound is great as well. If you love these wonderful old black and white horror films of the 1950's, I would highly recommend this set as you will not be disappointed. I only hope "I Was A Teenage Werewolf" and "I Was A Teenage Frankenstein" are released soon.

I have both of these films on vhs and i wanted the dvd versions instead.They will last forever.Vhs tapes will go bad and i want them in my library for a long time.Bert gordons work on these films is excellent""His films have always been some kind of giant something.He also made the amazing colossal man and empire of the ants.Not to mention village of the giants.They were all good B films and i just love B movies.A fantastic price for both of them at $9.97 or something like that.I cant wait for the colossal man to be released as i will buy that also.Fine classic films for the sci fi collector.A must for your library""

For this baby boomer who grew up in the 50's, Bert I. Gordon was my George Lucas. He brought amazing creatures right into our movie theatres. In retrospect, I'm very grateful to him for many hours of enjoyment in that dark movie house. Yeah, these effects are nowhere what is done now, but I didn't know that at that time. I was just a kid in awe of what was on the screen. I loved "The Spider" (as it was called back then). The remake was a real letdown for those of us who enjoyed seeing the overhead shot of a girl screaming her head off, with her 50's skirt caught in the door of her car as the spider approaches. I love the idea that rock 'n roll awakens the spider, who then goes on a rampage all over town. And, yeah, that poor baby alone on a deserted street was very a disturbing sight. Mr. BIG was all about bringing entertainment to the massses, ready to scare us, thrill us and giving us our money's worth for an afternoon. "War of the Colossal Beast" was another reason that made going to the movies on a weekend just a thrill. Thank you, Mr. Gordon.

I love this stuff I grew up loving them on Chiller Theatre,Creature
feature and Fright Night.Those old 50's horror/sci-fi never get old
And thanks to companies like Liongate for their double disc series,
you can get a hold of some of AIP's golden age stuff like this disc
with "The Spider" & "War of the Colossal beast" Both films released
in 1958 the height of Bert "Mr Big" Gordon's career. The Spider was
especially creepy with that weird "eyowww" sound effect bellowed by
the titled beast and most remembered for the Rock & Roll gym recite
dance sequence.

In the second feature "War of the colossal beast" Glenn Manning
is back and living large (if not too well) in New Mexico having
survived his fall of Boulder Dam at the final of Amazing Colossal
man.This one is another one in the weird but effective sound dept
of the titled monster & the concept of Glenn Mannings rotted face gives memories of an earlier film in the director's career titled The Cyclops. The dvd series doesn't contain any extra's but clean
versions of both flicks and while original trailers would be nice
I'm just happy that someone is putting in an effort.

Teenage Werewolf/Teenage Frankenstein anyone?

These two movies are a good example of 50s SCI-FI at its best. Earth Vs. The spider is good because it adds a bit of 50s Malt Shop Era to the movie. Its seems the spider shots may have been taken from an earlier Sci-FI movie Tarantula.War Of The Colossal Beast is movie #2 in this Twin Cult Classic Set.I remember watching this movie as a kid and still enjoy it. Would recommend this double SCI-FI Collection to all 50s Sci-Fi Addicts.